章節 71: Chapter 71: "Echoes of Thunder
Naruto: The Last Harbinger of Storm
Chapter 71: "Echoes of Thunder
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"War is not about who is right but who is left."
— Bertrand Russell
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Author's Note:
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Thanks for your support and patience as always! 💖 Stay tuned for the twists and turns ahead!"
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NTLHOS: Chapter 72: The Silent Rebellion IS OUT!
NTLHOS: Chapter 73: Glimpse of the Kami no Shinobi IS OUT !
NTLHOS: Chapter 74: Tempest of Despair and Hope IS OUT!
NTLHOS: Chapter 75: The Great Assembling IS OUT!
NTLHOS: Chapter 76: The Whirlpool's Dominions IS OUT!
NTLHOS: Chapter 77: The Grand Ploy IS OUT!
Chapter 79: Part -II- A Pawn Crosses the Board to Become a Queen IS OUT !
NTLHOS: Chapter 80: Introspection And Good Times IS OUT ! ( Lemon Tsunade)
NTLHOS:Chapter 81: The Past Collides With The Seeds Of The Future. IS OUT!
NTLHOS: Chapter 82: The Great Board Takes Shape IS OUT!!!
NTLHOS: Chapter 83: I Don't Know!!!
NTLHOS: The Coronation Begins IS OUT!!!!!(New)
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Last time on NTLHOS:
A shadow crossed her face as she continued, "But on our journey, we were separated. My parents were lost, and later… I heard the rumors of Lady Kushina's death. I was captured not long after, forced into servitude in that wretched facility." Her voice cracked slightly, her eyes glistening with the weight of her memories. "I thought the line was lost, but seeing you, my prince… there is hope again."
Naruto placed a hand on her shoulder, both honoring her loyalty and accepting it. In Honoka, he saw more than just an Uzumaki survivor; he saw untapped potential and family.
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Now:
The Land of Rice Paddies was cloaked in an eerie stillness, the kind that seemed to smother sound and amplify tension. Kakashi's team moved through its narrow paths, their movements pedestrian, each of them disguised as ordinary travellers. Despite the calm façade, every one of them was on edge.
As they closed in on the place, it was Asuma who broke the tense silence, his voice tinged with an edge of unease. "You sure about this, Kakashi?" he asked, his casual tone betrayed by a thin sheen of sweat on his brow. "I mean, not that I think he can take us or anything," he added, with a hint of forced bravado.
Guy, ever the optimist, spoke next, though his voice lacked its usual buoyant energy. "Taking him down will be difficult with just us," he admitted. "But with Itachi on our side, the odds tilt in our favor."
Kakashi remained silent, his single visible eye betraying no emotion as he led the group to their destination—a nondescript inn on the outskirts of a bustling rice village. The sign outside was faded, the wood splintered with age. To any casual observer, it was an unremarkable establishment, but Kakashi knew better.
He approached the innkeeper, a stout woman whose wary eyes flicked toward him. Leaning in, Kakashi murmured the passphrase in a hushed tone.
The woman nodded curtly, her lips barely moving as she whispered, "Room 119."
Kakashi stiffened slightly. ANBU codes were second nature to him, and he immediately translated the message: Room 249. With a subtle nod, he turned to the others, leading them up the creaking staircase to the uppermost floor.
When they reached the door, Kakashi knocked in a deliberate pattern—three quick taps, followed by two slow ones with chakra lased in his fingers. A soft click followed as the door opened, revealing none other than Itachi Uchiha. He stood as stoic as ever, his ANBU mask in hand, flanked by three other operatives: Bear, Spider, and White Tiger.
Kakashi's gaze lingered on Spider and White Tiger. His masked expression betrayed nothing, but he felt a flicker of unease. "Why these two specifically?" he asked, his voice low.
Itachi's dark eyes remained impassive as he replied, "Orders."
