章節 45: Chapter 45: The Gambit Unveiled
Naruto: The Last Harbinger of Storm
Chapter 45: The Gambit Unveiled
Author's Note:
I enjoyed the writing this chapter. Please take a moment to comment and like—your feedback is incredibly valuable to me. Sorry for not having review response today.
Thank you for your continued support! Comment and like.
"The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
But in ourselves, that we are underlings." —William Shakespeare,Julius Caesar
Stay tuned for the next exciting episode of Naruto: The Last Harbinger of Storm! Please like and comment.
Join ThirdFireTriden on Pa(tre) on !
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Reading...
Last time on NTLHOS:
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 atmosphere around Naruto was thick with tension, each second stretching into an eternity as he stood at the epicenter of a brewing storm. The myriad of chakra signatures converging upon him was overwhelming, but he couldn't afford to falter now. Not when so much was at stake.
Now:
Drawing a deep breath, Naruto allowed his chakra to surge, emanating from his body in palpable waves that washed over the crowd. Conversations halted abruptly as civilians and shinobi alike felt the raw power radiating from him. Eyes widened, and a hush fell over the gathered masses, all attention now riveted on the young Uzumaki standing defiantly amidst the chaos.
"People of Konoha," Naruto's voice rang out, strong and clear, cutting through the silence like a blade. "I assure you, this is all a grave misunderstanding."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd, skepticism evident on many faces. Among them, Naruto's supporters looked conflicted, their loyalty battling with confusion, while his detractors wore sneers of disbelief, ready to dismiss his words as mere excuses.
"I am neither under arrest nor being taken against my will," he continued, his gaze sweeping over the assembled clans, lingering momentarily on the stern faces of the Uchiha before moving to the wary eyes of the Sarutobi and the calculating stare of Shikaku. "This is not a restraint but a protection detail following my recent mission."
The crowd erupted into a cacophony of voices.
"He's covering for the higher-ups!" one of Naruto's supporters shouted, his voice tinged with desperation. "He's trying to prevent a conflict!"
"Lies!" another voice, from the opposing faction, cut through the noise. "He's just trying to save face! If he were really free, why is he flanked by ANBU?"
Tension crackled in the air as accusations and defenses flew back and forth, threatening to tip the balance into outright chaos.
Shikaku's eyes narrowed, his sharp mind sensing that Naruto was up to something far more complex than a simple placation. The Jonin Commander's posture shifted subtly, signaling his readiness to intervene should things take a dangerous turn. Around him, other high-ranking shinobi tensed, prepared to act on a moment's notice.
Naruto felt the pressure mounting, time slipping through his fingers like sand. He had to act swiftly and decisively. Channeling more chakra, he intensified his aura, the potent energy forcing silence back over the crowd as awe and a hint of fear replaced their earlier clamor.
His previously calm and conciliatory expression hardened into one of grave seriousness, his eyes blazing with conviction. "I cannot disclose the full scope of my mission," he stated, his voice resonating with authority, "but given the current unrest, I will share this much to ease your concerns and maintain peace within our village."
A ripple of anticipation swept through the crowd, all eyes fixed on Naruto as he prepared to reveal his trump card. Even Shikaku hesitated, and that split-second delay cost him, curiosity evident despite his guarded demeanor.
"During my mission, I encountered Orochimaru of the Sannin," Naruto declared, pausing to let the name and its implications sink in. Gasps and whispers echoed among the onlookers, the notorious reputation of the rogue shinobi sending chills down many spines. "He was conducting vile experiments on innocent people, including some from the Land of Fire itself."
The shock of this revelation held the crowd captive, their earlier hostility now replaced by horror and outrage. Faces contorted in disgust, and murmurs of condemnation against Orochimaru spread like wildfire.
"This is a lie!" someone from the crowd shouted, their voice trembling with disbelief. "If he fought Orochimaru, he'd be dead! No one survives an encounter with a Sannin!"
"I was forced to confront him due to the circumstances," Naruto continued, his voice unwavering. "While my team ensured the safety of those victims, I engaged Orochimaru in battle. The fight was fierce, but I managed to drive him back. And I didn't return empty-handed."
