The smoke from the Stark Expo was dissipating, but its repercussions—for both Tony Stark and the world—were only just beginning to be felt. For the Realm of Origin, this was a time to assess the impact of their interventions and prepare for future threats, fully aware that the balance they maintained was growing increasingly fragile.
In the Realm of Origin's command chamber, the screens displayed headlines: Tony Stark exonerated, Justin Hammer arrested, Ivan Vanko dead. Interviews with Tony aired across the globe, showing a transformed man. The palladium illness had been defeated, his father's legacy embraced, and his place as Iron Man—and potentially as part of something greater—was now firmly established.
"He survived his own personal hell," observed Tsunade, a hint of admiration in her voice. "He walked through fire and came out stronger. The new element is stable and purifying him."
"He embraced his father's legacy and has finally freed himself from its shadow," added Minato, Naruto's father, with a serene smile. "That's a crucial step in his evolution."
Naruto nodded, his azure eyes reflecting deep satisfaction. "Tony is a hero. But he's also a vital link in a much greater chain. His encounter with Vanko and Hammer pushed him to accept his responsibilities, even if the path was chaotic."
Their focus then shifted to Tony's interactions with Nick Fury, director of SHIELD. Having completed her infiltration mission, Natasha had returned to the agency with a thorough report. The information she had "collected" (subtly guided by Tobirama and Sasuke) on the flaws within Hammer Industries and the threat Vanko posed—combined with the heroic actions of Iron Man and War Machine—had strengthened SHIELD's position considerably.
"Fury has what he wants—or at least, what he thinks he wants," Natasha remarked. "A Tony Stark under closer scrutiny, an evaluation of his skills, and one more step toward the Avengers Initiative. He now has a clearer picture of what Tony is truly capable of—and more importantly, he's increasingly aware of the danger Stark tech poses in the wrong hands."
The intel Natasha provided had also prompted Fury to accelerate the "discovery" process of other individuals with extraordinary abilities. The idea of gathering these "elements" was becoming more urgent in his mind.
Far from Earth's chaos, the Realm of Origin entered a phase of consolidation. The information gathered during the Iron Man 2 incident was undergoing deep analysis.
The successful operations in Monaco and the Stark Expo had proven the effectiveness of their indirect intervention methods. Tobirama and Sasuke were refining the algorithms for even more precise engagement.
"We've demonstrated that we can influence events without breaking natural causality," Tobirama explained.
"Micro-adjustments can yield macro-consequences."
Sasuke added, "Perception and anticipation are our greatest weapons."
The panic in Monaco and the damages at the Expo highlighted the importance of civilian safety. Hinata and Kushina began developing techniques and tools for cosmic-scale crisis management. They studied crowd behavior under pressure and methods for reducing psychological trauma, planning non-lethal interventions for future catastrophes.
The Ancient One, in collaboration with Naruto, continued monitoring cosmic "resonances." The presence of the Space Stone (Tesseract), the emergence of other Infinity artifacts, and early signs of a potential Chitauri invasion were major concerns.
"The balance is precarious," the Ancient One warned during a connection.
"Dark forces are mobilizing. Your influence will soon be required on an even grander scale."
The Uzumaki, Hyūga, and Uchiha clans, along with other revived souls, were fully integrating into the Realm. Their abilities were continuously trained and amplified by the Source's energy, preparing them for future roles in the defense of the Omniverse. The strength of their community, their shared wisdom, and their restored happiness were all pillars of Naruto's vision.
The Realm of Origin knew that the Battle of New York—the first true cosmic confrontation for Earth—was drawing inevitably closer. The events of Iron Man 2 had served as a prelude, strengthening Tony Stark and setting SHIELD's pieces on the board.
"The next step will be the invasion of New York," Naruto announced to his council, his gaze fixed on a projection of Loki and the Tesseract.
"Loki, the Asgardian. SHIELD will be overwhelmed. The Avengers will have to assemble. Our intervention must be more direct to prevent large-scale catastrophe."
"We'll need to act with measured force," Natasha added, "in a way that doesn't rob the Avengers of their triumph, but ensures the city isn't obliterated and that the cosmic threat is repelled. Their success is vital for their own growth as Earth's defenders."
The Realm of Origin was a force of balance—a sanctuary for pure souls, but also a proactive guardian of the Omniverse. Every chapter of the MCU's unfolding story was a lesson, every trial an opportunity. And at the center of it all stood Naruto, the God-King, ready to guide his people and step in when the stars aligned for the next great confrontation.
The cosmic dance continued—
and the Guardians of Origin were ready for the next act.