Main World, Konoha Year 17, summer.
Hokage Office.
Tobirama Senju stood before the enormous map of the Shinobi World, his red eyes beneath his silver hair bloodshot. The pressure of fighting on multiple fronts had kept him awake for days, but those eyes remained sharp as blades, as though they could see through every plot and scheme.
"Second, Toyotomi Yinglang requests an audience."
An Anbu appeared without a sound and dropped to one knee.
Tobirama Senju frowned slightly.
"Send him in."
A moment later, Toyotomi Yinglang's clone entered the office. He wore the Toyotomi Clan's signature dark gray, high-collared uniform, his epaulets immaculate and his steps unhurried, as though he had come not to meet the Hokage, but to attend an ordinary tea gathering.
"Second."
He bowed respectfully.
"Clan Head Toyotomi, what brings you here?"
Tobirama Senju did not turn around, keeping his back to him, his voice cold.
"There is a personal matter for which I would like your approval, Second."
"A personal matter?"
Tobirama Senju turned, his red eyes settling on him.
"Speak."
"It concerns Senju Tsubaki."
Toyotomi Yinglang raised his head, his gaze open.
"I want to marry her. To have her marry into the Toyotomi Clan properly and honorably."
A brief silence fell over the office.
Tobirama Senju frowned slightly, a trace of complicated emotion flashing through his red eyes. Of course he knew who Senju Tsubaki was-the former Senju clanswoman who had originally been promised to Kagami Uchiha. After that scandal involving Kagami, Tsubaki had left Konoha and sought refuge with Toyotomi Yinglang.
Now, Toyotomi Yinglang wanted to marry her.
"You want to marry Senju Tsubaki?"
Neither pleasure nor anger could be heard in Tobirama Senju's voice.
"Yes."
Toyotomi Yinglang nodded.
"She is a good woman. Gentle, virtuous, educated, and sensible. I want to give