As if on cue, a sudden surge of oppressive presence flooded the area, sending a collective shudder through the crowd, freezing every motion. The God of Shinobi had arrived.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, stood atop a nearby rooftop, his battle armor gleaming ominously under the fading sunlight, casting long shadows that stretched across the village square. His presence, once grandfatherly, was now oppressive and commanding, exuding an aura of absolute power that demanded respect and submission from everyone present. Though he did not flex his chakra, it was undeniable—the sheer weight of his existence and intensity was enough to dwarf Naruto's presence, even with his chakra flaring at its peak.
Lines of age and wisdom were etched deeply into his face, a testament to the countless battles and decisions that had shaped him, but his eyes... his eyes burned with a fierce, unyielding intensity that belied his years, the same eyes that had witnessed wars and crushed enemies without mercy. In this moment, the Professor was gone; standing before them was the God of Shinobi, the very force of nature that had once commanded armies and shaped the destiny of nations with nothing but his will.
As the weight of his presence settled over the village, an eerie silence followed, like the stillness before a devastating storm. Every shinobi, every civilian, felt the undeniable power in the air—Hiruzen Sarutobi was not just a man today; he was Konoha's shield and its sword, and the very balance of the village rested on his shoulders.
Eyes widened, breaths caught in throats, and even the strongest of the gathered shinobi felt their hearts race in anticipation. This was Hiruzen Sarutobi, the man who had trained legends, crushed enemies with a flick of his hand, and carried the will of fire through generations. The God of Shinobi had descended upon them.
And now, he had come for Naruto.
The entire crowd instinctively parted, creating a clear path between the Hokage and Naruto. An eerie silence settled over the scene, the tension now almost tangible as everyone awaited the Hokage's response.
Naruto felt a cold sweat trickle down his spine, his body instinctively reacting to the overwhelming presence of the Professor. Fear clawed at his insides, urging him to stop, to submit, but he clenched his fists and held his ground. This was his moment; he couldn't back down now.
Swallowing hard, Naruto locked eyes with Hiruzen, drawing strength from the determination that burned within him. "I bring good news for Konoha," he announced, his voice steady despite the pounding of his heart. "I fought Orochimaru to within an inch of his life, and I have proof of our encounter."
Shikaku had been briefed on the mission by one of the council's informants, an agent carefully installed in the Land of Grass. The agent hadn't witnessed the battle itself, only the aftermath—the earth trembling as if in pain, the explosive release of chakra that couldn't be concealed or ignored. The land had shaken with a violence that echoed the clash of titanic forces. Then, a report had come in from Sozin Hatake, the leader of the remnants of Naruto's team, confirming that Naruto had engaged Orochimaru and might be in urgent need of backup.
The council, along with its chief strategists, hadn't expected Naruto to survive the encounter with a Sannin. The odds were simply too great. Orochimaru was a legend, a force of nature whose malevolence and power were unparalleled. But soon after, another report came in from the agent—a chilling revelation that many Kusa shinobi had been found dead in their homes and workplaces, their lives snuffed out with surgical precision. A hospital had been reduced to ashes, consumed by flames that left nothing but charred remains. And, most disturbingly, another spy under Danzo reported that a suspected Uzumaki woman was either dead or missing in the fire.
The council convened with the strategists to piece together the puzzle. They calculated the odds, weighed the probabilities. If Naruto had survived the encounter—and there was grim certainty from Danzo's agents that he had—then he had likely discovered the whereabouts of a lost member of his clan. And knowing the Uzumaki, vengeance would have followed. The strategist was convinced that Naruto, driven by the rage of his lineage, had exacted his retribution on the people of Kusa. But it was Shikaku's aunt who was certain—unwaveringly so—that this massacre was Naruto's doing.
