Chương 42: NTLHOS Chapter 42: The Fires of Uzumaki
Naruto: The Last Harbinger of Storm
NTLHS Chapter 42: The Fires of Uzumaki
"The night is dark and full of terrors... but the fire burns them all away." - Melisandre, Game of Thrones
Author's Note:
Writing this chapter has been a great experience. Image creation took a lot out of me. I hope this chapter leaves you all as excited as I was writing it!
Join ThirdFireTriden on Pa(tre) on !
NTLHOS: Chapter 43: Mother Daughter Duo IS OUT!
NTLHOS: Chapter 44 - The Stage Is Set IS OUT!
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..)
Last time on NTLHOS:
Orochimaru moved like a blur, his strikes relentless and devastating. Naruto fought back with everything he had, but exhaustion and pain weighed him down. A brutal elbow to the gut sent him skidding across the rubble, followed by a crushing kick to his ribs that cracked bone and left him gasping for breath.
Blood dripped down Naruto's face as he struggled to stand, every muscle in his body screaming in agony. His chakra was nearly depleted, flickering weakly around him, while Orochimaru approached with a cold, predatory smile. A final strike slammed Naruto into the ground, his vision blurring as darkness crept in.
Orochimaru loomed over him, his twisted grin widening as he raised his hand for the final blow. Naruto, bloodied and broken, lay helpless, his breath shallow and his strength fading.
Now:
Orochimaru grabbed Naruto by the hair, lifting him effortlessly as if he were nothing more than a ragdoll. His twisted grin widened as he pulled Naruto close, his eyes glowing with a cold, predatory gleam. Without hesitation, Orochimaru plunged a kunai into Naruto's left arm, a fresh wave of pain surging through Naruto's body, snapping him back from the brink of unconsciousness.
Naruto grunted in agony, his vision briefly flashing red as the pain intensified. Orochimaru leaned in closer, his breath chilling against Naruto's skin.
"You truly believed you could stand against me?" Orochimaru hissed, his voice a low, venomous whisper. "KuKuKu... Foolish boy. I've survived two Shinobi Wars, faced legends like Hanzo the Salamander, and even battled my own sensei." His eyes narrowed, his grip on Naruto's hair tightening. "And you... you're just an insect. A pathetic little insect trying to fight a monster."
Orochimaru's grin twisted into something even darker as he continued, "You forced me to use more power than I expected. I commend you for your skill and strength. Perhaps, given a few more years, you might have truly challenged me. You've wounded me... you made me use sixty percent of my abilities."
Orochimaru twisted the kunai cruelly in Naruto's arm, his grin widening as he watched the boy squirm in pain. "Did you think that with a bit of power, you could challenge me? You are nothing but a test subject in my grand experiment."
At that moment, through the suffocating agony, Naruto's gaze sharpened with a flicker of defiance. His lips barely parted, and in a voice so soft it was almost a breath, he whispered into Orochimaru's ear, "You know something... it's this arrogance... that will be your downfall."
Orochimaru's sinister grin twisted into confusion, but before he could react, something unexpected happened. Naruto's limp right hand—hanging uselessly at his side just moments before—suddenly twitched with renewed life. In a split-second, his fingers moved with a precision honed from countless battles, and in a flash, Naruto unsealed a small scroll from a hidden seal in his left breast pocket.
With a surge of desperation and power, Naruto slammed the scroll against Orochimaru's chest.
As thekanjispread from his chest like wildfire, Orochimaru's breath hitched in his throat. His body jerked violently, his eyes widening in disbelief as the ancient symbols etched themselves deeper into his skin. Pain—sharp and unrelenting—ripped through him. His once boundless chakra, which had always flowed through him with a potent, dark grace, was snuffed out as if it had never existed.
It couldn't be happening. It shouldn't be happening.
His grip on Naruto faltered, and the boy fell unceremoniously to the ground. Orochimaru barely noticed, his focus consumed entirely by the foreign energy that now coursed through his body. Thekanjihad spread from his chest outward, wrapping around his limbs, constricting his muscles, choking his very ability to move.
The field around them, the barren and shattered remnants of his once grand underground lair, hummed with power. He could feel it—power pooling from the earth beneath him, surging toward him like a relentless tide. He recognized the force of it, ancient and dangerous. It was aFūinjutsu array,far more potent than he had ever anticipated.
"What... what's this?" Orochimaru whispered through gritted teeth, his voice trembling with the first pangs of true panic. "WHAT IS THIS?!" he shouted, trying to summon his chakra. But it was futile. His once-glorious chakra—the chakra that had carried him through countless battles and his own pursuit of immortality—was no longer under his control. It was slipping away from him like water through his fingers, bit by bit, consumed by the sealingkanjithat continued to spread like poison through his veins.
