Naruto: The Last Harbinger of Storm

Chapter 58: Chapter 58: The Crumbling Pillars



Naruto: The Last Harbinger of Storm

Chapter 58: The Crumbling Pillars

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"A carefully built castle of sand may stand tall in the sun, but it takes only a single wave to bring it all crashing down."

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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 59: Aftermath- The Fractured Veil IS OUT !

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!

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Last time on NTLHOS:

"Jiraiya..." Hiruzen breathed, taken aback by his student's sudden intervention.

Jiraiya's eyes, usually filled with mischief and humor, were hard and resolute as they locked with Hiruzen's. His voice, when he spoke, was calm but filled with undeniable authority.

"Yes, me Sensei," Jiraiya replied, his tone leaving no room for argument. "But not today. Today, he is my godson."

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Now:

The air in the grand hall was thick with tension, a palpable weight pressing down on every noble, every lord, and every shinobi in attendance. Two of the most storied shinobi of the elemental nations stood face-to-face, auras blazing with barely restrained power. The silence was brittle, a crackling stillness like the calm before a storm, each person holding their breath, waiting for the inevitable clash. The Fire Court had transformed into a battlefield in every sense of the word.

"Don't act foolish, Jiraiya," Hiruzen said, his voice a mixture of frustration and warning. Though his grip on Naruto had lessened, his stance remained formidable. "Uzumaki has crossed a line today. He assaulted the Daimyo himself. There's no going back from here. He will have to bear the consequences of his actions." Hiruzen's voice dropped to a deadly calm, and his gaze hardened. "And Jiraiya—whatever fame and stature my students have achieved today, don't think for a moment that any of you can outclass me. I could take you down now, as easily as I toyed with you in that bell test all those years ago."

With that, Hiruzen let his chakra surge, the raw power of it filling the hall and overwhelming Jiraiya's presence, causing the room to tremble. The wave of chakra pressed down on everyone present, from the lowliest civilian to the most seasoned lord, reminding them all why Hiruzen Sarutobi was a legend in his own right.

But Jiraiya held his ground, gripping Hiruzen's wrist with unwavering resolve, meeting the challenge head-on. His usually jovial face was hard as steel, his stance unyielding. "Be that as it may, Sensei," he replied, his voice calm but carrying through the hall, "your friend Aluraya-sensei baited Naruto into this—provoked him by executing an innocent woman. And don't pretend you were unaware of what was being done to him all these years."

Hiruzen's eyes flickered for a moment, a brief crack in his stoic mask, but he said nothing. Jiraiya pressed on, seizing the opportunity. "After Minato sealed the Kyubi, he sent me the key to the seal through the toads, along with a letter. In it, he made it clear that Naruto was to remain safe in the Namikaze mansion, and that only you or I were to retrieve him. The barrier wouldn't allow anyone else in or out—not even Naruto. Only I, with my summons, or you, with the Hokage's seal, which was also the key to the mansion, had access. By the time I reached the village, Naruto was gone—already placed in the orphanage. You were the one who removed him from his rightful place, weren't you? You knew exactly who he was, and you hid him away. You told the village that he was nothing more than the product of Orochimaru's experiments."

A murmur rippled through the hall, scandalous whispers erupting like sparks in dry tinder. The crowd leaned in, scandalized and eager for more revelations. Hiruzen's face remained an impassive mask, but his silence spoke louder than words. And then, Sukino stepped forward, her gaze icy, her voice slicing through the air like a knife.

"Incriminate yourself all you like, Jiraiya," Sukino sneered, her eyes narrowing with disdain, "but don't think you can drag us into your little confession. Hiruzen never set foot in that mansion—perhaps your dear Fourth Hokage lied in his letter, knowing full well what consequences lay ahead." Her gaze shifted to the crowd, her voice dripping with calculated malice. "Furthermore, the matron reported that Orochimaru conducted experiments on an infant at the orphanage for over a year. He injected some unknown substance into the child. It was only after the Kyubi's attack that the child's hair turned red—an indication of Uzumaki genetics, yes, but hardly conclusive. We ran tests, and when it was confirmed that the boy carried Uzumaki blood, we crafted a story. We needed the people's sympathy, not suspicion, so we spun a tale. We said he was found in Orochimaru's lair, just another victim of the Snake Sannin's twisted experiments. We made him a tool for the village, nothing more and nothing less. We had our suspicions after his ANBU stunts, but we only confirmed his heritage once he publicly declared it in the High Council—only then did the dots connect."

