Main World.
Konoha Year Twenty-Two, winter.
British Continent, New Capital.
Imperial Palace, the Empress's bedchamber.
It was late at night. Moonlight spilled through the thin window gauze, casting silvery patches on the floor. No lamps were lit inside the chamber; there was only moonlight and the faint, distant bustle of the New Capital at night.
Toyotomi Yinglang reclined on the cushioned couch at the head of the bed, holding a cup of hot tea, a faint smile on his lips. He wore dark gray loungewear, his long black hair falling loosely over his shoulders. He looked somewhat more casual than usual, but deep in his eyes remained an indescribable sense of power, of having everything under his control.
Sasha sat on the edge of the bed in white pajamas, her long red hair loose over her shoulders, a trace of nervousness on her face. Her hands rested on her knees, her fingers unconsciously gripping the fabric until her knuckles turned slightly white. Though she was already the Queen of Rōran and had weathered countless storms, her feelings at this moment were more complicated than when facing any enemy.
Pakura sat beside her, her long brown hair falling to her waist, equally nervous. Her gaze wandered, looking at who knew what, and her lips were pressed slightly together, as though she were enduring something.
Karura sat on the other side, her long black hair cascading down like a waterfall. Her face was gentle, but there was also an unmistakable nervousness in her eyes. Her hands rested at her sides, her fingers slightly curled, as though she wanted to grasp something but did not know what.
Tsunade stood by the window, her long golden hair gleaming softly in the moonlight, her arms crossed, a trace of impatience on her face. Her brow