The council devised a plan, cold and calculated. If Naruto had indeed survived by escaping or making a deal with the Sannin, he would return to the village, and he would be subdued quickly and efficiently. The strategy was simple but ruthless: if Naruto claimed to have fought Orochimaru, Konoha would deny it, insisting there was no way a young shinobi could have survived a serious encounter with a Sannin. Alternatively, they could pin the Kusa massacre on him. They orchestrated a spectacle, parading him through the village under the guise of an arrest to draw out any rebels. Once gathered, the plan was to crush them swiftly and decisively. Shikaku was once again reminded that the Professor, when the time demanded it, could be even more ruthless than his former student.
The plan was foolproof, even by Nara standards—meticulously crafted, every possible scenario accounted for. The public confrontation was meant to be a display of dominance, drawing out any dissenters so they could be exterminated in one fell swoop. But one Nara, Sukino—his aunt herself—had warned against this course of action. She had argued that such a public confrontation was fraught with danger. It would be safer to eliminate Naruto behind closed doors and then deal with the rebels at their leisure. However, this approach required more work, and the council wanted to draw the rebels out of their holes and crush them in one stroke.
But there was one thing the council had not anticipated—Naruto might have actually injured the Sannin. If that were even possible, it changed everything. Shikaku realized, too late, that his hesitation had been a critical mistake. He shouldn't have allowed Naruto to speak or reveal his hand before the crowd. But the boy had outmaneuvered them all, playing them like pieces on a shogi board. As the truth began to sink in, Shikaku was starting to understand why his aunt was wary of the brain beneath that red mop of hair. Naruto Uzumaki was not just a warrior; he was a tactician, and he had just turned their own strategy against them. The realization sent a chill down his spine—this was no ordinary opponent, and they had vastly underestimated him.
Before anyone could react, Naruto moved swiftly, withdrawing a scroll from his vest with practiced ease. Shikaku's eyes widened in realization, and he began to push through the crowd, attempting to reach Naruto before he could proceed. On the rooftop, Hiruzen's gaze sharpened but remained still, his lips thinning into a stern line as his personal guard tensed, ready to intervene. Any swift action by him now would be seen as a desperate attempt, and he might not stop Naruto in time. After all, the boy was no mere genin.
But Naruto was faster.
In one fluid motion, he unfurled the scroll and channeled a burst of chakra into it. A plume of smoke erupted, dissipating quickly to reveal a severed hand lying atop the unrolled parchment. Gasps of shock and revulsion echoed through the crowd as they took in the gruesome sight. Naruto shouted, "A prize I exacted from the traitorous Sannin!"
The hand was unmistakable—pale and slender, adorned with Orochimaru's signature ornate rings that each of the Sannin had and could not be faked, and most tellingly, the infamous snake summoning tattoo etched darkly into the skin. An ominous aura seemed to emanate from it, amplified by a subtle seal Naruto had incorporated, ensuring that even the most skeptical observers would recognize its authenticity.
A hush fell over the gathering, the weight of Naruto's revelation settling heavily upon them. Eyes flickered between the severed hand and Naruto's resolute face, processing the implications of what they were witnessing.
From his vantage point, Hiruzen's stern expression faltered for a fraction of a second—he knew better than anyone whose hand it was—a flicker of surprise echoed on his face before his stoic mask reasserted itself. Beside him, his guards exchanged uncertain glances, clearly caught off guard by this unexpected turn of events.
Shikaku halted his advance, his sharp mind recalculating in light of this new information. His gaze met Naruto's, and for a moment, an unspoken acknowledgment passed between them—a recognition of a well-played move in the intricate game of shadows they all navigated.
Whispers broke out among the crowd, growing steadily louder as disbelief turned to awe and admiration. Supporters of Naruto began cheering, their voices ringing with pride and vindication. Even some of his former detractors looked impressed, their hostility dampened by the undeniable proof before them, and the neutrals who were acting on orders cheered for Konoha's victory.
The ball was now in Hiruzen's court, and the entire village waited with bated breath for his response.
For a long, tense moment, Hiruzen remained silent, his gaze thoughtful as he studied the young man before him. Then, slowly, he descended from the rooftop, landing gracefully amidst the gathered shinobi. The crowd parted further, creating a respectful distance as the Hokage approached Naruto.
Standing face to face, the difference in their stature was evident, yet Naruto's unwavering gaze and resolute posture conveyed a strength that belied his youth. Hiruzen began the game; his eyes softened slightly as he regarded the young shinobi before him.