With no further explanation forthcoming, Kakashi stepped inside. The team gathered in a circle, their movements synchronized by years of discipline. Though the room was heavy with tension, the ANBU operatives betrayed nothing. Only Kakashi and Itachi, trained to read even the smallest shifts, could see the faint unease emanating from Spider and White Tiger.
Once everyone was seated, Kakashi broke the silence. "What have you uncovered, Itachi?"
Itachi's voice was as measured as ever, betraying no emotion. "We've been conducting reconnaissance for the past three days. The target is here. He's been meeting with nobles and negotiating with tribal shinobi clans in the nearby forest. If my estimation is correct, he will leave by sunrise tomorrow."
Guy leaned forward, his brow furrowed. "You're sure it's him? His deceptions are infamous."
"Positive," Itachi said firmly. "Spider has unique methods of confirmation, and Bear's sensory capabilities leave little room for error."
With the target confirmed, the group turned their attention to strategy.
"The plan is straightforward," Itachi began, his voice calm and measured. "At the break of dawn, we strike. Spider, White Tiger, and Bear, you will engage the target directly alongside Asuma and Guy. Kurenai will maintain her position at a distance, providing essential genjutsu support. Kakashi and I will remain concealed, offering ranged assistance as needed and serving as the element of surprise. If an opening presents itself during the confrontation, we will eliminate the target swiftly and decisively amidst the chaos, he should not know of our presence."
Spider raised her hand hesitantly. "I'm not a close-combat specialist," she said. "While I've trained for it, my skills are better suited to support roles, particularly genjutsu."
Itachi's gaze sharpened, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Your close-combat techniques are lethal when used correctly. You will engage as I've instructed."
Asuma leaned back, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "The man we're hunting is no ordinary opponent," he said. "He's dangerous for a reason. If Kakashi isn't in the thick of things, the target will see through the distraction."
"That's precisely why Kakashi and I will remain hidden," Itachi countered, his tone unyielding. "Our dojutsu makes us far better suited for stealth. Kurenai will accompany us, her presence detectable to the target to provide a false sense of security, ensuring that Kakashi and I remain undetected until the perfect moment to strike."
There was a moment of silence as they digested the mission details. "Then it's settled," Kakashi said finally, his voice calm. "We move at dawn."
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A hooded figure moved silently through the dense forest, the grey cloak draped over his form blending into the shadows of the trees. The man treaded lightly, but his sharp senses told him he wasn't alone. Behind him, a team of shinobi trailed, hidden yet not undetected.
Bear, crouched on a tree branch, flashed a signal to his team. Quickly weaving two hand seals, he pressed his palms against the bark. Wood Release: Piercing Branch Spears (Mokuton: Tsutsuga no Yari)—thin, needle-like constructs shot out from the ground, aimed directly at the hooded figure's back.
As the attack struck home, Asuma, standing nearby, couldn't help himself. "Did we get him?" he asked, though he immediately regretted the rookie question.
The figure dissolved into mud. Earth Release: Mud Clone (Doton: Dorō Bunshin). From the forest floor, the real figure emerged, his voice smooth, edged with amusement. "You might as well come out now. I've known you were following me for the past twenty minutes."
On cue, five individuals dropped from the canopy, landing silently on the ground.
The man's gaze swept across the group, his sharp eyes glinting as they settled on two masked ANBU operatives. A grin tugged at his lips. "Ah, they've sent you two for this mission, haven't they? Tiger and Spider…" His attention shifted, landing on Guy. "And Maito Guy, the only one in this ragtag team I might actually have to worry about."
Guy stepped forward, his expression stern. "If you think you've outgrown us, Naruto, you've grown arrogant."
Naruto chuckled lightly and lowered his hood, revealing vibrant red hair and piercing blue eyes. Tossing the cloak aside, he stood bare-chested, his physique honed to perfection.
Turning his attention back to the ANBU operatives, Naruto smirked. "Sending my own kohais against me… how cruel. Tell me, haven't you explained to them yet, Sozin, Inori? You two ate dirt more times than I can count when I was putting you through your paces."
