Naruto: The Last Harbinger of Storm

Naruto: The Last Harbinger of Storm

Chapter 83: I Don't Knows 

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Author's Note

Merry Christmas everyone! 😊

I truly enjoyed creating this chapter—it's a 5.5k-word deep dive into the intricate perspectives and tensions brewing in the story.

We're nearing the conclusion of this volume of Naruto: The Last Harbinger of Storm BOOK 1! With approximately 400k words written, this has been an incredible journey, and I'm deeply grateful for all of your support and encouragement along the way. 🙏

The next chapter will feature the much-awaited ceremony, marking a significant turning point in the story. This chapter is not a filler it's a critical piece of the narrative, laying the foundation for future Feuds and relationships. As for the repeated mentions of Uzushio's invasion, I'm not rehashing it just to reiterate old ground. Instead, I'm exploring the differences in how each POV shapes and shifts the understanding of that pivotal event. I hope you'll bear with me as I weave these perspectives together.

Your likes and comments mean the world to me—they fuel my creativity and inspire me to keep going. So, let me know your thoughts on this chapter! 💬💖

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"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."— Lord Jesus

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Join ThirdFireTriden on Pa(tre)(on) the link is in description or type my name in google search with pat (tre) on remove the space and bracket!

NTLHOS: Chapter 84: The Coronation Begins IS OUT!

NTLHOS: Chapter 85: Epilogue IS OUT! (Conclusion of Volume one of the NTLHOS)

NTLHOS-2: Chapter 1: A New Era. IS OUT!

NTLHOS-2: Chapter 2: Dark Coulds. IS OUT!

NTLHOS-2: Chapter 3 – A monster from the past. IS OUT!

NTLHOS-2: Chapter 4 – Drums and Gongs of War.

NTLHOS-2: Chapter 5 – First Wave. IS OUT.

NTLHOS-2: Chapter 6 – Price of Freedom.

NTLHOS-2: Chapter 7 – Crimson Storm. 

NTLHOS-2: Chapter 8 – Retaliation.

NTLHOS BOOK 2: Chapter 9 – The Gathering Woods In The Pyre. IS OUT! 

NTLHOS BOOK 2: Chapter 10 – We Forgive, But We Never Forget. IS OUT! 

NTLHOS BOOK 2: Chapter 11 – The Dept Is Called. IS OUT! 

NTLHOS BOOK 2: Chapter 12- How Times have changed. IS OUT! (NEW)

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Last Time on NTLHOS:

Then he saw Lady Tsunade herself come forth to honor Lady Mikoto. Watching the recognition of Lord Mahiro, the special lodgings, and the escort given to the clan members, Yashiro's heart brimmed with pride. Once derided and insulted, the Uchiha were now shown the highest honor. It was more than he had dared to hope for.

Despite Naruto inviting the entire clan, Yashiro had thought his friend might forget them amid the chaos of preparations for what was being called the "Event of the Century." Yet Naruto had not forgotten them.

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Now:

Five years, five fucking years, was all Ay could think about as he stood beneath the opulent manor that has been provided for his stay. He couldn't believe what he'd just witnessed—what the Uzumaki had turned a husk of ruin into.

"Five… Five damned years," he said, teeth clenched. "The blasted spawn of that monstress managed to change that worthless pile of debris into one of the best… no, the best city in the entire elemental nation." His voice rose in frustration. "Who is he kidding? And who am I kidding? It's real. It's right there across manse."

Nearby, his loyal aides—Darui, Dodai, and Mabui—exchanged wary glances. They'd seen the furious light in Ay's eyes before, but rarely had they seen him this unsettled.

"How is this even possible, hmm?" Ay demanded, turning to Darui. "We had scouts in the area the moment that brat was banished. But somehow he's built the world's largest city, and we never saw it coming."

Mabui tried to keep her voice calm. "We're in the dark. We have no information that can explain how he achieved it so quickly."

