Naruto: The Last Harbinger of Storm – Book 2
NTLHOS BOOK 2: Chapter 10 – We Forgive, But We Never Forget
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Author's Note:
Hey everyone! This chapter is shorter than usual. If I recover by Sunday, I'll make it up to you with an extra-large chapter covering the Daimyo Summit! ️👑. If not, I will still post this Sunday unless I am hospitalised.
Hope you enjoy the build-up! Let me know your thoughts in the comments! 🙏🔥
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"I forgive, but I do not forget; the lesson is never lost." — John F. Kennedy
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Join ThirdFireTriden on Pa(tre)(on) the link is in description or type my name in google search with (p)(a)(t)(r)(e)(o)(n) remove the space and bracket!
NTLHOS BOOK 2: Chapter 11 – The Dept Is Called. IS OUT!
NTLHOS BOOK 2: Chapter 12- How Times have changed. IS OUT!
NTLHOS BOOK 2: Chapter 13: A New Game Of Chess. IS OUT!
NTLHOS BOOK 2: Chapter 14: The Power Of A Single Stroke Of A Pen. IS OUT!
NTLHOS BOOK 2: Chapter 15: Back to Konoha IS OUT!
NTLHOS BOOK 2: Chapter 16: The Night of Falling Crows IS OUT!.
NTLHOS BOOK 2: Chapter 17: Did Uchihas Survive?. IS OUT!
Chapter 18: Politics at its best. IS OUT!
Chapter 19: Old Memory. IS OUT!
Chapter 20: Once A Legend Alway A Legend.!
Chapter 21: Still Sharp As Ever. IS OUT!!!!!!!!!! (Politics begins)
Chapter 22: The Negotiation. IS OUT!!!!!!!!!!
Chapter 23: Mind Game Through Mind Readers.IS OUT!!
NTLHOS BOOK 2: Chapter 24: Mind Walkers. IS OUT!!!!!!!!!! (NEW)
NTLHOS BOOK 2: Chapter 25: A Parting Backhand. IS OUT!!!!!!!!(NEW)
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Previously on NTLHOS:
"So what are we to your grace?" said Kanna Uzumaki.
"Now, just reply to the fire Daimyo that I will attend the summit, but before that we have Daimyo to judge. Is the court ready?"
"Yes your grace" replied Kanna who was also eager to see the trial of the century.
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Now:
The Whirlpool Court was filled with governors, clan heads, nobles, commanders, department heads, and every other individual of importance within Uzushio. Representatives from every province had gathered, for today was unprecedented in history, a major Daimyo, one of the five was about to be tried.
Zabuza Momochi had been overseeing security for days, first for the attempted invasion, and now for this trial. His attention flickered across the chamber, assessing every dignitary, every. But then he saw someone entering through the main doors. But something, or rather, someone caught his attention as the main doors creaked open.
The only people missing now were His Grace and Her Grace, the Emperor and Empress of Uzushio. But according to the last update he had received, they hadn't arrived yet. The herald hadn't announced them either.
Zabuza's instincts kicked in. His earpiece crackled, the security confirmation protocol engaging immediately.
"Confirm identity. Who is entering?"
Then, as he turned his head fully to assess the figure stepping through the doors, his eyes widened.
It was Lord Suifu.
The Grand Marshal.
As the old warhorse made his way forward, the murmurs spread like wildfire. The gathered lords and commanders turned in their seats, whispers trailing like shadows. And then, as if by unspoken command, they all rose. He walked with a cane, a limp betraying his lingering injuries, but his presence was just as commanding as it had always been.
Kimimaro Kaguya, who had been engaged in quiet conversation with one of the governors, turned at the shift in atmosphere. His gaze landed on the Grand Marshal, and immediately, the Bone Lord moved towards him, intending to assist. But Suifu waved him off with a sharp look. He did not need help, not from anyone.
Everyone in this room had heard what he had done. If not for Suifu, Uzushio would have suffered the same fate as decades ago. He had held the line when no one else could.
Zabuza, who had taken over as ANBU Captain temporarily, had been managing operations ever since Rashirom Uzumaki had filled the role of Supreme Commander of Uzushio's Forces in Lord Suifu's stead. He had expected Rashirom to handle today's proceedings, but from his vantage point, he could see his superior sitting at the head of the court right to the Emperor's Throne, going through documents Zabuza himself had sent for authorization.
Then Rashirom paused.