The ANBU hesitated but removed their masks. Sozin's expression was hard. "We've improved since then."
Naruto mockingly wiped an imaginary tear from his eye. "My dear kohais… and Guy-senpai… here to put little old me down? What have I ever done to deserve such treatment?"
"You've changed," Guy said, his tone both surprised and reflective. "You've developed a sense of humor and shed that rigidity—you were as rigid and uptight as the Hokage Monument itself."."
Naruto scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Old habits die hard, Senpai. An old man did teach me to live a little, you know…" His demeanor suddenly shifted as his gaze shifted to a tree nearby with amusement. "But it's getting annoying, trying to reconnect with old friends while someone rudely uses genjutsu on me."
From the shadows, A shocked Kurenai dropped gracefully to the ground, stunned. Naruto hadn't even blinked, yet he'd effortlessly broken through her Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death (Magen: Jubaku Satsu), a high A-rank genjutsu she had been subtly and steadily powering. She hadn't expected to deceive him for long—she was meant to be a diversion—but his casual dispelling without even a blink left her shaken. For a fleeting moment, she felt the urge to blush when his sharp blue eyes briefly fell on her, this possibly being the first time he had truly noticed her. But she far too professional to do that.
Naruto regarded her briefly before turning back to Guy, dismissing her with a casual, "You really should teach your Kohais not to interrupt, Senpai."
Finally, his attention shifted to Bear. "Ah, Captain Bear… the wielder of Mokuton. I've heard of rumours, though we never had the opportunity to work together in ANBU despite our acquaintance." His tone was almost conversational, yet carried an edge.
"How's everything in the Leaf these days? How's Lord Hatake faring?" Then, with a knowing smirk, he added, "Kakashi, Itachi, don't be shy. Come join us. Kakashi always hides his face—shy as ever—but Itachi? I wouldn't have pegged you for the shy type. Then again, you never did enjoy social gatherings."
Itachi dropped from the treetops first, his Sharingan active but unreadable. Kakashi followed, slower, his demeanor guarded. Even the stoic Uchiha's eyes widened imperceptibly at Naruto's ability to pinpoint their hidden locations.
"You two are good," Naruto admitted, his smirk widening. "But I'm not called the best sensor and infiltrator in the business for nothing."
Kakashi sighed. "I should've expected as much."
Naruto's sharp eyes glinted as he turned his attention back to Itachi. "Hello Itachi long time, How's Lady Mikoto doing? The Uchihas and the Hatake clan—I've heard they were pushed to the edge again recently. And then, just like that, the good old Lord Third brings them back to the table now that war looms. Mixed signals, aren't they? Makes a man wonder… so confusing....."
Mid-sentence, Naruto suddenly leaped into the air, forming a crouch mid-motion as Kakashi's Lightning Blade(Raikiri) and Guy's Dynamic Entry (Dainamikku Entorī) came at him from opposite directions.
With a fluid motion, Naruto's hand was encased in Storm Release: Plasma Fist (Ranton: Purazuma no Tenohira) caught Kakashi's wrist, redirecting Kakashi's Lightning Blade toward Guy. The taijutsu master backflipped just in time, avoiding the redirected attack.
Naruto didn't have a moment to rest as Asuma charged, his trench knives glowing with Wind Release: Blade of Wind(Fūton: Kaze no Ha). Naruto sidestepped the first slash and ducked under the second, stepping into Asuma's guard. With a powerful reverse spin kick, Naruto sent Asuma hurtling into a tree.
Asuma was flying, Sozin attacked, his White Chakra Saber (Shiroi Chakra no Tsurugi) gleaming. Naruto met him head-on with Arashi unsealed in a moment, their weapons clashing with a resounding clang. Meanwhile, he formed a seal-less Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere (Fūton: Shinkūgyoku) with his mouth, launching it toward Inori, who threw senbon coated in lightning to counter creating a mini explosion.