"Dark indeed," Ay snarled. "He didn't just build a house in the middle of nowhere and hid in it. He built a fucking large empire. He built a goddamn empire, with multiple territories—one here, the other in the Hokubu region—and we're clueless." He exhaled, trembling with pent-up fury. "If it weren't for the Daimyō's instructions, I'd flatten that place just to make a point."

Dodai, leaning on his staff, spoke carefully. "It wouldn't be wise, Ay. You remember your father once spoke similar words, and I still have nightmares about the consequences. I was there. I'm the one who dragged your father's bloodied body out of that place when His Grace Ashina Uzumaki activated the Great Barrier. I am repeating this very story again and again so don't repeat it. Today, I saw it again in the eyes of the few remaining who were here when the Great Gates opened. They didn't see the grandeur—they expected His Grace to emerge from the gates like last time."

Ay paused, brow furrowed. He recalled the old tales, repeated countless times by Dodai especially after it was know whose son is Uzumaki and what bloodline he holds. 

Dodai continued, voice lowering. "There is a reason why the people who survived the old war wear that haunted look in their eyes whenever Uzumaki is mentioned. We Kumo nin tried to break into Uzu. We nearly succeeded, too."

But we forgot one crucial truth that people tend to overlook. There are three clans that have stood above the Elemental Nations since time immemorial: the Senju, the Uchiha, and the Uzumaki. It's said they share the same blood somewhere in the past, and all three are bless or cursed with a madness that makes them to do the impossible for better or for worse.

"This madness is more often associated with the Uchiha and their so-called Curse of Hatred, as Lord Second famously described, or even with the Senju—Lord Hashirama's willingness to sacrifice his own life for peace being an example of this madness. But the Uzumaki have their own kind of madness, and unlike the other two, theirs was always tightly contained. On that day, we saw them unleashed it in full force.

"The Uzumaki consider their shrines more sacred than anything in the world. As someone from the clan war era, I know the importance of spirituality—I have my own practices from the Lightning Temple. But even the head monk there isn't as fanatical as the Uzumaki about their shrines. To protect those shrines, His Grace Ashina and all the Uzumakis slaughtered our forces left and right, all while fending off the Kages. His goal wasn't protect his people or the island, it was to ensure as many bodies fell as possible from both his and other side. Oh he evacuated or tried evacuate civilians and as much as non-combatant Uzumakis as possible but it was secondary for him.

"When most of the defenders were dead and the island littered with corpses, he finally laughed. That man, who hadn't spoken a word since the parley at the siege, unleashed a full-blown maniacal laugh. His hands glowed red, I thought he was using the last of his strength to obliterate the Kages, as his enhancements were visibly fading. Instead, he raised both hands to the sky, tearing open something in the very fabric of space.

"Some entity was summoned. Then, he slammed his hands to the ground, activating the largest and most complex array of sealing jutsu I've ever seen. The array derived its power from all the fallen Uzumaki first. When the barrier sprang up it wasn't enough, then it fed on the corpses of the alliance's fallen shinobi—their bodies became its fuel.

"The barrier was pure white. It started from where His Grace stood and expanded outward, vaporizing everyone it touched. Only the fastest of us survived. Ninety-eight percent of our forces on the island were obliterated. We tried everything, once the barrier was complete—your father's One-Finger Thrust of Hell couldn't even dent it. 

And today, I saw it in the Tsuchikage's eyes. His mind, like mine, was replaying the events of that very day."

Ay flexed his knuckles. "Perhaps. But we can't let that child do as he pleases. He's siphoning trade—our lifeblood—like a bloody damned leech. Have you seen how he brazenly parades missing-nin from other villages as his loyal shinobis? If he's displaying those, imagine how many more he's hiding."

