Naruto: The Last Harbinger of Storm

Naruto: The Last Harbinger of Storm

Chapter 49: Political Madness Unleashed

"Beware the Ides of March." —Julius Caesar by the soothsayer 

Author's Note:

New chapter—hope you enjoy it! 😊 In this chapter, I've included a particular quote from Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare: "Beware the Ides of March." This phrase, spoken by a soothsayer as a warning to Julius Caesar, refers to March 15th, the day of Caesar's assassination in 44 B.C.

In this context, the soothsayer's warning foreshadows something ominous for Caesar. Despite the warning, he dismisses it, which adds a layer of tragic irony as he's ultimately betrayed and killed by his closest allies. This phrase has come to symbolize impending doom or an unavoidable fate, underscoring themes of betrayal, political maneuvering, and the consequences of ignoring warnings.

I've noticed some recent comments about the update schedule, and I just want to remind everyone that I have commitments outside of writing. Crafting chapters of 3,000 to 7,000 words, three times a week, can be challenging, so there may be occasional delays. Thank you for your understanding.

There won't be a response section today, but feel free to share your thoughts in the comments! 🙏

Join ThirdFireTriden on Pa(tre) on !

NTLHOS: Chapter 49: Political Madness Unleashed IS OUT !

Finalllllly Chapter 50! NTLHOS: Chapter 50: The Mad Strategist's Gambit IS OUT !

NTLHOS: Chapter 51: WHY The Queen's Gambit? IS OUT !

NTLHOS: Chapter 52: Power and Deception: The Battle for Konoha's Future is out ! (Konoha High council is done we move to the fire court arc next..)

NTLHOS: Chapter 53: "When Naruto goes wild!" IS OUT ! First lemon IS OUT !

NTLHOS: Chapter 54: The Capital IS OUT!

NTLHOS: Chapter 55: All path shall lead to me! IS OUT!

NTLHOS: Chapter 56: The Fire Court's Verdict! IS OUT!

NTLHOS: Chapter 57: The Fire Court's Verdict- II ! IS OUT!

NTLHOS: Chapter 58: The Crumbling Pillars is out!

NTLHOS: Chapter 59: Aftermath- The Fractured Veil IS OUT !!!!!

Happy reading!

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Last time on NTLHOS:

The room buzzed with low whispers, the weight of Danzo's accusations spreading like a storm cloud over the council. Kakashi could feel the shift, the dark undertones of fear and control creeping through the assembly.

And Danzo, the master of shadows, was making his move.

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Now:

The tension in the grand council chamber was suffocating, thick and stifling, weighing on everyone present. Danzo's words, laced with venom and quiet authority, still echoed through the hall as if his shadowy presence clung to the air itself. Then, from the far end of the major clan section, another figure stirred. Slowly, deliberately, Lord Sheiro Hatake rose to his feet.

The herald's voice rang out, sharp and firm, "The court recognizes Lord Sheiro Hatake, Lord of the Hatake Clan."

Unlike Danzo, Sheiro did not bow before the court, nor did he offer the customary courtesy to the Hokage. His gaze was fixed solely on Danzo, a silent confrontation brewing between the two.

"What rumors, Lord Danzo?" Sheiro's voice was cold, edged with a steel that cut through the room. "What half-truths are you insinuating?" His eyes narrowed. "We are here to preside over this matter, and yet here you stand, acting as judge and jury. Since when did the high council bestow upon an elder the right to determine truth? And when did it become permissible for an elder to slander one of Konoha's most upstanding shinobi as 'belligerent' without any consequence?"

Sheiro's words reverberated through the chamber, causing a ripple of unease. The subtle jab at Danzo had struck deep. Danzo's lone eye narrowed dangerously, his grip tightening on his cane, as if silently insinuating the notion that the elders were weak without the Hokage's backing.

Before the tension could mount any further, a calm yet authoritative voice rose above the murmurs. "Let's not waste time with these petty squabbles. Bring in the accused." The words belonged to none other than Lord Fugaku Uchiha.