The battlefield stilled for a second, everyone stunned by Naruto's mastery. The seamless blending of his Vaccum and wind manipulation—without seals—was something only the rarest shinobi could achieve. Even Itachi's usually calm gaze betrayed a flicker of surprise.
Naruto's eyes flickered toward Sozin in time to catch the shinobi charging in. With a sharp twist, Naruto delivered a punishing kick, sending Sozin sprawling to the ground. The groaning ANBU muttered, "Still kicks like a mule," as he staggered back to his feet. Trusting his hand to the ground, he ducked Kakashi's incoming strike and formed a sudden barrier of water with Water Release: Water Wall (Suiton: Suijinheki), intercepting Itachi's blazing Fireball Jutsu (Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu).
Kakashi came at him again, his lightning-coated kunai crackling with deadly intent. With a fluid motion, Naruto unsealed the Kusanagi from his scroll, meeting Kakashi's kunai with one blade while his second sword, Arashi, engaged Sozin, who had rejoined the fray. The sight of Naruto's dual-sword combat was a shock to all watching—swift, brutal, and relentless. But even his skill couldn't completely shield him, and a perfectly-timed kick from Guy sent Naruto flying back, crashing into a tree with a resounding crack.
Naruto rose slowly as he was woounded, dusting off the splinters as he rotated his wrists and flourished his swords. His narrowed eyes hardened with focus as he reengaged, weaving through Sozin's and Asuma's attacks while deftly evading Kakashi's Chidori and Guy's punishing kicks. The presence of both Guy and Sozin created a chaotic rhythm that hindered Naruto's momentum. And lurking on the periphery was Itachi, his cold, calculating gaze observing and analysing every move.
Naruto's expression shifted as he realized the distractions were deliberate. His eyes steeled with resolve. Enough.
In an instant, he vanished with the use of Shisui's Mirage Body Flicker (Shunshin no Shisui), the displacement so seamless that even Itachi's trained Sharingan struggled to track it. Recognizing the technique, Itachi moved to intercept, appearing to counter just as Naruto materialized before Kurenai. But Naruto was a step ahead. With a sudden burst of speed, he seized Itachi's wrist mid-strike, shocking the Uchiha with a surge of Storm Release: Plasma Discharge, electrifying him and sending him sprawling backward with a kick.
Before anyone could react, Naruto vanished and struck Kurenai with a precise chop to her neck, rendering her unconscious. He threw a poisoned senbon at her for good measure, ensuring she would stay down.
Guy lunged at him with a ferocious roundhouse kick, but Naruto ducked low, seamlessly transitioning into close combat. His hands blurred as he engaged Guy in taijutsu, the sound of their strikes reverberating across the battlefield. Every time Guy managed to land a hit, the bruises on Naruto's skin seemed to heal almost instantly, unnerving his opponents.
In the heat of their clash, Guy's elbow collided with Naruto's palm, and in that moment, Naruto slapped a seal onto Guy's attire. With a backflip, Naruto activated the Gravity Seal, increasing the weight on Guy by 120 times. Even without his training weights, Guy was forced to the ground, pinned by the seal's immense pressure.
Naruto shifted his focus to Sozin and Asuma, engaging them in close combat while his clone occupied Kakashi. Another clone had snuck behind Inori, silently incapacitating her with a paralytic poison. Itachi, meanwhile, had moved the fallen kunoichis away from the main conflict, ensuring they wouldn't be caught in the crossfire. But Naruto was already calculating his next move.
As Itachi charged toward him, Naruto decided it was time to end the games. He kicked Sozin aside with a devastating blow and turned his attention to Asuma. "Consider this a warning to the Third for his idiocy," he said coldly. In a flash, Naruto slashed through Asuma's torso with Arashi, disarming him with brutal efficiency. With an ominous smirk, he whispered "this is one the first jutsu I created", "Water Needle Jutsu (Suiton: Mizu Hari no Jutsu)," sending four waves of water needles into Asuma's hands and knees. The jutsu pierced through Asuma's kneecaps like lasers, drawing a scream of agony as the jōnin collapsed, incapacitated.
