Main World.
Year 26 of Konoha, spring.
British Continent, New Capital.
Imperial Palace, entrance to the Heavenly Court.
It was a circular hall deep within the Imperial Palace. Intricate runes covered its dome, and a Void Gate ten meters tall stood at the center of the floor-a portal to the Heavenly Court. A pale golden halo flowed over its frame, the light of Dragon Vein Power interwoven with the laws of space. An indescribable stillness filled the air, as though time flowed more slowly here than outside.
Mikoto stood behind Toyotomi Yinglang, her gaze resting on the gate that glowed with pale golden light. Her fingers unconsciously tightened around the skirt of her black maid uniform, her knuckles turning slightly white. She did not know what lay beyond the gate, but she knew that what she was about to see was another world.
"Mechanical Star," Toyotomi Yinglang said calmly. "Sasori is there."
He stepped into the Void Gate.
Mikoto took a deep breath and followed.
Heavenly Court.
When Mikoto stepped out of the Void Gate, she thought she was still dreaming. There was no sky, no earth, only an endless, faintly glowing void. A pale golden curtain of light flowed slowly overhead, enveloping the entire space in a warm, sacred glow. In the distance, a massive tree stood at the center of the void, dozens of fruits of different colors hanging from its branches like sleeping stars.
"This is... the Heavenly Court." Toyotomi Yinglang stood beside her, his hands behind his back. "The Empire's afterlife."
Mikoto's pupils contracted slightly. "Afterlife?"
"Meritorious subjects, loyal subjects, capable subjects enter the Heavenly Court after death and become gods," Toyotomi Yinglang said calmly. "They continue to serve the Empire, forever."
Mikoto's lips trembled slightly. She thought of the Pure Land, of the Sage