Naruto: The Last Harbinger of Storm

Naruto: The Last Harbinger of Storm

Chapter 51: WHY The Queen's Gambit ?

Author's Note:

I'm honestly shocked that we've reached 50 chapters! It's been an incredible journey, and I couldn't have done it without your support. I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude and give a special shout-out to Mark Crooks, who has been my first subscriber and is still my to this day. It's because of Mark's initial support that I've reached this point today. Thank you, Mark!

I also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of you, especially those who comment regularly, like Gabe Sarti. Your support and engagement have been invaluable.

The next chapter will be out on Saturday, followed by another on Sunday. I've noticed that people are commenting more frequently and liking the chapters, which has greatly encouraged me. Your engagement means the world to me, so please keep it up!

Remember to like and comment—your feedback helps shape this story. Thank you all for being part of this adventure!

"Accusations without proof cut both ways; in the game of shadows, even the truth casts a shadow."

Join ThirdFireTriden on Pa(tre)(on) the link is in description or type my name in google search with pat (tre) on remove the space and bracket!

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 !!!!!!

NTLHOS: Chapter 60: The Storm Emperor IS OUT!!!!

NTLHOS: Chapter 61: Where id the world heading? !!!

-X-

Last time on NTLHOS:

"True," Sukino conceded, her tone contemplative. "I don't know what exactly he was thinking, but that's not the pressing question. The real question is: what will he do next? Why did he orchestrate this public spectacle? What does he hope to gain with this break, and why did he risk invoking Minato's legacy? What does he have in the Fire Court that makes him so sure the Daimyo will honor the blood debt?"

The room fell into a tense silence, each elder grappling with the implications of Sukino's words. Hiruzen's brow furrowed in thought, his mind racing through the possibilities. Naruto had thrown them into disarray, and the boy's motives were a puzzle they couldn't yet piece together.

-X-

Now:

As the lords and ladies filtered back into the ornate chamber after the recess, the tension was palpable. Those who had initially been unaware of Naruto's potential heritage had been informed during the break. Whispers circulated, speculating about his lineage. If the Fourth Hokage was truly Naruto's father, then by process of elimination and the clear indication of his Uzumaki name, there could only be one woman who could be his mother. The pieces were falling into place, and the implications were shaking the foundations of Konoha.

Kakashi stood amidst the throng of dignitaries, his mind reeling. In a thousand years, he never would have guessed that the son of his sensei had been right under his nose all this time. He had been the one to try and curtail Naruto's rise in the village, albeit unintentionally. Now, the realization of what he had done—of the harm he may have caused to his mentor's legacy—crushed him. If Minato Namikaze was truly Naruto's father, there was no doubt in his mind about who the mother was. He didn't need the boy to have red hair or possess the legendary storm release to connect the dots. He knew of his sensei's love or obsession with Kushina Uzumaki. He could have never guessed this truth because the official mission records stated otherwise. There were meticulous reports of Naruto's retrieval, documents he had read when he was investigating Tenzo's background. They spoke of how the Third Hokage, following Lord fourth's orders, had orchestrated investigation on orochimaru which led to the retrieval of two children—older one with Senju DNA, retrieved by Danzo Shimura, and the other was a baby with Uzumaki DNA. If sensei had a son who was around two to four years old at the time of the Kyuubi incident, why had he never been told? He had known Kushina was pregnant back then, but why had he never seen the child in Minato's residence? Or was this boy truly Minato's son? Those blue eyes, that expression—there was so much about him that was hauntingly familiar. Would Naruto ever forgive him for the way he had unknowingly wronged him?

The son of the White Fang had been saved from the darkness by Minato Namikaze, who had reached out a hand of mentorship when the world had turned its back on him. And now, had he repaid that kindness by trying to suppress the very legacy Minato left behind?

-X-X-

Jiraiya entered the chamber, feeling the weight of a thousand eyes upon him. Normally, he relished the attention, the awe, and the reverence. For an orphan like him, who had graduated from the academy with little to no prospects, the acknowledgment he received as one of the Sannin was a point of pride. It was why he dressed in a way that made him stand out, to remind the world of his accomplishments. But today, the attention was suffocating. Because of his relationship with Minato, people were watching him like hawks, waiting to see how he would react. They wanted to know the truth from him, but he had been expressly forbidden by that madwoman, Sukino Sensei, to approach Naruto. Oh, there was only one man in this village with the might, who could stop him from meeting his godson, and even that would come with a price being a good chunk of the village. Jiraiya didn't want to create a scene and risk damaging Naruto's chances, not now. He had his own plans in motion for Naruto.

