Main World.
Autumn, Year 24 of Konoha.
New Capital, British Continent.
The study, Imperial Palace.
The autumn rain pattered outside the window, tapping against the frame. Toyotomi Yinglang sat behind his desk, holding a report that had just arrived from Ocean Planet, a faint smile on his lips. Sakura Haruno sat opposite him, holding Chengkong, who was asleep with his little fists beside his mouth. Her brow furrowed slightly as her gaze rested on the report.
"Yinglang, didn't you say that only members of the Toyotomi could be made kings?"
Toyotomi Yinglang put down the report and leaned back in his chair.
"The Empire has no kings from other families. But the kings of Ocean Planet aren't kings of the Empire."
Sakura Haruno's brow furrowed further.
"What do you mean?"
"The Empire's kings belong to the imperial system." Toyotomi Yinglang held up two fingers. "Ocean Planet's kings belong to the government system."
Sakura Haruno's pupils contracted slightly.
"The government system?"
"Yes. The government system." Toyotomi Yinglang lowered his fingers. "The Oceanic Federal Government. Not the Empire. The kings are heads of member states, not imperial nobles. They aren't subject to imperial law, only to the laws of the Oceanic Federal Government."
Sakura Haruno fell silent for a moment.
"Then... what's their relationship with the Empire?"
"The member states pay protection money, and the navy protects them." Toyotomi Yinglang's voice was calm. "If they don't pay, they don't get protection. If they pay, they do. A fair transaction, with no one cheated."
Sakura Haruno's mouth twitched.
"You... isn't that a protection racket?"
"Don't make it sound so ugly." Toyotomi Yinglang smiled. "I call it 'defense cooperation.' They provide the money, we provide the troops. They develop in peace, we ensure their security. A win-win."
Sakura Haruno sighed.
"You... certainly know how