"Jonin Uzumaki," the Hokage began, his voice deep and commanding, yet tinged with a note of bitterness so slight that most wouldn't notice. "You have done Konoha a great service. Facing Orochimaru and returning victorious is no small feat."
A murmur of agreement rippled through the crowd, and Naruto felt a surge of relief wash over him, though he kept his composure intact.
"However," Hiruzen continued, his tone growing sterner, "such matters are sensitive and should be handled with discretion. Publicly displaying evidence of this nature can cause unnecessary panic and may compromise ongoing operations."
Naruto inclined his head respectfully. "I understand, Lord Hokage. My intention was to alleviate the immediate tensions and prevent potential conflict. The situation was escalating rapidly, and I believed this was the most effective way to restore order. I apologize for overstepping my bounds."
Hiruzen studied him for a moment longer before nodding slowly. "Your intentions are commendable, but remember, there are protocols in place for a reason. In the future, trust that the proper channels will handle such revelations appropriately. And we will discuss your actions today in more detail during your debriefing in two hours. Dismissed."
"Yes, sir," Naruto replied, his voice steady.
The Hokage's gaze lingered on him a moment more before he turned to address the crowd, his presence commanding immediate attention. "Citizens and shinobi of Konoha, let this serve as a reminder of our strength and resilience. Threats will arise, but together, we will overcome them. Return to your duties and rest assured that the village remains secure."
With the Hokage's words, the tension in the air dissipated significantly. The crowd began to disperse, conversations buzzing with the day's events but lacking the earlier hostility. Clansmen exchanged measured glances before retreating, and the ANBU loosened their stances, though remained vigilant.
As the area cleared, Hiruzen turned back to the retreating figure of Uzumaki Naruto. Behind them, Shikaku watched thoughtfully, his mind already analyzing the ripple effects of the day's events and the inevitable retaliation that would follow. Despite the smiles and platitudes exchanged today, the next battle would take place in the council chamber.
Hiruzen Sarutobi appeared in the council hall in a whirl of leaves, his arrival like a sharp, cold wind that silenced the room. The chamber was packed with the most powerful figures in Konoha—Koharu, Homura, Danzo, Aluraya, and even the unpredictable Sukino Nara. Shikaku Nara, Larac Sarutobi, Tsume Inuzuka, and the other clan heads loyal to their respective factions followed closely behind, their faces set in grim determination. Shikaku noticed with unease that Inoichi and Choza, his closest allies, were conspicuously absent, adding to the tension that gripped him. Even Hiashi Hyuga, who usually remained neutral, was present, his face impassive but his sharp eyes taking in everything. The Aburame clan head, Shibi, stood next to his father, Shijen, their silent presence a testament to their power.
Hiruzen, still simmering from the earlier confrontation, attempted to break the tension with a comment aimed at Sukino. "You've gotten faster in your older years, Sukino. You beat me here."
Sukino Nara's eyes gleamed with a chaotic mix of brilliance and madness, her high-pitched giggle filling the room with an eerie, childlike sound that was both unsettling and captivating. Her lips twisted into a smile that was more of a sneer, dripping with mock innocence and venom. "Oh, Hiruzen, you silly, old monkey," she sneered, her voice a sharp contrast between playful and poisonous. "I didn't stay to listen to your empty platitudes and babbling. The second that boy waved your shame like a banner and put the entire audience in his pocket, I left. Why linger to watch you fumble and fail?"
Her words were laced with mockery, cutting through the air like a blade. There was a madness in her tone, but it was tempered by the razor-sharp intellect that only a Nara could possess. Sukino wasn't just clever; she was dangerous, a mind filled with labyrinthine schemes and violent whims. Her unpredictability made her both a valuable ally and a terrifying enemy—an enigma that even Hiruzen had to navigate carefully.
Hiruzen's eyes darkened at her biting words, but before he could respond, the doors to the chamber swung open, and an ANBU squad marched in, their movements precise and disciplined. They knelt before the Hokage, ready to report that Naruto had been secured in the Tower. But before they could even begin, Danzo's cold voice sliced through the silence.
