Main World.
Konoha Year 17, winter.
Konoha, Toyotomi Clan Grounds.
The snow outside the Martial Arts Hall had been swept away, exposing the gray-black flagstones beneath. Several students from the Martial Arts Hall were playing outside, sparring back and forth with wooden swords in their hands. Their faces wore the innocent smiles unique to children, utterly unaware that war was raging in every corner of the country.
Toyotomi Yinglang's clone stood outside the Martial Arts Hall, his hands tucked into his sleeves, gazing at the gray sky. He wore the Toyotomi Clan's signature dark gray, stand-collar uniform, his epaulets immaculately arranged. He was like an unsheathed blade still in its scabbard-stern, restrained, its edge concealed.
Toyotomi Tsume walked out of the Martial Arts Hall with a wooden sword in her hand, followed by her Ninja Dog, Haimaru. Haimaru had grown old, his fur graying and his movements less nimble than in his youth, but his eyes remained sharp. He walked over to Toyotomi Yinglang's feet, sniffed, then lay down and gently wagged his tail.
"Clan leader, what are you thinking about?"
Toyotomi Tsume walked to his side and followed his gaze toward the sky.
"How to annoy the Uchiha."
Toyotomi Yinglang's voice was calm.
Toyotomi Tsume froze for a moment.
"Annoy the Uchiha?"
"Yes." Toyotomi Yinglang nodded. "Put up a sign outside the Martial Arts Hall that says-no Uchiha or dogs allowed."
Toyotomi Tsume's expression shifted slightly.
"Clan leader, I keep a dog."
She looked down at Haimaru lying on the ground.
Toyotomi Yinglang also glanced down at Haimaru. The old dog was looking at him with cloudy eyes, his tongue hanging out as he panted white mist.
"Sister Claw used to belong to the Inuzuka Clan. Keeping a dog is perfectly normal..."
He pondered for a moment.
"Then change