Naruto: The Last Harbinger of Storm

Naruto: The Last Harbinger of Storm

Chapter 28: Clash of Loyalties

Author's Note: 

Thank you for your patience and continuous support. Hope I have done justice to this chapter. Your encouragement keeps me going. 

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Join ThirdFireTriden on Pa(tre) on !

Chapter 29: Return to the Leaf is OUT! (Mist Arc is completed!)

Chapter 30: Political Crossroads is OUT!

Chapter 31: A Fitting Punishment IS OUT!

Chapter 32: Embracing Change IS OUT!

Chapter 33- Monster of a Sensei IS OUT!

Chapter 34: "The Uchiha and the Tower" IS OUT!

Chapter 35: "Convergence of Fates" IS OUT!

Chapter 36: "The Metamorphosis" IS OUT!

Chapter 37: "Formation of the Outcasts" IS OUT!

Chapter 38: Web of Influence IS OUT!!!!

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"A single arrow is easily broken, but not ten in a bundle." – Japanese Proverb

Happy reading!

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Previously on Naruto: The Last Harbinger of Storm:

"What's the matter?" Ao taunted, noticing the change in Naruto's expression. "Cat got your tongue?" Naruto felt a cold sweat trickle down his spine. His thoughts raced as he considered his options. He knew that any sudden move could trigger an attack. He needed to buy time and gather more information.

"My odds are better at escaping with only you," Naruto said, his voice steady despite the tension. "Seven others may have shown up, but neither are Mei, Pakura, nor Jinin. My only threat is you."

"Don't look so shocked," Ao continued, his voice calm but edged with a hint of bitterness. "I knew the very day I laid eyes on you. Your chakra was unmistakable, a mix of raw power and something ancient. I immediately informed Mei. She was skeptical at first, but she trusted my judgment."

Naruto's mind raced. He had always been cautious, always aware of the eyes watching him, but he had underestimated Ao's perceptiveness.

"You see," Ao went on, "the Uzumaki clan was renowned for their sealing techniques and red hair, their immense chakra reserves, and their vitality. Your red hair was a giveaway, but it was your chakra that confirmed my suspicions. Is this your attempt at revenge for the destruction of Uzushiogakure? To infiltrate and destroy us from within?"

Ao paused, studying Naruto's reaction. "We thought you were just a half-Uzumaki at first. Your initial performance didn't raise too many alarms. But then, you began to show extraordinary talent in sealing. It wasn't the sophisticated, structured art of the true Uzumaki sealing, but rather a raw, innate talent combined with fragments of knowledge."

"You see," Ao continued, his voice dripping with irony, "Jinin was a master of deception and strategy, but he also had a sense of honor. He saw in you something that reminded him of his home, his past. Perhaps he saw a chance for redemption through you, or maybe he saw an opportunity to mold you into a weapon for his cause. Either way, he took you under his wing." Ao paused, his eyes boring into Naruto's. "So, do you know how you are related to Jinin? Does he know you are a spy?"

Naruto suppressed his shock and forced a smile. "I didn't peg you as one for monologues, Ao. And I never knew you had a Byakugan in your right eye socket."

Ao's eyes widened momentarily. "How did you—"

Naruto interrupted, "Uzumaki blood, remember? Always have contingencies when meeting contacts."

Ao activated his Byakugan, his eyes instantly scanning the area. His vision penetrated through the smoke and mist, revealing small seals scattered throughout the clearing—seals that had been expertly hidden and kept inert to avoid detection. "WATCH OUT!" Ao shouted, his voice echoing with urgency, but it was too late. The clearing erupted in a violent explosion of smoke and fire, engulfing everything in its path.

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Naruto had meticulously prepared for this moment. He had already activated his anti-sensory seals, designed to hijack the enemy's five senses, creating a disorienting effect that left them vulnerable. Alongside these, he had thrown chakra light seals, engineered to emit a blinding flash of light specifically targeting dojutsu users like Ao. The flash was brief but overwhelmingly effective, casting a searing white light that momentarily blinded everyone in the vicinity. When the light faded, Ao's enhanced vision picked up a chaotic scene—eight identical copies of Naruto sprinting in different directions. Shadow clones, indistinguishable from the original even to the Byakugan.