Dodai shook his head. "I don't propose letting him strangle our economies. But we must be thorough in any move we make—no half-measures, no assumptions. If my hunch is correct, Konoha stands to lose more than we do attest now…. because the Hatake clan might be demanded back. It's not widely known, but when Konoha was founded, the Hatake were essentially handed over as part of Lady Mito's dowry. That's why White fang, who was born and raised in Uzushio, defied Konoha's orders and marched to Uzu's defence—though he arrived too late. By the time he got there, the Great Barrier was up and the rest is dark history."

"That man—he was a menace—wiped out entire platoons of survivors, hidden in camps or caught unaware. He killed the last surviving jinchūriki and eliminated twenty-three platoons, about eight hundred fifty shinobi, either in their sleep or in direct combat. The Kages, our heavy hitters, were too wounded to intervene, giving him just the opening he needed. I still curse the day we chose to invade that thrice-damned island. It was not until alarms was sounded and Onoki and the your father confronted him that the white fang retreated".

This was news even to Darui.

"Now that you have clearance to access the relevant intelligence," Dodai continued, "you'll note that Konoha agreed to maintain neutrality as long as it didn't violate their alliance. We used Suna to keep them in check, ensuring the clause that obligated Konoha to protect its boundaries first would provide them plausible deniability in case Uzushio survived. You'll also note that Uzumaki Naruto never officially accused Konoha of violating the treaty by failing to protect Uzushio.

"Oh, he called them out in councils and on other platforms, but he never put it in writing. When the sham of the Senju being forced to pay reparations, a bride for a bride, as the treaty stipulated, it was framed as a their act post the destruction of Uzushio like not helping the Uzumaki suvivors, keeping the present lord unaware despite what Kushina Uzumaki did and mainly Uzumaki Naruto's banishment, all these are not their lack of aid during the invasion itself. Konoha's arrogance at the time was staggering, they didn't even pretend to honor the agreement. If they'd so much as acted like they were trying, they could have claimed plausible effort and avoided consequences.

"But Sakumo Hatake's actions that day broke the agreement we had with Konoha outright. After the invasion, though, nobody could dictate terms to Konoha, as we were all reduced to shadows of our former selves."

"Luck was on our side, however, because the arrangement wasn't just between the shinobi villages, it was between the Fire and Lightning Daimyōs. As a result, the Fire Lord—honoring the pact ensured that Sakumo Hatake paid for his transgression."

Ay frowned. "And we all know how that ended. The Hatake clan barely participated in Konoha's forces after Sakumo's death. So you're suggesting Uzumaki might demand the Hatake clan's return as well?"

Dodai spread his hands. "It's certainty now. With the Fire Daimyō's treaty with Uzumaki—no matter how shaky that treaty is—Konoha might well be forced to relinquish the clan. They'll have to, if the Emperor demands it. He can point out old treaties and the reparation for the repudiation of the treaty."

"I suggest you meet with the Hokage, it would be a good opportunity to sweep the previous incidents under the bridge. Besides, we now know that the humiliation Kumo faced wasn't Konoha's doing—it was the Uzumakis. I'm certain that dangerous woman, the Black Rose, has hypothesized the same and would have come to the same conclusion, so would have Daimyō's advisors. Their presence here signals their readiness to give up the Hatake clan.

Darui and Mabui, who was a strategist herself, exchanged a glance, both shocked at the lapse in their own calculations. They had failed to properly consider the Hatake clan. Since the clan had withdrawn from Konoha's shinobi forces following Sakumo Hatake's death, they had dismissed it as a spent force—overlooking the clan that was once a terror in the field.

Darui frowned and asked, "What about the infamous Kakashi Hatake? Do you think he'd be willing to turn on Konoha too?"

I don't know admitted Dodai.

Ay let out a bitter chuckle. "Damn. We're standing here, on the sidelines, while these old treaties and half-buried shits resurfacing to shape the new world. It's enough to drive me crazy."