-x-O-

Shikaku Nara sat silently, his mind running at full capacity. For the past two hours, he had been trying to piece together Naruto's strategy. What assurance did Naruto have to make such a bold move? It felt like a queen's gambit, but Shikaku couldn't see the attack. Aside from potentially severing the relationship between the Daimyo and the Hokage along with elders, what was there to gain? Even if Naruto avoided punishment, the elders and the Daimyo could still unite against a common enemy—Naruto himself. If this was the queen's gambit, who was the king in Naruto's perspective?

As the lords and ladies settled back into the chamber, Hiruzen Sarutobi entered with the other elders, a silent procession that only acknowledged the founding clans before taking their places. Hiruzen called the session to order, summoning Naruto back into the chamber.

All eyes turned to the now-infamous figure—the one most likely to be the son of the Fourth Hokage. As Naruto stood in the center of the chamber, it was Hiruzen who spoke first.

"Lords, ladies, and dignitaries, I am here to confirm the validity of Naruto Uzumaki's statement. It is indeed true. He is the son of the Fourth Hokage." Hiruzen's voice was steady, masking the turmoil within. "Due to the many enemies the Fourth had, both within and outside the village, we hid the fact for his safety."

Hiruzen expected Naruto to challenge him, to demand why he had not been told this truth earlier. Hiruzen had prepared an answer, a calculated response to quell the inevitable backlash. But Naruto didn't question him. He didn't call out the lie for what it was. Instead, he turned to the assembly and spoke with an authority that belied his years.

"So now, in this august body, may I take the Uzumaki seat as is my right?" Naruto's voice rang out clearly, sending a ripple of surprise through the room.

This unexpected move threw Hiruzen for a loop. He had expected ascension, but not this direct claim of his birthright. Nevertheless, he composed himself quickly and replied, "Yes, you may."

-X-O-

The chamber held its breath and stood as Naruto took the oath, a formal ceremony that would cement his status among the nobility. The herald moved forward, preparing to recite the traditional words, but Naruto raised a hand, stopping him.

He stood before the council, his gaze meeting each member's eyes.

"I, Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze, before you I stand,

Lord of the Uzumaki Clan, one of the four noble clans,

Heir to the Namikaze, legacy of the Fourth Hokage,

Daimyo of Uzu, where the whirlpool's tides ignite.

On my honor, I pledge to protect and to guide,

Upholding Konoha's ideals with unwavering pride.

When shadows descend and challenges ascend,

We'll unite our strengths; our wills will not bend.

Our resources we'll share, our hearts aligned,

Embracing the Leaf with spirits entwined.

May our unity flourish as time gently flows,

With respect and trust that mutually grows.

In return, may the Leaf offer shelter and protection true,

To me and mine, as we pledge to you.

Upon my blood and the whirling tides, I swear,

A bond of allegiance, both just and fair.

So let it be written, so let it be told,

Together we stand, in life and in cold."

This was the oath given by lady Mito which Naruto just gave. The room was silent as Naruto finished, his words hanging in the air, commanding respect and awe.

Hiruzen rose, acknowledging the oath. "Lord Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze," he began warmly, "your oath honors the age-old alliance between Uzu and Konoha, a bond that has never been forgotten. On behalf of our village, we wholeheartedly accept your pledge. May our united strength continue to protect and uphold the legacy we both cherish. Welcome, Lord Naruto, to this enduring partnership."

With that, the Hokage took his seat, followed by Uchiha Fugaku and the other noble clans. The entirety of the chamber followed suit, solidifying Naruto's newfound status. Hiruzen then spoke again. "With Lord Naruto now recognized as a noble, he cannot stand trial without substantial evidence. However, his conduct is still under trial."

Danzo stood, his expression grim. "Despite any assertions, Lord Uzuma—"

-X-O-

But before he could complete his sentence, Naruto interrupted. "Let us not forget protocol, advisor," Naruto's voice cut through the room like a blade. "First the Hokage, then the founding noble clans, and then the advisors or major clans. Now, if you would kindly take your seat, I have matters to address, unless, of course, the Hokage has an announcement to make."

A stunned silence fell over the room. No one—no one—had ever dared to cut off Danzo Shimura, the Dark Shinobi of Konoha, so brazenly. What was more shocking was that Naruto had referred to Danzo not as an elder, but merely as an advisor—a title that, while technically correct, was a blatant diminishment of his status.