There was no malice in Fugaku's tone, no overt favoritism. His neutrality was chilling in its own way. Though the Uchiha and the elders had always stood at odds, Fugaku's call for order seemed to align him, at least momentarily, with Danzo's stance. His words were like a dagger twisted into the fragile alliance between the Uchiha and the Tower faction. For Fugaku to stop Lord Hatake from tearing into the elders—particularly their old rival, Danzo—sent shockwaves through the chamber. The power dynamic shifted subtly but unmistakably.

A ripple of unease spread through the room. The Tower Alliance shifted uncomfortably. Sukino from the elders' gallery smirked, as the Tower Alliance had counted on the Uchiha as a cornerstone of their strength. But now, with Fugaku's neutrality, a looming sense of uncertainty gripped the chamber. The alliance, already fragile, now teetered on the edge of collapse.

The Third Hokage's voice, steady and commanding, rose above the murmurs. "Lord Fugaku is correct. We need not waste time on old grudges. Bring in the accused."

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The massive, ornate doors of the chamber groaned open, and the room fell into a near-silence so profound that it felt as though even the walls were holding their breath. The accused had arrived. Uzumaki Naruto stepped through the massive doorway, and with him came a presence that could not be ignored.

Naruto's attire was resplendent, a formal robe that bore the golden spiral of the Uzumaki clan, embroidered with painstaking detail across the fabric. His red hair, ever defiant, stood in sharp contrast to the dark and oppressive mood of the chamber. But it was his eyes—calm, cold, calculating—that sent an unspoken warning to all who dared challenge or betray him. Today, Naruto was not the boy they had known. He was something far more dangerous. His blue eyes, usually filled with calm serenity, now scanned the room with the precision of a warrior preparing for battle.

Flanked by eight ANBU, two on each side, Naruto walked forward with measured steps. His hands were not bound, but the image was clear enough—he was being brought before the council as though he were a prisoner. A warning to those watching, perhaps, or a spectacle meant to diminish him. But Naruto's cold demeanor betrayed no fear, no submission.

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As Naruto moved past the minor clan section, a subtle but significant stir broke the silence. A sharp intake of breath was followed by the sound of a chair scraping against the polished floor. From the ranks of the minor clans, a man stood. Uendau Furen, the patriarch and the lord of the Furen Clan, had risen to his feet.

The Furen Clan was a modest one, newly ascended to the rank of shinobi clan. Their livelihood had long been rooted in the meat trade, a far cry from the grandeur of the noble clans. They possessed no remarkable kekkei genkai, no famed abilities beyond their skill in silent assassination. But they had survived, scraping by with what little they could manage. Until recently, they had barely maintained a foothold in Konoha.

Uendau's face, lined with the harsh marks of time and hardship, tightened as he gazed upon Naruto. His grizzled features, often hardened by years of struggle, softened. Tears welled in his eyes. This was the man who had saved his family, his clan, from ruin. And now, he was being paraded like a common criminal. It was a sight that struck Uendau to his core, filling him with both sorrow and a burning sense of injustice.

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Uendau remembered it like it was yesterday. It had been a particularly cruel winter, one of the hardest they had ever faced. The Furen Clan had always been simple people—hunters and butchers by trade. Their modest existence had been enough to get by. But then, the sanctions had come, seemingly out of nowhere. Their trade, which had been their livelihood for generations, was systematically destroyed. Elder Homura's clan, the Mitokado Clan, had entered the meat trade, wielding their influence to crush the competition.

The Furen Clan was brought to its knees. Uendau had begged for help, petitioning the Hokage, even groveling before Homura himself. But the answer was always the same: "Give up your trade. Find another path." Homura had even offered partial aid—if Uendau would abandon his family's legacy. But the old man's pride would not allow it. His family had lived off the land for generations. Their trade was their identity. He couldn't give that up, even as his clan teetered on the brink of starvation.

Desperate, at his wife's behest, Uendau had gone to the Tower, where he sought an audience with the young Uzumaki lord. He had heard rumors of Naruto's defiance against the elders, of his strange mix of ruthlessness and generosity. He hadn't expected much—perhaps a loan with crushing interest, but still, it was something.

