Naruto: The Last Harbinger of Storm

Naruto: The Last Harbinger of Storm

Chapter 59: Aftermath- The Fractured Veil

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Author's Note:

I think this chapter turned out well! 😊 Hey guys I am recently getting lot of complaits regarding my updates. To my knowledge, there are very few writers who put out three chapters a week with a minimum of 3,500 words each, and I'm proud to keep up with that. This note isn't meant to diminish the quality or consistency of my work—I'm simply sharing my situation with you all. I'm open to your suggestions on increasing the word count back to 5,000 words if that's a shared expectation, and I'm always open to reasonable feedback.

I've also received feedback that some feel I'm dragging out the chapters, with too much buildup and descriptions. If you share this opinion, please let me know. I can certainly adjust my approach and focus more on direct dialogue and plot progression, rather than providing different perspectives and detailed descriptions.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding. Please let me know your thoughts—I'm all ears. Please like and comment. 😊

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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 60: The Storm Emperor IS OUT!

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

NTLHOS: Chapter 62: The Great Escape is out!

NTLHOS: Chapter 63: The Bound Path And World Around IS OUT!

NTLHOS: Chapter 64- The Silence Of Wind Or Is It Life? IS OUT!

NTLHOS: Chapter 65: Realisation And Transformation IS OUT!

NTLHOS: Chapter 66: The Game Is ONN IS OUT!

NTLHOS: Chapter 67: A Storm Is Always Remains A Storm. IS OUT !

NTLHOS: Chapter 68: New threads of Influence is out!

NTLHOS: Chapter 69: Strategy- The Great Heist IS OUT!!!!!!!!!!

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"When the veil is lifted, truths once hidden cut deeper than any blade. In their wake, alliances crumble and new paths emerge, forged in the fires of betrayal and loyalty alike."

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Happy Reading:

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Last time on NTLHOS:

"But mark my words," he continued, his voice growing colder, his tone a promise edged with steel, "one day, I will return to this court—not as a petitioner, but at the behest of every single one of you. On that day, it will be I who dictates the terms."

With those ominous words, he turned on his heel and walked away, his steps measured, his head held high. The doors of the hall closed behind him with a finality that echoed through the silence left in his wake.

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Now:

Three months had passed since Naruto's exile, yet Shikaku Nara still replayed those events in his mind as if they were fresh wounds. He had fought many battles, both on the battlefield and in the shadows of politics, but the chaos following the Fire Court's fallout was unlike anything he had anticipated. Despite a facade of calm, Konoha was splintered under the weight of the Daimyo's decree, and the consequences were far from over.

Alone in his study, Shikaku sat with fingers steepled under his chin, a flickering candle casting long shadows over the stacks of reports before him. The official story—carefully crafted by the Daimyo and his court—had masked most of the scandalous aftermath, but those in power knew the truth. Uzumaki's exile was not the tidy conclusion it appeared to be. Beneath the surface, secrets had unraveled, and powerful figures had been publicly humiliated.

He suspected his aunt Sukino had struck a deal with the Daimyo, or perhaps with Lord Jeramy—a pact to turn a blind eye to them harbouring the Uzumaki blood for years in exchange for their support in fire court and many more considerations. But whatever shield she had built was shattered by Lord Jiraiya's open confrontation, which tore through the court like a landslide. With each word, he shredded the facade, forcing the Daimyo's hand and bringing an already fragile alliance to the brink.

Now, the elders paid the price—not through outright ruin but through bruised reputations and moderate sanctions. Konoha was facing heightened scrutiny and new limitations, enough to humble but not destroy. The Fire Court had delivered its reprimand behind closed doors, with Lord Third and the elders at its mercy. Even as Sukino spun her rebuttals against Jirayas aqusation, it was clear that no amount of maneuvering could erase the truth: Hiruzen had concealed Uzumaki Naruto's lineage from the Daimyo, and the ripples of that deception would not be easily contained.

Jiraiya's interference only complicated matters further, leaving the Daimyo convinced that Konoha's duplicity ran deeper than he had thought like to gain access too uzu isles rather saving the fourth's son from his wrath. This so-called betrayal gave him enough excuse and cause to retaliate, reinforcing sanctions and keeping a closer eye on Konoha's affairs. Though the sanctions were not crippling, they were a stark reminder that the village was under watch. The message was clear: the Fire Court would tolerate no further deceit.