He must have sensed the commotion.
His lone eyes flicked toward the entrance, following the commotion and the moment he laid eyes on Suifu, he stood abruptly.
Without hesitation, Rashirom stepped aside, clearing the seat meant for the rightful veteran.
Suifu climbed the stairs with slight difficulty, and as he reached the seat, Zabuza, standing within earshot, could hear Rashirom speaking in a hushed but firm voice.
Zabuza moved, now within hearing range, just as Rashirom spoke.
"Its Good to see you Grand Marshal, But What about the doctor's orders for you to rest."
Zabuza barely held in a wince and smirk. He already knew what was coming.
Suifu turned and leveled gaze on Rashirom, and at that moment, Zabuza could see his sempai regretting asking the question.
And just like that, the tongue-lashing began.
"Weak," Suifu scoffed, his voice rough. "The lot of you are weak. In my time, there was no such thing as an 'injured' shinobi. There was wither dead or the living shinobi. The very fact that I was hospitalized at the expense of the village is shameful enough. Missing this trial would be the height of disgrace. And you?" His eyes narrowed at Rashirom. "You're still not up to the mark. I will see you in the training grounds first thing tomorrow morning."
Zabuza barely contained his laughter and wince for his senpai's fate, watching Rashirom take the scolding. The same Rashirom who had trained him and dozens of elite operatives was now getting put through the ringer by the only superior he had no counter against. Was liberating for Zabuza.
Kimimaro, ever the stoic warrior, took a silent step back, distancing himself from the exchange. Zabuza caught it immediately. Even the Bone Lord knew to stay out of Lord Suifu's way when he started talking about training.
Oh, Zabuza remembered the days when Kimimaro had been personally trained by Lord Suifu's brutal regimen, the exhausting drills. Kimimaro had never once complained about Lord Suifu's age or 'old people's delusion' after that.
As Rashirom, still reeling from the verbal onslaught, moved towards the ANBU command seat, Suifu finally turned his gaze to the gathered dignitaries. For a brief moment, his mind wandered back.
When he woke up, he had been nothing but skin and bones. He should have died. He was surprised he hadn't. Recovery had been slow, painstaking. New Uzumaki blood infusions, advanced medical procedures, every known method had been used to restore him. And even then, it had been Princess Tsunade's 'miracles,' as some called them that had truly brought him back. Even under the best doctors, it would have been months before he could even wake, if he woke at all.
But Suifu refused to be bedridden any longer. He would not be absent today. He had waited too long to see this, to witness the ones who had once played nice, only to stab them in the back, finally face judgment.
His thoughts were interrupted by a sudden voice ringing across the chamber.
"ATTENTION!"
The sound reverberated through the great hall, commanding instant silence.
"HIS GRACE, THE EMPEROR OF THE UZUMAKI NATION!"
"THE LORD AND GRACE OF THE UZUMAKI CLAN!"
"THE ARCH SAGE!"
"RULER OF THE EMPIRE OF UZUSHIO AND ITS DOMAINS!"
"AND HIS EMPRESS—LADY SENJU TSUNADE!"
"THE LADY OF THE SENJU CLAN!"
"THE SLUG SANNIN!"
The entire court rose to their feet.
The massive doors swung open.
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Kamado, standing among the dignitaries, watched as the figures of the Emperor and Empress stepped forward. He had been away from Uzushio for a long time, sent to oversee the provinces. He had been there when the dream of this empire was nothing but an idea in the Emperor's mind. He had watched His Grace carve a nation from nothing. He had seen what true leadership looked like. So due his experience with the Emperor's methods, he was made the voice of the Emperor and the head of the conglomeration of the governors.
When he received news that Nobinaga, that monster was alive and had attempted an invasion on Uzushio, Kamado went white with fear. He did not hesitate. He immediately rallied the provincial armies and marched straight for the capital, following orders, since Uzushio's main force was occupied with retaliation, they needed backup forces to protect the capital.
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As Naruto strode towards his throne, people bowed as he passed, dignitaries and commanders alike bowed their heads. But when his gaze landed on Suifu, his steps slowed ever so slightly.
Suifu, despite his injuries, stood up with his cane and straightened his back.
Naruto placed a firm hand on Suifu's shoulder to stop him from exerting. "Are you well?"
Suifu met his gaze. "I am, You Grace."
Naruto knew well that anyone but him asking this question would have their head chewed off. He could feel Tsunade's eyes twitching, but she remained silent, by 14 deities grace.