"Bear," Danzo barked, his single eye narrowing to a slit. "Has your squad's incompetence reached new depths that you allowed an arrested officer to address a volatile crowd?"
Bear's mask remained impassive, but before he could speak, Hiruzen dismissed them with a curt wave, his frustration evident.
Danzo turned his icy gaze back to Hiruzen, his voice dripping with condescension. "If this is the standard of your ANBU today, I pity the Leaf. When I commanded them, they were more competent on their worst days."
Homura, always quick to seize an opportunity, chimed in with a voice as sharp as a kunai. "The boy must not go unpunished, Hiruzen. He revealed mission details to the public—"
"And he's growing more arrogant by the day," Koharu added, her tone filled with disdain, her eyes narrowing as if Naruto's very existence was an affront to her.
Before the conversation could spiral into more petty blame-shifting, Shikaku stepped forward, his calm voice cutting through the rising tension like a blade. "Let's not waste time blaming each other or the ANBU. We made our move, and the Uzumaki outsmarted us. The real question now is how we're going to conduct the council meeting with the clan heads. This has grown too big for the elder council alone."
Danzo's lips curled into a sneer, his voice dripping with contempt. "This is a dictatorship, not an aristocracy, where nobles can question the leadership."
Hiashi Hyuga, always the embodiment of nobility and measured thought, spoke up, his tone calm but firm. "Perhaps on paper, Lord Danzo. But in practice, you don't have the support to call this a dictatorship. Remember, it's the Daimyo who rules this land. If the Hokage bypasses the council after an event that nearly sparked a civil war, the other clan heads will undoubtedly involve the Daimyo. And lest we forget, the Uchiha are still a founding clan, with the right to question leadership when the village's stability is at risk. The only way to prevent their intervention is with a veto from the Senju clan, and unless you can convince Lady Tsunade to return to the village for that, your power here is tenuous at best. Dissolve the council if you like, but know that it will create deep dissatisfaction among the clans, even many among us, and further strain our economy—especially after the fallout from the Mist incident. The elemental nations will see this as a sign of internal weakness."
Shinjin Aburame, the former head of the Aburame clan, nodded slowly, his words deliberate and heavy with meaning. "While I might not put it in the same words, Lord Hiashi speaks the truth. Theoretical discussions about the power of the Hokage post should be avoided. We need practical solutions."
Shikaku's mind was racing, searching for a way through the intricate web of politics and power plays. "We can debate blame all night, but it won't change the fact that Uzumaki was one step ahead of us. We need to focus on what we can do in the council meeting that starts in two hours. The boy is clever—damn clever—to have come up with a solution so quickly on his feet."
The room fell into an uneasy silence, tension crackling in the air like the prelude to a violent storm. And then, Sukino's laughter—high, manic, and disturbingly childlike—pierced through the quiet, drawing every eye to her. Her eyes, wide with manic glee, glistened with something almost feral, a look that sent chills down even the most hardened shinobi's spine.
"You're still a green boy, aren't you, itty-bitty Shika?" she cooed, her voice dripping with mockery and dangerous playfulness. Her head tilted slightly, as if she were regarding an insect caught in a web of her own making. "Still wet behind the ears if you believe that Uzumaki came up with this on his feet. YOU IDIOTS, with your inflated self-importance and arrogance, think you're the great predators who laid a trap for a deer, placing it in the same cage as a tiger. And when the deer is wounded after it escaped from a jackal, or should I say a snake instead of a jackal and an old monkey instead of a tiger, you think it was clever?"
Her tone shifted, the mock innocence peeling away like old skin to reveal something darker, more malevolent. Her eyes gleamed with a twisted intelligence, the kind that cut through the layers of deception and manipulation with the precision of a blade through flesh. "You fools! Incompetent nitwits! He anticipated that you would do something like this. Like that young monkey Larac and his lackeys, those Uchiha were planted there by the boy, not by you. Every single member of his faction that you idiots thought you conveniently assembled there were ordered or coerced, known or unknown to them, by the boy. He wanted that exact picture, that exact moment. Kamado and the Uchiha elders charging toward the site with their chakra blazing—do you think that was coincidence? No, it was to pressure Hiruzen's naive little Bear to let him speak. And you played right into his hands by sending reinforcements, adding fuel to the fire. The self-righteous Bear allowed a highly decorated ANBU captain to calm the crowd and take him to the hearing. The trap you thought you set for him? It was always his. He laid it like a crocodile, its mouth wide open, waiting for the birds to clean its teeth—only to snap them up for breakfast."