The words hung heavily in the air, their implications seeping into the minds of those gathered. Jiraiya's face was a mask of barely contained fury, but he held back, knowing that revealing too much now would only add fuel to the fire.

Jiraiya's fists clenched, his nails digging into his palms. He knew he couldn't push further. To bring up the truth of their pact now would only set the fire higher, would only add fuel to an already uncontrollable blaze. But Naruto, it seemed, was done with this game. He straightened, stepping forward, his voice cutting through the din with a newfound, defiant strength.

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"Fire Daimyo," Naruto began, and there was no deference in his tone, no respect, only a quiet, seething fury. His voice echoed through the hall, stripping away every trace of politeness. "I, Uzumaki Naruto, head of the Uzumaki clan and a high noble in my own right, call upon the blood debt you owe me. I risked my life to save you once risking my life and my royal blood in line without any expectation. In doing so, I shed my noble blood for the sake of your life. I invoke that debt now, in front of this court, and demand clemency for both myself and my mother."

The hall fell into shocked silence. Naruto's words were like a thunderclap, the invocation of an ancient rite that had not been spoken in these halls for centuries. The Daimyo's expression faltered, caught off guard by the abrupt change in Naruto's demeanor, by the sheer audacity of his demand.

"I don't want to play your game of words any longer," Naruto continued, his gaze unwavering. "I will abide by your decision, whatever it may be. But let it be known to all who are present—your choice today will not go unnoticed. I and the world will weigh your honor, as well as that of your family."

The words hung in the air, and for a brief moment, it seemed as though time had stopped.

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The Grand Monk of the Fire Temple rose, his robes sweeping around him like a ghostly shroud. "Your Grace," he intoned, his voice deep and resonant, echoing through the vast hall. "By the ancient laws of this land, you are honor-bound to acknowledge this debt. It is a bond that cannot be dismissed, one of the most sacred agreements held within our nation. You are not merely a man today; you are the Daimyo, and you must act with the honor that title demands."

The Daimyo's face darkened, but before he could respond, another figure rose. Jeramy Aethil, with his dark robes and cold, calculating eyes, fixed his gaze on the Daimyo, then on the Grand Monk.

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"Indeed, the debt is owed," Aethil said, his voice slick and oily, the tone of a man who was accustomed to twisting words to suit his ends. "But consider this, Your Grace. The debt can be called upon only once, and it may grant clemency for either Lord Uzumaki's actions or his mother's. The choice, however, does not negate the punishment owed for the other crime. If you grant him pardon for his mother's actions, then his assault upon your person today cannot go unpunished."

A chorus of murmurs rippled through the chamber as arguments and counterarguments flew like daggers, each one cutting deeper into the tangled web of allegiances. The Uchiha and other alliance loyalists argued in favor of Naruto, while Hiruzen, the elders, and several Fire Court nobles spoke against him, their voices rising in a tide of disapproval.

All the while, Naruto and the Daimyo stood locked in a silent duel, their eyes never leaving each other, as if the words of those around them were merely background noise in the larger battle being waged. The nobles and lords fell into opposing camps, each taking sides in a struggle that would define not just Naruto's fate, but the very fabric of the alliances within the Fire Court.

Tsunade leaned forward, her eyes never leaving the Daimyo, her fingers tapping restlessly against the armrest of her chair, a slight frown creasing her brow.

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Finally, the Daimyo raised his hand, silencing the rumbling hall with a single, decisive gesture. All eyes turned to him, every person present hanging onto the edge of anticipation, waiting to see how this power struggle would end. The silence that fell over the room was absolute, suffocating, each breath held tight, every heart pounding like a drum.

"Tell me, Uzumaki," the Daimyo intoned, his voice a slow and steady rumble, "for which of the two crimes do you seek clemency? Your mother's, or your own?"

Naruto's gaze remained fixed, unwavering, though his fists clenched ever so slightly at his sides. His voice was steady, calm—a calmness born of the eye of a storm. "Why would I ask for clemency for my mother's crime?" he replied, a steely edge to his words. "After all, you granted her a full pardon at the behest of Lord Fourth."