What he received was far beyond his expectations.

Naruto had greeted him personally, addressing him not as a beggar, but as a man of worth. Uendau had come prepared to beg, but Naruto had made him an offer: "Rather than give you money," Naruto had said, "which will only prolong your suffering, I will give you an opportunity. Sell me your goods, and if the quality is good, I will help you establish a permanent stall in the Uchiha market."

It had been a lifeline, a saving grace in the midst of despair. Naruto's deal had not only saved the Furen Clan from starvation but had allowed them to thrive. In return, Naruto had asked for nothing more than continued trade. It was a simple arrangement, but one that had saved the Furen Clan from ruin.

On the first anniversary of that fateful meeting, the Furen Clan had sworn a blood oath by spilling their blood into the flames of a ceremonial bonfire. They had vowed to serve Uzumaki Naruto faithfully, with every last breath in their bodies.

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Now, Uendau stood, his eyes filled with tears, his heart heavy with loyalty and outrage. How could the man who had saved his family, who had defied the highest powers of the village to aid the downtrodden, be treated like this? His weathered hands trembled, not with fear, but with righteous anger.

As Lord Uendao Furen rose to his feet, the chamber seemed to respond in kind, as though his act had set off a chain reaction. Other minor lords, moved by either loyalty or fear of the repercussions of not standing, or some simply due to peer pressure, stood to get a glimpse of the now enigmatic man. One by one, they rose—clan heads, respected shinobi, and even a few of the elite. The ripple of motion swept through the room, reaching the major clans. Sheiro Hatake, still glaring at Danzo, was the first among the major clans to rise, followed by the Kurama Clan. It was a rare display of solidarity from families that typically avoided standing out.

The room shifted, uncertain. The weight of politics, loyalty, and sheer awe of Uzumaki Naruto now hung heavily over the gathering. The elders, ever watchful, eyed the scene carefully. In the elders' gallery, two of the remaining senior members—Lady Kriya Yamanaka and Lord Torifu Akimichi—stood in a gesture of respect. The sight of two elders standing, especially those who rarely took part in political theatrics, caused a stir. Their actions forced others into motion.

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Choza Akimichi, seeing his father pay respects to the Uzumaki Lord, hesitated for only a moment before rising to his feet. He had no choice. Not to rise would be to show disunity within the Akimichi Clan, and by extension, one of the Four Noble Clans. The sight of Choza standing sent another ripple through the council, as some of his allies stood as well.

Uzumaki Naruto, brought in like a common criminal, by the time he reached the center stage, nearly the entire room had risen in some form of respect, as if a daimyo or Hokage had entered. Notable exceptions remained, however. The Hokage, Fugaku Uchiha, Hiashi Hyuga, and some of the major clans such as the Inuzuka and Yamanaka remained seated, watching with silent judgment. Even within the Sarutobi Alliance, a few stood to show their respect—most notably Shikaku Nara. The Nara clan head stood not out of loyalty, but out of pragmatic caution. To insult Naruto by remaining seated could only create unnecessary enemies. Today, Shikaku was prepared to oppose Naruto in the council, but there was no need to turn a battle of words into one of unnecessary feuds.

Those who stood did so for different reasons. Some rose in reverence, aware of Naruto's rising political power and influence. Others stood out of peer pressure, unwilling to seem as if they were publicly disrespecting one of Konoha's most notorious figures. And then there were those like the Nara, who stood as a calculated move—choosing not to risk enmity with the man who had become the second-most politically powerful figure in Konoha.

Naruto's political prowess was known, but more so was his reputation. His generosity, while often celebrated, had a darker counterpart: a cutthroat approach to business and politics. He had ruined more than a few who opposed him in the economic arena, and after his encounter with Orochimaru, the fear of him had only grown. The ANBU flanking him—while projecting neutrality in their expressions—could not fully hide their wariness of the man. Some respected him. Some despised him. But all feared him, for different reasons.

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In the elders' gallery, Jiraiya stood, conflicted.

