Phew! There are a few things I wanted to add but I didn't want to break up the dialogue so I'm putting there here.
She's not implying that she isn't burdened by life's yolk, in fact, its the opposite. She feels that burden strongly and somewhat sympathizes with Azumi's stance. She agrees with it at face value, but disagrees on some of the finer points which she expounds on.
Again, Sagisō agrees with Azumi's words but takes it one step further. Whether you're considered overly cautious or reckless depends on how strong you are. A Jonin casually walking into the forest of death isn't reckless, they're confident, an academy student who does the same is dead.
Her last sentence 'Haven't you been trampled long enough that you've learned to accept your lot in life?' is meant as a prelude to this line, 'Know your place but do not be content with it', which doesn't imply that you should accept your lot in life and leave it like that. Her full message is: accept your lot for now and bide your time until you're strong enough to take a new lot.
Sagisō's opinion on Koki'o failing the exam:
Tl;Dr
I think she assessed the possible risks and then acted in a way she thought was appropriate. So yes, I'm proud, at the very least she'll live to try another day. How many of your fellow Ame ninja will get to say that?
She sees the shinobi mentality as directly responsible for why so many of them die so young and so quickly.
This is a bit more of a subtlety but it also reveals an aspect of Sagisō's pride, or how she responds to it. Her pride doesn't revolve around winning nor will it push her into being fearless or courageous. She's an immediate response girl when she thinks she can deal with the situation at hand, but she's willing to swallow her pride, let is stir like venom, and then strike at a person later down the line.
i.e. She isn't quickly offended but if you managed to truly offend her she'll be vindictive about it and will bear that grudge for a reasonably long time.
I don't think she was like this before...but I suppose now that I have more freedom with her I'm taking her character in interesting directions.
Sagisō
"Spoken like someone burdened by life's yolk," the Nadeshiko kunoichi shot back, her words slick, not giving a single inch of ground.
She's not implying that she isn't burdened by life's yolk, in fact, its the opposite. She feels that burden strongly and somewhat sympathizes with Azumi's stance. She agrees with it at face value, but disagrees on some of the finer points which she expounds on.
I wanted to add another example but the mouse one was just the best fitting one that I could come up with."Life is balance; yes, but on which side of that line do we stand? And who decides what 'balance' is?"
"It's simple really, whoever is stronger dictates the boundaries of balance. Whether you are careless or cautious, wise or short-sighted, it all depends on how strong you are. Mice flee at the slightest hint of danger, they're on the tips of their toes with every. little. thing. Do you know why? Because they know their place; it is among the weak, those whose life is easily snuffed by the passing whims of others. You can laugh and call it short-sighted, but do you know where the far-sighted Mice are...? Dead. Life may not wait for you to guarantee assurance, but if you can guarantee assurance then it is foolhardy to not do so.
Again, Sagisō agrees with Azumi's words but takes it one step further. Whether you're considered overly cautious or reckless depends on how strong you are. A Jonin casually walking into the forest of death isn't reckless, they're confident, an academy student who does the same is dead.
She's added in that last part specifically because it should strike a chord with Azumi, the idea that Amegakure suffers when the Great Nations wage was is a part of the world's 'balance' because 'balance' is decided by those in power. The balance of power is between the Great Nations, and it does not account for minors like Amegakure or Nadeshiko."Lions eat Zebra and that is balance; the strong triumph over the weak and that is balance; Great Nations trample over those less than them and that is balance. Haven't you been trampled long enough that you've learned to accept your lot in life?"
Sagisō paused for a brief moment, eyes narrowed into a vicious glare, she let her words sink in, but didn't allow Azumi the time to respond to them. Instead, she quickly continued.
Her last sentence 'Haven't you been trampled long enough that you've learned to accept your lot in life?' is meant as a prelude to this line, 'Know your place but do not be content with it', which doesn't imply that you should accept your lot in life and leave it like that. Her full message is: accept your lot for now and bide your time until you're strong enough to take a new lot.
This is a reference to the double Biju as well as the army-combination attacks the Great Nations were throwing around during the 8 tails arc."I have seen Lions," She paused, memories flashing back to three months ago on a small chain of islands where her skin crawled with the feeling power in the air, like liquid oppression washing over her; fear and discomfort oozed from the Skillful Star's very being, her body quivering, but not from the cold, "and to them, we aren't even worth being called Zebra. We are more like...mice, or bugs, hardly even noticed when they crush us underfoot."
"Since we know we are mice, we won't move with the airs of a tiger. There is no swifter path to death than overestimating your own strength; but, do not be mistaken. We are mice now but in the future, we will grow, bloom, evolve, until one day, even Lions will be wary of us. When I returned to Nadeshiko, that was the most valuable thing I could give my sisters, to instill in them the cruel truth of life. That the world's balance means we must watch our steps around giants, but one day," her eyes narrowed dangerously; her shivering by this point had stopped and the blood boiling in her veins seemed to fuel a lust for power, "they will watch their steps around us."
Sagisō squeezed a heated breath from her lips, her previous calm returning to her.
"Know your place but do not be content with it. I trust that she did what she thought was best without needlessly risking herself."
The Skillful Star swept her gaze over the competitors, eyeing the shinobi entering the rooms, some with headbands engraved with rain. Turning to Azumi one more time, she muttered softly.
"So you ask if I'm proud...? Yes. I've made sure that all of mine will come back alive, have you?"
Sagisō's opinion on Koki'o failing the exam:
Tl;Dr
I think she assessed the possible risks and then acted in a way she thought was appropriate. So yes, I'm proud, at the very least she'll live to try another day. How many of your fellow Ame ninja will get to say that?
She sees the shinobi mentality as directly responsible for why so many of them die so young and so quickly.
This is a bit more of a subtlety but it also reveals an aspect of Sagisō's pride, or how she responds to it. Her pride doesn't revolve around winning nor will it push her into being fearless or courageous. She's an immediate response girl when she thinks she can deal with the situation at hand, but she's willing to swallow her pride, let is stir like venom, and then strike at a person later down the line.
i.e. She isn't quickly offended but if you managed to truly offend her she'll be vindictive about it and will bear that grudge for a reasonably long time.
I don't think she was like this before...but I suppose now that I have more freedom with her I'm taking her character in interesting directions.