Sarutobi Hiruzen did not know, but he still said, "I'll have it entered into your file. As for the promotion and official appointment, there are procedures to follow and an appointment letter to draft. It will take some time."
"Yes." Though Mirai felt as if he had been caught by a cat, he had no choice but to endure it.
"Before appointing you, there is something that needs to be verified."
"What is it?"
"The murder of tea merchants and civilians at the teahouse in the center of Tea Village—did that have anything to do with you?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen got straight to the point, moving so quickly that Mirai could barely keep up. After considering Sarutobi Hiruzen's intentions, he smiled and replied, "Lord Huo Ying already has the answer in his heart. Why ask me?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen paused for a moment, then shook his head and said gravely, "Do you know how serious the consequences of this matter are for us?"
"What do you intend to do with me?"
Since Sarutobi Hiruzen was not beating around the bush, Mirai naturally could not be bothered to play such roundabout games with him.
"Although you refuse to admit it, and there is no evidence in Tea Village, judging from the situation there, you are the murderer. If you refuse to acknowledge it, Tea Village will inevitably develop a rift with you and Konoha... Once that rift appears, trade between the Land of Fire and Tea Village—and if a war breaks out in the future..."
"I understand what you mean." Mirai sneered. Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted nothing more than for him to apologize to Tea Village. But would Mirai apologize to some insignificant place? If he did, he would not be Mirai.
Mirai had no intention of apologizing, but neither did he intend to