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In a corner of Uzushio, a lavish manor had been assigned for Konoha's highest officials—Hiruzen Sarutobi and Jiraiya, among them. Even as servants delivered tea and arranged scrolls in neat piles, Jiraiya stood by the open balcony, gazing over the newly revived city. Distantly, he could hear the hum of people, the bustle of merchants, and the faint chanting from shrines far off. The wind carried a tang of flavour and incense, an odd combination that seemed to fit this place's air.

Yet despite all that was happening, Jiraiya's thoughts fixated on his encounter with Lord Fukasaku. The conversation still rang in his mind like an echo of half-forgotten prophecy.

Flashback

Jiraiya had tried infiltrating Uzushio countless times since the announcement of the grand coronation. Each attempt ended with him politely yet firmly intercepted by shinobi and told that any further action would be deemed hostile, a line he was used to, but this got him nowhere. He set his sights on the outlying territories, or what they called Neo Uzu, assuming it might be less fortified. However, he managed to successfully infiltrate the so called Neo-Uzu with lot difficulty, as it was not as fortified as the capital. The capital, protected by whirlpools and intricate seals, had only four monitored entrances, each guarded by seals far beyond Jiraiya's level.

Jiraiya had traveled widely—perhaps more than any shinobi alive. He took some pride in the notion that he was the most well-travelled man in the elemental nations. Yet Neo-Uzu rattled, shocked and awed him in same measure. The architecture, though not as grand as Uzushio's main capital, carried a sense of serenity and energy that was serene and otherworldly. A hush of tranquility reigned among the people and atmosphere. 

Was it due to Naruto's administration, the systematic governance? At first, he thought this was due to Naruto's administration, which seemed to be operating at a level of efficiency that the rest of the world hadn't figured out yet. While it was true that the administration was leagues above anything else he had seen—unbelievably precise, with a complex chain of command that left very little room for error—he soon realized there was something far more at play.

Curious and test a hypothesis, he had summoned Lord Fukasaku from Mount Myōboku. The moment the elder toad appeared, Jiraiya asked, "Lord Fukasaku, can you sense something… unusual here?"

Fukasaku closed his eyes, inhaling the air as if tasting it. "Are we in Uzushigakure no Seto, are we?"

"Er, no," Jiraiya said. "This is the Hokubu region. Technically part of Naruto's territory, I mean part of Uzushio new territory but far from the capital."

Fukasaku exhaled slowly. "Strange. I recall the shrines in old Uzushio used to resonate strongly with this energies. I'd expect the power here to be… diminished. Yet it's not. It's charged. More than it ever was, perhaps. Where exactly are we, Jiraiya-boy in Hokubu?"

Jiraiya gave a wry grin. "The Land of Demons."

Fukasaku startled, eyes snapping open. "What? Then where is demon Moriya's presence? Has it vanished?"

Jiraiya recounted the rumours about Naruto exorcising or dismantling that demonic force, sealing it away or driving it out. The local inhabitants believed it thoroughly purged.

Fukasaku frowned. "And you only learned of this after four years? The boy outmanoeuvred you that thoroughly?"

"Apparently so," Jiraiya said, sheepish. "I had the brat Konohamaru to train, and if I'm not wrong, Naruto employed the Akatsuki to ensure I wouldn't venture here. Moreover, since this is an island off the mainland, I didn't bother putting much effort into it. Then there was a sudden attack on my spy network across the Elemental Nations—not all of them, but many. I had to focus on restoring everything to order, but I couldn't get to this land since the spies here went silent. Now, I know how and who."

Fukasaku gave a croaking chuckle. "Minato's son outplayed the Toad Sage. A fine story indeed."

Jiraiya rolled his eyes. "My guess is Tsunade. She knows how I operate—not everything, but she was around during my early days and saw enough."

Fukasaku waved aside the tangent. "What concerns me is the essence in this land. If the demon was indeed used as fuel for the shrine, what's replaced that vacuum? I feel a powerful presence near these shrines. Something the boy awakened."

