Main World.
Summer, Konoha Year 29.
Council Hall, Imperial Palace.
Outside the windows, the cicadas' cries rose in wave after wave, as though they meant to cry through the entire summer. Sunlight streamed through the high windows, casting dappled light and shadow across the long conference table and illuminating the enormous star chart spread across it.
The star chart marked the territories the Empire already controlled-the British Continent, Mechanical Star, Ocean Planet, Iron Remains Star-and the trade route to Deep Forest Ancient Vine Star. At the edges of the chart were several unnamed planets marked with dotted lines.
Toyotomi Yinglang sat at the head of the table, his moon-white kariginu glowing softly in the sunlight.
He held a cup of hot tea, a faint smile on his lips as his gaze moved slowly across the star chart. Beside him, Mikoto knelt at the tea table. The teapot in her hands was already empty, but she had not gone to refill it. Toyotomi Yinglang had just said something that kept her from leaving her seat.
"Ocean Planet can provide talent far beyond what the Shinobi World can offer." His voice was calm, as though he were discussing the weather. "Mechanical Star can provide technology, and Iron Remains Star can provide metals, ancient technology, and the Star Realm Army."
Mikoto's fingers tightened slightly around the teapot. She looked up at Toyotomi Yinglang's profile and hesitated for a long time.
"Your Majesty." Her voice was very soft. "Does the Shinobi World... know the Empire exists?"
The hall fell silent for a moment.
Sitting on the other side of the long table, Yutian set down his teacup and leaned back in his chair. His two-meter-thirty frame filled it completely. His Withered God Eye had faded, returning to ordinary black, but the oppressive presence deep