Kakashi and Guy, having destroyed Naruto's clones, rushed to retrieve Asuma. Guy, now freed from the restrictive seal after tearing away the affected part of his vest, activated the Second Gate of the Eight Gates, unleashing a surge of explosive chakra as he joined Kakashi in the assault. The ground trembled beneath his feet, his power radiating like a tidal wave.
Meanwhile, Itachi stood firm, his Sharingan spinning with precision as he executed a swift series of seals. A massive Fire Dragon Jutsu (Katon: Karyū Endan) erupted from his position, the blazing serpent roaring through the air toward Naruto, its heat distorting the surroundings.
Naruto's expression remained calm, his hands flashing through a three-seal sequence as he countered with a towering Water Dragon Jutsu (Suiton: Suiryūdan no Jutsu). The enormous water construct dwarfed Itachi's flames, crashing against them with a deafening roar. The resulting explosion sent shockwaves rippling outward, blanketing the battlefield in a thick veil of steam and water vapor.
As the battlefield hissed and seethed in the aftermath, Itachi's hands moved once more, weaving a complex set of seals. "Fire Style: Colossal Inferno," he intoned, his voice calm yet commanding. An immense wave of flames surged forward, consuming the lingering remnants of the water dragon. The firestorm swept across the terrain, evaporating the mist entirely and leaving the battlefield scorched and barren, a testament to the raw power unleashed.
While this unfolded, a clone of Naruto had already engaged Tenzo (Bear), isolating him from the main battlefield. The clone wielded Storm Release: Plasma Infusion, tearing through Tenzo's Mokuton techniques with precision.
Back at the main fight, Sozin recovered and moved to assist Itachi, while Kakashi, Guy, and Tenzo re-entered the fray. Their combined efforts seemed only to fuel Naruto's momentum. In the chaos, Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan flickered to life for a brief moment, his intention clear—to see why his genjutsu was not working.
But Itachi's eyes widened in astonishment as Naruto smirked. "Surprised, Itachi?" he taunted, his tone sharp with amusement. "Your genjutsu won't work on me."
Itachi's Sharingan bore witness to something unprecedented. Naruto had crafted a counter-seal so advanced that it left even the Uchiha prodigy momentarily stunned. The seal functioned like a construct—an artificial alter ego—that absorbed and contained genjutsu, trapping it in a perpetual loop within the seal. Naruto himself remained completely unaffected, moving unimpeded through the battlefield.
The amazement cost Itachi. Before he could recover, Naruto closed the gap with a sudden burst of speed, landing a powerful kick that sent the Uchiha skidding back. Sozin, who attempted to retaliate, was incapacitated in an instant. Naruto unleashed Vacuum Bullet (Shinkūdan) and followed it with an Electric Hound (Raiton: Raijū Hashiri), which stunned Sozin. In the next second, Naruto vanished with Mirage Shunshin and reappeared behind Sozin, delivering a precise poisoned slash that left him paralyzed.
As Itachi stood, recovering from the blow, he glanced at Naruto with a newfound sense of respect. The construct seal Naruto had developed reminded him of something from the ANBU archives—the Yakumo heiress, who had once struggled with uncontrolled genjutsu, had required Naruto's assistance. But Naruto's execution was far superior. His seal not only created an artificial alter ego but also locked foreign genjutsu in a contained loop, rendering them entirely ineffective.
"Ingenious," Itachi thought, his stoic exterior barely hiding his suprise of Naruto's brilliance.
The tide shifted as Kakashi, Guy, Tenzo, and Itachi regrouped, determination etched into their faces. Guy activated the Fourth Gate, his chakra exploding like a wildfire.
