Capítulo 44: NTLHOS: Chapter 44 - The Stage Is Set
Naruto: The Last Harbinger Of Storm
NTLHOS: Chapter 44 - The Stage Is Set
Author's Note:
I had a blast writing Chapter 44—definitely one of my favorites so far! Don't forget to comment and like. Your feedback means the world to me!
"Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once."—William Shakespeare,Julius Caesar
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NTLHOS: Chapter 45: The Gambit Unveiled IS OUT!
NTLHOS: Chapter 46: ChangingAllegiance IS OUT!
NTLHOS: Chapter 47- The Gathering Storm Clouds IS OUT!
NTLHOS: Chapter 48: So the High Council Begins! IS OUT!
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!!!!
Happy Reading...
Last time on NTLHOS:
Nono gave Naruto a nod of approval, her expression serious but relieved. "Let's move quickly," she said, her voice low. "We don't have much time."
As they moved out of the hospital, Naruto cut a bloody path with tactical precision, silencing any staff members complicit in the torment of Karin and Kana. It wasn't just about revenge—it was about ensuring that the secrets of what had happened here would never spread further. He had already sent a few clones to silently eliminate the shinobi who were not in the hospital. As they exited, Naruto activated a seal he had planted earlier, igniting a slow-burning fire that originated from Karin's room. The flames would spread gradually, giving enough time for the hospital to be evacuated before causing serious harm to the patients. Naruto took particular satisfaction in killing the hospital's head—a man who had been the primary tormentor—in a gruesome and methodical manner.
Naruto's actions were swift and decisive, leaving no trace of their presence behind. The flames consuming the hospital would erase any lingering evidence of the horrors that had taken place within its walls. The Uzumaki clan would no longer be victims; they were survivors, and with Naruto leading them, they would be avengers.
Now:
As the sun was dipping below the horizon, casting long shadows over the village as Naruto Uzumaki approached the looming gates of Konoha. After a day of relentless travel, his body ached from the ongoing modifications, yet his mind was alert. The battle of power was done; now the battle of words and politics would begin. The village that once seemed so familiar now felt like a battlefield.
The massive gates of Konoha loomed ahead, their varnished wood glinting under the fading light. The guards stationed at the entrance, seasoned shinobi, barely had time to greet Naruto before a contingent of ANBU appeared. Their masks concealed their identities but not their intent. The leader, a tall figure with a bear mask, stepped forward, his voice as cold as the evening breeze.
"Captain Uzumaki, you have been ordered to report to the Elder Council immediately," the Bear-masked ANBU declared, leaving no room for debate.
Naruto felt a sense of déjà vu wash over him. This was the third time he had returned from a mission only to be summoned before the elder council. But this time was different. He was no longer the helpless, politically powerless orphan boy from the streets. He was a fellow player in the very game the elders sought to play.
"Yes, Captain," Naruto replied, his voice calm but carrying an edge of authority that hadn't been there before. He could not afford to be seen as subservient to the man; they were of the same rank after all. He had grown both politically and physically. This time, he intended to use it.
As he walked towards the Hokage's office, flanked by six ANBU like a prisoner, Naruto noticed the villagers' reactions. They were shocked at the spectacle. The Uchiha were particularly tense, with shinobi and civilians stopping in their tracks to observe the scene. It was as if the entire street held its breath, the weight of a hundred unsaid words pressing down on every soul present.
Some of the Uchiha looked on with open hostility, their eyes narrowed at the sight of the ANBU escorting Naruto as if he were a prisoner. The village seemed to freeze, every activity coming to a halt as they passed, the tension in the air thick enough to slice through.
As they reached the unofficial junction between the civil and shinobi sectors, a group of Uchiha jonin stepped forward, their leader a tall man with a stern expression. He was accompanied by eight or ten other officers, each one wearing the official garb of the Uchiha police force, exuding an air of hostility. They stopped the procession, and the leader, Yinabi Uchiha, ignored the protesting ANBU and addressed Naruto directly.
"Lord Naruto, should we intervene?" Yinabi asked, his tone respectful but laced with the underlying threat of violence.
The ANBU captain, Bear, immediately responded, his voice sharp. "You are impeding an active investigation. Stand down."
