Main World.
Konoha Year 30, autumn.
Heavenly Court.
A pale golden curtain of light flowed slowly overhead, spreading light across the dark gray ground without casting shadows.
The dark gray door stood ahead, its surface flat, with no ornamentation or handle, only a narrow, pale golden frame inset along its four edges. Light traveled along the frame without spilling beyond it.
Toyotomi Jilan stood before the door in dark gray Clan Clothing, his sleeves rolled halfway up his forearms. An old scrape on his wrist had formed a thin scab. He wore no sword at his waist, and fine sand from the Clan Compound's Training Ground clung to his boots. He stood steadily, his shoulders, hips, and ankles in a vertical line, making no unnecessary movements. He knew this door needed no key.
Toyotomi Yinglang stood two steps back and to one side of the door, his moon-white Kariginu hanging to his ankles, his hands behind his back. He watched Jilan's back without speaking.
Jilan turned his head. "Father, my Mangekyō is definitely going to surprise you."
Yinglang's gaze rested on his face. "Jilan, you've always surprised your father."
Jilan said nothing more. He turned back, raised his hand, pressed it just right of the door's center, and pushed. Light appeared in the gap, spilling out cold and white. He crossed the threshold, left foot first, right foot following, and vanished entirely into the light. The door closed, and the low hum ceased. The light along the frame stilled and dimmed a shade.
Yinglang stood there a moment, confirmed that the door showed no further movement, then turned and left the way he had come.
One year inside the door, one day outside.
The illusory realm shifted in form. Sometimes it was a scorched plain, with dark red light seeping