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As Naruto took his throne, the entire room followed his gesture to sit. It was expected that Rashirom would be the one conducting this proceeding, being the temporary supreme leader of Uzushio's forces, but instead, he looked at Suifu. The old Grand Marshal stood, gripping his cane tightly. Despite his weakened state, there was no hesitation in his movements. He had already been briefed on the meeting's contents and the direction the Emperor had decided upon.
With a deep breath, Suifu straightened his back and spoke. "By the will of his Emperor," he declared, bowing slightly in Naruto's direction, "and the blessing of the Fourteen, this court is commenced." He said looking at the carving of the deities.
The hall fell silent as his gaze swept over the gathered nobility, generals, commanders, and leaders from every province of Uzushio. "My Governors, Lords, Ladies, Generals, Commanders, distinguished dignitaries and my people," Suifu continued, "we have gathered today to bear witness to an event that will be immortalized in the annals of history. Even now, I can hear the scribes scratching ink onto scrolls, recording every word that shall be spoken here today."
His eyes hardened as he went on. "Today, the former Water Daimyo, Lord Matsugeva Amorian, stands trial for his crimes against mother Uzushiogakure. He has been defeated, stripped of his power, and will be brought before this court to face justice at the hands of our Emperor. Let the world know that it does not matter who you are, should you stand against Uzushio, the consequences will be grave."
He turned toward Naruto and bowed his head. "With your grace's permission, I ask that the prisoner be brought forth."
Naruto gestured in affirmation. The great doors swung open, and four samurai, clad in ornate golden armour, stepped into the chamber. Their blades were unsheathed. Between them walked Lord Matsugeva Amorian, still adorned in the regal finery of his station. Now he served only as a mockery of the power he had lost. His hands were bound together, the chain leading from his shackles held tightly by Kanna Uzumaki as a symbols and representative of the Uzumaki clan, her expression one of stoicism.
The court watched in heavy silence as Amorian strode forward, his head held high, his bearing that of a man who refused to bow, even in defeat. That arrogance did not sit well with Kanna from some comment he made. With a sharp yank on the chains, she pulled him forward, sending him sprawling to his knees at the foot of the Emperor's dais. The symbolism was not lost on anyone.
Amorian righted himself, his eyes burning with indignation. "You people spit on the customs and traditions of our forefathers," he sneered. "While it is true that I lost, is this how you treat a Daimyo? My blood is of the highest order!"
An eruption of jeers and insults filled the court at his words, but a single wave of Naruto's hand silenced the chamber.
Naruto's voice rang through, his tone edged with quiet steel. "You should be the last man to speak of customs, "Lord Amorian."
"Was it not you who authorized the invasion of Uzu? Have you forgotten that it is the very same ancient convention that you speak of now that the ancestral capitals of the noble families be left untouched, that only their lands may be seized and their dominions may be reduced to ashes? And yet, you sanctioned the complete eradication of Uzushio!"
"I might have forgiven you if you had sought pardon with humility, but you persisted still. And when you dared to invade again, what did you expect? You did not merely attack my province and thereby force us into a battle of resources. No, you attempted to lay waste to my capital, you tired to ravage the land while Nobinaga Yukesen, of all people, took the lead. I find it impossible to accept that you, among all souls, now have the right to speak of customs and the old ways!"
A cold fury gathered in Naruto's eyes like very storm he welids, deep and dark as an uncharted abyss. The daimyo retorted.
"And what say you of your own actions, Lord Uzumaki? Is it not true that you poached fifty percent of my shinobi force, claiming the Mist Bloodlines and Clans as your own? Though I admit that the events all those decades ago were indeed tragic, let us not overlook your role in the upheaval that followed. You destabilised our faltering economy, you stripped us of our trade and our people, leaving us with no recourse but to resort to this moment of your reckoning."
A new voice cut through his rant. "Oh, don't pretend to be the victim, Lord Amorian."
All eyes turned to Tsunade, who now leaned forward, her sharp gaze drilling into the disgraced Daimyo. She could interject since she was alss of the same standing. "Your 'unfortunate event' was the eradication Uzushio and its oldest bloodline and what about your systematic genocide of bloodline clans under Yagura's reign, a genocide you enabled by your inaction. Uzushio didn't steal your shinobi, we saved them from slaughter. We didn't entice them away we rescued them by opening our doors. Where was your noble honor when innocent children were put to the sword? When old families like the Yuki were killed in mass?" Her eyes burned with contempt. "Don't speak of morality when you have none."