Danzo's eyes flashed dangerously, but before he could retort, Sukino gestured for him to sit down, to not make a spectacle of this.

Reluctantly, he complied, his eyes never leaving Naruto.

Naruto continued. "My lords, ladies, and esteemed dignitaries, I am overjoyed to announce that as part of the Uchiha-Uzumaki alliance, the Uchiha have granted me the honor to declare—"

Before Naruto could finish, Fugaku Uchiha stood abruptly, his Sharingan flaring in anger. "The Uchiha clan has said no such thing. I have not authorized you to announce anything on our behalf. You face serious repercussions for fabricating such stories and for the blatant misrepresentation and betrayal of the spirit of the Uchiha-Tower alliance. You dare.

As consequence to your fabrication. I will formally break the alliance here and now."

The atmosphere crackled with tension as Larac Sarutobi, acting as regent to the Sarutobi clan, stood to support Fugaku. "You are new here, Uzumaki. Your usual bullying and bluffing won't work in this chamber like they do in your public speeches. Everyone here will see you for what you truly are—a chameleon who changes colors to suit his needs, acting strong in front of some while deceiving others. Now that the Uchiha have finally seen through your façade, they want nothing more to do with you. So you resort to lies."

Naruto turned to Larac, amusement dancing in his eyes. "You didn't let me finish, Regent Sarutobi," he said, his voice calm and measured. "As I was saying, I am overjoyed to announce that as part of the Uchiha-Uzumaki alliance, the Uchiha have given me the honor to announce that today, within these halls, Her Grace Lady Mikoto Uchiha, the matriarch and true Lady of the Uchiha clan, will be taking her rightful seat, thus reducing the burden on Fugaku Uchiha from his role as the regent."

The room was shocked into silence. Naruto let his words settle, their implications slowly sinking in. Before Fugaku could reply, Naruto turned to Larac. "You are also a regent, Larac Sarutobi. Will you go against your liege?"

-M-D-

The herald interrupted, announcing in a loud voice, "Her Grace Mikoto Uchiha, the Lady of the founding Uchiha clan." The grand doors swung open, revealing Lady Mikoto, flanked by Lord Mahiro and Shisui Uchiha. They were accompanied by a guard detail of Uchiha elites, including Inabi, Yashiro, and several others.

Fugaku's eyes widened, his retort dying on his lips as he took in the sight. Mikoto and Shisui's presence told him everything he needed to know. Naruto continued, his voice cutting through the stunned silence. "You forget, Fugaku. You are merely the lord consort. It is the children of His Grace, the late Elder and lord Kagami Uchiha, who are the rightful heirs. You were only ever a regent. You have sat in this seat for so long, marinated in your father's machinations, that you started to believe it was your father, Yoren Uchiha, who had the mainline Uchiha blood. Stay within your bounds, Fugaku Uchiha," Naruto said with uncharacteristic sternness. "What was that you were saying about me lying? You spoke of breaking an alliance. I have tolerated you for too long, but no more. May the rightful Lady of the legendary clan bring the Uchiha back to prosperity, which no son of Yoren, who sold the Uchiha to their haters and detractors for your assertion, can ever do."

Fugaku's face twisted in fury. He had no love for his father, Yoren, a man who would have done anything to gain power, even at the cost of the clan's integrity. But seeing Mikoto standing there, expressionless, shook him. Their marriage had always been one of convenience, but there had been mutual respect. Yet today, she stood against him, not uttering a word. And Mahiro, usually a defender of the clan, stood silent, his gaze a mask of indifference.

Naruto turned his gaze to Larac Sarutobi. "Regent Sarutobi, you may be the mad dog of the Sarutobi clan, barking at anyone your masters points you toward. But the problem with such dogs is that they only bark, never bite. You forget, Sarutobi—you are a mere major clan. My clan ruled a village, while yours was still swinging from one tree to another, like your namesake. Stay within your bounds, you barking monkey."

The chamber was stunned into silence. To hear a Sarutobi referred to as nothing more than a 'barking monkey' was beyond outrageous. The sheer audacity of the words left everyone speechless since he had indirectly admonished the Hokage.