Tensions flared, and the air crackled with the unspoken threat of violence. Chakra was being flexed on both sides, a show of force that could easily spiral out of control. But Naruto, ever the politician, knew better than to let this escalate, though he needed the tension to simmer just enough to prove a point.
"Please, stand down, Yinabi. Yashiro," Naruto said firmly. Yinabi, Yashiro, and Kajiro were known as some of the staunchest, most extremist members of the Uchiha clan who advocated for armed rebellion. Yet, despite their radical views, they held Naruto in the highest regard—perhaps even more so than their own clan head. Naruto didn't fully understand why, because he was the one always preventing the Uchiha from initiating an armed rebellion, but he knew that his influence over them now was pivotal in preventing the Uchiha from doing something irreversibly and utterly foolish.
Bear, sensing the gravity of the situation, scanned the surroundings. The small gathering of Uchiha had quickly grown into a crowd. Shinobi from other clans—Kurama, Hatake, and even members of the Tower—were beginning to gather, drawn by the escalating tension. Words were being thrown back and forth like kunai, sharp and cutting. The Sarutobi clan members and other factions aligned with the Hokage were pushing back against the Uchiha's veiled threats and insults, while the Uchiha and others retaliated with equal fervor. ANBU from nearby patrols, along with regular shinobi, were swarming the area. The air was thick with animosity, the tension teetering on the edge of all-out confrontation.
The atmosphere was electric, each faction vying for dominance in the subtle yet deadly game of politics. The Kurama clan members, known for their mastery of genjutsu, stood ready, their eyes glowing with suppressed chakra, prepared to unleash illusions that could turn the tide in an instant. The Hatake, with their stoic composure, remained silent but vigilant, their hands resting casually on the hilts of their weapons, ready to strike at a moment's notice.
The Uchiha, however, were the most imposing, their Sharingan eyes swirling with anticipation, reflecting the fire that burned within their hearts. They were not merely a clan; they were a force, a storm waiting to be unleashed. The presence of Yinabi and Yashiro only added fuel to the charged atmosphere. Their reverence and loyalty to Naruto were evident, but so was their eagerness to act if provoked and show the others the 'so-called place' of the Uchiha.
Across from them, the Sarutobi clan members stood firm, their presence commanding in the face of rising tensions. Leading them was Larac Sarutobi, a formidable figure known as the right-hand man of the Third Hokage when it came to clan matters. Larac was the enforcer of the Sarutobi clan's will, both within and outside of the clan, the one who maintained order in their ranks in the name of their clan head. His mere presence here, under the guise of convenience, set Naruto's mind racing a kilometer a second. This was dangerous—Larac's appearance, an elite Jonin of the highest caliber, was no coincidence, and Naruto knew it.
Beside the Sarutobi, the Inuzuka clan members, their feral instincts barely restrained, growled low in their throats alongside their ninken as insults were thrown about. The tension in the air only served to heighten their readiness to defend their allies, their loyalty to the Hokage unwavering and palpable in their aggressive stances. Even the normally laid-back Nara clan was on edge, standing in a confrontational manner that was entirely uncharacteristic. Their typically relaxed demeanor had been replaced with one of intense focus, sharp eyes missing nothing as they scanned the crowd. Every muscle in their bodies was taut with readiness, prepared to respond at a moment's notice. The collective presence of these clans, all poised for conflict, made the atmosphere almost unbearable, the air thick with the potential for explosive violence.
Bear could feel powerful chakra signatures approaching from all sides. Lord Kamado and several Uchiha elders were nearing, their presence signaling that this was no ordinary skirmish. Alongside them, he sensed the chakra of clan heads and elite shinobi like Jonin Commander Lord Nara, Kakashi, and Guy—likely dispatched as reinforcements from the Hokage Tower. The air was thick with the potential for violence, each side bracing for what could become a full-blown clash.
Naruto, sensing the danger, knew that a single wrong move could ignite a conflict that would tear the village apart. He turned to Bear, his voice measured but insistent. "Captain, may I address the crowd?"
Bear hesitated for a moment, recognizing the looming issue at hand. The gathering had grown into a massive assembly and was growing as they spoke, with dozens of shinobi and civilians alike, all drawn by the palpable tension. Nodding his assent, Bear stepped aside, allowing Naruto to step forward.
