Main World.
Year twenty of Konoha, winter.
British Continent, New Capital.
Imperial Palace, Council Hall.
Winter sunlight streamed through the high windows, casting faint patterns of light and shadow across the long conference table. Toyotomi Yinglang sat at its head, holding a cup of hot tea, a faint smile on his lips. Before him stood three young people-Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan.
They had come from Shinobi World No. 1. The light of the Dragon Vein teleportation array had just faded, and the three were still slightly dizzy from crossing worlds. Nagato's dark red hair shone purplish-black in the winter sunlight. His Mangekyō Sharingan had faded, returning to an ordinary violet. Yahiko's short orange hair looked as neat as ever, and his gaze was steadier than before. Konan remained cool and aloof, but there was a rare touch of gentleness between her brows.
"Teacher, what is it?"
Yahiko spoke respectfully.
Toyotomi Yinglang set down his teacup and leaned back in his chair.
"It's been a while since I took you as my disciples. I plan to give each of you a weapon."
A glimmer flashed in all three pairs of eyes at once.
"A weapon?"
Nagato frowned slightly.
"Yes. A weapon." Toyotomi Yinglang nodded. "As my disciples, you can't go without suitable weapons."
He rose and walked to the wall. Three long wooden cases stood there, their lids carved with different runes. He opened the first and took out a jet-black metal staff about a meter and a half long. Its surface was as smooth as a mirror, and dark gold runes inlaid at either end glowed faintly in the light.
"Yahiko, this is the Reincarnation Prison-Suppressing Staff."
Yahiko stepped forward and accepted it with both hands. The staff felt heavy, far heavier than he had expected. He gave it an