Shinobi World No. 1, Year 40 of Konoha, winter.
Passing through the "gate" sustained by Dragon Vein Power, crossing the boundary between worlds, still felt as though his soul had briefly been pulled out and stuffed back in, accompanied by an indescribable sinking sensation.
When his feet touched solid ground again, carrying a familiar chakra signature, Toyotomi Yinglang slowly opened his eyes.
Before him was a dim but utterly familiar secret chamber. The walls were engraved with the Toyotomi Clan's distinctive defensive and sound-suppressing runes, and the air held the faint scent of aged wood and scroll ink peculiar to the clan's storehouse.
He was back.
Year 14 of Konoha, winter.
The Main World.
A little earlier than he had expected.
Over in Shinobi World No. 1, Konoha's three-way division was settled, Sunagakure had bared its fangs, and the gears of war had begun to mesh.
He had left Sasori in charge, continuing to expand production of Gene Serum and Battle Armor, while he temporarily stepped away with a "little nuisance" in tow.
Behind him, Sakura Haruno stumbled a step before finding her footing. Her face was somewhat pale; clearly, crossing between worlds had not been pleasant for her.
Wary and bewildered, she surveyed the secret chamber, whose ancient, imposing style was completely different from Sunagakure's underground laboratory, and instinctively tensed.
Was this... the Toyotomi House... in that "Main World"?
The chamber door slid open silently, and a slender yet upright figure hurried inside.
It was Liuli. Elder Xuan's daughter, his wife.
She wore a deep purple house kimono with a thin haori over it, her long black hair simply pinned up. Her face bore its usual beauty, mingled with concern and composure.
At the sight of Yinglang, a clear glimmer of relief flashed through her eyes. But then her