The Toad Sage had never felt so torn in his life. On one side was his sensei, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the man who had shaped his career and outlook on the world. Hiruzen had complained about Naruto incessantly, describing him as a rogue shinobi, a dangerous force that needed to be contained. But on the other side was his godson—Naruto Uzumaki, Minato's son. Jiraiya's responsibility. And it was that responsibility that gnawed at him, clawing at his conscience with every passing second.

Jiraiya had run from it for so long. His only comfort during the long nights was the thought that distancing himself from Naruto had been necessary to keep the boy safe. He had made a deal with the elders: Naruto would live a quiet life, free from the knowledge of his parentage. The boy's heritage had been a danger—both to him and the village. If the Daimyo had known that Kushina Uzumaki's son was alive, things could have taken a far darker turn. That was the deal: keep the boy's heritage secret, and let the boy live, and Jiraiya would not meet or influence him.

But Naruto had been anything but quiet. And Jiraiya, despite his better judgment, hadn't initially kept track of him. The first time Naruto's name had crossed his radar, it had been through a whisper from one of his spies. The boy had saved the Daimyo—defying the Hokage's authority—and had been promoted from Genin to Tokubetsu Jonin in direct contradiction of the village's traditions. It had been the first real news of Naruto that Jiraiya received.

From that moment on, Jiraiya kept a closer eye on his godson. He had used his influence to help Naruto where he could, pushing for strong mentors within the ANBU, even arranging for his friend Key, head of the Sealing Division or Shark, to instruct Naruto. But to Jiraiya's surprise, Naruto never truly latched on to any of them. He learned from them, yes, but never considered them his mentors. Naruto grew on his own terms, forging his own path.

It was both impressive and saddening.

Naruto had joined ANBU and quickly rose through the ranks with glowing recommendations, his abilities placing him among the top five of his graduating batch. Then he had vanished, sent on covert missions that even Jiraiya couldn't track. For months, he had panicked, trying to glean information from his own network, but ANBU's inner workings were locked tighter than ever. Asking Hiruzen directly would have been a breach of their unspoken agreement, so Jiraiya remained in the shadows, watching and waiting.

Years later, Naruto had returned to Konoha, battered and bloodied. Rumors swirled of a mission gone wrong, and Jiraiya had heard whispers that it had been Tsunade who saved him. Worried, Jiraiya had tracked down Tsunade, who confirmed his worst fears. Naruto's injuries had been extensive, near-fatal. If not for Tsunade's intervention, his godson wouldn't have survived. Jiraiya had repaid Tsunade's favor by covering a good portion of her debts, but the incident had shaken him to his core.

He had nearly intervened, planning to confront Hiruzen and demand answers. But when he learned of the mission Naruto had been posted on, Jiraiya held back. He worked tirelessly to keep Naruto's name from appearing in any bingo books, ensuring the boy stayed hidden from the eyes of the black market and enemy nations.

And then there was the Storm Release. The legendary bloodline ability had surfaced in Naruto, and despite Jiraiya's efforts, whispers of it began to circulate. Then came his friendship with the Uchiha. At first, it seemed like nothing more than a curiosity. But then the alliances had formed. Naruto had made connections with the Uchiha and the Tower—far deeper connections than Jiraiya had ever anticipated. And before he realized it, Naruto had united the outcasts, forged a political alliance so powerful it rivaled the Hokage's own. Something not even Danzo had ever achieved. In a few short years, Naruto had become the second-most politically powerful figure in Konoha.

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Jiraiya had underestimated him. His godson, despite the odds, had become a political and military powerhouse, and Jiraiya hadn't seen it coming. He had been too focused on placating his sensei, on preventing Hiruzen from making any drastic moves against the boy. And now, not only had Naruto become a rival to the Hokage, but he had also faced down Orochimaru and lived.

The rumors had been almost too wild to believe—Minato's son, nearly killing the Snake. But the truth had been impossible to deny. Naruto had encountered Orochimaru, and if Jiraiya's sources were right, he had sent the Snake packing, wounded and humiliated.

And now, Hiruzen had decided to go all out.

