Naruto: The Last Harbinger of Storm
NTLHOS BOOK 2: Chapter 22: The Negotiation.
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🖋️Author's Note:
Chapter delivered! ✅
Sorry for the 20-day delay; I was unwell. I tried really hard to keep up, even with my paid site. Now I'm back. ⏳ and nope, no spoilers this time! I don't want to ruin the fun 😌. All I'll say is: we're setting the stage. The final two conditions are coming up, and then we dive into the Kage Summit. 👀🔥
"On a happier note, I am making progress, though it's slight."
So what do you all think of the conditions so far? Fair? Ruthless? Calculated? Let me know in the comments! Your thoughts and theories keep this story alive. 🙏💬
As always, like, comment, and stay awesome! 💛🌪️
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"True power doesn't shout, it negotiates. And when it speaks, kingdoms tremble."
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Chapter 23: Mind Game Through Mind Readers.IS OUT!
Chapter 24: Mind Walkers. IS OUT!
Chapter 25: A Parting Backhand. IS OUT!
Chapter 26: A New Turn. IS OUT!
Chapter 27: A Turn ON A Turn. IS OUT!
Chapter 28: Farewell. IS OUT!!!!!!!!
Chapter 29 – The Oath of the Oath-Keeper. IS OUT!!!!!!!!! (End of the Arc)
Chapter 30 – Aftermath.
Chapter 31: The Growing Crown, The cracking Roots.
Chapter 32: The Wandering Monk. 8k long
Chapter 33: A New face Or phase. 8k long
Chapter 34: Chinamaki. 5.5k long
Chapter 35: Cross Roads. IS OUT!!!!!!!!!!! 9K LONG
Chapter 36: The New Field. IS OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!! 9k LONG
Chapter 37: Loyalty. IS OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!! 7 K LONG
Chapter 38: Diversion. IS OUT!!!!!!!!!!! 7K Long (NEW)
Chapter 39: Destruction. IS OUT!!!!!!!!!!! 12K Long (NEW)
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Previously on NTLHOS-2:
"And Uzushio…?" one of the Daimyo's advisors asked nervously. He swallowed hard, dreading what other demands might come. "What…..what do you demand?"
A faint smirk tugged at the corner of Naruto's mouth, though his eyes showed cold amusement, revealing little of what lay beneath. The entire negotiation had been building to this moment. If the Uchiha settlement was already a crippling blow to the Daimyo's treasury, what new horrors would the Emperor unleash on behalf of Uzushio?
Several of the Fire Court nobles exchanged anxious glances.
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Now:
A hush settled over the grand hall, and every individual, minister or shinobi, courtier or advisor had their eyes locked on Naruto. The faint smirk that had graced his lips moments before faded into a cold, piercing stare that sent a chill through the room. It was a glare so icy that even the Fire Daimyo felt his throat run dry. In that moment, his mind flashed to the portraits of Lord Ashina Uzumaki he had seen in his palace's cellar, paintings that bore the same gaze.
Naruto leaned back in his chair, the gold filigree of its ornate back catching the candlelight. The Daimyo's advisors shifted uncomfortably.
Finally, Naruto spoke, his voice calm. He raised his hand and opened his palm, showing five fingers. "I have five demands, all of which are non-negotiable."
He let the words hang for a heartbeat, ensuring that everyone in the room heard them clearly. A ripple of unease passed through the assembled dignitaries. In the corner, Shisui watched silently. Even the Uchiha guards behind him seemed giddy and uneasy at the same time, expecting the worst.
"First," Naruto continued, "monetary compensation… but not in the form of coin or bullion. Rather than money, I want a signed document from the Fire Daimyo. One that holds the same level of authority as a diplomatic embassy charter. We all know one of the most sacred documents in the Elemental Nations is an embassy grant, where not even the sovereign lord can run a raid of the property or arrest the diplomats under its protection."
At these words, murmuring broke out among the Fire Court representatives. A few exchanged startled glances, and one of the nobles seemed to stiffen, his eyes darting toward the Daimyo as if to gauge his reaction. Naruto pressed on, undeterred.
"I want a signed paper, an agreement of that same standing as that of a daimyo's accords," he said, his tone chilling. "This agreement must authorize me to build a bank in the Fire Capital and in Konoha. And no successive Fire Daimyo can renege on this agreement, just as no Daimyo can nullify a foreign embassy without igniting a diplomatic scandal."
Several ministers gaped in open shock, while the Daimyo frowned, clearly displeased. Naruto folded his hands on the table in front of him, the faintest edge of confidence radiating from him.
"That is not all," he added. "There shall be no law passed that will hamper any citizen of the Land of Fire from doing business with my bank, nor shall the Land of Fire or any of its subordinate authorities stop, interfere, or hinder any 'course of business' that the bank undertakes."
A jolt of alarm coursed through the Fire Court contingent. Whispers ran like a small current among them. They all recognized the scope of that demand especially the ambiguous phrase "course of business," which, if left broad, could be weaponized in countless ways. Before they could mount any objection, Naruto raised a single hand.
"Now, before you start, let me clarify what I mean by 'course of business,'" he said. "I am not talking about killing people in the name of commerce." That caused a wave of relief, albeit slight to pass over some faces in the room. But the relief was short-lived, as the rest of the demand was still galling: to allow a foreign, non-neutral entity to plant a bank in their economic core was nearly unthinkable.