Naruto's expression darkened as he watched them gather. Cracking his neck, he let his own chakra explode outward in a harmonious surge of Storm Release: Plasma Cloak, its radiant red energy crackling with pure, refined power. This was no crude display like the previous time he used it—it was mastery incarnate, controlled and perfected from the Kumo scrolls.
Naruto clashed with Guy in a head-on collision. The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the forest, blasting Guy backward into a tree with earth-shattering force.
Kakashi, watching the scene with his Sharingan, muttered in disbelief, "Even with the Sharingan, it's nearly impossible to track his movements. His speed… it's beyond anything we've seen."
Itachi's voice was grim, his Mangekyō blazing. "He's reached the next level—he's transcended."
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The battlefield grew tense as Naruto's sharp eyes caught the flicker of Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan activating. Without hesitation, Naruto averted his gaze, fully aware of the power that resided in those eyes. If anything could bypass his seals, it was the Sharingan's highest form. Naruto's fingers came together in a quick seal. "Kirigakure no Jutsu!" (Hidden Mist Jutsu) he declared, and the battlefield was consumed in a dense, rolling mist.
Kakashi's eye widened in alarm. "Damn it! We can't let this happen. He'll be untouchable in there!" he warned.
"On it!" Tenzo replied. Slamming his hands to the ground, he called forth Mokuton: Jubaku Eisō! (Wood Release: Binding Nest), summoning a dry forest devoid of water content to counteract the mist.
The arid construct was short-lived as Itachi moved next, weaving rapid seals and releasing Katon: Gōka Mekkyaku!(Fire Release: Majestic Destroyer Flame). The forest ignited instantly, the blaze roaring to life and evaporating much of the mist. Just as the group began to regain visibility, a chilling laughter echoed from all sides.
"Impressive teamwork," Naruto's voice mocked, its origin impossible to pin down in the haze. "You know, it reminds me of something I saw long ago. The Third Hokage performed a combination jutsu—Katon: Gōka Mekkyaku (Fire Release: Majestic Destroyer Flame) and Raiton: Gian (Lightning Release: False Darkness)—to create an SS-rank fire tornado against Kisame Hoshigaki and Zabuza Momochi. I'm not quite at that level… but I've made something of my own, taking that as inspiration."
Naruto's voice grew colder, charged with raw power, as he declared, "Typhoon Release: Wrath of Fūjin!"
The battlefield stilled, the air heavy with an oppressive weight. Above them, the sky twisted unnaturally, darkening as if ripped apart by the wrath of gods. Thunder rumbled in the distance, clouds coalescing into an ominous spiral that seemed to drink the light from the heavens. Chakra radiated from Naruto in relentless waves, shaking the earth beneath their feet.
A monstrous tornado began to take shape, its spiraling force pulling debris, dust, and fire into its ever-expanding form. The winds howled like tortured spirits as the vortex grew, twisting down from the heavens as though descending from divine judgment.
Naruto's hand moved with precise intent, and the typhoon obeyed his will. As it barreled downward, he deftly manipulated it, grazing its edges against the blazing forest. The flames were consumed in an instant, fusing with the tornado's winds and igniting it into a fiery maelstrom.
The fiery typhoon roared, a living inferno, its heat suffocating and its force overwhelming. The ground trembled as the inferno spun with unnatural speed, turning the battlefield into a vision of hell. Then, with an earth-shattering roar, the blazing tornado descended on the group.
The impact was apocalyptic. A deafening explosion tore through the land, its shockwave flattening the surrounding forest, ripping trees from their roots, and sending debris careening for miles. The sky brightened with the burst of fire and chakra, illuminating the sheer scale of destruction left in the jutsu's wake.
When the dust and smoke cleared, a massive crater scarred the earth. In its center stood Itachi's red Susano'o, cracked and barely holding form, surrounded by shattered wooden constructs. Tenzo lay nearby, his body trembling from overexertion. Itachi knelt inside the Susano'o, blood streaming from his eyes. Only Kakashi and Guy remained standing, battered and disoriented but resolute.