As Naruto prepared to address the volatile crowd, his eyes instinctively flicked toward a new, dangerous presence that had just appeared—one of the few people capable of unraveling his carefully laid plans. A subtle but undeniable shift in the atmosphere occurred, the tension in the air tightening like a drawn bowstring. From amidst the throng of shinobi, a figure stepped forward, his demeanor deceptively calm, but his eyes sharp and calculating—Shikaku Nara, the Jonin Commander of Konoha. His arrival was quiet yet profound, like the stillness before a storm. The usually laid-back strategist now exuded an aura of intense focus, his sharp mind already at work, dissecting the situation and calculating every possible outcome. Shikaku's presence was both a warning and a challenge, and Naruto knew that any misstep could unravel everything he had worked for.
The normally lazy and easygoing Nara was gone, replaced by a man who understood the weight of the moment. With a single glance, Shikaku assessed the situation, his keen intellect processing the various factions present, each one poised on the brink of confrontation. The Uchiha, with their smoldering resentment; the Sarutobi and Inuzuka, ready to retaliate at the slightest provocation; and the other clans, each with their own stakes in this dangerous game of politics.
Shikaku knew that if things escalated here, it wouldn't just be a simple brawl—it could be the spark that ignited a full-scale civil war within Konoha. But one tailored by the elders, executed on their terms with a swift and decisive hand. It was no coincidence that these key figures were present, or that reinforcements had been sent so promptly. The stage was set, and the actors were all in place.
"Troublesome," Shikaku muttered under his breath, a word that belied the gravity of the situation. It was a trademark phrase, but one that carried far more weight now. The potential for disaster was clear to him, and it was a scenario he desperately wanted to avoid. Yet, stopping it now seemed almost impossible.
His protection detail, members of the elite Nara clan, echoed his sentiment with quiet resolve. They, too, understood the stakes. The Nara were not known for their physical prowess alone; their true strength lay in their intellect, their ability to navigate the complexities of any situation and find the most efficient solution. But even the most brilliant strategies could falter in the face of overwhelming force, and Shikaku was acutely aware that they were facing such a force now.
As Shikaku scanned the crowd, his gaze met that of his aunt, Sukino Nara. Normally, she was as insane as she was lazy—traits she shared with her nephew, though Shikaku always kept a good distance from her and was wary of mad women despite their relation. He knew that while she was undeniably deranged, there was no sharper mind in the clan, not even his own, despite what many outside the clan might think. Her mind was a steel trap, capable of intricate planning and ruthless execution. Yet today, even she appeared concerned, the ever-present insanity in her eyes tempered by the gravity of the situation. Shikaku had been against this idea from the start, not because he thought it would fail—unless he was missing key information or wildly out of the loop—but because it was too public. Too many lives would be lost. His aunt, normally so calculated, was completely against this public confrontation, and her weariness of the Uzumaki boy was something that had caught Shikaku's attention. He agreed to a degree that the boy was dangerous, but for his aunt to be so wary...
The elders, particularly those on the council, were growing increasingly intolerant of Naruto Uzumaki's rising influence—an influence spreading like wildfire. The Uzumaki's power was a direct threat to their control, and they would not tolerate it. The Nara clan, despite their alliance with the Sarutobi, had felt the pressure as well. The Sarutobi alliance had taken numerous hits, losing both power and influence as Naruto's star continued to rise. Politically and economically, they had been hit hard, but they had endured—so far.
Shikaku could see the broader strategy at play. The elders were setting the stage for a confrontation, one that would allow them to label Naruto and his allies as rebels, traitors to the village. It was a dangerous gambit, one that could plunge Konoha into an all-out conflict. They would make an example of those who stood against the ANBU, using their considerable power to crush any opposition. In the aftermath, they would consolidate their control, pardon the clans that opposed them, and conveniently brand the people here now as rogues, all under the guise of protecting the village while exacting reparations from the other factions.
When the conflict escalated, the council would turn the full might of Konoha—their faction and the neutral forces—against Naruto, framing it as his faction versus the village itself. This would lay the groundwork for a direct confrontation with one of the strongest shinobi in the Elemental Nations, Hiruzen Sarutobi himself, who would crush the whole thing effortlessly. Shikaku knew that Naruto didn't have many options, but he also knew that Naruto Uzumaki was a dangerous man. Not just because of his power—though he was likely S-rank by now, still no match for the Third Hokage—but because of his mind. Even the Nara clan, known for their intellect, respected and feared Naruto's strategic capabilities.