Naruto's gaze swept across the chamber, settling on the figures who had just moments before tried to silence him. His voice was sharp, each word delivered with a precision that cut through the air like a blade. "You called me a chameleon, a deceiver," he continued, his tone dripping with icy contempt. "But my record is spotless. I saved the Daimyo when none of your forces could reach him, and I was only eight years old at the time. I was one of the earliest graduates, and I defeated a Sannin who could kill you with mere killing intent." His eyes locked onto Larac Sarutobi, who sat fuming in his seat. "You hide behind the only SS-rank shinobi your clan has produced in its history, a shinobi tutored by the Senju Lord, Tobirama. Next time, when the older, more powerful clans are speaking, perhaps you should remain silent, like a good monkey."

The chamber was deathly silent. Eyes widened in shock, mouths slightly agape as they absorbed Naruto's audacious words. This was not the timid, restrained boy they had thought they knew. This was a man standing in defiance of the old guard, spitting in the face of their expectations. Hiruzen's brow furrowed. The Third Hokage had not anticipated this level of direct confrontation. Naruto was playing a dangerous game, pushing buttons that could not easily be unpressed. This was why he needed the break to bring Mikoto here, to consolidate power and to stir the waters. But why Mikoto? What could she offer beyond the founding clan's votes and influence, significant though it was? Was it worth facing the Daimyo's wrath?

Sukino watched the scene unfold with a mixture of awe and suspicion. The boy was cunning, that much was certain. He had orchestrated this with a purpose, but what that purpose was still eluded her. What was he planning? What hold did he have over the Fire Court that made him so confident the Daimyo would honor the blood debt?

-S-M-

Z

Larac Sarutobi stood abruptly, his face contorted in outrage, but before he could utter a word, it was Koharu who interjected, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "Lord Uzumaki," she intoned, her voice laced with authority and disdain, "you cannot do as you please here. This is a council with protocols. We decided years ago that Fugaku would be the regent. Moreover, even if you dispute Lord Fugaku's lordship, it's not the agenda for today. Kindly keep with the subject and do not avoid your trial."

Naruto's gaze slid to Koharu, his expression one of thinly veiled contempt. "When has this high council fallen so low?" he replied, his voice calm but carrying an edge of defiance. "That mere advisors from a minor clan would decide who in the founding clans shall become a lord or lady? Since when has the internal matter of a clan become subject to the discretion of this council or the elder council?"

Hiashi Hyuga's eyes flickered, a faint grimace crossing his impassive face. This was a sore spot for the Hyuga, their internal disputes often attracting unwanted interference from the council.

Naruto continued, unperturbed. "Can I proclaim that Lord Hiashi is not the rightful lord and make any other Hyuga the lord? No, it's their clan's personal affair. Only if the contention is legitimate can this council interfere, and even then, only to a limited extent."

Hiruzen's eyes darkened as he watched Naruto challenge the established order. He was undermining the council's authority, dragging out old grievances for all to see.

Naruto turned back to Koharu, his gaze unwavering. "Wasn't it you, after all, who declared that the Uchiha clan could have a matriarch, citing examples of female Uchiha leaders when there was no male sibling to the lord? You conveniently ignored the fact that when there is both a male and female offspring of a lord, precedence is given to the male. I am not here to discuss the legality or morality of this, but the fact remains that it was you and your council who declared Lady Mikoto the rightful head under the appeal of Yoren Uchiha, infringing upon the customs and traditions of the Uchiha. And now you have the audacity to disrespect the lady of a founding clan? Who do you think you are, advisor? Your only accomplishment is being an above-average shinobi and making some contribution to Konoha in two wars. Beyond that, your claim to fame lies in being a student of Lord Tobirama Senju and a teammate of the Third Hokage. And you think you are competent to speak on the matters of a founding clan, a clan that has ruled these lands since time immemorial?"

-Z-Z-Z-

"ENOUGH!" Hiruzen thundered, his voice reverberating through the chamber. His stern gaze bore into Naruto as he sought to regain control of the increasingly volatile situation. "My council will not squabble like children." Shifting his tone to a more formal register, he gestured to Mikoto, his voice tempered with diplomacy. "Take your seat, Lady Uchiha." He added, "The accession ceremony of Lady Mikoto was completed years ago, formalizing Fugaku's regency."

Naruto knew exactly what he was doing; he was casting aspersions at everyone who stood against him, a political maneuver designed to taint reputations. That was the game plan for today. Koharu Utattane was an ex-S-rank shinobi, once feared and respected in her time. This was the game—disparage your enemies, muddy the waters. It was a narrow, risky path to take, but today, it was the plan.