Naruto's figure emerged from the dissipating mist, his breathing labored but his posture unwavering. He regarded Itachi with a wry smile. "Impressive, Itachi. You managed to block my second SS-rank jutsu. You truly live up to your name."
The next moment, the Susano'o flickered out of existence. Itachi slumped forward, unconscious from chakra exhaustion.
Guy's voice rang out, defiant. "You may be strong, Naruto, but even you are running on fumes. We can still take you down!"
Naruto chuckled, his smirk widening. "I don't doubt you could, Guy. You're the one person here I wouldn't dare underestimate. I know the power of the Eight Gates far too well. But alas…" His smirk turned to a sly grin. "You've forgotten the most important rule: never fight a seal master on their own turf."
Guy's confident stance faltered as his legs buckled. He collapsed, groaning as his body refused to respond. "What… is this?" he managed.
Naruto raised a hand, showing the glowing seal etched into his palm. "The gravity seal I placed on you earlier? It's not just a seal. It was designed to propagate onto your skin, and now it's evolved into a poison seal. By now, the toxins have spread through your bloodstream."
Kakashi's Sharingan blazed as he stepped forward, kunai in hand. "I can remove it."
Naruto's eyes turned cold. "Don't bother. If you try, I'll kill Tenzo on the spot—or perhaps you'd prefer Kurenai? Don't think I won't do it." His gaze swept over the group, lingering on each member. "My subordinates, Guy and Itachi are safe for now—one's a comrade, the other is Lady Mikoto's son. But Tenzo, Kurenai… and even you, Kakashi—you're expendable."
Kakashi gritted his teeth, unable to counter the grim truth in Naruto's words.
Naruto sheathed his sword and began walking away, his figure dissolving into the mist. "Take your wounded and leave," he called back. "Tell the Third Hokage and his council this: I've spared Konoha shinobi twice now. There will not be a third. Don't test my patience."
Just before he vanished entirely, his voice echoed one final warning. "Oh, and Kakashi… I can feel Lord Jiraiya honing in. If you'd sent him instead of this motley crew, you might've had a succeeded. Then again…" His laughter rang faintly in the air. "I would've ensured he of all the people never find me in the first place."
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The rugged landscape of the Kumo border was ablaze with conflict. Amidst the chaos, Killer Bee moved like a force of nature, his unique rhythm and power devastating the Konoha forces. Every clash against his Seven Blades Dance left shinobi scattered and battered. Those who stood firm were quickly met with the overwhelming might of his partial transformation into the Eight-Tails.
Even Danzo Shimura found his forces faltering under the combined assault of Killer Bee and Yugito Nii. One jinchūriki was a challenge; two were proving to be a near-impossible obstacle.
Danzo's grip on his cane tightened as he observed the battlefield from atop a rocky outcrop. His lone visible eye narrowed as he surveyed the carnage below. Kumo shinobi fought with renewed vigor, emboldened by the presence of their jinchūriki.
"Deploy the next phase," he ordered coldly.
A masked Root operative stepped forward. "But, Danzo-sama, we've already stretched our forces thin—"
Danzo's glare was enough to silence the man. "I said deploy it. You will not question me again."
The operative bowed and vanished. Within minutes, the battlefield shifted. Konoha's forces retreated in calculated movements, luring Kumo shinobi into pre-laid traps. Explosive tags hidden in the terrain erupted in devastating waves, sowing confusion and fear. Guerrilla tactics took over—surgical strikes in the dead of night, poisoned supplies, and relentless ambushes that drained the morale of even the most seasoned Kumo shinobi.
Despite the mounting pressure, Killer Bee and Yugito stood like walls, rallying their forces. Danzo's methods may have been eroding Kumo's resolve, but they could not break it as long as the jinchūriki remained standing.
Danzo descended the outcrop, his movement deliberate, his gaze fixed on the battlefield where Killer Bee's unmistakable chakra signature burned like a beacon.
