December 30, Year 16 of Konoha.
The bustle of the wedding had faded, and the Toyotomi Clan Grounds had returned to their usual order. Sunlight filtered through gaps in the window lattice, scattering flecks of light across the desk. Sakura Haruno sat beside it, holding a cup of hot tea without drinking. Her gaze rested on Toyotomi Yinglang, who was reviewing files opposite her. After a long hesitation, she finally spoke.
"There's something I don't understand."
Toyotomi Yinglang raised his head and looked at her.
"That Kagami Uchiha," Sakura Haruno said, setting down her cup with a slight frown. "His strength has already reached Jonin level, and he's Tobirama Senju's student. Why... is he still renting his home?"
The question had lingered in her mind for a long time. In her original world, Jonin were the village's core fighting force, enjoying generous benefits and resources. Kakashi-sensei had his own house, Asuma-sensei had his own apartment, and even Might Guy-sensei, that eccentric who shouted about "youth" all day, had a decent place to live. Yet Kagami Uchiha-a Jonin and the Second Hokage's student-actually lived in a rented house? And a dilapidated one at that, with peeling walls and drafts coming through the paper windows?
Toyotomi Yinglang set down his pen and leaned back in his chair, a faint, mocking smile curling his lips.
"In your world," he asked instead of answering, "you were the Fifth Hokage Tsunade's student, with strength approaching Kage Level. Did you have a big house of your own?"
Sakura Haruno opened her mouth, stunned.
She thought back to her original world. She was Tsunade's personal student, accomplished in Medical Ninjutsu and unmatched in Monstrous Strength. But where had she lived? Just a small apartment near Konoha Hospital, sparsely furnished, without even a proper living room.
"No." She