"Troublesome indeed," Shikaku muttered again, his gaze shifting to the gathering storm on the horizon.
He could see the verbal spat escalating into physical confrontations—grappling, pushing, and now weapons being drawn. But more importantly, he could sense the Hokage's intent. Like a god descending from the heavens, Lord Third was preparing to come down and crush the entire conflict here and now, making an example of everyone involved and ending this once and for all.
Naruto stood before the gathered crowd, fully aware of the intricate trap the council had laid. The tension in the air was thick and suffocating, as if the entire village held its breath, waiting for the spark that would ignite the inferno. With a calculated decision, he raised his chakra to an oppressive pitch, sending a palpable wave of power through the crowd. The sheer force of it brought many to their feet, eyes widening in surprise and wariness. He knew he was nowhere near the level of power possessed by the Third Hokage, yet Naruto had a unique edge—his sensory abilities, a gift few could rival.
His mastery of the Mind's Eye of Kagura, which had evolved with his natural affinities for water and lightning, allowed him to sense even the faintest fluctuations in the atmosphere. This ability, combined with the mutation from sharing the Kyubi's chakra during his growth, had honed his senses to a level where few could match him. As he expanded his awareness, he could detect every 'coincidental' chakra presence nearby—ANBU hidden in the shadows, shinobi stationed at strategic points, and the powerful chakra signatures of those approaching, ready for a full-scale battle.
Naruto's mind raced as he took stock of the situation. He could sense the platoons of ANBU surrounding the area, poised to strike or neutralize any threat near the clan compounds and the Tower, especially those clans allied with him. He could feel the oppressive presence of the Hokage and the elders, along with Danzo's ROOT operatives, converging on this location, prepared to turn this gathering into a bloodbath. The realization hit him hard—if this escalated into a fight, he would be outnumbered and outmatched. Standing in the very heart of the village's power, Naruto knew he was surrounded by forces that would not hesitate to crush him under the guise of maintaining order.
Despite his calm exterior, a deep, gnawing fear of Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Professor, gripped him. He knew that Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, was a legend for a reason—a shinobi who could bring down entire armies with the flick of a wrist, a man who had seen and done more than Naruto could fathom. The old man had likely forgotten more jutsu than the entire mob surrounding Naruto knew combined. The mere thought of facing such a force filled him with dread. Naruto was painfully aware that, despite his growth, he was not ready to face a man like Hiruzen in direct confrontation.
The eyes of the village were on him—some filled with suspicion, others with expectation, and a few with outright hostility. The weight of their gazes pressed down on him, amplifying the unease that churned in his gut. It was a volatile mix, a powder keg waiting for a spark. A reason for a god to descend at them and exact his wrath.
But even as doubt clawed at the edges of his resolve, a flicker of determination burned within him. He had faced impossible odds before and emerged stronger; this time would be no different. He knew the risks, knew that he was dancing on the edge of a blade, but he also knew that if he played his cards right, he could turn the tide in his favor.
Naruto took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm. He couldn't afford to show any sign of weakness, not now. The entire village was watching, waiting for his next move. Every word, every gesture, would be scrutinized, dissected, and used against him if he wasn't careful.
He knew that he had to choose his words carefully, to say just enough to defuse the situation without giving the council any more ammunition to use against him. He had to be both firm and diplomatic, assertive yet respectful. It was a delicate balance, but one that Naruto knew he could maintain if he kept his wits about him.
Naruto stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the gathered shinobi and civilians. He could see the fear in their eyes, the uncertainty
The air around Ryuchi Cave, the sacred home of the White Snake Sage, was thick with ancient power. The atmosphere pulsed with nature chakra, a primordial energy that had existed since time immemorial. Within this hidden realm, the essence of the earth itself seemed to breathe, its heartbeat syncing with the serpentine creatures that called it home. It was here, in this place of secrets and shadows, that a twisted, wrinkled figure materialized in a puff of smoke—Orochimaru.