"This ends now," Danzo murmured, more to himself than to anyone else. "The jinchūriki will be dealt with, one way or another."
As he approached the epicenter of the battle, he heard the rhythmic hum of Killer Bee's voice, rapping even as he fought.
"Yo, you think you're tough, Shimura Danzo? But you'll be the one left with a big ol' frown, yo!"
Danzo's eye twitched, but his voice remained steady. "Killer Bee of Kumo. Your arrogance will be your undoing." Danzo was ready to play his trump card.
Killer Bee grinned, his blades spinning as he sheathed one and brandished another. "Yo, you talk big, old man, but can you even keep up with my plan?"
Before Danzo could respond, a powerful gust of wind swept across the battlefield, followed by the crackling of lightning. A thunderous presence loomed behind Bee. The Raikage, cloaked in his signature Lightning Release Chakra Mode, descended with a fury that shook the ground beneath him.
"Shimura Danzo," the Raikage growled, his voice like rolling thunder. "You dare step onto our land and think you can leave unscathed?"
Danzo's expression didn't waver. "Raikage. It seems you've arrived to witness your village's humiliation firsthand."
The Raikage's eyes burned with rage. "You think your cowardly tactics will save you? You will not leave this place alive."
Killer Bee cracked his neck, his grin widening. "Big Bro's here! Now it's a real party, yo!"
Danzo stood firm, his gaze unyielding. "Cowardly tactics? Are you a shinobi or a samurai? You speak of cowardice when your village has tried to kidnap our jinchūriki and the Hyūga heir. You talk of arrogance, yet you flaunt your power without understanding the consequences. I have held Konoha's secrets, its strength, and its shadows for longer than you can imagine. Your bravado is foolishness at its best."
The tension on the battlefield reached its peak as both sides readied themselves for the clash of titans.
But before either side could make the first move, a commanding voice echoed through the chaos.
"Enough."
The weight of that single word silenced the battlefield. All eyes turned to the source. From the distance, a figure emerged, his battle armor gleaming despite the dirt and ash clinging to it. The unmistakable silhouette of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, walked forward, his staff in hand, his presence commanding the attention of everyone present.
"Danzo," Hiruzen said, his tone firm yet carrying a tinge of weariness.
Danzo's gaze shifted toward him. "Hiruzen… You've come to oversee your village's retaliation personally, have you?"
The Raikage's fists crackled with lightning as he glared at the Hokage. "Hiruzen Sarutobi. I never thought I'd see the day when the so-called Professor descended to the battlefield again. Have you come to apologize, or are you here to die alongside your men?"
Hiruzen's gaze didn't falter. "I am here to remind you all of the cost of this senseless war," he said, his voice calm but unyielding. "But if it is a fight you want, I will not shy away from defending my village and its people."
The Raikage's lips curled into a feral grin. "Then let's see if the old Professor still has what it takes."
The battlefield held its breath as three of the most powerful figures in the shinobi world stood poised for a confrontation that would decide the fate of nations.
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NTLHOS: Chapter 72: The Silent Rebellion IS OUT!
NTLHOS: Chapter 73: Glimpse of the Kami no Shinobi IS OUT !
NTLHOS: Chapter 74: Tempest of Despair and Hope IS OUT!
NTLHOS: Chapter 75: The Great Assembling IS OUT!
NTLHOS: Chapter 76: The Whirlpool's Dominions IS OUT!
NTLHOS: Chapter 77: The Grand Ploy IS OUT!
Chapter 79: Part -II- A Pawn Crosses the Board to Become a Queen IS OUT !
NTLHOS: Chapter 80: Introspection And Good Times IS OUT ! ( Lemon Tsunade)
NTLHOS:Chapter 81: The Past Collides With The Seeds Of The Future. IS OUT!
NTLHOS: Chapter 82: The Great Board Takes Shape IS OUT!!!
NTLHOS: Chapter 83: I Don't Know!!!
NTLHOS: The Coronation Begins IS OUT!!!!!(New)
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