The Ninja World Shaken, Konoha Deified, Undercurrents Stirring

News that the Nine-Tails had attacked the village only to be subdued barehanded by a young man spread from Konoha like a hurricane through the entire ninja world. Within days, it had reached the Five Great Hidden Villages, as well as every surrounding minor nation and ninja tribe.

The entire ninja world erupted.

"Are you sure you heard that right? Konoha's rampaging Nine-Tails was casually subdued by a young Uchiha?"

"What kind of joke is that? That was the Nine-Tails, the strongest tailed beast! Back then, only Hashirama and Madara working together could suppress it. How could some brat possibly do it?"

"It's absolutely true! That boy is called Uchiha Lin Chen. Not only did he suppress the Nine-Tails, he publicly killed Danzo of Root in Konoha and took control of the entire Uchiha Clan!"

"What kind of monster is he? Danzo was a Kage-level powerhouse, and the Nine-Tails stood at the pinnacle of tailed beasts. He crushed them both so easily—his strength has already surpassed the Kage level, hasn't it?"

In the council halls of the major ninja villages, the Kage and high-ranking officials gathered together. Everyone wore grave expressions as they stared at the intelligence reports in their hands, unable to speak for a long while.

In Iwagakure, Onoki gripped his cane tightly, his face so gloomy it seemed ready to drip water.

The battle at Kannabi Bridge had already dealt Iwagakure a devastating blow, with the hundreds of elite troops he had sent being completely wiped out. Now that he had learned of Lin Chen's terrifying strength, his heart felt even heavier.

"This Uchiha Lin Chen must be treated as a major threat. With him in Konoha, we must never rashly make an enemy of Konoha again. His strength has already become a threat to the entire ninja world's balance!"

In Kumogakure, Lightning Release chakra surged restlessly around A. Though his face was filled with disbelief, he still gave his order in a deep voice. "Immediately send people to keep a close watch on Konoha and investigate every detail about Uchiha Lin Chen. No one is to provoke him, and no one is allowed to challenge Konoha!"

Sunagakure and Kirigakure likewise issued orders to remain on alert. They tightened their borders while dispatching people to Konoha for information, and when they looked in Konoha's direction, their eyes held nothing but deep wariness.

Everyone understood that from the moment Lin Chen suppressed the Nine-Tails, the skies of the ninja world had changed.

Konoha, once beset by internal strife and external threats and on the verge of collapse, had leaped into becoming the one power in the ninja world no one could afford to provoke because of this young man.

Yet Konoha itself had long since become peaceful.

The Nine-Tails Rebellion had been quelled, Danzo had been executed, Root had been completely purged, and the rift between the Uchiha Clan and the village had vanished. The suspicions, exclusion, and conflicts of the past were all gone.

The villagers lived and worked in peace, the ninja trained without worry, and the whole village flourished. Everywhere was a scene of stability.

The name Uchiha Lin Chen was revered in Konoha like the name of a god.

Stories of him filled every street and alley. The villagers spontaneously gave thanks for his kindness, and even Konoha's children saw him as a guardian deity. Whenever his name was mentioned, their faces were filled with reverence.

The Uchiha Clan had raised their heads high at last and fully integrated into Konoha. The entire clan was united as one and devoted itself to development. Everyone regarded Lin Chen as their faith, and the clan's strength rose rapidly.

Within the courtyard of the Uchiha compound, Lin Chen sat quietly on a stone bench. Fine traces of spatial power curled around his fingertips, and his expression remained calm and indifferent, as though the earth-shaking turmoil outside in the ninja world had nothing to do with him.

Killing Danzo and suppressing the Nine-Tails had merely been casual acts to him.

"Leader, the Fourth Hokage has come to visit. He is waiting outside." Fugaku approached at a measured pace, his tone extremely respectful as he bowed and reported.

Lin Chen slowly opened his eyes and gave a faint nod. "Let him in."

Not long after, Minato Namikaze strode swiftly into the courtyard. The moment he saw Lin Chen, he took the initiative to bow, his expression full of gratitude and awe.

Had Lin Chen not acted, Konoha would already have become ruins, and neither he nor Kushina would have escaped death. He had always kept this debt of gratitude firmly in his heart.

"Lord Lin Chen, forgive my sudden visit."

Lin Chen raised his gaze. "What is it?"