Jiraiya hadn't waited. The moment he heard what had transpired in Kusa and Konoha, he had dropped everything. Luckily, he had been in a nearby city, delivering one of his spy reports, when the news reached him. He had rushed back to the village as fast as he could.

And now, here he was, standing in the elders' gallery, watching his sensei prepare to try the boy he had sworn to protect. But what he was seeing now shocked him to the core. The way people feared his godson, the way some revered him—the ovation Naruto was receiving now was unlike anything Jiraiya had ever expected. He had no doubt that if he were in Naruto's position, facing trial, he would not have received the same respect. Perhaps under a different Hokage, but not his sensei, not Hiruzen Sarutobi because he was revered in the village more than Jiraiya but now.

It was now painfully clear: respect for Hiruzen Sarutobi had waned over the years, or perhaps people feared Naruto more.

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Naruto reached the center of the grand chamber, his steps slow and deliberate, the eyes of the council locked onto him like hawks circling their prey. He scanned the gathered lords, dignitaries, and shinobi, his posture calm but exuding a silent confidence. As he looked toward the elders seated high above, his eyes briefly flicked over the Third Hokage—now his judge—and a brief, cocky smirk curled the corner of his lips.

The smirk was not missed.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes narrowed as he leaned forward in his throne, his posture radiating power. His chakra flared slightly, and his voice, amplified by that power, thundered through the chamber.

"Silence!" Hiruzen barked, his tone brooking no argument. "Order and sanctity will be maintained in this council!"

The room fell silent almost instantly, as if the words themselves were the lash of a whip. Slowly, with the measured calm of a general who had just quieted the chaos of a battlefield, the audience began to sit down. The sound of shifting bodies, wood scraping against stone, filled the hall.

Naruto turned from surveying the crowd, his eyes finding the Hokage. With a sharp, curt bow, he acknowledged the man on the throne. But what came next was telling. He gave a nod—brief but respectful—to the heads of the noble clans: the Hyuga, the Akimichi, and, most unnervingly, Shikaku Nara. The gesture was returned by all, but Shikaku couldn't shake the chill that ran down his spine. What Shikaku didn't miss was how Naruto skipped the Uchiha, who ranked higher than the others in the hierarchy.

Shikaku Nara had been watching the entire proceeding with careful calculation.

His mind raced, piecing together the implications of every move, every word spoken. When Fugaku Uchiha had effectively "jumped ship" and sided with the elders, it had struck Shikaku like thunder. Only the gods knew how his aunt managed that feat. Fugaku wasn't fond of the boy, not by any stretch of the imagination. But to join hands with the elders—especially Danzo—that was preposterous. Fugaku disliked the boy, true, but enough to join hands with the elders? That, Shikaku wasn't so sure of. Yet, despite the confusion, he couldn't help but feel a sliver of satisfaction at the development.

The Uchiha's defection was a blow to Naruto's position, a major one at that. But the moment Naruto walked into the chamber, the tide shifted once again. What was supposed to be a political ambush had turned into something else entirely. Shikaku watched as Naruto walked like a war hero fresh from victory, not a man accused of treason. His presence, his bearing, sent whispers of awe and fear rippling through the room.

It reminded Shikaku of another moment—déjà vu, almost. A memory of the Fourth Hokage standing before this very council after obliterating enemy forces with nothing but the Yellow Flash's speed and deadly precision. Back then, the council had given Minato a standing ovation, some out of respect, some out of fear. Now, history seemed to be repeating itself in the most unsettling way. And yet, Naruto had none of the things the Fourth had done—fighting Orochimaru while impressive did not mean this.

The nod Naruto had given to the noble clans, especially the one directed at Shikaku himself, was chilling. The Nara Clan had always been cautious, pragmatic. Shikaku reminded himself that this man, standing before them, was no ordinary jonin. Even the Nara tread lightly around him.

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The tension in the room thickened as Elder Koharu Utatane rose from her seat, her movements deliberate. The herald's voice cut through the silence:

"The court recognizes Elder Utatane Koharu."

