Ōnoki had welcomed them directly. If Mirai still made a move now, he would be attacking while they were being greeted with smiles. If word got out, it would seem a bit too overbearing.
"No wonder they say old men become monsters with age!" Mirai sighed. "This way, we can only be guests, not troublemakers."
Kushina asked, "So what do we do now?"
Mirai thought for a moment, then withdrew the foot he had stepped forward with and straightened his clothes. "When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Let's take a look first."
The four of them walked down the slope toward the village entrance.
Ōnoki came forward to greet them from afar. His pace was unhurried, but his manner was very courteous.
Honestly, with the Tsuchikage personally welcoming them, the reception could not have been grander.
He stopped before Mirai and tilted his head up slightly—there was no helping the vast difference in their heights.
Then he extended his hand, his voice booming. "Young friend Mirai Uzumaki, I have long heard of your great name. Welcome to Iwagakure."
Mirai reached out and shook his hand.
Ōnoki's hand was small, but his grip was strong, and the calluses on his palm were hard as stone.
Mirai smiled and replied, "Lord Tsuchikage, you are too kind. We were only passing through. I did not expect to trouble you personally."
Some things could be done, but not said so casually.
"Not at all, not at all. I have heard of your match against Lord Raikage in Kumogakure, young friend. The younger generation is truly formidable."
To be precise, if he had not known that Mirai Uzumaki had even defeated the Raikage, why would Ōnoki have come out to receive him himself?
Ōnoki waved with a genial smile. "Come, come. Accommodations have