"First, I have come on behalf of the entire village to thank you once more for protecting Konoha. Second, every nation in the ninja world is watching us closely now. Regarding the village's future affairs and our response to the other nations, I would like to discuss them with you." Minato spoke solemnly.

Konoha appeared stable now, but in truth, it stood at the center of the ninja world's storm. He feared that one wrong step would bring disaster upon the village.

Lin Chen's expression remained calm, his tone casual. "The other villages fear my strength, so they will not dare act rashly in the short term. Konoha only needs to develop peacefully and build up its strength. You will continue to manage the village's affairs. I have only one requirement: no one is to sow discord between the village and the Uchiha Clan again. Internal strife must be eliminated."

He had no interest in Konoha's power. So long as he could protect Konoha and rewrite its regrets, there was no one more suitable than Minato to handle all the remaining trivial matters.

Minato inwardly relaxed and quickly bowed in acceptance. "Thank you for your trust, my lord. Minato will not fail you."

After a brief pause, his expression darkened slightly as he continued, "There is one more matter. Our ANBU discovered that the Nine-Tails' seal was broken by human interference. A mysterious force is operating in the shadows of the ninja world. Their movements are elusive, and they appear to be connected to the remnants of Madara's forces from years ago."

A trace of coldness flashed through Lin Chen's eyes.

Although Black Zetsu was dead, Madara's contingencies and the hidden forces connected to the Ōtsutsuki Clan had not been completely eradicated. Those people lay dormant in the shadows, still plotting to overturn the ninja world. The Nine-Tails Rebellion had been their handiwork.

"I understand." Lin Chen's tone was indifferent. "They cannot cause any real trouble. Focus on managing the village. If they dare show themselves again, I will deal with them myself."

With him in Konoha, no demons or monsters would ever be able to stir up trouble.

Minato was completely reassured. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, he respectfully took his leave.

After Minato left, Fugaku revealed a worried expression. "Leader, should we prepare in advance and guard against this mysterious force?"

Lin Chen rose to his feet and looked toward the horizon. A trace of icy chill radiated from him. "They will come. Black Zetsu's destruction does not mean the conspiracies in the ninja world have truly ended. Madara's lingering threat and the shadow of the Ōtsutsuki Clan are still lurking in the darkness. The coming crisis will only be greater than the Nine-Tails Rebellion."

"But it does not matter."

"Anyone who dares to show themselves and provoke us, disrupt Konoha, or bring calamity to the ninja world—I will reduce them to ashes."

An invisible pressure slowly spread outward. Though it had not erupted, it filled Fugaku with extreme awe. He firmly believed that as long as Lin Chen remained, Konoha would never fall.

At the same time, within a dark secret realm deep in the ninja world.

Several figures in black robes sat there in silence. Their auras were cold and violent, and the atmosphere was oppressive to the extreme.

"The plan failed! Not only did the Nine-Tails fail to destroy Konoha, it allowed that Uchiha Lin Chen to establish himself firmly. The ninja world's balance has completely spiraled out of control!"

"Just where did this Lin Chen come from? His strength is terrifying to such a degree that we are no match for him at all!"

"If we do not eliminate this boy, our plan can never be carried out. We must find a way to get rid of him!"

The leader of the black-robed figures spoke in a hoarse, icy voice filled with malice. "Get rid of him? With our current strength, that would be like smashing eggs against a rock. Go into hiding immediately, secretly gather strength, and accelerate the collection of the tailed beasts. Once we revive the Ten-Tails, no matter how powerful he is, he will not be able to stop us!"

"Konoha and the ninja world will sooner or later be ours!"

Chilling laughter echoed through the secret realm as a massive undercurrent capable of sweeping across the entire ninja world quietly began to brew.

Standing in the courtyard, Lin Chen had long since seen through everything lurking in the shadows. A cold, indifferent smile curved his lips.

No matter who the mastermind behind it was, no matter how meticulous the conspiracy.

Before absolute strength, everything was futile.

This was the perfect opportunity for him to completely purge every dark force in the ninja world and bring an end to centuries of war and conflict.

The next time an enemy dared set foot in Konoha and challenge his authority, he would no longer show mercy. He would sweep away everything with absolute power and firmly claim the position of the ninja world's sole god!

His era was unstoppable, and it would surely descend upon the entire ninja world!