Main World.
Konoha Year 21, spring.
British Continent.
Imperial Palace. A secret chamber deep within.
Pale golden light from the Dragon Vein flowed slowly through the Runes formation core, bathing Toyotomi Yinglang's moon-white kariginu in a warm glow. He sat cross-legged at the center of the formation core, eyes closed as he regulated his breathing. Even he needed a moment to adjust to switching between two worlds.
When he opened his eyes, his deep black gaze had regained its usual calm. He rose and left the secret chamber. In the corridor, Sakura Haruno leaned against the wall, holding a cup of hot tea. A faint smile curved her lips when she saw him emerge.
"You're back? You were gone a long time."
"I tested a few things." Toyotomi Yinglang accepted the tea she offered and took a sip. "How are the preparations in the Heavenly Court?"
"Yutian has cleared out the Heavenly Court's core area, just as you instructed." Sakura Haruno followed him deeper into the Imperial Palace. "All that's left is for you to set it up yourself."
Toyotomi Yinglang nodded and said nothing more. They passed through a long corridor and several sealed gates that required verification by the power of Dragon Essence, finally reaching the deepest part of the Imperial Palace-the entrance to the Heavenly Court. It was a massive stone gate ten meters tall, its surface covered in intricate runes. Each rune glowed faintly, resonating subtly with the Dragon Vein Formation Core.
Toyotomi Yinglang reached out and pressed his hand against the center of the stone gate. Dark golden Dragon Essence power surged from his palm into the runes. The gate slowly opened with a deep rumble, like an ancient beast awakening. Beyond it lay a separate space.
There was no sky here, only a pale