Shikaku could only imagine what had transpired behind closed doors that night. He pictured Lord Third stripped of his usual veneer of power, forced into submission to appease the Daimyo's ire. The economic restrictions and enhanced surveillance, though moderate, would sting, underscoring the Fire Court's displeasure. The terms for leniency had been clear: in exchange for a moderate punishment, Lord Third had agreed to dismantle the Uzumaki's influence in Konoha, a task he seemed more than willing to see through. He would ensure that any lingering alliances were thoroughly eradicated. The edict reverberated through Konoha, serving as both a warning and a command, as Hiruzen was now obliged to make examples of those who had stood by Naruto—not to extort or sway them into his alliance, but to eliminate their influence entirely.

The calculated blow was designed to send ripples through the village's network of supporters—not an outright war, but a slow and complete erosion of influence. The Uchiha clan, in particular, would suffer for their loyalty to Naruto. If this were the only problem Shikaku had to face, he might have slept peacefully. The sanctions were troublesome but not insurmountable—bruised egos and reputations on both sides, nothing more. He had no direct alliance with the Uzumaki, so in theory, it shouldn't affect him. But the gods are rarely so merciful.

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They had underestimated the force that was Uzumaki Naruto. Immediately after receiving his banishment from the Fire Court, Lord Naruto Uzumaki returned to the village to collect his belongings and relinquish all official positions in the Leaf, including his Jonin and ANBU ranks. He was given two days to leave the borders of the Land of Fire.

Before Naruto even set foot back in Konoha, news of the Fire Court's decision had spread like wildfire through hawk messengers. The shinobi forces were ordered to strip Uzumaki of all access to resources, and his positions were forfeit. The village buzzed with the shocking news.

When Naruto arrived, he was met not with hostility but with an eerie silence. Reports reached Shikaku from his informants that Uzumaki had met and chatted with all his teammates and friends—the Uchiha clan and other clan members, Kosuke Maruboshi, his first ANBU team, his new team, and many others he had worked with and was acquainted with. After that, he left the village alone at night without any escort or fanfare. He had vanished into the darkness, a silent protest against the decree.

Shikaku's informants relayed that the departure was prompt, and he was certain others received the same unsettling news. 

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The following day, Hiruzen Sarutobi and the elders returned to Konoha after intense negotiations at the Fire Court to appease the Daimyo. They were welcomed like conquering heroes. Many villagers and nobles, sensing the shifting tides of power, gathered to greet the Hokage, eager to align themselves with the prevailing authority. Those who had once supported Naruto now scrambled to ingratiate themselves with Lord Third.

But their celebrations were premature. Just as the Hokage and his entourage stepped through Konoha's grand gates, a transparent dome shimmered into existence above the village. It was the legendary protective barrier—the masterpiece of Uzumaki sealing techniques—that had safeguarded Konoha since its inception. The crowd watched in stunned silence as the dome began to vibrate, emitting a low hum that resonated through the air.

Slowly, the barrier started to disintegrate. The process began at the apex, the seals unraveling in a cascade of ethereal light. The protective shell receded from all sides, dissolving like mist under the morning sun. The village lay exposed, its ever-present shield gone. A palpable sense of vulnerability settled over Konoha.

The shinobi understood immediately: Uzumaki Naruto had struck back, and he had done so decisively. Without the barrier, the village was susceptible to external threats. The removal of the seal was not just a tactical loss but a symbolic one—a statement that the heart and soul of Konoha's defenses had departed along with Naruto and his loyalties to the village.

Panic rippled through the crowd. Whispers turned to murmurs, then to shouts.

"What does this mean?"

"Are we defenseless?"

"How could this happen?"

Hiruzen's face paled as he realized the magnitude of the situation. The protective barrier was a complex web of seals that only a master could begin to understand. Recreating it would be next to impossible—it might take decades to even create a diluted version of the seal.

Shikaku watched from a distance, his strategic mind racing. This was a move he hadn't anticipated. The Uzumaki had not just left; he had severed all ties and loyalty to Konoha. This was dangerous—now they had another Madara or Orochimaru, perhaps a third prodigy from the village, but unlike the previous two, it was Konoha that had forced his hand.

The Hokage quickly ordered the assembly to disperse, trying to maintain order. ANBU units were dispatched to assess the situation and begin work on temporary defenses. But the damage was done. The villagers retreated to their homes, fear overshadowing the earlier jubilation.

"Secure the barrier control—The Tower! Take it by force if necessary!" Lord Third commanded, his voice firm. In no time, he donned his battle gear, prepared for the worst.

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That evening, Shikaku called a meeting of some of the clan heads. The atmosphere was tense.

"We need to act swiftly," he began. "Our priority must be to restore the village's defenses and stabilize morale."