Orochimaru's body was gaunt and aged, his skin a sickly grey, etched with deep wrinkles and scars from countless experiments and forbidden jutsu. His yellow, slit-pupil eyes, now dull and tired, constantly searched for the next step in his endless pursuit of knowledge and power. He collapsed just outside the main sanctum of the White Snake Sage, his breath hitching as he felt the oppressive weight of nature chakra pressing down on him like a crushing burden.
But Orochimaru was not alone.
As he arrived, something else had come with him—traces of a malevolent force, the remnants of the sealing flame. An ethereal spark of green fire flickered to life beside him, and within seconds, it exploded into a wildfire, burning through the very air around him. The flame twisted and writhed as if it were alive, driven by a will of its own. The nature chakra that saturated the environment reacted violently to this half-formed presence, bending to its will as though it recognized something far older, something far more dangerous.
The air around Orochimaru crackled with energy as the nature chakra coalesced and ignited, taking shape before his eyes. A massive serpent, easily the size of Manda, the king of serpents, emerged from the swirling emerald-green flame and energy. Its scales shimmered with an iridescent glow, reflecting hues of violet and gold, as though the creature was forged from the very essence of the ethereal fire. Its eyes, blazing with ancient power, locked onto Orochimaru with a malevolent intensity, recognizing him as the escapee from the Binder's wrath.
Without warning, the serpent struck.
Its fiery fangs, each as long and sharp as a sword, descended with the force of a landslide, aiming to crush Orochimaru where he stood. The rogue shinobi, despite his withered state, moved with the reflexes of a man who had danced with death a thousand times. He twisted out of the way, but just barely. The serpent's massive body followed, its coils wrapping around him with a speed that belied its enormous size. Orochimaru felt the crushing pressure and searing heat of the creature's embrace. The force was so immense that his bones creaked under the strain, and his skin blistered as the flames licked at him. His screams of agony echoed through the cavernous halls of Ryuchi Cave.
Just as the serpent's fangs were about to close around him, a massive form crashed into the side of the creature, sending it careening into the stone walls of the cave with a thunderous impact. Manda had arrived. The colossal snake, known for its impenetrable scales and unmatched ferocity, would not allow another serpent to claim his territory. Manda's eyes glinted with malice as he coiled around the energy serpent, his powerful muscles constricting with the force to crush mountains.
But this was no ordinary serpent. The green flame entity that had accompanied Orochimaru had melded with the nature chakra, giving the serpent an unnatural strength that defied the laws of the natural world. As Manda's coils tightened, the serpent's scales began to glow with an eerie light. Then, with a pulse of pure, searing energy, a wave of heat erupted from its body. Manda roared in pain as the heat scorched even his legendary scales, the force of the blast sending him reeling back, his massive form crashing into the ground with a tremor that shook the entire cave.
Orochimaru, now free, watched with a mixture of awe and fear. The battle between the two titanic serpents was unlike anything he had ever witnessed. What had Naruto unleashed? The energy serpent lashed out with tails made of pure chakra, each strike creating shockwaves that rattled the very foundations of Ryuchi Cave. Manda responded in kind, his immense bulk moving with terrifying speed as he struck back, fangs bared and dripping with venom potent enough to dissolve steel.
But even Manda, with all his power, was struggling. The energy serpent was relentless, its attacks growing more ferocious by the second. It was as if the creature was drawing power from the very land itself, becoming stronger with each passing moment. And just when it seemed as though Manda might fall, a new force entered the fray.
The White Snake Sage, an ancient being whose very presence commanded reverence and fear, emerged from the depths of the cave. Her scales were a pure, alabaster white, gleaming in the dim light like polished stone. Her eyes, ancient and knowing, glowed with a deep purple light, the color of twilight skies and forbidden knowledge. She moved with a grace that belied her immense size, her long, sinuous body weaving through the air like a river of living power as she approached the battlefield.
The moment she appeared, the energy serpent hesitated, as if recognizing the true power of the being before it. The White Snake Sage's eyes narrowed as she took in the scene—the wounded Manda, the destructive energy serpent—and then her eyes widened in realization as she understood that this was not an entity of this realm. Her gaze then settled on the twisted form of Orochimaru lurking in the shadows. Her gaze lingered on him for a moment, a flash of disapproval and something close to disappointment crossing her ancient features, before she turned her full attention to the energy serpent.
