"..."
You never asked this when I offered to resurrect your master or your father.
Now that Sasuke is dead, you're pulling this stunt?
Lin Nan muttered inwardly, but he could understand.
Naruto wasn't truly foolish; defeating Lin Nan alone was a pipe dream.
Therefore, the most sensible approach was to wait until Lin Nan resurrected everyone, and then overthrow him.
Lin Nan understood Naruto's thoughts almost instantly.
But he didn't care.
He believed that given Naruto's character, once he witnessed a world full of peace and hope, everything would change.
After all, Lin Nan had only spoken of peace and the like; without concrete actions, he couldn't convince others.
"Have you changed your mind now? Will you join me in building a peaceful world?" Lin Nan asked with a gentle smile.
Naruto's expression was blank. "If it is as you say, I am willing! But if, after unifying the world, your aim is domination and tyranny, then I swear, I will take your life, even if it means my own death!"
Lin Nan nodded. "Thank you for believing in me, Naruto. I also deeply trust you, for keeping your word is your ninja way!"
A flicker of emotion crossed Naruto's face before he returned to his calm demeanor.
He looked at Sasuke's corpse, then enveloped it in golden light, shielding it from the morning dew.
Lin Nan gazed at the dawning white in the east, sighing deeply.
This night had finally ended.
This battle had lasted a full one hundred and thirty chapters!
But it was still acceptable, considering the original work spanned hundreds of episodes...
And in this single night, he had changed so much.
It couldn't really be called changing.
Because from the beginning, through his death, to his resurrection, Lin Nan had been a person without conviction or direction.
What ideals could one discuss with a salted fish?
The events that transpired in the interim had merely helped him find a goal and solidify his belief. If Lin Nan hadn't been killed by Obito back then, finding such a direction would have been inevitable.
At that time, Lin Nan had been immersed in grief for a long period and hadn't considered these matters.
Once he truly calmed down, things might have been different.
After all, goals and ideals are things that can be inherited.
Although Lin Nan now had the goal of bringing true peace to the world, he had little interest in the power and rule that Naruto spoke of. For a lazy person, lying in the sun was the most comfortable thing.
Why would he seek out trouble for himself?
The history of imperial rule over five thousand years in his previous life was a stark reminder; Lin Nan would never become a foolish ruler.
In his years in this world, Lin Nan had already made many changes.
In his previous life, Lin Nan was the type to have a "glass heart" that feared harming even an ant's life.
Even up to this point, Lin Nan felt genuine reverence for all life, from the smallest ant to the towering trees.
Of course, this wasn't entirely a good thing, nor entirely a bad thing; it was a matter of perspective!
During the Akatsuki period, it was unlikely that Lin Nan had never killed an innocent person. Once, on a joint mission, Lin Nan had personally witnessed Deidara destroying an entire city.
Out of tens of thousands of innocent lives, Lin Nan's hands were stained with at least a thousand.
What could be done?
In the Jianghu, one was not in control of oneself.
After that incident, Lin Nan lay idle for a long time, taking sick leave and slacking off for a considerable period.
But after seeing too much, one naturally became numb. In this chaotic world, human lives were inherently like grass.
Therefore, a peaceful and democratic world appeared so important.
From this, one could see that the overall environment often changes everything.
According to Naruto's way of thinking, they might be able to save a few people, or even dozens or hundreds.
But only by changing the environment, by changing the world, could everyone be saved.
Showing mercy to one or a few lives was futile.
What was truly needed was to make the world itself revere life!
Therefore, Lin Nan was confident that he could become a truly selfless "god" and ruler!
"Divine Tree Realm Descending, release!"
Lin Nan formed a hand seal, and all the tree roots on the battlefield immediately withered and decayed.
"Infinite Tsukuyomi, release!"
Following that, Lin Nan released the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
Now that Naruto had submitted, these things naturally lost their purpose.
The Infinite Tsukuyomi encompassed the entire ninja world, but for them, it was no different than a dream.
Some were even already asleep, so they simply had pleasant dreams.
Lin Nan's Divine Tree Realm Descending only affected the battlefield and did not cover the entire ninja world, thus causing no harm to civilians.
"What is this?" Naruto asked upon seeing this.
Lin Nan replied, "This is a gift for you!"
Naruto gave Lin Nan a complex look, but said nothing further. Instead, he rushed towards the freed Konoha ninjas.
Lin Nan followed closely behind.
However, Naruto soon discovered numerous ninjas resembling mummified corpses, their life signs clearly extinguished.
These desiccated bodies were piled high like mountains, a truly gruesome sight.
Naruto's face fell, and he looked at Lin Nan. Lin Nan explained, "There were too many ninjas. I needed to reduce their numbers, but I targeted only those who harbored malice and desire in their Infinite Tsukuyomi dreams!"
"What do you mean?" Naruto asked.
As Naruto spoke, Tsunade and the other five Kage, having regained clarity from the Infinite Tsukuyomi, turned their gaze towards them.
Lin Nan paid them no mind and said, "The Infinite Tsukuyomi creates what people desire in their hearts. If one's heart is pure, the dream will be one of prosperity; if one's heart is dirty and corrupt, the dream will be unbearable to behold!"
"Therefore, I have drained the chakra from all those who madly satisfied their desires in their dreams, and from those with impure hearts. This world must shed its dross to be rebuilt successfully!"
Naruto remained silent for a moment, saying nothing more. He then helped Tsunade up.
On the other side, Kakashi and Sakura also walked over, supporting each other.
"Is everyone alright?" Naruto asked.
These individuals were extremely weak due to the recent chakra extraction. They were too afraid to speak ill of Lin Nan, and even lacked the strength to talk much.
Tsunade was among the first to regain the ability to speak. "So, what are you now?"
Before Lin Nan could answer, Naruto said, "While I cannot fully agree with Mr. Lin's methods, we must now observe his philosophy. If, as Mr. Lin says, this will aid future peace..."
"I believe we might also try this path. Perhaps it is the only path left!"