Naruto, still lying on the ground, let out a bloodied laugh, each exhale accompanied by a spray of blood from his mouth. "All those mindless experiments… I used them as sacrifices and put them out of their misery," Naruto spat out, his voice raspy but resolute. "I planted this seal before I even let go of my stealth. I wanted you right here, Orochimaru... at this very spot. I marked the thirteen points."
Naruto's breath came in labored gasps, but his voice carried the weight of victory. "Did you really think I'd fight you in the open... and hope to win fair?" He coughed, blood staining the ground beneath him. "I had it all planned. The moment your chakra will be grabbed by the outer seal from the thirteen points… you will power your own demise. Thissealwill bind your body, mind, and soul. There is no escape—not by vomiting yourself into another body, not by any trick you've used before. This binding is far beyond mere physical."
Orochimaru's limbs twitched involuntarily, but his body was no longer his to command. Desperation clawed at his mind as he tried to gather his strength, tried to force the chakra back into his muscles, but every attempt was met with the cold, unyielding power of thejutsu. The pain was unbearable, like fire scorching him from the inside out. He could feel the very essence of his being slipping away.
Around him, the ground began to shift. From thirteen points scattered across the field, lines of energy shot out from hidden places beneath the debris. They converged toward him, each one weaving through the air with purpose, intertwining and locking him into the center of a vast concentric triangle-like design. The earth itself was conspiring against him. The symbols blazed with an eerie light, their glow shifting from white to an intense azure-green that twisted and writhed like living flames.
Orochimaru's eyes darted wildly, searching for any weakness in theseal, anything he could exploit to break free. His hand, his last hope, twitched and moved toward Naruto, the only weapon he had left. The symbols had not yet reached that hand—his final chance to strike. His fingers extended toward the boy, coiling with energy, ready to tear through the boy.
But just as his hand began to extend toward Naruto, something glinted in the corner of his vision—Naruto's sword. With a surge of desperation, the boy summoned the blade into his hand. In a flash, the sword cleaved through Orochimaru's hand, severing the hand that had been his last hope.
Another sharp, searing pain shot through Orochimaru as his severed hand fell to the ground, twitching in the dirt. He let out a furious scream of agony. "I will kill you for this!" he howled, his voice laced with both panic and disbelief. He had always prided himself on his control, his mastery over life and death itself, and yet now... now he was reduced to this.
Naruto, despite the overwhelming pain coursing through his body, let out a raspy, bloodied laugh. "Did you ever wonder," Naruto managed through labored breaths, "why an Uzumaki like me never used myFūinjutsuin our battle? Or did you just assume I was incapable of it?"
Orochimaru's eyes flickered with confusion and growing dread as he struggled within the invisible bonds. His body was bound by theseal, suspended in the air, hovering a centimeter or two above the ground, completely immobilized. The symbols wrapped around him like chains, pulsing with power. Naruto's voice, though weak, carried a deadly edge. "I only needed two things... one, to keep you still, and second, to have my blood in your person." He coughed, his blood splattering the ground. "It went better than I thought. A bit of my blood is inside you—when you licked the kunai that stabbed my arm, and again when you grabbed me by the hair... that was all I needed."
Orochimaru let out another scream, trying to thrash against the energy bindings that held him aloft, but thesealonly tightened. His once-commanding presence now hung helpless, suspended in mid-air, unable to move even an inch.
He tried to controlKusanagiwith his mind, but nothing. He could feel nothing. Only void. The connection to the blade was severed. His body remained levitating, trapped in the air by the powerfulseal. His mind raced for a solution. "No! This can't be happening! I am immortal!" His voice cracked with madness as he realized the gravity of his situation. The symbols, the azure-green flames, the binding energy—they were all closing in on him, suffocating him as he hovered helplessly in the air.
He tried once more to summon his chakra, to feel that familiar surge of power coursing through his veins, but all he was met with was emptiness. His body twitched in futile resistance, but thesealwas stronger than anything he had ever encountered. It was like iron chains tightening around his very soul, squeezing tighter and tighter.
"I AM OROCHIMARU!" he shrieked, his voice raw with desperation. "THE STRONGEST OF THE SANIN! I HAVE TRANSCENDED MORTALITY!" His words grew more frantic with each passing second. He thrashed wildly against the invisible bonds, but his struggles only brought more pain. His chakra remained locked away, unreachable, as though the very essence of life was being wrung out of him.
The ground beneath him pulsed with energy, the intricate concentric triangles glowing brighter and brighter. The flames around him flared higher, casting long, flickering shadows across the desolate wasteland.
"NO! I am Orochimaru!" he screamed again, his voice now bordering on deranged. "LET ME GO! I WILL NOT BE CONTAINED!" His cries echoed across the barren field, but they were met only by the cold, uncaring hum of thekaji, the symbols continuing their relentless spread across his body.
