Main World.
Autumn, Year 21 of Konoha.
British Continent, New Capital.
Imperial Palace, Consort Xin's Bedchamber.
Kushina sat beside the bed, holding Jilan, who was already over two years old. The little boy was clutching a pastry and stuffing it into his mouth, crumbs covering the corners of his lips. Kushina gently held his little hand and wiped the crumbs from his mouth with a handkerchief. Jilan babbled, "Ah, ah," refusing to give in.
"Stop eating. It'll be lunchtime soon."
Jilan ignored her and kept stuffing it into his mouth.
Kushina sighed and took the pastry from his hand. Jilan froze for a moment, then his mouth puckered, and tears instantly filled his eyes.
"No crying."
Kushina's voice was calm.
Tears swirled in Jilan's eyes, but he managed not to let them fall. Pouting, he looked at Kushina aggrievedly, his little hands grasping at the air as he tried to snatch back the pastry.
"Your father is meeting guests today. You can eat it after they leave."
Jilan babbled, "Ah, ah," saying who knew what.
But Kushina knew he was saying-fine.
Imperial Palace, Council Hall.
Senju Tsubaki stood in the center of the hall, her dark blue kimono gleaming softly beneath the pale golden lights. Her face was gentle and her bearing composed, but a trace of nervousness in her eyes was hard to conceal. This was not her first time here-she had already lived in this Palace for several months since marrying Toyotomi Yinglang.
But every time she entered this Council Hall, she felt an intangible pressure. It was not fear, but awe. Awe of the master of this Palace.
Toyotomi Yinglang sat in the seat of honor, his moon-white Kariginu spotless beneath the lights. He held a cup of hot tea, its fragrance curling through the air.