Hiruzen Sarutobi snapped out of his shock, bent down to pick up his pipe from the floor, dusted it off, and put it back in his mouth.
He glanced at Danzo, whose face was livid as he remained silent.
"Since Mirai's strength has already been proven," Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a helpless air of there's nothing I can do about it,
"then let him go."
Danzo gripped his cane, his lips moving before he finally forced out one sentence. "...If something happens to the Jinchuriki, who will take responsibility?"
"Danzo, don't forget that I'm the Hokage," Hiruzen Sarutobi said calmly.
Danzo's face darkened at once. "Hiruzen, you'll regret this!"
Aaargh—!
He only hated that there was no door here for him to vent his rage on.
In the end, he could only suppress his anger and turn to leave.
Meanwhile, Mirai and the others set off again.
On the road, Kushina finally couldn't help leaning close to Mirai and asking quietly,
"When did you learn that golden cloak of yours?"
"After I made up with Kurama."
"Kurama treats you that well?"
"Yeah, we're close." Mirai paused,
then silently added, As long as I don't draw on its chakra.
But he was drawing chakra for rent, so Kurama would surely understand, right?
Kushina looked at him with a complicated expression for several seconds before deciding not to pursue the matter.
By the time the group had traveled east until dusk, the scent of the sea finally washed over them.
The horizon was already painted with an orange-red sunset, and a grayish-white coastline could be seen in the distance.
A small coastal town stood beside the harbor, its buildings low and its streets crowded with people. It was far livelier than they had expected.
Several ships were docked by the pier, alongside