The Daimyo's lips pressed into a thin line, a flash of irritation flickering in his gaze. "That pardon was revoked by this court after the release of the Kyubi," he replied, his tone icy, final. "There were doubts—doubts that perhaps she allowed it to happen, as revenge against the Leaf. So, decide now, Uzumaki. For which of the two crimes do you want clemency?"

The tension between them was almost palpable, a clash of wills that seemed to pull the air taut. Naruto's jaw tightened, and he swallowed down the anger that roiled within him. He knew which choice he had to make, even as the decision felt like a blade twisting in his gut.

"My mother's crime," he said, his voice a low, controlled growl. He knew full well the cost of this choice. The assault, though severe, would have likely resulted in a lighter sentence, given the heat of the moment and the provocations leading up to it. But his mother's crime—the death of the Daimyo's family—would not be met with such mercy. He had effectively signed his own death warrant.

"So be it," the Daimyo replied, a hint of satisfaction gleaming in his eyes as he nodded. "Let it not be said that I am not a man of my word."

The Daimyo's voice boomed through the hall, each syllable a hammer striking against Naruto's resolve. "Lord Naruto Uzumaki," he declared, his words sharp and unyielding, "for the transgressions not of your mother, but of yourself, I, Ruler of the Land of Fire, hereby banish you from my court and lands for a span of five years. During this time of repentance, your titles and seats within my domain, which I bestowed upon you, shall be frozen. And for the crime of murder—your mother's hand in the death of my family—the Uzumaki seat is hereby and forever removed from the Fire Court and Konoha."

Naruto's expression remained carefully controlled, his head slightly bowed in a mockery of humility, though the storm of rage beneath his exterior was fierce and untamed. The Daimyo continued, his voice hard as stone. "The clemency extends not to your clan, but to you alone. Let the name Uzumaki be stricken from the Fire Court henceforth."

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Naruto stood rigidly still, his entire being simmering with fury. He had known this was coming, had seen the trap closing in around him, yet he hadn't anticipated the weight of it crashing down. In the crowd, his gaze caught on Sukino Nara, a dark shadow lurking with a barely concealed smirk. Her eyes gleamed, cold and calculating, her amusement unhidden. She had orchestrated this, moved the pieces with deft precision, weaving a web around him that now tightened like a noose. The Black Rose, with her serpentine grace, had ensured his downfall with a cruel elegance that only she could muster.

And now, his plans lay in ruins. Everything he had worked for, every carefully placed alliance, every hidden maneuver—it had all crumbled in the face of her machinations. He had attempted a Queen's Gambit, thinking he could outmaneuver her with a sacrifice of his own. But it was Sukino who had truly wielded the gambit to its fullest effect. She had purposefully ceded the high council to him, allowing him a taste of power, a fleeting moment of victory, only to crush him here in the Fire Court when the stakes were highest.

He kept his gaze steady, unyielding, refusing to give them the satisfaction of his despair. You won this round, he thought, the words a silent vow that echoed in the depths of his mind. But this game is far from over. He would endure, bide his time, study their every move. He would learn from this defeat, and when he returned, he would rise stronger. The next time, the pieces would fall as he intended, and he would not allow anyone, not even the Black Rose, to stand in his way.

Naruto bowed his head once more, a forced act of submission. But within, he was already calculating, already plotting.

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As the court was concluding, Naruto stood before the assembly, his posture rigid, his gaze sweeping across the faces of those who had witnessed his fall. There was a silence that lingered, an unspoken tension in the air as he prepared to take his leave. But he would not go quietly. He would not grant them the satisfaction of watching him slink away in defeat.

"I came here with the intent to leave the past behind," he said, his voice calm yet resonating with a cold intensity that cut through the lingering whispers. "I sought to build a better future, to bring stability and strength to our lands. And in return, I have been banished, the victim of a carefully orchestrated sham played out in this very court."

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in, his eyes narrowing as they met those of his enemies—Sukino's gleaming with her barely concealed triumph, Hiruzen's impassive but wary, the Daimyo's steely and resolute.

"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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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 59: Aftermath- The Fractured Veil IS OUT !

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!

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