"Konoha..." Ao cursed under his breath, the realization of Naruto's true allegiance sinking in. His frustration was palpable. "Give chase!" he commanded his comrades, his voice cutting through the confusion. "But be careful—he's laid traps. Stay sharp and proceed with caution!"

Naruto's heart pounded as he sprinted through the dense forest, branches and leaves whipping past him. His best chance was to evade and escape, not engage. The odds were overwhelmingly against him; Ao was a seasoned hunter, infamous for his strategic brilliance and unparalleled sensory abilities. Naruto's mind raced, calculating his moves, setting traps, and using the terrain to his advantage.

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Naruto was running for his life. He had no illusions about defeating them all. His best hope was to pull a draw against Ao. The man, infamous for his strategic brilliance and sensory prowess, was the head of Kiri's hunter division before going rogue. In a one-on-one battle, Naruto might have a chance, but ambushed or fighting on Ao's terms, he would be dead meat.

For four days, Naruto ran towards the borders of the Land of Fire (Hi no Kuni). He snuck onto a fast ship to the Land of Noodles, encountering multiple chunin and jonin on his trail. He managed to incapacitate them without killing or maiming, but the memories of his clones being decimated by Ao and others haunted him. Exhausted and battered, he found solace in brief moments of rest in forests and on ships.

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The first night, Naruto found himself surrounded by a group of chunin who had tracked him through the dense forest. Their faces were familiar—comrades he had once fought beside in the rebellion. Now, they were adversaries. He took a deep breath, centering himself as he sensed their approach, feeling the subtle vibrations of their footsteps through the earth and the rustle of leaves in the trees.

"You're cornered, Ray," one of them taunted, using the alias he had adopted. "Surrender, and we might show you mercy."

Naruto's eyes narrowed. "You know I can't do that."

The forest was thick with ancient trees, their gnarled roots and dense foliage providing cover. A nearby river glistened under the moonlight, its gentle babble a stark contrast to the tension in the air. The smell of damp earth and pine filled Naruto's senses as he quickly formulated a plan.

With a swift series of hand seals, Naruto unleashed his first jutsu. "Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet (Suiton: Suiryūdan no Jutsu)!" A massive dragon-shaped torrent of water erupted from the nearby river, crashing into the chunin with immense force. The water dragon scattered them, but they quickly regrouped, retaliating with kunai and shuriken.

Anticipating their movements, Naruto had laid a few traps in the underbrush—explosive tags hidden beneath layers of leaves and dirt. As the chunin advanced, a series of small explosions erupted, disorienting them and giving Naruto the upper hand.

Naruto moved with agility and precision, weaving through their attacks. He countered with "Shadow Clone Jutsu (Kage Bunshin no Jutsu)!" creating multiple clones to confuse and overwhelm his opponents. The clones engaged the chunin, providing Naruto with the distraction he needed.

He slipped through their ranks, using the "Body Flicker Technique (Shunshin no Jutsu)" to disappear from their sight. Reappearing behind one of the chunin, he delivered a swift strike to the pressure points on the neck, rendering the opponent unconscious. Another chunin lunged at him with a kunai, but Naruto deflected the attack with his kunai, then countered with a precise kick to the side, sending the enemy sprawling.

Naruto's clones continued to engage the remaining chunin, drawing their attention away from his main body. He quickly placed paralysis seals on the ground, concealed by the thick undergrowth. As the chunin stepped into the traps, their bodies froze, unable to move.

One chunin managed to avoid the traps and charged at Naruto with a flurry of punches and kicks. Naruto dodged and blocked each strike, his movements a seamless blend of defensive and offensive techniques. "Mirage Body Flicker(Gen'ei Shunshin)," he whispered, utilizing the advanced technique Shisui had taught him. His form flickered, creating afterimages that confused and disoriented his opponent. In a split second, Naruto struck, delivering a precise blow that incapacitated the chunin.

