"Everything was under his command." "Yes!"
The two replied, then both looked at Mirai. It was the first time they had looked at him since entering the Hokage Office.
At first, they had thought one of them could become the captain. Even if not the top candidate, they should at least have been relatively well-known among the middle ranks. Yet when they saw Mirai, they could not help frowning, especially Murakami, who cried out loudly.
"What?! It's you!"
"Hmm?" Mirai frowned, then looked at him with a smile. "What a coincidence, Murakami!"
This man was Murakami, whom Mirai had met at Ino's wildflower shop by the well that morning!
Murakami was not surprised to see Mirai and blurted it out. Then he immediately remembered that he was in the Hokage Office, with Lord Hokage watching him. Cold sweat broke out all over him. Just as he was about to apologize, he saw Mirai's disdainful smile again, and his anger immediately erupted.
"Lord Huo Ying..." Murakami bent over toward Sarutobi Hiruzen. The moment he spoke, Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned.
"Obey your orders!"
The low, Hokage-like voice was like rolling thunder, frightening Murakami into hurriedly bowing in acknowledgment. Even the girl was startled into following suit, silently blaming Murakami for his recklessness while glancing at Mirai.
"Wasn't he just promoted to ninja? Why can he become Murakami's and my captain? Interesting..."
Once the girl's thoughts began turning, they did not stop. Her gossiping soul immediately gained the upper hand.
After leaving the Hokage Office, the young girl kept staring at Mirai, as though wondering what she was thinking.
Of course, someone else was staring at Mirai as well, but with a different look in his eyes. The girl's gaze was curious, while Murakami looked as if he wanted to devour Mirai alive.
Haruki