Orochimaru, suspended in the air, his body bound and powerless, felt his once-calculated mind spiral into full-blown panic. The horrifying truth set in—there was no escape. He had underestimated Naruto, underestimated the power of theseal, and now he was paying the price.
Naruto, still bloodied and broken, used his sword as a makeshift crutch. With great effort, he rose to his feet and limped toward Orochimaru, each step sending a fresh wave of pain through his exhausted body. Reaching the trapped Sannin, Naruto placed his hand firmly on Orochimaru's head, his voice low but resolute.
"I will absorb your body, your essence, your mind... and seal your soul," Naruto whispered, his eyes burning with the fierce determination that had carried him through the battle.
Theconcentrictriangles tightened their grip, thearraynow almost fully in place. A manifestation of purple energy—Orochimaru's very essence, a combination of chakra, life force, and mental strength—began to flow from his body, streaming through his forehead into Naruto's hand. The energy spiraled and surged through Naruto's veins, filling him with an overwhelming force that pulsed through every fiber of his being..
Suddenly, Orochimaru went unnaturally still, a forced calm seizing him as his strength was siphoned away.
As the power transferred, the changes in Naruto became immediately visible. His once-bleeding wounds slowly began to close, the deep cuts stitching themselves together with glowing threads of chakra. His own energy surged, becoming an overwhelming tide of raw power. "Not just your power," Naruto murmured, his voice laced with steely resolve, "but everything you hold."
Orochimaru could feel it—his connection toKusanagislipping from his grasp, the blade's allegiance shifting to Naruto. As time went on, his chakra rapidly depleted, and slowly his body began to wither—skin, flesh, and muscles shrivelling and sinking as though the very life was being drained from him. Naruto was absorbing everything—his physicality, his chakra, piece by piece. Orochimaru's form grew weaker, his body hollowing out like a collapsing husk.
But then, Naruto could feel Orochimaru tapping into an unknown reservoir of chakra. It was wild and untamed, a force so primal and chaotic that as soon as Naruto absorbed a fraction of it, his body screamed in protest. It felt like venom running through his veins, like snakes coiling through his very cells, twisting and writhing in a bid to destroy him from the inside out. Naruto's body convulsed violently, and he could feel the beginning of solidification in his chakra, like it was turning to stone. He expelled the foreign chakra, refusing to take in any more of its toxic energy.
Naruto's eyes widened with realization. This chakra was tied to thesnake contract—potent. He had assumed he would absorb the contract after the sword, but Orochimaru had merged so completely with the snakes that the essence had become part of his very soul. Naruto knew he would need to tread carefully—first the more superficial power, then life force, then the memories, and finally, the snake contract before sealing his soul.
However, Orochimaru wasn't finished yet. With a mad, desperate grin, he suddenly seized control of the chaotic chakra. Naruto's instincts screamed at him to act. In the blink of an eye, he severed the connection and leaped back just as Orochimaru's form began to morph. With an ear-splitting roar, an enormousYamata no Orochi—the legendary eight-headed white snake—ripped through the seals, it's terrifying heads snapping and thrashing in every direction.
For a moment, it seemed the monster would attack him—but the transformation was fleeting. Orochimaru's form reverted back to that of a decrepit, withered old man. His body was hunched, frail, and yet his eyes gleamed with twisted satisfaction. "You really thought you could finish me so easily?" he rasped. His eyes darkened with malevolence. "You are far too dangerous to let live."
Naruto's heart thundered in his chest, adrenaline coursing through his veins. Summoning his sword with a burst of energy, he felt the seals around them flaring, eager to bind Orochimaru once more. But the Sannin had other plans. His face contorted with desperation, and with a frantic flurry of hand seals, he spat out his next words. "Not today," Orochimaru hissed. "I have severely underestimated you—never again."
With a final, bitter glance, Orochimaru teleported away, leaving only a thin wisp of chakra smoke, leaving Naruto alone in the now charred and desolate wasteland. The seals, robbed of their intended target, began to writhe with purpose, searching for a new prisoner. Orochimaru may have escaped, but the seal had been created to imprison someone—it was its only purpose, and now it turned its hungry focus toward its creator.
Naruto's mind raced as he felt the ominous energy closing in on him. In a swift, fluid motion, he unsealed a mask from a hidden seal on his chest. The mask bore a fierce red face and malevolent yellow eyes, twisted into an expression of pure rage and power—a uniqueHannya mask, one of the twelve Uzumaki masks from the sacred shrine. This mask was no ordinary tool; it had been used to invoke the wrath of the deities for sealing and destruction. Today, it had been key in summoning the power to bind Orochimaru. The scroll had merely represented the power Naruto had previously summoned, but the mask was the true source of sealing today.