Hiashi Hyuga nodded solemnly. "The Hyuga are prepared to assist with our Byakugan. We can monitor the borders until a new barrier is established."

"But what of the political fallout?" Inoichi Yamanaka interjected. "Our alliances were already strained. This will only exacerbate the situation."

Shikaku sighed. "We must face the reality that the Uzumaki's departure has consequences. We need to rebuild not just our defenses but our relationships, both within and outside the village. Imagine now, when we don't have a barrier, we're alienating the Uchiha—our police force. Uzumaki has played his hand very well; now the Uchiha are untouchable, their importance is at an all-time high."

As the meeting progressed, it became clear that there were no easy solutions. Reestablishing the barrier would require expertise they no longer possessed. Reaching out to the Uzumaki was out of the question.

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Another meeting of the Konoha elders was underway. The dimly lit chamber was filled with palpable tension. Shadows danced on the walls as torches flickered, casting an eerie glow over the solemn faces gathered around the long wooden table.

Sukino stood abruptly, her sharp gaze fixed on Alaruya. "Killing the matron was not part of our plans," she snapped, her voice slicing through the silence. "You fool! You've forced Uzumaki to turn rogue rather than completing his banishment and coming back to the village. How long until the clan heads discover that the tower is empty?"

The other elders exchanged uneasy glances. Reports had indicated that Naruto had passed through Konoha's walls alone. Moreover, many people from the tower had been seen leaving it; a few altercations had happened between people of the tower and members of the Sarutobi alliance that previous evening. But when Hiruzen and a squad of Konoha's elite reached the tower, they found it sealed shut.

Alaruya had explained after a cursory examination, "Mito Uzumaki's protective seals on the tower can't be broken by conventional means. Only brute force might work."

Determined, Hiruzen had unleashed a barrage of high-level jutsu from all five elements simultaneously, all bordering on SS-rank, bombarding the seals with immense power. After a tedious effort, the seals gave way. They entered the tower, only to find it completely deserted. It was as if everyone had vanished into thin air. Suddenly, explosive seals activated, and the tower's tunnels began collapsing from within. The shinobi had to evacuate immediately. Not a single trace of the inhabitants remained. Had they escaped through some tunnels leading out of the village, no one would ever know after the explosion. The most unsettling part was that the tower's exterior remained unscathed—a testament to the Uzumaki's sealing mastery. They hadn't even disclosed this to the clan heads yet; all shinobi involved were ordered to remain silent.

Homura broke the heavy silence. "What do you think, Hiruzen? Did they have some tunnel or some kind of jikūkan ninjutsu—space-time techniques?"

Hiruzen, his face grim and eyes shadowed with worry, replied, "I don't know. I can't sense any chakra presence due to the multiple explosive seals that were activated."

Sukino slammed her fist onto the table. "You are all idiots! I prepared an elaborate plan to shackle the Uzumaki. I was the one who outmaneuvered him when you acted like fools in the High Council. Without telling you, I took a strategic retreat to bring him down in the Fire Court. I cut a deal with the Daimyo to resolve the incident smoothly. But you fools ruined everything! If you hadn't killed the lady—and you, Saru, like the monkey you are, jumped in to play the hero—which led Jiraiya, your true pupil in every sense, to counter your idiocy with his own. Now this! I pushed him to his defeat, but you've pushed him over the edge."

As she finished her tirade, a knock echoed through the chamber. Hiruzen took a deep breath, composing himself. "Enter," he called out.

His secretary stepped in, a grave expression on her face. "Lord Hokage, this just arrived. It's marked with the seal of clan confidentiality."

Hiruzen took the scroll, noting the red Uzumaki swirl sealing it. Channeling his chakra in a pattern only the Hokage knew, he unlocked the scroll. As he read, his face grew increasingly angry.

"What does it say?" Danzo asked quietly, breaking his silence.

Without a word, Hiruzen tossed the scroll to Danzo, who caught it deftly. Unfurling the parchment, Danzo began to read aloud:

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To the esteemed Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village,

It is with a heavy heart that I, Naruto Uzumaki, Head of the Uzumaki Clan, hereby declare the termination of all treaties and alliances between the Uzumaki Clan and Konohagakure. In light of recent events and the breach of trust perpetrated by your Daimyo, we are compelled to recall all resources and contributions made by our clan to your village.