As she spoke, her words began to pick up pace, her voice rising in pitch and intensity, a frenetic energy infusing her every syllable. She wasn't just explaining; she was reveling in it, savoring the chaos, the way her words sliced through the arrogance and left only raw, bleeding truth behind. Her fingers twitched, as if she wanted to reach out and claw the realization into their minds, force them to see the brilliance of the trap they had so foolishly walked into.
The room fell silent once more, her words hanging in the air like a noose. The realization that Naruto Uzumaki was no ordinary player in this game hit them like a ton of bricks—he was a force to be reckoned with, and they had severely underestimated him.
Sukino leaned back in her chair, a satisfied smirk playing on her lips, her eyes gleaming with a dangerous mix of intelligence and insanity. "Well, Hiruzen," she drawled, her voice soft and sweet, yet laced with venom. "It looks like the old monkey has been outwitted by the young Uzumaki. What a delightful turn of events, wouldn't you say? And if I'm talking nonsense, where is the Uzumaki woman he saved from the Land of Grass? Do you really think he wouldn't have an alibi to skirt around the Kusa fiasco? The boy plays the long game, and you all walked right into it."
Shikaku's face grew pale as the weight of Sukino's words settled in. It wasn't that he hadn't considered this possibility—it was that he had dismissed it as too far-fetched, too impossible to be true. But when Sukino laid it out like she did, it was not only plausible but terrifying. Naruto had anticipated their every move, played them against one another, and emerged victorious in the most unexpected way.
Danzo, who had been silently fuming, finally spoke, his voice tight with barely controlled anger. "Aren't you overestimating the boy?"
Despite the question, there was an edge to Danzo's tone—a subtle acknowledgment that Sukino's analysis, no matter how disturbing, was likely accurate. Danzo knew better than to question Sukino's sharp mind; if she believed this was what happened, then it was a possibility they couldn't afford to ignore.
"Overestimating?" Sukino scoffed, her eyes glinting with a manic light. "I don't think I've even begun to properly estimate him. The boy acts so erratically that he might be more insane than I am. One moment, he's a mastermind, pulling strings like a seasoned player, and the next, he's an innocent boy who's just started to play the game."
Tsume Inuzuka, always ready for a fight, spoke up with fierce confidence, "Lord Hokage can handle him in the council meeting. We still hold the majority."
Before anyone could respond, Sukino's laugh cut through the tension like a blade, sharp and mocking, reverberating off the chamber walls with an almost musical malevolence. "Where do you find such jokers, Saru?" she sneered, her eyes gleaming with manic glee. The nickname "Saru," short for "monkey," was an old barb she had used for Hiruzen since their youth, a reminder of their shared history but also a twisted jab at his leadership.
Tsume's eyes narrowed instantly at the insult, her feral instincts flaring as she prepared to retaliate. But before she could unleash the storm brewing inside her, an elder from her clan, Fuoren Inuzuka—an old warrior whose body bore the marks of countless battles—placed a firm, calloused hand on her shoulder. He shook his head with the slow, deliberate movement of someone who had survived the worst life could throw at him and had learned the hard way when to hold his tongue. His other hand, almost unconsciously, scratched behind the ears of one of the massive ninken at his side, a gesture as much to calm himself as it was to placate the beast. The other clan heads shared glances, a mixture of pity and amusement flickering in their eyes, as if silently communicating, Better you than us, Tsume.
Tsume scowled but held her tongue, though her ninken let out a low, rumbling growl in a show of solidarity.