Jiraiya nodded. "I sense it too—like an undercurrent, not the normal flow of nature chakra we use for Sage Mode. It's purer, heavier, more… potent."

Fukasaku sighed. "Minato's son has done something we thought was impossible after the last of the Arch Sages, Ashina Uzumaki, died. Late Lord Ashina Uzumaki was the last to have harnessed energies beyond what typical shinobi call 'nature chakra.' He was the last of Arch Sages—someone able to manipulate the world's essence, an energy more fundamental than the nature chakra we toads teach. Sage Mode is just the beginning, Jiraiya-boy. Arch Sage is an entirely different realm of mastery. According to the Lord Gamamaru, only a few in all history approached that rank. 

Among the toads, only the Great Sage Toad Elder, Gamamaru, holds the title of Arch Sage. He possesses the ability to manipulate the essence of world energy in its purest form. After Lord Ashina's death, we believed it impossible to see another and gave up hope. But approximately four years ago, something changed. Gamamaru saw another Arch Sage had come into existence—that someone had awakened and ascended. This is usually a cause for celebration, but immediately, an enlightened being materialized in Mount Myōboku. 

Jiraiya, growing more intrigued by the moment, asked, "An enlightened being? As in the Arch Sage?"

Fukasaku shook his head. "No. An Arch Sage is someone who is still on the path to enlightenment. An enlightened being is a person who has already attained it—they are one with the universe. Even I, who have lived for thousands of years, have rarely encountered such individuals. The practices you follow as a toad summoner are designed with the hope that, one day, you might ascend and attain it. You may have noticed that, since you began these practices, there's a clarity within you. But that clarity is only a scratch on the surface.

"Through this process, you've been slowly accumulating spiritual energy, which is the true purpose of meditation—not just for Sage Mode. We toads are more spiritually inclined than most. Now, as I was saying, this being materialised in the chamber when Lord Gamamaru called for you. He decreed that the fates had shifted and declared Lord Gammaru would not involve himself in the path of the new Arch Sage till the barrier is down. Then, the being disappeared. We didn't know what barrier he was talking about, now we know

"From that day onward, Lord Gamamaru decreed that you would not be made aware of the new Arch Sage until you walked these lands. Even we didn't know the identity of this individual because even Lord Gamamaru's vision was obscured by some forces. He could see everything except this individual's identity.

"We first sensed a rise in energy within six months, as if old powers were awakening. The very air around the Elemental Nations grew charged, reaching a fever pitch in past four years. And now, in the last ten days, it has multiplied tenfold. If you have come to the same conclusion as I have, this is when Minato's boy brought down the barrier that the last Arch Sage erected.

"Now, with no barrier separating this realm and the summoning plane, I can sense it clearly. In the direction of Uzu, the Arch Sage is preparing the stages for the final push that will uplift the entire realm for ascension."

Jiraiya's thoughts spiraled, grappling with disbelief. The Naruto he knew was cunning, powerful for his age, yes, but spiritual? That's a stretch. He was sharp in politics, a master of strategy, and admittedly a bit materialistic—not that he was judging. His motivations always seemed straightforward like survival, protecting his people, forging alliances, building power, and leveraging resources. He was grounded, pragmatic, not some mystic or ascetic meditating on a mountaintop.

"Lord Fukasaku, is becoming an Arch Sage easy to attain? From your description, I can tell it's far beyond what most achieve. As a Sage myse…. okay, okay, a pseudo-Sage myself I can usually sense if someone has the ability to bend nature energy to their will. And I can assure you, the last time I met Naruto, before the council, and even during it, he was nothing more than a kid with great intellect and power, but not... spiritual. What about Senju Hashirama? Was he also an Arch Sage?"