With a voice that echoed through the very soul, the White Snake Sage began to chant in a language long forgotten by time. Her words were like the rustling of leaves in a primordial forest, the whisper of ancient winds that had blown since the dawn of the world. As she chanted, her chakra flowed from her body, weaving through the air like tendrils of smoke. The energy in the atmosphere gathered, drawn to her will, and began to coalesce into a shape—a serpent made of pure purple chakra, but this one was different. It was darker, more solid, a being of destruction forged by the Sage herself.
As the energy serpent lunged at her, the White Snake Sage raised her newly sprouted hands—additional limbs that had grown from her body as she invoked her most powerful jutsu. The air around her crackled with power as she wove intricate hand seals, each one more complex than the last. With a final flourish, she released her chakra, and the weaponry serpent she had summoned attacked.
The two serpents clashed in a titanic struggle, their bodies entwining as they fought for dominance. The energy serpent struck with the fury of a tempest, its every move fueled by the nature chakra that had given it life. But the White Snake Sage's creation was relentless, its attacks precise and devastating, cutting through the air with lethal efficiency. The cave walls trembled, cracks forming in the ancient stone as the two serpents unleashed their fury. And yet, despite the chaos, the White Snake Sage remained calm, though Orochimaru noted with a start that there were traces of fear in her eyes—fear of the entity she was battling, fear of what it represented.
With a final, thunderous roar, the energy serpent lunged at the White Snake Sage, its fangs bared and blazing with the fire of the Binder Flame. But the Sage was ready. She moved with a speed that defied her size, her body twisting through the air with the agility of a much smaller serpent. In the same motion, she struck, her serpent's fangs sinking deep into the energy creature's form. The serpent writhed in pain, its body convulsing as the Sage's chakra tore through it, unraveling the energy that held it together.
In a final, desperate move, the energy serpent lashed out, trying to drag the White Snake Sage down with it. But she twisted her body, wrenching the serpent's fangs free, and with a final burst of chakra, she struck again. The energy serpent let out a final, mournful hiss before it dissolved into wisps of chakra, dissipating into the air. But the Sage was not finished. Sensing the remnants of the flame still clinging to existence, she quickly unfurled the ancient snake summoning scroll and, with a flourish, sealed the entity within it before it could reform and wreak further havoc.
The battle was over.
The White Snake Sage, her body glowing with the remnants of her immense power but also showing signs of fatigue, turned her gaze to Orochimaru. For a moment, they stared at each other in silence, the weight of what had just transpired hanging heavily between them.
Finally, the White Snake Sage spoke, her voice carrying both reprimand and warning. "You fool, Orochimaru. What entity have you challenged to invoke the Binder Flame upon yourself? Be thankful that it was only a wisp of the flame. Had it been the full force of the Binder, not even I could have saved you."
Orochimaru, his voice shaky but filled with curiosity, asked, "What is the Binder?"
The Sage's eyes narrowed further, her tone turning colder. "There are forces, Orochimaru, that even we, the ancient serpents, do not dare to challenge. That flame you brought here—so pure, so potent—you fool! Bringing it here, where the air is saturated with nature chakra, was like throwing a lit torch into a room filled with oil."
Orochimaru, sensing the gravity of his error, remained silent as the White Snake Sage continued. "Now, tell me what happened. Lie or hide anything, and I will know. If you deceive me, you will be struck from the snake summoning contract forever."
Realizing there was no escape, Orochimaru recounted the events that had led to his current predicament. The Sage listened intently, her expression growing darker with each word.
"You idiot," she hissed, her voice filled with disdain. "Do you not realize the folly of challenging a seal master and giving him time to prepare? You should have killed him the moment you laid eyes on him. Be grateful that the boy did not understand the full extent of nature chakra, or even in your Yamata form, you would not have escaped those flames."
The White Snake Sage paused, her gaze turning icy. "There will be consequences for your actions. You will no longer be our primary summon. Any snake that chooses to answer your call may do so, but you will receive nothing more. You have brought danger to our realm, and you will pay the price."