Amorian scoffed. "How I rule my land is none of your concern."
Naruto's smirk was cold. "And yet you made it mine when you sought to destroy my people. I did not march into your land demanding change, but I opened my borders to those who sought refuge. And even then, I let you stand. I could have destroyed your nation for what you did to us all those decades ago, and it would still not be enough."
Amorian's bravado faltered for the first time. "So what now?" he sneered, though there was an underlying tremor in his voice. "You would have me rot in a dungeon like a common peasant?"
Naruto's smile widened, slow and cruel. "No, Lord Amorian. You will be beheaded by my own hand before the night is over. And since your son is already dead from the plague, your line ends here." He leaned forward slightly, watching as the color drained from the man's face. "Your daughter will be married into my clan. Whether I retain the Mist or relinquish it, one thing is certain no blood but Uzumaki blood will ever hold claim to those lands again."
A stunned silence fell over the court. Shock rippled through the gathered dignitaries, some of whom had expected a trial to drag on for weeks, perhaps even a diplomatic exchange of terms. But this? This was a declaration, an execution with a finality that left no room for dispute.
Amorian's face twisted in horror. "You... You can't do this."
Naruto's expression remained impassive. "I can. And I will." He turned to Suifu. "Bring the block."
Suifu also was shocked. The Grand Marshal, ever the soldier, did not hesitate. With a simple hand gesture, a wooden execution block was brought forth. The heavy thud it made upon the stone floor echoed in the chamber, a sound that rang of inevitability.
Amorian's eyes darted around the room, searching for some reprieve, some last-minute salvation. None came. His knees buckled, his breath turned ragged, and as the samurai forced him to his knees before the block, a tremor ran through his body.
Naruto rose from his throne, stepping forward with deliberate ease. His hand reached for the hilt of his sword, drawing it with a slow, whispering scrape of steel. He met Amorian's wild, panicked eyes one last time.
"We Forgive, But We Never Forget," Naruto said simply.
The blade fell. A single stroke. Clean. Swift.
Amorian's head rolled to the ground.
The chamber was deathly silent. The scent of blood hung in the air, mingling with the heavy weight of what had just transpired. For every soul in the room knew that this action had wide and long lasting consequence.
Then, like a breaking storm, a single voice rang out in reverence.
"Long live the Emperor!"
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In a place unknown to the rest of the world, shrouded by seals, eight figures clad in crimson gathered in a dimly lit chamber. The air was thick with emotions.
The oldest woman, her face lined with the burdens of knowledge, let out a dry chuckle as she leaned on her staff. "So, that man is alive?" Her voice, though aged, carried bitterness of someone who had seen the worst. "I swear, even the devils in hell don't want him there."
The leader of the group, exhaled sharply. His eyes calculating. "Just when I thought that man couldn't fall any lower, he proves me wrong. I thought the only thing he did right was killing Nobinaga at least in the end. But it seems I am fated to be disappointed." His voice hardened. "Ashina Uzumaki should have killed him, not petrified him. That man has always been a hypocratic old fossil. Can he not fall any lower?"
The old woman sighed. "It's the promise he made to his dying sister." Her tone carried old resentment, the kind that never truly faded. "I should have seen, should have known."
A younger man, barely out of his twenties, scoffed. "So what if he's alive?" he challenged. "We can hunt him down. Weshouldhunt him down. For everything he's done. If he could berepelledby Uzumaki Naruto, then surely we caneradicatehim." His eyes flickered toward the old woman. "While I admit we cent match a SS-rank shinobi in straight fight. We have the greatest seal mistress alive among us. We can trap him. We can finish what Ashina Uzumaki failed to do. Justice—"
"Justice?" the old woman interrupted, her laughter dry and humourless. "Boy, you speak of justice as if the world has ever been fair. As if Nobinaga Yuseken will allow himself to be slain like some common traitor." Her voice took on a sharper edge as she shifted her weight against the staff. "No…weare the ones who were fools. Even with all our knowledge, even knowing what he was capable of, we assumed he was gone. And we assumed…Ashinahad truly defeated him."
The young man flinched but refused to lower his gaze.
