[Matoba nods. He didn't disagree with that assessment at all; honestly, there were many measures he couldn't blame the Enma for, given what he was dealing with- wily and rebellious ayakashi, seeking to take advantage for their own self-interest, in the wake of a widespread disaster. Regardless of who was actually at fault, someone needed to take control.]
[Even if the one at fault was....] If our leader was still capable of handling this, I'm sure things wouldn't have spiraled nearly so out of hand. [He doesn't say 'still alive'. The Sutoku Lost Souls at-large had their own suspicions about just what had happened, that night.] And the Tengu leadership don't seem to have satisfactorily taken matters in hand quickly enough for the Enma. I cannot disagree with that assessment.
[In fact, his words for the Tengu leadership had been quite a bit harsher than that, but.... Again, some discretion was necessary, between other clans.]
[Matoba smiles at Soma's comment. He told you his sense of humor was bad.] ...It's really quite impressive. But, I suppose that means that whoever was responsible for arranging this attack must have either betrayed them, or vanished along with the attackers.
....Kappa clan leadership hasn't been found yet, I'm told. It's most distressing to think that they may have been misled by those clansmen they put their trust into. [Matoba tuts softly.]
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[Even if the one at fault was....] If our leader was still capable of handling this, I'm sure things wouldn't have spiraled nearly so out of hand. [He doesn't say 'still alive'. The Sutoku Lost Souls at-large had their own suspicions about just what had happened, that night.] And the Tengu leadership don't seem to have satisfactorily taken matters in hand quickly enough for the Enma. I cannot disagree with that assessment.
[In fact, his words for the Tengu leadership had been quite a bit harsher than that, but.... Again, some discretion was necessary, between other clans.]
[Matoba smiles at Soma's comment. He told you his sense of humor was bad.] ...It's really quite impressive. But, I suppose that means that whoever was responsible for arranging this attack must have either betrayed them, or vanished along with the attackers.
....Kappa clan leadership hasn't been found yet, I'm told. It's most distressing to think that they may have been misled by those clansmen they put their trust into. [Matoba tuts softly.]