As the White Snake Sage began to slither away, her form vanishing into the darkness of Ryuchi Cave, she removed the intricate tattoo from Orochimaru's arm—the mark that had allowed him to summon the contract itself. The sensation was more than just physical pain; it was a symbolic severing, a declaration that he was no longer worthy of the pact. As the ink faded from his skin, Orochimaru felt the weight of the decision, realizing he had been exiled from one of his most powerful resources. Her parting words echoed ominously in the cavern.
"Do not return here, Orochimaru. The next time you trespass on sacred ground, you will not leave alive."
Her voice reverberated through the cold, stony silence, leaving Orochimaru alone at the entrance of the cave. As the gravity of what had just occurred sank in, a wave of fury washed over him, though not because of being removed as the primary summoner—he was least bothered by that.
He spat out the name that now haunted his thoughts—Naruto Uzumaki. The boy, like his father before him, had become a thorn in Orochimaru's side, a reminder of the cursed Namikaze lineage. But this time, it wasn't just anger that simmered within him—there was also a grudging respect.
Naruto's actions had not mirrored those of his father; they were more calculating, more unpredictable. Minato Namikaze had been a force of nature, an unstoppable whirlwind of power, ingenuity, and skill. Naruto was all these things in the making; however, he wielded something even more dangerous—cunning, not just cunning but something Orochimaru couldn't quite define. It was a trait Orochimaru recognized from Naruto's mother's side, Kushina Uzumaki, known for her fiery will and ruthless determination. This legacy made Naruto a far more complex adversary than Orochimaru had anticipated.
For the first time in years, Orochimaru felt a twinge of fear—fear of an opponent who was not just powerful but one who could outthink him, who could corner him in a way he couldn't escape. The fight with Naruto had nearly resulted in his permanent death, a fate that even Orochimaru's numerous contingency plans might not have reversed. The sensation of this so-called 'Binder's Seal,' the claw of death that had almost claimed his soul, still sent shivers down his spine.
The White Snake Sage's words weighed heavily on him. She had made it clear—had Naruto fully harnessed the nature chakra, or if the Binder's flames had been at full strength, even Orochimaru's Yamata form wouldn't have saved him. The thought that none of his resurrection techniques would have worked gnawed at him, planting seeds of doubt and fear where none had existed before.
Orochimaru wasn't easily frightened. He had faced down some of the most terrifying figures in the shinobi world—Pain, the wielder of the Rinnegan, a man whose power rivaled that of the gods; Hanzo the Salamander; and Hiruzen Sarutobi, whose raw power was legendary. But where Hiruzen could never bring himself to kill him, Pain had no such qualms. Now, Naruto Uzumaki, though lacking in raw power, knowledge, and experience compared to them or him, had come disturbingly close to ending Orochimaru's life. That alone was unsettling.
The most troubling aspect, however, was the realization that if Naruto had managed to bind him with that seal, none of his meticulously planned escape routes would have worked. Orochimaru knew that until he fully understood the extent of Naruto's abilities, he had to avoid direct confrontation. The boy wasn't just a powerhouse; he was a strategist, capable of setting traps that even Orochimaru might not escape. And that made him exceedingly dangerous.
As Orochimaru gathered himself to leave Ryuchi Cave, a rare emotion settled into his bones—uncertainty. It was an unfamiliar sensation, one he hadn't felt in years. He prided himself on being in control, on knowing his enemies inside and out. But Naruto was proving to be an enigma, a puzzle Orochimaru had yet to solve.
For now, he would retreat into the shadows, bide his time, and learn everything he could about Naruto Uzumaki—his strengths, his weaknesses, his limits. This boy was different. He was a threat that could not be taken lightly or, better yet, never confronted.
Orochimaru cursed Naruto Uzumaki once more, but this time, there was a trace of something else in his voice—a grudging respect and a cold, lingering fear along with a twisted sense of gratitude. Naruto alone had shown Orochimaru the true brink of death, and for that, he was strangely grateful.
Stay tuned for the next exciting episode of Naruto: The Last Harbinger of Storm! Please like and comment.
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NTLHOS: Chapter 45: The Gambit Unveiled IS OUT!
NTLHOS: Chapter 46: ChangingAllegiance IS OUT!
NTLHOS: Chapter 47- The Gathering Storm Clouds IS OUT!
NTLHOS: Chapter 48: So the High Council Begins! IS OUT!
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!!!!!!
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