This includes, but is not limited to, all seals crafted for Konoha—not only our masterpiece, 'The Barrier of the Leaf,' but also the security seals safeguarding your buildings and vaults. All our jutsu scrolls, weapons, and artifacts bestowed upon you have been either disintegrated or summoned back to us as you read this letter. The seals adorning your edifices and clan compounds are erasing themselves, a consequence of the broken covenant.

As per the alliance forged by His Grace Ashina Uzumaki and the esteemed Lord Hashirama Senju, the God of Shinobi, Clause 9, Subsection 3 states: 'The Lord of the Uzumaki Clan shall always have a place and hearth in Konoha.' This was further affirmed by the appeal of Lady Mito Uzumaki and ratified by the Konoha High Council under your leadership, Hiruzen Sarutobi, granting the Uzumaki Clan full participation as a noble clan with all attendant rights and privileges.

Given that the spirit and letter of our accord have been violated, I hereby pronounce the treaty null and void.

Furthermore, by the edict of our revered Lady Mito Uzumaki, many refugees from the Land of Whirlpool have found sanctuary in your village. I have ordered them to vacate the Village Hidden in the Leaves effective immediately.

Henceforth, all alliances and treaties between Konohagakure and the Uzumaki Clan, in any capacity, are dissolved from this day forward.

May wisdom guide your future actions.

His Grace,

Naruto Uzumaki,

Head of the Uzumaki Clan,

High Noble**

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Danzo's hands trembled ever so slightly as he finished reading. He passed the letter to the other elders, who read it in stunned silence. "When did the Uzumakis make such fail-safes in everything they gave us?" he wondered aloud.

Sukino let out a bitter laugh. "I told you—you've pushed him over the edge."

The elders looked among themselves, faces pale and eyes wide with a mix of fear and disbelief. The ramifications of Naruto's declaration were vast and dire.

"What is our course of action now?" Homura asked cautiously.

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Shikaku Nara stood atop a rooftop, observing the village below. The usually vibrant streets were hushed, an uneasy silence settling over the populace. Clouds gathered overhead, mirroring the gloom that had descended upon the village.

Inoichi Yamanaka appeared beside him. "Any news from the Hokage?" he asked quietly.

Shikaku shook his head, his eyes never leaving the horizon. "Nothing yet. But whatever's happening, it's not good."

Back in the council chamber, the elders continued their heated discussion, but solutions were elusive.

Sukino rubbed her temples. "We need to inform the clan heads, at least some of them. Hiding this will only breed more distrust."

Hiruzen nodded reluctantly. "You're right. Shikaku, Hiashi, Inoichi—they need to be brought into confidence."

As if on cue, a messenger knocked and entered. "Lord Hokage, the clan heads are requesting an audience. They say it's urgent."

Hiruzen exchanged weary glances with the elders. "Very well. Assemble them in the main hall."

Minutes later, the prominent clan leaders gathered. The atmosphere was thick with tension.

Shikaku was the first to speak. "Lord Hokage, about the disappearance of the village's barrier?"

Hiruzen took a deep breath. "An unfortunate series of events has led to the Uzumaki Clan severing ties with Konoha. The barrier and seals were part of their contributions, and they have... retracted them."

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Meanwhile, deep within the Uchiha compound, the air inside the Naka Shrine was thick with tension. Flickering candlelight cast long shadows on the ancient stone walls adorned with the clan's crest. The hushed whispers of the gathered Uchiha elders escalated into heated arguments, echoing off the vaulted ceilings.

Yashiro Uchiha slammed his fist, rattling the ceremonial tea set atop it. "How could we let this happen?" he demanded, his eyes blazing with indignation. "Lord Naruto stood by us through thick and thin! We should have confronted the Daimyo and demanded answers. We should have shown him why his family always feared the two most powerful clans in the Land of Fire."

A murmur of agreement rippled through a portion of the assembly. The atmosphere was charged; decades of simmering resentment threatened to boil over.

From the back of the room, Itachi Uchiha stepped forward, his expression unreadable. His Sharingan eyes reflected the candlelight like crimson embers. "Yashiro, you tread dangerously close to treason," he warned calmly. "Insulting the Hokage is one thing, but to challenge the Daimyo himself? Has the council lost all sense of propriety? Our clan swore allegiance to the Daimyo long ago, even before the village system was founded."

Yashiro sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "And here comes the prodigy, always the Hokage's faithful hound. Now defending the Daimyo too? Is your loyalty to the village, or do you have something against your own clan?"

Before Itachi could respond, Inabi Uchiha rose to his feet. "It's true, Itachi. You've sung the praises of the Hokage and now the Daimyo. Where does your loyalty truly lie? Or is there something you're not telling us?"

