Sarutobi Hiruzen merely sighed and said nothing. Perhaps he understood better than anyone present what the Nine-Tails' departure represented. Once the chains had dragged all of the tailed beasts' chakra into Kushina's body, Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately flashed to Uzumaki Mito's side. The elderly woman's frail body trembled as she raised an arm, while Kushina approached through her haze as quickly as she could.
"The heart is what matters! Smile happily. When facing it, we must keep showing it our happiness. What seems like it would anger it is actually what it truly longs for—love! When your heart is filled with love, you can become fearless!"
Uzumaki Mito placed a finger against Kushina's chest and spoke softly. Tears streamed down Kushina's face as she silently nodded. Mingye and Shimura Danzō also stepped up before the old woman.
"Konoha's future... will depend on you!"
A great figure who had spent her entire life protecting Konoha had now passed away, unable to resist the current of time after living through the glorious eras of three generations of Kage. Kushina wept in heartbreak. That kind and gentle grandmother had always treated her wonderfully. If Wu, the affectionate older brother who had accompanied her as she grew up, was the person she cared about most in Konoha, then this elderly woman who had passed away peacefully before her was her most important mentor in life.
"This was a life of glory, yet she remained unknown!"
"Does the glory you seek have to shine brilliantly upon the world?"
Shimura Danzō made an ill-timed remark, only to be sharply questioned by Sarutobi Hiruzen. Knowing that it was best not to say more in such circumstances, Shimura Danzō turned and left. Mingye sighed and departed as well.
"My last old acquaintance... has left just like that!"
The world