Naruto bit down hard on his hand, drawing blood, and smeared a line across the mask's forehead. His voice, though strained and pained, rang out with authority. "The target has escaped," he commanded, his words resonating with the power of the mask. "Retreat into your origin."
The mask's eyes glowed a brilliant, malevolent red, and the azure-green flames along with the kanji on the ground were drawn into it, consumed by the glowing eyes. The seal's fiery wrath was contained, absorbed back into the mask, and the energy that had been unleashed dissipated into the mask's glowing red gaze.
The battlefield fell silent. The earth, scarred and scorched from their battle, now stood still, the only remnants of their violent confrontation being the charred ground and the fading heat in the air.
And yet, Naruto was far from calm. In a sudden rush of frustration, anger, and lingering pain, he unleashed a torrent ofStorm Release (Ranton)energy, lightning crackling in wild arcs around his body. "FUCK!" he shouted, his voice breaking through the stillness as the energy surged through him, his body shuddering under the strain.
He doubled over, his breath heavy, each inhale a sharp, stabbing pain. He could feel Orochimaru's healing factor knitting his bones back together, mending his torn flesh and fractured organs. But the agony was far from over—his body burned, his bones felt like they were being set ablaze from within as they realigned. Each realignment felt like a fresh break, like needles stabbing into his bones and flesh.
"FUCK!" he roared again, louder this time, as the pain nearly overwhelmed him, his hands clenched into tight fists. His rage mingled with the excruciating pain, theStorm Release (Ranton)energy flaring wildly around him like a vortex of power. His entire body screamed in protest as he stood there, trying to master the agony ripping through him.
As Naruto stood there amidst the eerie stillness of the now-deserted base, his body screamed in pain, the realignment of his bones and organs a slow and agonizing process. But even through the haze of discomfort, he could feel it—shinobi approaching, their chakra signatures growing stronger with each passing second.
He glanced at his sword,Megami, which flickered out of existence in a puff of smoke, returning to the seal within his body. His eyes then shifted toward theKusanagiblade, which was now his. The legendary sword hovered in the air for a moment before floating gracefully into his hand. Without hesitation, Naruto sealed the sword within one of his seals, the weight of its power now fully under his control.
But there was no time to savor the victory. He needed to move.
With effort, Naruto pushed his pain aside and dashed away from the crumbling base, finding refuge in the thick canopy of trees. His breath was ragged, and every step sent fresh waves of pain rippling through his body, but he couldn't stop. Not yet.
He crouched low among the dense branches, hidden in the shadows as he watched a large group ofKusashinobi spread out across the remains of the battlefield. Their eyes scanned the destruction warily, chakra flaring as they searched for any signs of life. Naruto could see the tension on their faces, a mix of fear and grim determination.
Nearby, a Kusa jōnin barked orders to his subordinates. "Fan out!" he commanded, his voice tight with urgency. "Our sensors detected a high-level battle here. Whatever happened, we need answers—and fast."
His subordinate, a younger shinobi with wide, uncertain eyes, replied hesitantly, "Sensors weren't even necessary, sir. Even a non-sensor like me could feel the chakra from miles away… and the destruction here… it's like a damn storm ripped through."
The jōnin frowned, surveying the wreckage with narrowed eyes. "Orochimaru was here, I'm certain of it. His twisted chakra lingers in the air. But whoever fought him… must be a monster in their own right."
Naruto's jaw clenched as he listened to their conversation, a deep anger bubbling beneath his exhausted exterior. These shinobi had allowed Orochimaru free rein here, turning a blind eye to his atrocities. Yet, Naruto knew that not all of them were guilty. He couldn't let his anger blind him. After all, there were those who had judged him and the Third Hokage the same way—by their village's darkest deeds.
But that didn't stop the fury from burning in his chest. These shinobi were complicit in allowing Orochimaru to operate in this land. He shifted his position slightly, keeping his presence undetectable thanks to his activestealth seal. His eyes locked onto a jōnin standing suspiciously close to the leader of the investigation—a man who seemed unusually anxious, his glances darting about nervously. Naruto recognized him; he was their suspect, believed to be in cahoots with the head investigator. He was, after all, the investigator's right-hand man.
Naruto acted on instinct, moving with lethal precision. He silently slipped down from the trees, his movements almost ghostly, as he crept toward the suspicious jōnin. With a swift, fluid motion, Naruto unsheathedKusanagiand, before the man could even register the danger, drove the blade cleanly through his chest. The jōnin's eyes widened in shock, a strangled gasp escaping his lips as his body went limp.
Naruto caught him before he hit the ground, quickly dragging the body into the shadows. His hands shook slightly as he worked, the strain of his injuries making each movement agonizing. But he pushed through the pain, his focus sharp.