Koharu bowed briefly to the Hokage before addressing the assembly. Her voice, though calm, carried the weight of decades of political maneuvering. "Today we convene to address the actions of one of our shinobi. On an authorized mission to find and secure a missing noble, Jonin Uzumaki provoked a conflict with the Village of Kusa. By breaking his cover and engaging a rogue shinobi within their borders, he risked war. Furthermore, it is alleged that he infiltrated the Hidden Grass Village proper, killed scores of their shinobi, and burned down their hospital in an attempt to free one of his clan's women admitted there. The head of Kusa, their Daimyo, and their Jonin Commander now demand satisfaction for these actions."

The weight of Koharu's accusations hung in the air like a noose.

Elder Homura Mitokado rose next, his cold gaze fixed on Naruto. "This is indeed grave. What do you have to say for yourself, Jonin Uzumaki?"

All eyes turned to Naruto, who stood calmly in the center of the chamber. His posture remained poised, his expression unreadable. And yet, there was no fear in his eyes—only that unnerving calm.

Naruto's voice, steady and loud enough to carry through the chamber, broke the silence.

"Honorable Lord Hokage, revered founding clans, and various lords and dignitaries. Many of you—"

Before he could continue, the unexpected happened. A figure rose from his seat, cutting Naruto off mid-sentence. It was Aluraya Higen, an elder who rarely spoke, let alone interrupted proceedings. The shock on Hiruzen's face mirrored the room's disbelief.

"We have no time to waste here, Uzumaki," Aluraya spat, his voice thick with disdain. "Get to the point."

Naruto paused for a moment, his sharp blue eyes locking with the elder's. But then, just as quickly, he continued, as if he had never been interrupted, his voice unwavering.

"Many of you know me as Uzumaki Naruto, an orphan of Konoha. And that is true. But what many of you do not know,"Naruto's eyes swept across the room, the weight of his words dropping like stones into a pond, "is that my father… 'is' or to be precise 'was' the Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze."

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The reaction was immediate, explosive. Gasps echoed throughout the chamber. Shouts of denial, surprise, and confusion filled the room as lords and shinobi alike looked at Naruto with wide eyes. The resemblance, the subtle hints of his parentage, suddenly clicked for many. His facial features, his calm demeanor, his chakra—it all made sense now.

In the upper gallery, Sukino Nara, one of the most brilliant yet eccentric minds of Konoha, muttered under her breath, "And they call me insane."

Aluraya Higen, sitting back down, whispered to Sukino next to him, "What is he doing? Is he suicidal? When the Daimyo hears this, he'll know who Naruto's mother was as well. Despite the outcome of this trial, he's signing his own death warrant. The moment the Daimyo hears about this, he'll order Hiruzen to execute Naruto without any trial, and it will be legal."

It was no secret to those in power that Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki had married. The Daimyo had never been informed of Naruto's existence to prevent further complications. But now, Naruto was openly declaring his lineage, staking a claim that would bring him into direct conflict with the Daimyo and, perhaps, the entire political structure of the Land of Fire.

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Stay tuned for the next exciting episode of Naruto: The Last Harbinger of Storm! Please Like and Comment.

Join ThirdFireTriden on Pa(tre) on !

NTLHOS: Chapter 49: Political Madness Unleashed IS OUT !

Finalllllly Chapter 50! NTLHOS: Chapter 50: The Mad Strategist's Gambit IS OUT !

NTLHOS: Chapter 51: WHY The Queen's Gambit? IS OUT !

NTLHOS: Chapter 52: Power and Deception: The Battle for Konoha's Future is out ! (Konoha High council is done we move to the fire court arc next..)

NTLHOS: Chapter 53: "When Naruto goes wild!" IS OUT ! First lemon IS OUT !

NTLHOS: Chapter 54: The Capital IS OUT!

NTLHOS: Chapter 55: All path shall lead to me! IS OUT!

NTLHOS: Chapter 56: The Fire Court's Verdict! IS OUT!

NTLHOS: Chapter 57: The Fire Court's Verdict- II ! IS OUT!

NTLHOS: Chapter 58: The Crumbling Pillars is out!

NTLHOS: Chapter 59: Aftermath- The Fractured Veil IS OUT !!!!!!