Fugaku, though visibly unsettled, gracefully ceded his seat to Mikoto. The Hokage and the rest of the chamber stood to respect the transfer of power. As Mikoto settled onto her throne, the rest of the chamber followed suit, the Uchiha retinue clearing out as protocol dictated.

-WNK-WNK-

Naruto turned to Danzo, a thin smile playing on his lips. "Now, you may proceed, Advisor Danzo."

Danzo stood, his face a mask of calm, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of annoyance. He struck his cane on the floor to command attention. "Despite this accession, the fact remains that you have broken protocols, fabricated stories, and nearly instigated a war with the Land of Grass over some Uzumaki woman who was admitted in their hospital," he declared, his voice like gravel grinding over stone.

One beat. Two beats. Three. Silence stretched as Naruto remained seated, his expression impassive.

"Answer these questions, Lord Uzumaki," Danzo pressed.

Naruto remained silent for a moment, letting the tension build before he spoke. "You stated a claim, and neither the Lord Hokage nor the Uchiha clan, who rank above you in this council, have asked me to explain myself." He turned to Hiruzen and gave a nod of acknowledgment. "Do you wish for me to answer, Lord Hokage?"

Hiruzen's eye twitched. To ask Naruto to answer would make him an active participant in this debacle, something he had always avoided. Yet, he had no choice. "Answer him, Lord Uzumaki," Hiruzen ordered.

Naruto rose to his feet. "I have not fabricated a story," he began calmly. "The hand I showed was that of Orochimaru of the Sannin, which I can exhibit now. I also have his sword, Kusanagi, which I took as a victory trophy. This is only possible if I defeated him." He paused, his gaze shifting to Danzo, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I am sure you will now suggest that I made a deal with him."

The silence in the chamber was suffocating. Naruto's eyes never left Danzo's face. "But it would be ironic to accuse me of dealing with him when there are persistent rumors of your association with him both before and after his escape, especially concerning the missing children from the orphanage." The room seemed to inhale as one. Hiruzen's face grew alarmed. He knew where this was heading.

Naruto continued, unsealing the severed hand and the sword and presenting them. "We have the man who trained the snake and his teammate here. Let them confirm it. After all, the last person in the village to confront the snake before he 'escaped,'" Naruto made air quotes with his fingers, "was Lord Third himself. What do you think, my Lord Hokage?"

Hiruzen's face hardened, a pinched look crossing his features. Everyone knew whom to blame for Orochimaru, but no one dared to say it aloud. Now Naruto was bringing it all to the surface, rubbing salt into old wounds.

"Let us have a look," Hiruzen said, trying to maintain his composure as an ANBU materialized before Naruto and took the severed hand to the Hokage. Unlike the civilian lords and ladies, who looked nauseated at the sight of the severed hand, the shinobi did not bat an eye. Evidence was evidence. Hiruzen circulated his chakra through the hand, running an identification process. He knew it already, but protocol demanded the appearance of thoroughness. He returned it through the ANBU. "This is Orochimaru's hand," Hiruzen confirmed.

Danzo's eyes narrowed. "That doesn't confirm that you defeated the Sannin."

Naruto's smile widened. "I assure you, Advisor, that Orochimaru did not simply forget his hand and sword for me to find by coincidence."

Danzo's face was a mask of controlled fury. "It's possible you struck a deal with Orochimaru. After all, it is no secret that he can regenerate his hand at will. The sword could be a ploy, a way to make you a convincing spy."

Naruto chuckled softly. "Innocent until proven guilty, isn't that the principle we uphold?" He then turned to face Danzo directly, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous light. "If you follow that line of analysis, then the Lord Hokage should be the first suspect. He is the man who taught the snake; he considered Orochimaru his prized student. The second suspect would be you. It's widely speculated that you still work with the Sannin. Have you forgotten the time you came to the orphanage for children for your 'pet projects'? Orochimaru accompanied you for 'recruitment.' Only Inari knows what you did with those children. And let us not forget, you suggested his name for the Hokage seat over my father."

Naruto's eyes narrowed, his voice gaining an edge of coldness. "So, by that same logic, you are his associate. My father gave his life for this village. What have you done? When the Kyubi attacked, you ordered the Uchiha not to engage, not to save the village. Then you implicated them. Your hatred for the clan is no secret. I have hundreds of Uchiha, including Fugaku Uchiha who is not my fan in any stretch of the word, who will testify that you ordered them not to engage the Kyubi. You pinned the blame on them with your propaganda.