In a blur of motion, Naruto incapacitated the remaining chunin, ensuring they were unable to pursue him further. Panting, he took a moment to catch his breath, his eyes scanning the dark forest. The dense canopy overhead filtered the moonlight, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. He knew more enemies would be on his trail soon.

As dawn broke, the forest came alive with the sounds of chirping birds and rustling leaves. Naruto reached a small port town on the coast. The smell of saltwater filled the air, and the sound of waves crashing against the docks provided a brief respite. He spotted a fast ship preparing to set sail for the Land of Noodles. Disguising himself among the dockworkers, he slipped aboard unnoticed, blending into the bustling activity of the early morning. The ship's wooden deck creaked underfoot as he found a hidden corner to rest, the gentle rocking of the vessel offering a momentary lull in the chaos of his escape.

On the ship, Naruto found a hidden corner to rest. His body ached, and his chakra reserves were low. He closed his eyes, allowing himself a brief moment of respite. The gentle rocking of the ship and the distant calls of seagulls lulled him into a light sleep. Despite his exhaustion, his mind remained alert, aware of the constant danger that shadowed his every move.

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As the ship docked at the Land of Noodles, Naruto disembarked quietly, blending into the bustling crowd of traders and travelers. The aroma of freshly cooked noodles wafted through the air, a stark contrast to the tension that gripped him. The small, peaceful country was known for its famous cuisine, and the lively markets were filled with vendors selling everything from exotic spices to colorful fabrics, and of course, steaming bowls of noodles.

Navigating through the narrow streets, Naruto kept his senses sharp. He knew Ao's team would be relentless in their pursuit. He moved quickly, avoiding main roads and sticking to alleyways. The vibrant market stalls provided cover as he weaved through the crowds, his eyes constantly scanning for any signs of danger.

In one of the alleyways, Naruto's keen senses picked up the presence of chakra signatures approaching rapidly. He knew he was being hunted and decided to use the narrow space to his advantage. He acted as if cornered, setting himself as bait. Just as he anticipated, a group of jonin appeared, led by a stern-faced woman with sharp eyes.

"There he is! Don't let him escape!" she shouted.

Naruto's heart raced as he prepared for another battle. He had already subtly laid traps in the alleyway, placing paralysis seals on the ground and concealing explosive tags beneath piles of trash. With his remaining chakra, he created several shadow clones to further confuse his pursuers.

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet (Suiton: Suiryūdan no Jutsu)!" Naruto called out, summoning a massive dragon-shaped torrent of water that surged forward, forcing the jonin to scatter. The water dragon crashed against the walls, sending a cascade of water through the alleyway. The force of the water dragon shattered windows and sent debris flying, causing nearby pedestrians to scream and flee the area in panic.

The leader countered with "Earth Release: Earth Wall (Doton: Doryūheki)," raising a barrier to block the attack. The other jonin launched their attacks, hurling kunai and shuriken towards Naruto. Anticipating their moves, Naruto deflected the projectiles with his own kunai and dashed forward with incredible speed.

As he engaged the first jonin in close combat, their fists and blades clashed in a flurry of strikes. The narrow alley echoed with the sounds of metal against metal and the grunts of exertion. Naruto's movements were fluid, his training and experience evident in every motion. He delivered a powerful kick to the jonin's chest, sending him crashing into a nearby wall.

Sensing another jonin preparing to attack, Naruto saw the telltale signs of a lightning jutsu. "Lightning Release: Lightning Bolt (Raiton: Raikōdan)!" the jonin shouted, releasing a bolt of electricity. Naruto anticipated the attack, using the "Substitution Jutsu (Kawarimi no Jutsu)" to replace himself with a nearby crate just before the lightning struck. Reappearing behind the jonin, he incapacitated him with a precise strike to the neck.

The leader, realizing the gravity of the situation, summoned a powerful water jutsu. "Water Release: Water Severing Wave (Suiton: Suidanpa)!" A high-pressure stream of water shot towards Naruto. He narrowly dodged, feeling the sting of the water slicing through the air. The stream cut through the alley, leaving deep gashes in the stone walls.