The dead jōnin's clothes were bloodstained, but Naruto didn't hesitate. He stripped the man of his uniform and ID card, swiftly using ahengeto disguise himself. The seal he placed over his body was more solid than a typical transformation, layered with protective chakra to mask his presence even from sensors. It would take a highly skilled sensor to detect anything amiss.
Breathing heavily, Naruto staggered out of the shadows, his newly assumed identity in place. His body screamed in protest with each step, but he forced himself to walk steadily. His mind raced, focusing on his clones and the Uzumaki woman they were protecting. He needed to reach them, but first, he had to pass through the multiple checks scattered across the area.
As he approached a checkpoint, a sharp-eyed sensor shinobi looked him up and down. Naruto's heart pounded in his chest, but he remained calm, hishengeholding steady under the scrutiny. The sensor's eyes lingered on him for a moment longer than Naruto liked, but then, with a curt nod, he waved Naruto through.
Naruto exhaled softly, relief flooding through him. He continued moving, every muscle in his body aching, every breath a struggle. His thoughts were a whirlwind of exhaustion and pain, but his determination kept him upright. Orochimaru had escaped, but Naruto was alive—and that was what mattered. For now.
One more sensor blocked his path, his eyes narrowing as he felt something off in the chakra signature. Naruto stiffened. The man took a step closer, suspicion rising. "Hold on a moment…" he muttered, eyes scrutinizing Naruto closely.
Naruto's hand drifted subtly to a hidden seal on his wrist. Channeling the last of his chakra reserves, he activated it just as the sensor stepped closer, clouding the area with a faint pulse of energy that disrupted detection for just long enough.
The sensor blinked, then shook his head as if clearing a fog. He frowned but ultimately dismissed his concerns. "Clear," he said reluctantly, moving back to his post.
Naruto kept walking, his heart still pounding in his ears. Each step was a monumental effort, but he had made it past the checks. Soon, he'd be with his clones and the woman they had rescued. But until then, he had to keep moving, hiding his pain and pushing through the agony as he escaped into the dense trees beyond.
Naruto kept walking, his heart pounding in his ears. Every step was a monumental effort, but he had made it past the checks. Soon, he'd be with his clones and the woman they had rescued. Until then, he had to keep moving, hiding his pain and pushing through the agony as he made his way deeper into the dense forest. His vision blurred as exhaustion clawed at him, but he pushed on, jumping from tree to tree.
He reached a small clearing where his clone had found a secluded spot, well-hidden by boulders, bushes, and dense canopies. As Naruto approached, three of his clones who were on perimeter duty immediately tensed, their eyes narrowing as they prepared to strike. But the moment they sensed him, they relaxed. After all, Naruto knew how to bypass his own seals.
"Deactivate the seals," Naruto muttered, moving past them quickly. His clones obeyed without question, and Naruto made his way to where the Uzumaki woman was hidden. His clones looked at him with concern, their faces reflecting the same confusion that Naruto had felt.
"Boss," one of them said, frowning. "We didn't get any memory feedback after Orochimaru put you down. What happened? Did it work? Were you able to seal him?"
Naruto sighed, exhaustion evident in his voice. "No. He's far stronger than we ever imagined. He broke free of the mask's binding. Orochimaru really is a genius, even if he's completely deranged."
The clones exchanged worried glances. "What about the woman?" he asked.
The clone who had been with her stepped forward. "We stabilized her. Removed most of the toxins and healed all the superficial wounds. We sent a discrete message to Nono—turns out she is on a mission nearby and should be here soon."
"Good," Naruto nodded. "Has she woken up?"
"Once, but she was in a lot of pain. We put her back to sleep with some medicine. If it wasn't for the seals you gave us containing that medic kit, we would have lost her for sure."
Naruto let out a tired breath. "Wake her. I need to know if she's alone or if there's anyone else we need to rescue." He winced as another sharp pain shot through his body. "Then I'll rest. If I pass out, make sure Nono checks on me when she gets here."
The clones hesitated. "If you absorbed part of Orochimaru's essence, shouldn't you be able to help her?" one of them asked.
Naruto shook his head, his expression grim. "I only absorbed some of his mental energy, not his memories or that damned summoning contract he's connected to."
The head clone nodded and approached the Uzumaki woman. With a soft glow of chakra, he used aIryō Ninjutsto wake her. She stirred, her eyes fluttering open before she jolted up with a start. Her body was still weak, her pain dulled by the medical treatment, but her eyes darted around frantically.
"Please!" she begged, her voice trembling. "Let me go! I haven't harmed anyone—I swear! Please… just let me go!"
Naruto, despite his exhaustion, managed a small, forced smile. He knelt down beside her and gently patted her cheek, trying to calm her down. "Hey, hey… calm down. I'm not here to hurt you," he said softly, though his own voice was strained. "You're safe now. I'm Naruto Uzumaki."
The woman stilled for a moment, blinking at him in confusion. "U-Uzumaki…?" Her voice was soft, almost disbelieving.