Sukino's smile widened, curling into a grin that was more serpentine than human. Her eyes, wild with malicious delight, sparkled dangerously as she leaned forward, her voice dripping with venomous amusement. "And what will Saru do, hmm? Punish the boy for daring to challenge his prodigious little snake? His most beloved student, the apple of his eye?" Each word was laced with biting sarcasm, like needles aimed directly at Hiruzen's pride.
She leaned back with the air of a predator toying with its prey, her tone deceptively casual. "Not only did the boy not just fight the snake, but he nearly sent that slimy creature slithering straight to the afterlife. If that hand had been severed by surprise, it would have turned to ash in an instant. The ring would have magically reappeared on a new hand, and the tattoo would have vanished without a trace. But no... What will Saru do? March into the council chamber, puffed up with all his grand authority, grab the Uzumaki by the scruff, and demand, 'How dare you cut off the hand of my precious student?'"
Her voice rose in pitch and intensity as she spoke, building to a crescendo of madness that was both terrifying and enthralling. The wild delight in her eyes seemed to feed off the discomfort spreading throughout the room. Even Hiruzen, usually so composed, winced at the crude, yet painfully accurate portrayal. The elders exchanged uneasy glances, while the clan heads shifted in their seats, clearly unsettled by the visceral image Sukino was crafting.
"But here's the twist," Sukino continued, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper that still managed to carry across the room, "If this were any other issue, no matter how serious or genuine, Hiruzen could have punished the boy—could have destroyed him for breaking protocol. But this? This is the only black mark on Hiruzen's record—the fact that Orochimaru still lives."
Just as the tension seemed ready to snap, Sukino's expression transformed, her earlier madness giving way to a dangerous, calculating gleam. She clapped her hands together, the sudden noise startling in the otherwise silent room, and her grin broadened, like a cat that had just cornered a mouse with no escape.
"But I have a plan," she announced, her voice dripping with mischief and confidence. "Let's play a new gambit. The boy might have played the queen's gambit and made us feel rather small, but we still have pieces on the board. Let's see how well he handles the King's Gambit."
Her words hung in the air, the implications as clear as the cunning in her eyes. Despite her insanity—or perhaps because of it—Sukino had devised a new strategy, a way to regain control of the situation that had been slipping through their fingers. Her grin was wild and unsettling, the kind that made even the most battle-hardened shinobi hesitate.
The others in the room exchanged uneasy glances, uncertain whether to be relieved by her plan or terrified of what it might entail. Sukino's schemes were as brilliant as they were unpredictable, often balancing on the razor's edge of madness. Yet, there was no denying the raw intelligence that underpinned every twisted idea she conjured, nor the sheer thrill she derived from playing these dangerous games.
Hiruzen, for his part, remained silent, his face a mask of deep contemplation. He knew better than anyone that Sukino was both their greatest asset and their most volatile element. Whatever gambit she had in mind, it would be anything but straightforward. But in this moment, with the village's future hanging in the balance, it might be their only chance to outmanoeuvre Naruto Uzumaki—a boy who had proven himself far more formidable than they had ever anticipated.
AN:I wanted to include a diluted version of Mark Antony's speech fromJulius Caesarin this chapter, but due to time constraints—especially for Naruto's speech—I couldn't. Maybe next time! I hope you found this chapter a good surprise nonetheless.
Stay tuned for the next chapter of Naruto: The Last Harbinger of Storm. What plans do Sukino Nara have in store, and can Naruto outmanoeuvre her? Find out next time!
Stay tuned for the next exciting episode of Naruto: The Last Harbinger of Storm! Please like and comment.
Join ThirdFireTriden on Pa(tre) on !
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Unlock exclusive access of chapters, detailed lemons, and stunning illustrations by way images! Be the first to dive into the latest adventures and enjoy content not available anywhere else.
What you get:
Early access to new chapters. Exclusive, detailed lemon scenes. High-quality artwork and illustrations. Voting rights to influence the story's direction. The opportunity to provide suggestions and feedback.
Become a pa (tr)on today and be part of the story!
Thank you all for your comments and support! Your feedback helps me grow as a writer, and I love hearing your thoughts. Keep the questions and insights coming!
Thank You
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票