Fukasaku shrugged. "Not all Arch Sages wear white robes and meditate all day. Some remain immersed in the world, acting as catalysts for greater change. And no, Jiraiya boy, becoming an Arch Sage is far from easy, it's likely the most difficult path imaginable. Even I haven't reached that level. It often requires lifetimes of effort. As for Naruto boy? I don't know. I've never met him myself. Perhaps he came close to achieving it in a previous life and only needed a final push—or maybe he was chosen. I can't say for certain."

"As for Hashirama Senju, yes, he was considered an Arch Sage in his final years, though he attained it only after his role in the mortal realm was complete—after creating the village system. His connection to nature was unparalleled, largely due to how close he was to reaching that state, though few truly recognized this side of him."

"But does that make Naruto as powerful as Hashirama was at his peak?" Jiraiya asked.

Fukasaku shook his head. "No, I'm not saying that. Power is more than raw chakra. Of course, being an Arch Sage provides a path to immense strength, but such beings do not use those energies for battle—it's against their laws. If they did, they would be struck down. Don't ask me how or by whom; I only know that there are forces that bind them to these laws, even among those who trained them. I do not know more than that.

"Naruto would still need to follow conventional methods to attain the raw power of Hashirama Senju. So no, he won't wield unstoppable might overnight. But mark my words: a man who can unify the spiritual foundation of a land can unify its people too. He wouldn't build a village just to pass time or prove his greatness. He has a vision—perhaps it's the same fire that once burned in Hashirama's heart. I can't say if it's good or bad, but it's vast, beyond what we can normally measure."

He has a vision for the world, and greatness of this scale is not born in every century for good or bad. For him to single-handedly reconsecrate and awaken 14 shrines of Uzushio, and to extend this to consecrate shrines at a root level throughout the Hokubu region, is unheard of for any individual. He is rewriting the Elemental Nations as we know them."

Fukasaku's voice took on a reverent tone. "This tranquility and the urge to grow that you observed in his people—it is a consequence of being in proximity to the energy field Naruto boy has created. Growth and expansion are the very purpose of life. But you need clarity to see what to grow and expand, to realize it is the growth and expansion of your very being that leads to fulfillment. People express this in different ways, depending on where they are in their path of realization. Some seek to accumulate wealth—gold, money—that is a form of expansion. Others seek sex, inadvertently trying to take another person physically and emotionally into themselves. Peace—seeking to expand happiness and harmony—is another way. Like money more money, happiness more happiness, lust more lust. But when a person realizes the finite nature of these pursuits and looks inward, they see how to truly expand them self and merge with the universe then they become enlightened.

"These shrines nudge people in the right direction, away from wasting time on frivolous desires. They help them focus on what truly matters. Your godson, Jiraiya—what I can sense of him, even across an ocean—stands like a bonfire in the darkness when it comes to spiritual presence. Even from here."

Jiraiya fell silent. 

A heaviness settled in Jiraiya's chest. "Lord Fukasaku, what happens if Naruto chooses to go against Konoha, if old grudges or new ambitions push him that way? Would I be failing humanity if I defended my village?"

Fukasaku's froggy eyes regarded him kindly. "I cannot tell you what to do, Jiraiya-boy. You must follow your heart. Still, be mindful that there are larger forces at play here. If you wish for clarity, meet Lord Gammamaru

Jiraiya swallowed hard. "That's a lot to process. But I guess I'll do what I've always done—gather knowledge, protect those I love, and hope my moral compass can guide me."

Fukasaku gave him a pat on the shoulder with his webbed hand. "Sounds about right. Stay alert, Jiraiya-boy, and keep your eyes open. This world might be on the brink of yet another transformation."

Flashback End

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Now, standing in the manor's balcony, Jiraiya felt that memory thrumming through his veins. An Arch Sage… Naruto Uzumaki? Could the brat truly have soared to such a pinnacle in so short a time?

He heard shuffling footsteps behind him. Turning, he spotted his sensei puffing,weary lines etched on the old man's face. The Hokage took a seat on a cushioned chair, letting out a long breath. "Thinking about what you've learned?"