Naruto nodded, his smile fading into a grimace as another wave of pain coursed through him. "Yeah… what a sight, huh? The once-mighty Uzumaki clan reduced to this… begging and hiding just to survive." He let out a dry chuckle. "I'm here now… so take it easy. You're safe."
The woman's breathing began to steady, though tears welled up in her eyes. "I… I'm sorry," she whispered. "I didn't mean to—"
"Shhh," Naruto interrupted, his tone gentle but firm. "It's okay. What's your name?"
She hesitated for a moment before answering, "Kana. Kana Uzumaki."
Naruto nodded. "Nice to meet you, Kana. Do you remember what happened?"
Kana wiped her tears away with trembling hands. "I'm… I'm 46 years old," she said softly, though her appearance made her look years younger—a testament to the Uzumaki's vitality. She clutched the blanket tightly around her shoulders, as if shielding herself from memories too painful to recall. Her voice wavered as she continued. "It all started after I lost my husband. He was killed by a bounty hunter a few years ago. I… I was devastated, but I had to stay strong for my daughter, Karin. She was only eight at the time."
Naruto listened quietly, his heart heavy with empathy. The pain she had endured mirrored the struggles of his own life—loss, hardship, and the unrelenting burden of survival.
"We were on the run for a long time," Kana continued, her voice growing steadier but filled with sorrow. "After Uzu no Kuni fell, we Uzumaki were scattered to the winds. It wasn't safe anywhere. After my husband's death, I thought maybe… just maybe, Grass Country could offer us refuge. The Kusa shinobi took us in, offering us food and shelter. They knew about my healing abilities… my Uzumaki blood."
She paused, her gaze dropping to the ground, eyes clouded with shame. "At first, I thought it was kindness. They treated us well, fed us, clothed us… but soon, they began asking for more. They wanted me to use my healing abilities on their wounded shinobi. I'd tend to them after battles, sometimes working through the night, no matter how exhausted I was. They didn't care about me… or Karin. I was just a tool."
Naruto clenched his fists, anger bubbling beneath his skin. He had experienced something similar—being used, discarded, seen as a tool rather than a person. But he remained silent, letting Kana speak.
"The more I healed, the more they took from me," Kana whispered. "I was so weak… I could barely stand some days. But they didn't care. All they saw was power—Uzumaki blood capable of healing anything. I overheard them whispering… talking about selling me, using me as a bargaining chip. That's when they made a deal."
Naruto's stomach twisted as he waited for the words he feared to hear.
"They sold me to Orochimaru," Kana said, her voice barely above a whisper. She took a shuddering breath as tears welled in her eyes. "They took me from Karin… I fought, but I was so weak by then. It didn't matter. Orochimaru wanted my healing abilities for his experiments. He promised the Kusa shinobi power and knowledge in exchange for me. They handed me over… without a second thought."
Naruto's breath caught in his throat, fury and sorrow mixing in equal measure. He knew Orochimaru's cruelty, but hearing it spoken like this—hearing how Kana had been treated as nothing more than a commodity—made his blood boil.
Kana sobbed openly now, her tears flowing freely. "He did things to me," she whispered, her voice cracking. "He tested my limits, pushing my healing abilities to the breaking point. He'd poison me, slice into my skin… and then watch as I healed, over and over again. He injected me with toxins that would enhance my healing but… but the pain… the pain was unbearable."
Naruto gently wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a light hug. "I'm so sorry you had to go through that, Kana. You're safe now."
Kana trembled in his arms, her voice breaking. "I thought I would die in that lab. I wanted to… but then I heard Karin's voice in my dreams. She was crying for me, begging me not to leave her… I couldn't. I had to survive. For her."
Naruto pulled back slightly, placing his hand on her shoulder. "You did the right thing. You're stronger than you realize, Kana. And now, you're safe. We'll make sure of that."
Kana looked up at him, her face streaked with tears but her eyes filled with gratitude. "I tried to escape so many times… but Orochimaru would always find me. He'd drag me back… punish me for even thinking of running."
She swallowed hard, her voice still shaking. "I don't know what happened to Karin. I left her in Grass Village, hoping they wouldn't find her. She's only 14 now… just a child. Please, Naruto, you have to help her."
Naruto's expression hardened, his resolve strengthening despite the pain wracking his body. "We'll find her," he promised, his voice firm. "We'll get her out of Grass and bring her to safety. I swear it."
Kana's tears flowed again, this time with hope shining in her eyes. "Thank you… thank you so much…"
Naruto forced a reassuring smile, even as the exhaustion clawed at him. "That's what family's for," he said softly. He glanced at his clones, giving them a nod. "Alright… I'm going to rest now. Keep an eye on her. And when Nono arrives, tell her to check on me."
