"Why is there such a strong killing intent? Is the situation on the outskirts that intense right now?"

She sat directly on Tayuya, who was bound like a caterpillar. Hmm, it was actually quite soft.

"Three Jonin have been killed, there should be around eight Chunin, and the Genin are being held back by the outer defenses of Konoha. What's the next step?"

His feat of single-handedly dismantling nearly five Sand Ninja squads in a short period of time left the remaining Jonin and Chunin feeling a sense of surprise and nostalgia.

Surprised that Uchiha Sasuke was so young yet already so powerful, I couldn't help but think of my Uchiha comrades who fought alongside me all those years ago.

But thinking about it, it makes sense. The Uchiha clan is always so powerful, even though they really do look quite annoying.

"Kankuro and Temari have been captured. In addition, I also used sealing techniques to seal many genin. They are currently being held captive by my shadow clones. What do you think?"

"After all, this time the enemy was very well prepared. Our timber industry's top management was basically wiped out, while Uncle Lu Jiu and the others were commanding the battle on the front lines. There was no time to deal with these matters for the time being."

Naruto's expression was unusually serious, but when he talked about how his own high-ranking members were wiped out by the Sand Ninja, his expression and tone became somewhat unnatural.

Of course, any normal Konoha ninja would feel very awkward in this situation. After all, how could a loser from the bottom of the five great ninja villages be so strong? You must be kidding me!

"Use the tailed beast chakra! If that doesn't work, I'll subdue you and, together with Sasuke, tie up all the attacking Sand Village high-ranking officials! Force the Sand Village to pay ransom!"

"If they don't agree, just sell it to those barbarians in Yunyin. Those old bastards will definitely be happy to agree to the deal!"

"Please cooperate with Naruto and Sasuke as well. After all, the village has suffered great losses this time, and Sunagakure must pay a heavy price to make them pay!"

As soon as he finished speaking, all the ninjas present knelt down and shouted in unison.

"I will obey Lord Ling Nian's orders!"

After bowing, they headed directly to the fiercest battlefield, led by Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki.

As a Wood Release Awakener of the Senju Clan, the direct descendant recognized by Tsunade, and capable of suppressing Tailed Beasts and Kage single-handedly, Lin Nian immediately gained the status and rights he deserved after revealing all these things to everyone.

For example, his current power, even without anyone's endorsement, far surpasses that of an elite Jonin, making him a clear candidate for Hokage.

Of course, if Hiruzen Sarutobi were still alive, Lin Nian probably wouldn't have been able to achieve this status before his death. In fact, he might have even schemed against her before he died.

However, it is obvious that even if Lin Nian did not make any changes to the situation, he only needed to add a tiny variable after or before the event to completely restore everything to its original calm. However, these four old fogies would really become heroes of Konoha in the future.

Looking at the old corpse that had been placed into the wooden coffin made by Lin Nian and sealed by several ninjas in a short time, he saw...

Then I looked again and saw Orochimaru's corpse, which was sealed away by the scroll.

Lin Nian looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.

To be honest, he was actually quite grateful to Hiruzen Sarutobi, after all, he was able to grow up safely and develop to where he is today, and a large part of that was thanks to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

But the intention to train him into a sword, a sword loyal to him, a sword loyal to Konoha, even though it was never revealed to the outside world, was indeed imposed on Lin Nian.

The surveillance lasted for at least two hours every day, 24 hours a day, for a full eight years from the beginning. Even if at the beginning it was just to protect him and not put him in danger, what about now?

In his youth, he was willing to drive Hatake Shige, who was loyal to him and deeply loved Konoha, to his death for the sake of power.

In his middle age, for the sake of power, he drove Orochimaru away from him, causing the snake, who still had a sliver of humanity, to completely sever that so-called bond.

Even if the Fourth Hokage is chosen, it's only because a Hokage without any support will only become a pawn to be manipulated by him, and he can't interfere with the Fourth Hokage's power or his influence on Konoha.

If the Fourth Hokage hadn't died young and by such a convenient time, his reputation would probably have already plummeted due to his influence. Of course, it's also possible that he was outmaneuvered and killed by Minato, who had become a seasoned politician.

As for their old age? It can only be said that the reason Konoha hasn't been destroyed by others is because the foundation left by the Great Pillar is too thick, enough for them to build whatever they want.

but…

"You died a worthy death. From now on, your name and everything about you will be passed down through countless years in this place called Konoha."

"Of course, considering the kindness you've shown me, no matter how you look at it, I won't harm your clan. And this size is just right—below the top-tier ninja clans, but at the top of the mid-sized ninja clans. It's really quite good, and I think that's what you're thinking too."

As the thought flashed through his mind, he activated his senses and discovered that all the major ninja clans of Konoha had either killed or expelled the Sand Ninjas who had entered Konoha. Lin Nian then focused his attention on the outer perimeter of the Konoha barrier.

Just watching Hyuga Neji, leading countless members of the Hyuga branch family, wielding two powerful swords, charging in and out of the enemy's encirclement seven times, his repeated "Gaiten" attacks like a storm of sword blades reaping the lives of his enemies.

Seeing the growing reverence in the eyes of the Hyuga branch family members and ordinary ninjas, Lin Nian knew that it would be about the next day or two.

The elders of the Hyuga main family will not allow the branch family to truly become one, because if that happens, the Hyuga main family will be no different from being completely destroyed.

Even if the Caged Bird Seal could kill a large number of Hyuga branch families in an instant, the pampered main family members would be no match for the branch families who were determined to fight to the death. In fact, it could be said that the branch families were incompetent if they could even perish together.

"Heh? How rotten you really are. I was originally planning to let you live a little longer, but why does this world always force me to take action?"

After focusing her attention on the Hyuga family, Lin Nian overheard a discussion among a group of elderly men nearing the end of their lives.

"Although Hinata Hyuga is timid and lacks talent, her relationship with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is obvious to all. With the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki supporting her, even if Neji Hyuga really unites the branch family, he will not be able to shake the position of the main family."

"So we need to carve the Caged Bird for Hinata Hanabi?"

"Yes, the rules cannot be broken. Hiashi Hyuga has been delayed for too long, so long that even those slaves dare to have unrealistic fantasies!"

"Alright, let's begin the plan once Hiashi Hyuga returns. After all, the rules can't be broken, and no matter how incompetent he is, he's still the clan head! But what about Neji Hyuga? If we just kill him, the branch family is very likely to riot!"