Itachi met their accusatory gazes without flinching. "I stand on the side of peace," he replied evenly. "The first steps toward that peace were taken by the First Hokage. It is our responsibility to continue forward, not to dismantle the progress we've made by succumbing to anger and rebellion."

A scoff came from the side of the room. "Peace?" someone muttered. "At the cost of our dignity?"

Shisui Uchiha stepped into the circle, raising a hand to calm the restless crowd. "I don't want to get into the same argument with you," he began, his voice steady. "Mainly when you refuse to see reason. Naruto asked me to relay a message to the clan. Even in his absence, he has taken steps to ensure that the Uchiha will not suffer for his departure. Our alliance—the Uzumaki alliance—will survive at the least."

"What are you saying, Shisui?" a younger Uchiha questioned, skepticism evident in his tone. "By now, the Hokage, the elders, and the Daimyo himself will be taking steps to end all our influence. How can you be so sure?"

The room fell silent as all eyes turned to Mikoto Uchiha, the current head of the clan. She rose gracefully, her presence commanding respect. The flickering light softened her features, but her eyes were sharp and determined.

"The removal of the barrier was not a mere temper tantrum on Lord Uzumaki's part," she began, her voice clear and authoritative. "He could have used it to blackmail the council, to negotiate better terms for himself. Instead, he chose to tear it down—for our sake."

Murmurs spread through the assembly. Mikoto continued, "Without the barrier, the high-ups have no choice but to accept us and rely on our strength. With the village now exposed, any enemy can infiltrate our borders; we are as vulnerable as any other hidden village. We will need to patrol the streets day and night. Shinobi will be on constant alert, monitoring markets and every corner for threats; now it will be like proper military leadership. For this, they need us more than ever."

She paused, letting her words sink in. "I've also received information that the same is happening in the Fire Capital. Their barriers are disintegrating, and more so—the palace, once protected by the best seals crafted even among Uzumaki grandmasters during the clan wars era—it is said that the castle can withstand many Bijuu bombs without even a scratch, and now it stands unguarded."

Gasps of surprise echoed in the shrine. Mikoto's gaze swept over her clan members. "Lord Uzumaki has asked only one thing from us: to keep the members of our alliance safe. Our current forces won't be enough to cover the entire village. We'll need to expand our police force beyond our clan, enlisting those from our alliance. Let's see how the Hokage responds to that."

A heavy silence filled the room. Fugaku Uchiha, standing at the back, crossed his arms. "But is it worth it?" he asked, his deep voice resonating. "Is it wise to bet everything on a man who is now considered a missing-nin?"

Lord Mahiro Uchiha stepped forward, his aged features etched with conviction. "Yes, Fugaku, it is worth it. True allies are rare these days. I would stake the Uchiha name, even if it costs us the clan, to stand with Lord Uzumaki. Hashirama-sama used to say, 'None hate more fiercely than an Uchiha, and none love more deeply.' Lord Naruto stood by us when no one else would. Now, we love him as one of our own, unconditionally, regardless of his status or any enmity with the Daimyo—even if it leads to our extinction."

The weight of his words hung heavily in the air. One by one, heads nodded in agreement. The flickering candles seemed to burn brighter as a renewed sense of purpose filled the shrine.

Itachi closed his eyes briefly, a conflicted expression crossing his face. "If this is the will of the clan," he thought, "then I will do what I must to protect it."

Mikoto approached her son, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "We all must make difficult choices; that is the duty of a clan head, and it should be yours as clan heir, Itachi."

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Stay tuned for the next chapter of NTLHOS.

AN:

Hey everyone! I know this chapter is shorter than usual, but that's because it marks the end of this arc. Now that the Fire Court arc is over, we're heading into new territory—who knows what moves Naruto will make next? Will he flee or plot? Will he reorganize or rise anew? What lies ahead? Stay tuned, because his journey is far from over!

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 60: The Storm Emperor IS OUT!

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

NTLHOS: Chapter 62: The Great Escape is out!

NTLHOS: Chapter 63: The Bound Path And World Around IS OUT!

NTLHOS: Chapter 64- The Silence Of Wind Or Is It Life? IS OUT!

NTLHOS: Chapter 65: Realisation And Transformation IS OUT!

NTLHOS: Chapter 66: The Game Is ONN IS OUT!

NTLHOS: Chapter 67: A Storm Is Always Remains A Storm. IS OUT !

NTLHOS: Chapter 68: New threads of Influence is out!

NTLHOS: Chapter 69: Strategy- The Great Heist IS OUT!!!!!!!!!!

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