With a surge of determination, Naruto performed another set of hand seals. "Storm Release: Force Palm (Ranton: Reppūshō)!" A powerful gust of water and lightning-infused plasma knocked the leader off balance, giving Naruto the opening he needed. He closed the distance, delivering a series of rapid strikes that left the jonin incapacitated.

Naruto used the "Mirage Body Flicker (Gen'ei Shunshin)" technique Shisui had taught him, creating afterimages that confused the remaining jonin. The illusions made it difficult for them to target the real Naruto. In the midst of the confusion, Naruto struck with precision, placing paralysis seals on the jonin and incapacitating them one by one.

Despite his success, the battle took its toll on Naruto. He sustained several injuries: a deep cut on his arm from a kunai, a bruise on his side from a powerful kick, and a shallow gash on his leg from a shuriken. The alleyway was now filled with the defeated jonin, their bodies lying unconscious against the stone walls. Naruto took a deep breath, his heart pounding from the exertion. The alley was littered with debris from the battle, and the scent of fresh rainwater lingered in the air from the water jutsu.

Wincing in pain, Naruto limped away from the scene, knowing he had to keep moving. The constant threat of pursuit kept him on edge, his senses always alert for the next challenge. As he navigated through the Land of Noodles, he traveled by night, resting in secluded spots during the day. The forests and mountains provided ample cover, their dense foliage and rocky terrain offering both concealment and protection.

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As Naruto neared the borders, he sensed Ao and a jonin approaching quickly. His heart pounded as he readied himself for the impending confrontation. The jonin's sword gleamed in the fading light, slashing down towards Naruto. He ducked under the strike with a swift, agile movement and immediately sidestepped a Water Severing Wave (Suiton: Suidanha) that cut through the air with deadly precision, slicing through trees and rocks like butter.

"No more running, boy. Is your name really Ray?" the jonin sneered, his voice dripping with contempt and menace.

Naruto knew Ao was stalling, trying to gather information. "You'll find out soon enough," Naruto replied, his eyes narrowing as he formed hand seals. "Storm Release: Laser Circus (Ranton: Reizā Sākasu)!" He poured half his chakra into the attack, hoping the massive explosion would alert the Hi no Kuni border patrol. Bright beams of light shot out in all directions, converging on Ao and the jonin.

The explosion was colossal, hitting Ao and the jonin dead center. They barely had time to raise a large earth wall for protection. Behind the safety of the wall, Ao began charging a water dragon, waiting for the barrier to crumble.

The coordination between Ao and the jonin was a testament to their countless missions together. But Naruto's Laser Circus, despite being an A-rank jutsu, was capable of mass destruction. The water dragon and storm collided, resulting in a tremendous explosion. The earth wall dampened the effect, but Ao and the jonin were still slightly battered, while Naruto used a barrier seal to cushion the recoil. The ground around them was scorched and cracked, smoke rising from the impact points.

"You've improved from the low jonin-level shinobi you were when you joined the cause to an elite shinobi now," Ao admitted, leveling a flurry of Water Jutsu at Naruto. "Water Release: Water Shark Bullet Technique (Suiton: Suikōdan no Jutsu)!" Massive water sharks surged towards Naruto, their jaws open wide, teeth glinting ominously.

Naruto countered with "Storm Release: Force Palm (Ranton: Reppūshō)," creating a torrent of water infused with lightning to deflect the water sharks. The electric plasmic energy shredded through the aquatic beasts, dispersing them into harmless droplets. He followed up with "Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique (Suiton: Suiryūdan no Jutsu)," summoning a massive water dragon to clash with Ao's next attack. The two water dragons met mid-air, crashing into each other with a thunderous roar, sending waves of water splashing across the battlefield, uprooting trees and carving trenches in the earth.

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In the ensuing chaos, Naruto engaged the jonin in a bout of taijutsu. Their fists and feet moved in a blur, striking with deadly precision. The narrow forest echoed with the sounds of combat, the grunts of exertion, and the sharp clinks of kunai and shuriken. Naruto ducked under a high kick and retaliated with a powerful punch to the jonin's ribs. The jonin staggered but recovered quickly, aiming a series of rapid strikes at Naruto. Dodging and weaving, Naruto managed to place a paralysis seal on the jonin, immobilizing him. The jonin's body stiffened and fell to the ground, unable to move, his eyes wide with shock.