"Then there is the fact that the snake worked under your division of black ops. There is also rumors that you approached Kakashi Hatake a few years ago to assassinate the Third and tried to convince him, and when he declined, you made an attempt of your own through someone else. Are you truly working for the betterment of the Leaf, or do you have ulterior motives, always claiming your twisted work is for the village? Or is it merely you disguising your lust for power as patriotism?"

Danzo's eyes flashed dangerously. Naruto was using his own weapon against him—speculation and perception. Seeds of doubt were being planted for all to see, seeds that Danzo had once sown subtly for his agenda but was now being wielded openly against him.

Sukino felt a chill run down her spine. The boy was more dangerous than she had anticipated. They had never confronted him openly before, and now he was tearing Danzo apart in the light of day. He was showcasing Danzo's hidden skeletons for all to see. None of them, not even Hiruzen, would dare make such an enemy of Danzo. But the boy didn't care. He was wielding Danzo's own weapon—the 'power of perception and speculation'—against him, and he was doing it with ruthless precision. But why? Why was he poking Danzo? What did he hope to gain from this? He was ruining every possibility of Danzo's ambition to become Hokage with each word. But why now? Danzo couldn't be the Hokage... not until Hiruzen died or stepped down. Stepped down... why would Hiruzen step down? Or who could make him step down? The Daimyo. And now he was casting doubt on Danzo, ensuring he could not be the Hokage in the near future at the least. Her eyes widened in realization.

Shikaku Nara's eyes flickered with understanding. The audacity of Uzumaki, to take Danzo by the horns like this, portraying him as no better than Orochimaru. This was no mere political maneuver. This was a declaration of war within the village's very council chamber, a coup de théâtre staged in broad daylight.

The silence was thick, palpable. It was Lord Shiro Hatake who broke it first. "Is it true, Lord Hokage? Lady Uchiha?" His gaze turned to Kakashi, who stood as if rooted to the spot, pale and haunted. "Is it true, boy?"

The question echoed through the chamber, the ripple of murmurs growing louder. Hiruzen was furious. Naruto was opening old graves that were best left undisturbed.

Before Hiruzen could quell the unrest, Mikoto Uchiha rose to her feet, her voice carrying through the chamber like a clarion call. "Yes," she declared by pouring oil on the bone fire, her voice steady and strong. "It's true. Lord Danzo came to the Uchiha compound just after the Kyubi was seen in the village, with a scroll granting him emergency powers as one of the five commanders during that time. He ordered us not to confront the Kyubi and to focus solely on evacuating the civilians."

A stunned silence fell over the chamber. Hiruzen felt a headache brewing. Naruto had just dragged his greatest shame into the light for all to see. While he hadn't directly accused Hiruzen of letting Orochimaru escape, he had come dangerously close. And now, this business with Danzo. It was a mistake to let Naruto speak publicly. He should have heeded Sukino's advice and dealt with him privately.

Eyes turned toward Kakashi now, who looked down at his feet, his expression already filled with a guilt he couldn't quite hide. The council and the lords saw this. They didn't need words to understand what had happened. Kakashi's silence spoke volumes, confirming in their minds the unspoken truth.

"Mere accusations, and you have no proof," Alaraya stated, his voice sharp and cutting through the heavy silence of the chamber. The usually calm and reserved man now spoke with a disdain that shocked many, who had rarely seen him so openly confrontational.

Naruto turned to face him, a slow, measured smile spreading across his lips. "And similarly, you have no proof that I attacked the Land of Grass for some uzumaki women like your colleague implicated," he replied, his tone laced with amusement. The implication in his words hung heavily in the air. Naruto was indirectly admitting to the attack on Kusa yet mocking their inability to produce any evidence. It was a dangerous game of insinuation, turning the council's own tactics back on them. This was precisely why he had dragged Danzo into the spotlight, showing that accusations without proof could go both ways.

-DNDK-WNWND-

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

AN:

Let's see what will happen in the next chapter. How will Naruto manage to get away with breaking protocol or will?

What's Hiruzen and Daimyo going to do?

What has Sukino uncovered?

Join ThirdFireTriden on Pa(tre)(on) the link is in description or type my name in google search with pat (tre) on remove the space and bracket!

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 !!!!!!

NTLHOS: Chapter 60: The Storm Emperor IS OUT!!!!

NTLHOS: Chapter 61: Where id the world heading? !!!