Jiraiya nodded, crossing his arms. "Too many puzzle pieces have fallen together today, sensei. 

Hiruzen's eyes flickered with a mixture of emotions. "I always knew Kushina's son had potential, but not to this extent. To be honest, I could barely bear the sight of her son, I always saw her face and remembered what she put us through in the last war." 

Jiraiya exhaled, turning back to the view. The city lights of Uzushio twinkled in the distance, their design and layout glimmering with patterns reminiscent of old seals. "What do we do if he sets his sights on Konoha, sensei?"

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Before Hiruzen could answer a faint knock on the door pulled both men from their contemplations. A konoha anbu stepped in, saluting briskly. "Princess Tsunade is here to meet you, Hokage-sama."

Jiraiya frowned, straightening. "Send her in," he said, glancing at Hiruzen, whose expression betrayed nothing.

Moments later, Tsunade entered the room, her presence commanding as ever. She wore no grand attire, just simple but elegant robes, yet she carried herself like the queen of a battlefield. For Jiraiya, it was a stark contrast to the Tsunade he had last seen—no drink in hand, no biting sarcasm masking her grief.

Hiruzen said "The last time we met, we didn't get to talk. You disappeared after springing that little revelation on us."

Her lips twisted into a humorless smirk. "I thought you might keel over after hearing I was marrying Naruto and Uzushio revival."

"Now, now, Tsunade," Jiraiya interjected, raising his hands in mock surrender. "No need to be rude to Sensei."

"No, Jiraiya," Hiruzen said softly, his voice tinged with resignation. "Let her vent. She's been suppressing her thoughts about me for decades."

For a moment, silence stretched between them. Then, like a fuse ignited, Tsunade stepped forward, her voice rising. "You have the audacity to say that, you old fart? After you practically forced my brother to commit suicide? After you turned a blind eye when my clan was slaughtered to the last person? Or did you plan it yourself, like you agreed to turn a blind eye to Uzushio's destruction?"

Hiruzen's calm exterior cracked slightly, his mouth opening to protest. "Tsunade, I—"

"Save it!" she snapped, grabbing his collar and pulling him forward. "I know better than anyone that it was you who downplayed the invasion in Nawaki's mind, treating it like a mere skirmish!"

Hiruzen's face twisted with regret. "I did what I thought was necessary for our survival. What happened to Nawaki… I did not foresee. I am truly sorry for what befell him."

Tsunade's grip tightened. "Sorry? You think an apology fixes this? You reap all the benefits of my brother's death, and now you look at me with regret?" She pushed him back, her fury unabated.

Jiraiya shifted uncomfortably. This wasn't an argument—it was the reopening of a wound that had never healed.

"Why did you ask me here, Hiruzen?" Tsunade demanded.

"Can't an old sensei ask his student to meet him?" Hiruzen countered, his voice soft but tired.

Tsunade's glare sharpened. "Not when that sensei has the blood of their student's entire family on his hands."

Hiruzen's face hardened, though he kept his tone measured. "Was it necessary for you to turn your back on Konoha because of my failings? I promise you, I had no direct hand in the Senju clan's deaths. And if you would have asked I would have relinquished my position and offered it to you."

Tsunade crossed her arms, her expression icy. "Don't think I didn't catch the phrasing of your words. If you were trained by Grand uncle Tobirama in politics, so was I—from the moment I could walk. You didn't deny my accusation that you turned a blind eye. And don't speak of 'necessity.' This village—my grandfather's failed experiment—isn't worth my loyalty."

Jiraiya tried to intervene, his voice hesitant. "Do you really want to go through with this marriage, Tsunade? Marrying a kid for politics?"

Tsunade's lips curled into a mocking smile. "You don't understand, Jiraiya. Naruto is the closest person to me—he understands me in ways no one else ever could. You'll never see that. You've always been too blind to look past what Sensei shows you. You know the atrocities this man has committed, and yet you follow him like an Academy student enthralled by his rubbish that he spills every year at the start of academy."

