Main World.
Konoha year nineteen, autumn.
Southern Land of Fire, border camp.
Outside the tent, the bleak autumn wind swept up a few withered leaves. Inside, a charcoal fire burned brightly, driving away the autumn night's chill. Sakura Haruno sat cross-legged on a camp bed, holding a cup of hot tea, her gaze resting on Toyotomi Yinglang as he leafed through documents across from her.
"Yinglang, um... isn't Sunagakure one of your forces?"
Toyotomi Yinglang set down the documents, leaned back in his chair, and looked at her.
"The Sunagakure in Shinobi World No. 1 is one of my forces. This Sunagakure... is nothing."
Sakura Haruno's brows furrowed slightly.
"Nothing?"
"Right. Nothing." Toyotomi Yinglang lifted his teacup and took a sip. "No Gene Serum, no Elite Warriors, no Battle Armor, no Sasori. Just Shamon and his puppets."
A flicker of understanding crossed Sakura Haruno's eyes.
"So... this Sunagakure has nothing to do with you?"
"Nothing."
Toyotomi Yinglang set down his teacup.
"I asked Sasori. He said-if you run into his grandmother Chiyo, go easy on her."
Sakura Haruno's pupils contracted slightly.
"Chiyo?"
"Yes. Chiyo." Toyotomi Yinglang nodded. "A Puppeteer from Sunagakure, Sasori's grandmother. She's about forty now, in her prime."
A faint smile curled Sakura Haruno's lips.
"Then I'll beat her up first, pretend I'm moved by some conviction of hers-say, her determination to protect her village-and let her go. Then I'll give her the title of 'Powerful Puppeteer.'"
Toyotomi Yinglang looked at her, a trace of approval flashing in his eyes.
"That's... a little like Hanzō giving Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru the title of 'Konoha Sannin.'"
"Right. That's exactly the routine."
Sakura Haruno took a sip of tea.
"If Hanzō can be the 'Demigod,' I can be the 'Strongest Woman.' Chiyo gets to be the 'Powerful Puppeteer.' Not a