Main World, Konoha Year 16, winter.
The shadow of war hung over Konoha. Tense reports from the front and a steady stream of mobilization orders made the village's atmosphere more oppressive by the day. Yet beneath that oppression, undercurrents in certain corners surged all the more fiercely.
Northeastern Konoha, the Toyotomi Clan Compound, central council hall.
The hall was small but furnished with an austere dignity. Burning charcoal drove away the winter chill and illuminated the grave, brooding, or doubtful faces gathered around the long table. Besides Toyotomi Yinglang at its head, five or six leaders or representatives of small and medium-sized shinobi clans were present. They came from relatively close-knit factions associated with the Aburame, Inuzuka, Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi clans, but they were not the people who ruled those clans. Most were branch-family heads, elders with real authority, or representatives of family branches with substantial commercial or mission-related ties to the Toyotomi Clan. At such a sensitive time, the actual heads of the major clans were unlikely to gather here personally and openly.
The air was heavy. Although the Toyotomi Clan had provided a secure meeting place, the subject under discussion weighed on everyone's hearts.
"Gentlemen," Toyotomi Yinglang broke the silence. His voice was quiet but clear and firm, carrying the calm of someone who understood the situation. "I'm sure you all understand our current circumstances. The borders are already ablaze. The First Shinobi World War has begun."
The clan leaders' expressions grew uglier. They understood better than anyone what war meant. Their clans' shinobi would go to the battlefield, bleed, and die. The strength their clans had accumulated might be exhausted in one or two brutal battles.
"Clan Head Toyotomi." A middle-aged Aburame representative sitting on the left adjusted his sunglasses, his tone tinged with undisguised concern.