Jiraiya flinched, but he said nothing.

Hiruzen's gaze was steady. "You know as well as I do, Tsunade, that what you're doing is dangerous. War is inevitable—not now, but in the future. Do you really want to burn every bridge to Konoha when that time comes?"

Tsunade laughed softly, a sound that carried no warmth. "We're not naive, Hiruzen. If another invasion happens, we won't just die taking the attackers with us. We'll make sure their homelands suffer the same pain. Unlike last time, Uzushio's policy is clear: if we go down, we take our enemies with us but also their families."

Jiraiya frowned. "What does that mean?"

Tsunade shrugged. "Who knows? Maybe we've planted bombs in their villages. Maybe we've poisoned their water supplies. Why would I tell you, Jiraiya? So either I'm bluffing, or I'm supremely confident that I can carry out the threat. Which do you think it is?"

Hiruzen cut in, his tone sharper. "Will your fiancé be demanding the Hatake clan back?"

Tsunade's expression turned neutral. "Yes. Tomorrow, I'll formally request their return. I've already informed the Fire Daimyō, he agreed and also the monetary reparations, since I hold the original documents of the alliance."

"And Kakashi?" Hiruzen asked.

Tsunade's eyes narrowed slightly. "While I'd love to take him just to spite you, my Grace believes Kakashi isn't worth the trouble of keeping him locked down. You can keep him."

Jiraiya's voice was bitter. "Is this what became of our team? A traitor and a turncloak?"

Tsunade's reply was ice-cold. "You're right. Orochimaru is a traitor, and our dear sensei is a turncloak. He's always had his chosen people, the ones he protects, even if their crimes would make seasoned shinobi like you shudder. And you, Jiraiya—you're nothing but a fool. Always have been."

Hiruzen's eyes darkened. "And what about you, Tsunade? The wise one who supposedly saw the light?"

Her gaze was unflinching. "No, just another fool. A fool who believed in the so-called turncloak for far too long. But I eventually realized he never turned because he was never on our side to begin with."

The gathering was charged, the air heavy with decades of bitterness and suppressed truths. Yet, the conversation was far from over. There were still old wounds to revisit, future to address, and unresolved tensions to confront. Amid the heated exchanges, they found moments to share good memories. They laughed, they shouted, fully aware that this might be the last time they met on such civil terms, when Tsunade was not yet an Empress, and Hiruzen wasn't fully entrenched in political.

-------------{XX}-----------------------{XXX}-----------------------------{XX}-----------------

To be continued: Stay tuned for the next chapter of NTLHOS.

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NTLHOS: Chapter 84: The Coronation Begins IS OUT!

NTLHOS: Chapter 85: Epilogue IS OUT! (Conclusion of Volume one of the NTLHOS)

NTLHOS-2: Chapter 1: A New Era. IS OUT!

NTLHOS-2: Chapter 2: Dark Coulds. IS OUT!

NTLHOS-2: Chapter 3 – A monster from the past. IS OUT!

NTLHOS-2: Chapter 4 – Drums and Gongs of War.

NTLHOS-2: Chapter 5 – First Wave. IS OUT.

NTLHOS-2: Chapter 6 – Price of Freedom.

NTLHOS-2: Chapter 7 – Crimson Storm. 

NTLHOS-2: Chapter 8 – Retaliation.

NTLHOS BOOK 2: Chapter 9 – The Gathering Woods In The Pyre. IS OUT! 

NTLHOS BOOK 2: Chapter 10 – We Forgive, But We Never Forget. IS OUT! 

NTLHOS BOOK 2: Chapter 11 – The Dept Is Called. IS OUT! 

NTLHOS BOOK 2: Chapter 12- How Times have changed. IS OUT! (NEW)

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