As he lay down against the cool earth, his body heavy with exhaustion, he turned his head slightly toward Kana. "Just hold on a little longer," he whispered. "You'll be reunited with your daughter soon."
Kana nodded, her voice barely audible. "Thank you, Naruto… I believe in you."
Naruto's eyes closed, and he allowed himself to slip into unconsciousness, knowing his clones and Nono would handle things while he recovered. His body ached, the pain still gnawing at him, but Kana's hope gave him something to hold onto. He had another life to save—Karin—and he wasn't going to let her down.
As the original Naruto drifted off, one of his clones sat beside Kana. She glanced at him with curiosity in her eyes. "Who are you?" she asked softly. "I mean… who are you related to, to be an Uzumaki?"
The clone chuckled lightly. "You mean besides being Kushina Uzumaki's son?"
Kana blinked in confusion before she processed what he said. "Kushina… Kushina-sama… she's your mother, the heiress of Uzu no Kuni. That makes you… our clan head?"
The clone nodded, smiling softly. "Yeah, something like that. I'm her son, Naruto Uzumaki. Lord Ashina was my ancestor."
Kana's eyes widened in shock, and a bit of awe. "Lord Ashina's direct descendant… I never imagined I'd meet someone from the main line again."
The clone smiled, though it was bittersweet. "I didn't have much time with my mom, but I'm learning about our clan's legacy. It's my job now to look after our people… wherever they are. And you'll be safe with us now, with the rest of the refugees from Uzu."
Kana's eyes welled up with fresh tears, but this time, there was a glimmer of hope in them. "Thank you… thank you so much…"
"How did you know I wasn't faking being an Uzumaki?" the clone asked curiously.
Kana smiled faintly. "I possess theKagura Shingan(The Mind's Eye of the Kagura)," she explained, her voice soft yet steady. "It allows me to sense the truth within people… their chakra, their intentions. I can also tell that you carry elemental bloodlines within you. But your Kagura's Foresight... it's different. It feels more... evolved, more powerful than most. Yet unmistakably, you bear the chakra of a mainline Uzumaki. I hadn't sensed one in so long, it took me a moment to recognize it."
The clone smiled warmly. "Rest now. We've got this. We'll bring your daughter home, I promise."
Kana nodded, though worry still clung to her like a heavy cloak. It had been six hours since Naruto had fallen unconscious, and the gnawing fear in her heart wouldn't let her rest. His face occasionally twitched with strain, low groans of pain escaping him even in his unconscious state. Kana, though skilled in the basics of medical jutsu, felt completely out of her depth. Naruto's healing was slow and erratic, complicated by the wild fluctuations in his chakra that even she could sense.
Kana had offered to let Naruto bite her, hoping that the renowned Uzumaki healing factor could speed his recovery. But one of Naruto's clones, echoing the original's stubbornness, had firmly refused. Naruto's body, chakra, and everything within him was in flux—too unpredictable. Anything foreign could make things worse. Instead, Kana had done her best—applying numbing jutsu, using herbs from Naruto's kit to speed up healing—but deep down, she knew this was beyond her ability. Kusa had never invested in her medical training, focusing only on exploiting her healing abilities.
Suddenly, the sound of rustling leaves caught Kana's attention, and her heart skipped a beat in nervous anticipation. Three of Naruto's clones emerged from the dense trees, leading another figure into the small clearing. The newcomer was an older woman with long, golden-brown hair tied into a neat bun, her sharp green eyes behind round glasses. She wore a medic's garb over shinobi gear and moved with the calm confidence of someone used to taking charge. This wasNono Yakushi, the experienced medic Naruto had summoned.
The moment Nono entered the clearing, her eyes honed in on Naruto's still form. Without wasting a second, she rushed forward, her hands glowing with soft green chakra as she began assessing his condition. Kana could only watch in awe as Nono worked like a whirlwind, her movements swift and decisive. Despite the urgency of her actions, there was no panic in her demeanor, only the practiced efficiency of a master healer.
Nono's voice, however, held a tone of both concern and reprimand as she spoke to Naruto's clones. "What in the world was he thinking?" she muttered, her hands never stopping their work. "Absorbing Orochimaru's essence? That man is practically a living snake at this point. With all the twisted experiments he's performed on himself, Naruto is lucky he didn't absorb something that couldn't be purged."
Kana felt a pang of sadness as she watched Nono working diligently to stabilize Naruto's condition. He had gone through all of this—risked his life—just to save her from Orochimaru's clutches. She could see the blood of Lord Ashina running strong in him—selfless, courageous, and unyielding.
Nono glanced up briefly, her voice sharp. "You," she pointed at one of the clones, "cut that boulder over there. We need to create a stable space for an operating theatre."
