Main World.
Spring, Konoha Year 26.
Ocean Planet, Navy Headquarters.
The sea was as calm as a vast blue mirror, sunlight scattering across it in countless golden flecks. Navy Headquarters stood at the island's highest point, built entirely of grayish-white stone, its edges sharp and its lines cold and hard. A vast plaza stretched before the building. On the flagpole at its center, the Empire's flag snapped in the sea breeze.
Mikoto stepped out of the Void Gate, and the sea breeze struck her face, carrying a briny tang. She instinctively closed her eyes and took a deep breath. This was the scent of the sea. She had never smelled it in Shinobi World No. 1. No, she had, but that had been the smell of war-blood, gunpowder smoke, death. Not this clean, pure scent of nothing but water and wind.
"Ocean Planet," Toyotomi Yinglang's voice came from behind her. "Navy Headquarters. The seat of the Oceanic Federal Government."
Mikoto opened her eyes and gazed at the boundless blue in the distance. "There's no land?"
"There is. But most of it is islands. Millions of islands, scattered across the sea." Toyotomi Yinglang walked up beside her, his hands clasped behind his back. "There are no contiguous continents here, no large-scale industry, no complex transportation. Ships are the only means of transport. The navy is the only armed force."
Mikoto's brow furrowed slightly. "Then... how is peace maintained?"
"The navy." Toyotomi Yinglang's voice was calm. "Member nations pay protection fees, and the navy protects them. If they don't pay, they aren't protected. If they can't afford it, they pay in resources. If they have no resources, they pay in land. If they have no land either, they pay in people. Fair trade, with no cheating of young or old."
Mikoto's lips