Summer, Konoha Year 30.
The Side Hall of the Royal Palace, Country of Roran.
The wind outside passed through the courtyard, carrying the dry scent of sand. The hall was dim, the afternoon sunlight filtering through the window lattice and casting pale warmth across the floor. Toyotomi Shining Sand sat in the seat of honor, a newly delivered intelligence digest beside his hand. Several people stood before him, all having arrived only recently.
Toyotomi Jinsyokuin leaned against a pillar by the window, one hand in his pocket, emerald green markings faintly visible along his collar. He had used his dōjutsu little lately, and its side effects had not recurred, but the gaps in his memory remained-he knew, and so did the others, yet no one mentioned them. His voice was quiet when he spoke, his words slightly quicker than usual, as though he had rushed over the moment he received the news. "The people of the Land of Whirlpools have scattered everywhere."
Yōsa did not look up, his gaze still resting on the intelligence scroll. "Where have they gone?"
"Mostly south. One group headed for the Land of Fire, another out to sea. A few crossed the border of the Land of Earth. The farthest have reached the coast of the Land of Water, but haven't entered Kirigakure's territory."
Chengkong stood inside the doorway, his back against the wall and his arms hanging naturally at his sides. He listened without interjecting. Ryukōshi sat in the chair opposite Yōsa, his golden Sharingan inactive, his gaze resting on a patch of floor. He seemed to be listening, yet also seemed occupied with other thoughts.
Karura spoke from the corner, her voice soft, as though merely voicing a question that had lingered in her mind for some time. "Why don't those Uzumaki Clan