The main world.
Konoha Year Twenty-Two, winter.
The British Continent, New Capital.
The Imperial Palace, garden.
Winter sunlight filtered through thin clouds, gilding the garden's bare branches with a pale golden sheen. Sakura Haruno sat in a pavilion, holding a cup of hot tea, a trace of undisguisable smugness on her face. Across from her sat a fourteen-year-old girl-blond ponytail, brown eyes, and cheeks that still held some baby fat. It was Tsunade in her youth. Little Tsunade also held a cup of hot tea, curiously studying everything around her.
"Teacher, is this your home?" A hint of wonder colored Little Tsunade's voice.
"Not my home." Sakura Haruno shook her head. "An empire."
Little Tsunade's brows furrowed slightly. "An empire?"
"The Great British Empire." A faint smile curved Sakura Haruno's lips. "A place a hundred times bigger than Konoha."
A gleam flashed in Little Tsunade's eyes. "Then... does Lord Hokage know?"
"No." Sakura Haruno's voice was calm. "And he doesn't need to."
Little Tsunade fell silent for a moment. "Teacher, aren't you afraid Lord Hokage will blame you for bringing me here?"
"Blame me?" Sakura Haruno laughed. "Is he in any position to?"
Little Tsunade said nothing more. She simply held her teacup, curiously studying this unfamiliar place that nevertheless made her feel inexplicably at ease.
The Imperial Palace, study.
Toyotomi Yinglang sat behind his desk, toying with a dark purple Soul Yin Stone. Sakura Haruno stood before him, her face still flushed from her walk back from the garden.
"Yinglang, I successfully 'abducted' Little Tsunade into the Empire. The people of Konoha think she's with the Toyotomi Clan."
"Good." Toyotomi Yinglang set down the Soul Yin Stone and leaned back in his chair.
Sakura Haruno sat down across from him and hesitated. "Yinglang, you can travel to parallel