Now, only Ao and Naruto stood, both bleeding and battered. Ao fared better, but he wasn't unscathed. Blood trickled down his face from a cut on his forehead, and his movements were slower than before.

"It's over now, traitor," Ao declared, his voice filled with anger and pain, yet tinged with a reluctant respect.

Naruto, blood spilling from his mouth, replied, "I may have been a spy, but I did my best to help your people. I could have laid low and still gathered information, but I fought and bled for you. I saved some of your best shinobi and clan members. Who prevented Ameyuri's death from the Mizukage and from her own apprentice Raiga Kurosuki? Who infiltrated enemy fortresses and saved the Yuki clan? Who saved Mangetsu and Suigetsu from Yagura's captivity? Me, always risking my life for you."

Ao's expression softened for a moment. "It's true, but you were never one of us."

With that, both charged at each other with their swords drawn. As they clashed, Naruto unsealed the Uzumaki ancestral sword Shisui had gifted him on his birthday. Jinin had once told him this sword belonged to the leader of Uzushiogakure. Its name was Arashi no Megami (Storm Goddess).

In the last moments before their swords collided, Naruto coated the Storm Goddess with crimson red plasmic energy—Storm Release. The air crackled with electricity as their blades met. Ao's eyes widened in surprise as the Storm Goddess sliced through his sword, the crimson energy cutting cleanly through the steel. Blood spurted from Ao's chest as he collapsed, his broken sword clattering to the ground.

Naruto fell to one knee, coughing up blood from Ao's last chakra-encased punch. Limping past Ao, he said, "I am conflicted with my lot in life. This is my parting gift." He took a small scroll from his pocket and placed it in Ao's chest pocket, which was not bleeding.

"Duty dictates," Naruto murmured as he removed Ao's eye patch, revealing an intricate seal in the wooden block. No one short of a seal master could undo this seal, but unfortunately for Ao, Naruto was one. Using a numbing medical jutsu, Naruto coated his hand with green healing chakra and carefully removed the Byakugan, placing it in a special preservation jar within his seals. He looked down at Ao, whose breath was labored and shallow. "If it helps, I think what I put in your pocket—which took me four months of relentless work—will compensate and more. Let it be my apology for all the trust I broke."

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Naruto stood up, his legs shaky and his vision blurring. He started sprinting toward the border. As he covered a bit of distance, enough that he couldn't see Ao anymore, Naruto's vision blurred further. He had fought and survived, but the toll was immense. The sky above was darkening, and he could hear the distant sounds of the Hi no Kuni border patrol approaching. He had alerted them, and now, he hoped they would find him before it was too late.

Every step felt heavier, his body crying out in pain. The trees blurred together, and the ground seemed to shift beneath him. Naruto stumbled, catching himself on a nearby tree. His breath came in ragged gasps, blood still trickling from his wounds. He could hear the voices of the border patrol getting closer, their footsteps pounding against the forest floor. Darkness edged his vision, but he kept moving, driven by sheer willpower.

Finally, as his strength gave out, Naruto collapsed to the ground. The last thing he saw before unconsciousness claimed him was the silhouettes of the border patrol rushing towards him.

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Stay tuned for the next exciting episode of Naruto: The Last Harbinger of Storm!

Join ThirdFireTriden on Pa(tre) on !

Chapter 29: Return to the Leaf is OUT! (Mist Arc is completed!)

Chapter 30: Political Crossroads is OUT!

Chapter 31: A Fitting Punishment IS OUT!

Chapter 32: Embracing Change IS OUT!

Chapter 33- Monster of a Sensei IS OUT!

Chapter 34: "The Uchiha and the Tower" IS OUT!

Chapter 35: "Convergence of Fates" IS OUT!

Chapter 36: "The Metamorphosis" IS OUT!

Chapter 37: "Formation of the Outcasts" IS OUT!

Chapter 38: Web of Influence IS OUT!!!!

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