Main World, Konoha Year 14, autumn.
Shinobi World No. 1, Konoha Year 40, autumn.
Deep beneath Rōran, at the edge of the Dragon Vein's core.
This was no natural cavern. It was more like a vast stone hall left behind by an ancient civilization, existing in symbiosis with the Dragon Vein. Time had eaten away the carvings on the walls, leaving only a blurred yet oppressive outline of grandeur. Pure, gentle earth energy floated in the air, mingled with a stubborn scent of dust. The silence felt hollow.
In one corner of the hall, Toyotomi Yinglang casually tossed the unconscious Naruto Uzumaki onto the ground like a sack of potatoes.
He threw the bound Sakura Haruno and Sai aside, then walked over to a relatively clean platform that resembled the base of an old altar and sat down.
He looked down at the three captives, his gaze indifferent, as though inspecting a few newly acquired tools that were slightly flawed but still usable.
Naruto had yet to wake. Nine-Tails chakra was spontaneously repairing his body, and his breathing gradually steadied.
Sakura Haruno slowly regained consciousness, first giving a muffled groan of pain. Once she saw her surroundings and the man above her, fear and fury instantly filled her eyes. She struggled to rise, only to pull at her wounds, her face turning deathly pale.
Sai, meanwhile, was unusually quiet. His injuries were not severe, and the bleeding had already stopped. Pale-faced, he kept his head lowered, as though gathering his strength-or calculating something.
After a brief silence, Sai slowly raised his head. His face bore the calm peculiar to Root ninja, devoid of obvious emotional fluctuations, but deep in his eyes lay an almost ruthless clarity.
Meeting Toyotomi Yinglang's appraising gaze, he spoke in a clear, steady voice:
"My lord,