The clone quickly complied, using pureFūton manipulationto slice the large boulder into slabs that could provide better support for Naruto's body. Kana immediately moved to assist Nono, doing whatever she could to help the older woman. She applied steady pressure where needed, handed surgical tools from Naruto's kit, and watched in silent awe as Nono performed intricate medical jutsu.
Nono worked tirelessly, her hands glowing as she delicately realigned Naruto's bones with chakra-enhanced precision. She used electrical pulses to stimulate Naruto's synapses, rebalancing his ionic pathways and ensuring the proper flow of energy throughout his nervous system. The complexity of her techniques was beyond anything Kana had ever seen, and the younger woman couldn't help but marvel at Nono's skill.
For nearly three hours, Nono worked on Naruto with unrelenting focus. Kana assisted where she could, her own hands trembling from both stress and exhaustion. Nono's sharp gaze remained unwavering as she finished the final touches of her work, her fingers glowing with healing chakra as she mended the last of Naruto's internal injuries.
Finally, Nono leaned back against one of the boulders, wiping the sweat from her brow. "This," she said with a tired but firm voice, "has got to be the most reckless thing Captain has ever done. Absorbing Orochimaru... what was he thinking? That man isn't even fully human anymore—he's an amalgamation of snake, toxins, and twisted chakra. Captain should have known better."
The nearest clone hesitated, not wanting to incur more of Nono's wrath, before speaking cautiously. "The original also asked that you check on Kana. That's actually the main reason we called you here," he said, hoping to redirect her frustration.
Nono sighed deeply, her sharp demeanor softening slightly. "Right. Let's see to her then."
Kana was guided to a makeshift space Nono had set up for examination. As Nono began herShindan Jutsu(Diagnostic Technique), Kana felt the older woman's chakra wrap around her like a comforting blanket, probing her body for any lingering injuries. Within moments, Nono's brow furrowed as she detected the residual toxins still present in Kana's system.
Nono quickly set to work purging the toxins from Kana's body. The process was grueling, and Kana felt her stomach churn violently as the toxins were expelled from her system. For three hours, she retched and vomited, but Nono remained focused, her hands glowing withChakra Kyūin Jutsu(Chakra Absorption Technique) as she flushed out every last trace of Orochimaru's foul experiments.
Finally, Nono stepped back with a satisfied nod. "You should be alright now," she said, wiping her hands. "It'll take time for your body to fully recover, but you're clear of most of the toxins. Thankfully, nothing too severe remains."
Kana, still shaky but immensely relieved, leaned back against a tree. "Thank you… I don't know how to repay you."
"You've been through enough," Nono replied with a kind smile. "Rest now. Your job is to heal."
Kana hesitated for a moment before speaking up. "I have an ability that might help Naruto recover faster," she said quietly. "If I let him bite me, my Uzumaki blood could stabilize him quicker."
Nono frowned slightly, her brow furrowing in thought. "Normally, that could help, but in Naruto's current state, any foreign chakra might trigger a negative reaction. His body is in a pseudo-coma, balancing on the edge of recovery. Introducing your chakra could upset that balance."
Kana nodded but added softly, "It's not just any chakra. My healing factor is unique—it has saved many in Kusa from life-threatening injuries in an instant. Maybe it could help Naruto..."
Nono tilted her head, intrigued. "Tell me more about this ability."
Kana took a deep breath. "I possess an ability—my blood can heal almost anything. But it's more than that. Though it causes me pain and weakness in the process, my healing factor has evolved. It's stronger, faster, and can adapt to almost any situation."
Nono's eyes widened slightly. "That's... fascinating. Risky, yes, but... perhaps worth trying." She paused, her mind racing as she considered the possibilities. "Alright, let's do it. But we'll take precautions."
With careful precision, Nono guided Kana toward Naruto's prone body. She gently opened Naruto's mouth, even though he was unconscious, and positioned his head so Kana could press her wrist to his lips. As Kana felt Naruto's teeth lightly scrape her skin, she concentrated on transferring her life force, allowing her healing ability to flow into him.
To Nono's amazement, the results were almost immediate. Naruto's breathing steadied, his pulse grew stronger, and the violent fluctuations in his chakra began to calm. The intense waves of conflicting energy that had been wracking his body started to subside, replaced by a more stable, controlled flow.
Nono conducted a quick diagnostic check, her hands glowing with chakra as she examined the changes taking place within Naruto. "It's... incredible," she murmured, her voice filled with awe. "This level of healing... it's like watching a miracle unfold. Your chakra is stabilizing him in ways I didn't expect. It's similar to what I've seen Lady Tsunade do with medical jutsu, but... it's also different."
Kana smiled faintly, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. "I'm glad I could help," she whispered.
Stay tuned for the next exciting episode of Naruto: The Last Harbinger of Storm! Please like and comment.
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NTLHOS: Chapter 43: Mother Daughter Duo IS OUT!
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