She continued, her words slow, deliberate. "That man was never a fool. For as much as I loathe Ashina Uzumaki there is no one who can defeat Nobinag unless you can ressruct the likes of Senju brothers or Madara Uchiha. If he had not underestimated Uzushio, if he had truly prepared, he would have carved the defenders apart within a single night by his ingenius mind and his knowledge of seals. Don't you see? He didn't even consider them a threat."
The room fell into a heavy silence.
The leader spoke again, his voice dangerously quiet. "Then why did he fail?"
"Because of arrogance," the old woman admitted. "Because he thought there was no way a single person could challenge him before the Emperor of Uzushio emerged from the chamber. He was prepared to fight an entire army, not one warrior with the will to stand in his way. His first mistake was underestimating Lord Suifu. His second mistake was thinking he could take down the Emperor easily. The only reason, according to him, to wait until Uzumaki Naruto went incognito was that Uzumaki Naruto is a master of Uzushio's seals, and it is very difficult to fight against the core seal of Uzushio when it is in war mode. I don't know how he deactivated it last time, but obviously, he cannot now. And that was his greatest mistake underestimating the descendant of Ashina."
Her fingers curled tightly around the gnarled wood of her staff. "And even then, I doubt Nobinaga was at his fullest. If he had truly believed he neededeverythingat his disposal, he would have prepared seals to slaughter the entire city in minutes." Her voice grew dark. "He would have dragged Uzushio's defenders to a quick and brutal death. He had the knowledge to do so. He just didn't see the need in his arrogance."
The young man gritted his teeth. "Then you know those seals. You can undo them. You can match him."
The old woman let out a breath. "And Child, you think too highly of me, child. I may have surpassed Mithrusha in sealing, but in thepast, I was only Nobinaga's equal on agoodday." Her voice dropped lower. "And I have never been taught the secrets of Uzushio's core seals. EvenIdo not have access to them. Who knows what that old fossil Ashina might have passed on to his once-favored apprentice?"
The young man cursed, but another voice a woman with short, white-streaked hair spoke up for the first time. "So what do you propose?" she asked, voice sharp. "That we donothing? That we just remain with Akatsuki?" Her tone was laced with disdain. "The very Akatsuki that went behind our backs and helped Nobinaga?"
The chamber grew still.
The leader's fingers tapped against the stone table, deep in thought. "No," he finally said. "We do not remain idle. And we do not trust the Akatsuki. But if we move against Nobinaga now, we risk exposing ourselves before we're ready." His gaze swept across the gathered figures. "If there one person I hate more than Ashina Uzumaki it the traitor himself. We will deal with him. first… we ensure that when we strike, it will be a final blow."
The old woman nodded slowly, her sharp eyes gleaming with something unreadable. "Then we will need more than just sealing. We will need a weapon which both Emperor or Nobinaga cannot counter."
"And we will need to know," the leader said, voice colder than ice, "just how much Uzushio's Emperor's feat against Nobinaga is true ."
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Stay tuned for the next exciting chapter of NTLHOS- Book 2!
Join ThirdFireTriden on Pa(tre)(on) the link is in description or type my name in google search with (p)(a)(t)(r)(e)(o)(n) remove the space and bracket!
NTLHOS BOOK 2: Chapter 11 – The Dept Is Called. IS OUT!
NTLHOS BOOK 2: Chapter 12- How Times have changed. IS OUT!
NTLHOS BOOK 2: Chapter 13: A New Game Of Chess. IS OUT!
NTLHOS BOOK 2: Chapter 14: The Power Of A Single Stroke Of A Pen. IS OUT!
NTLHOS BOOK 2: Chapter 15: Back to Konoha IS OUT!
NTLHOS BOOK 2: Chapter 16: The Night of Falling Crows IS OUT!.
NTLHOS BOOK 2: Chapter 17: Did Uchihas Survive?. IS OUT!
Chapter 18: Politics at its best. IS OUT!
Chapter 19: Old Memory. IS OUT!
Chapter 20: Once A Legend Alway A Legend.!
Chapter 21: Still Sharp As Ever. IS OUT!!!!!!!!!! (Politics begins)
Chapter 22: The Negotiation. IS OUT!!!!!!!!!!
Chapter 23: Mind Game Through Mind Readers.IS OUT!!
NTLHOS BOOK 2: Chapter 24: Mind Walkers. IS OUT!!!!!!!!!! (NEW)
NTLHOS BOOK 2: Chapter 25: A Parting Backhand. IS OUT!!!!!!!!(NEW)