At this point, Lord Jeramy Athil, who had been carefully silent until now, cleared his throat. He was there under direct instruction from the Daimyo, but he also had a personal stake in the matters of trade and finance. He spoke with practiced politeness, though tension rippled in his voice.
"Be reasonable, Lord Uzumaki. We cannot allow such unrestricted access to the Land of Fire. You cannot have such a free hand in our economy."
Naruto waved him off dismissively. "Choose your battles wisely, Athil. If you want me to compromise on my first condition, you won't be pleased with what the other four entail." There was an undercurrent of sardonic amusement in his tone as he added, "Besides, this demand of mine is already generous. I will not be in Uzushio for the next four years, which in itself makes Uzushio weaker. I also removed my forces stationed in the Land of Water. And the only things I've asked for beyond some trade and other considerations were the Uchiha clan and the Kurama clan. I'm quite aware that you have been compensated handsomely by other Daimyos for your so-called 'sacrifice of the Uchiha clan…'"
He paused, letting that phrase linger like a bitter taste in the air. "Yes, I said sacrifice. I know you received huge remuneration. After all, I was supposed to receive the Uchiha clan in its entirety, but due to your breach of contract, I'm now left with a diminished clan at best." The words seemed to cringe and grimmce even Naruto himself internally, but he kept his tone flat. Inside, he recalled how he had pre-warned Shisui and the others about the rhetoric he would use. Better they hear it from him first than be blindsided. He cannot be seen emotional, he should project himself as a cold business man.
Some of the Daimyo's people exchanged uneasy looks. This might not have been news to them, revealing deals they were fully privy to. Meanwhile, Naruto continued in a voice stripped of warmth.
"There's not much profit for me here. I gave up an entire nation essentially exiling myself from Uzushio, as if it was me who committed a crime. I did it out of respect for old friendships to these clans." He paused, running a hand absently across the table's smooth surface. "Don't tempt me to walk away from the first condition and jump straight to demanding something even more crippling," he cautioned.
For a moment, the hall was still. The Fire Daimyo grim, looked as though he was weighing how best to proceed. Athil cast a glance at him.
But before anyone could muster a coherent objection, a voice spoke up, the Daimyo. He cleared his throat, appearing unshaken. "Please, Lord Uzumaki… continue on the other four conditions."
As soon as the Daimyo said to continue, Naruto spoke.
"My second condition is…" Naruto paused, his gaze shifting across the room. "I lost a fourth of the Uchiha clan. Most of them were fighters."
Since the attempted Uchiha massacre, no one knew the exact number of casualties or who perished, only Naruto's word stood, as the Uchiha had barred outsiders from entering their compound.
"To make up for that loss," he continued, his voice steady, "I want one major clan from Konoha, along with several minor clans—those who once stood as part of my alliance."
The room erupted into muffled exclamations. Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had been listening with concern, finally spoke up, voice rigid.
"That will not happen, Lord Uzumaki. No other clan in Konoha will agree to leave with you, and we cannot force a clan out."
A few advisors nodded in fervent agreement, looking as if they wanted to speak but dared not interrupt. Naruto's expression was inscrutable.
"Are you sure, Lord Hokage?" Naruto asked, his tone deceptively calm. "What if a major clan agrees? I'm not asking for a noble clan. In exchange for the loss of a founding clan, I'm only asking for a major one and few…"
Danzo Shimura's voice, rife with restraint. "That's absurd! This is completely unreasonable. We are agreeing to compensate you, but that doesn't mean we acquiesce to anything."
Naruto's expression darkened, and he levelled a cold stare at Danzo. "Danzo, you should count yourself lucky that you're even sitting here and that I'm not demanding you be handed over to Uzushio to interrogate you for your hand in the Uchiha incident as one of the condition."
That provoked a visible shiver in some onlookers. The Daimyo interjected then, casting Danzo a stern look. "While I don't agree with Lord Danzo's emotion or how he worded it, we cannot have another major clan leave Konoha alongside the Uchiha."
Naruto let out a scoffing breath. "Then we can cancel the accord. I'm giving up the Land of Water. I'm relinquishing my position for nothing and you're cheating yourself out of a Daimyo's contract. First, you breach your accord; now, you refuse to pay up. We are not compensating, its fines that will be even more than the real value."
A tense silence gripped the assembly.
"Which clan is it?" Sukino asked, her voice as precise as the cut of a blade.
Naruto gave the faintest of smiles. "Always the hard questions from you, Lady Sukino," he replied. "I can only say if you agree, I can't jeopardize a clan by naming it without your confirmation first. If you don't agree, there is no point."
The Daimyo sighed. "And while I have not agreed to either of your conditions, what are the others?" At that, Hiruzen and Danzo along with the entire envoy from Konoha turned to stare in disbelief and betrayal. It was unthinkable for them that a second clan could be taken away from the Leaf. Losing the Uchiha was already a massive blow. Another clan? Impossible.
Hiruzen's expression sharpened. He looked ready to fight the Daimyo himself over this, if it came down to it. Yet, the Fire Daimyo's posture betrayed how cornered he felt, watching the conversation unravel in ways that threatened the balance of power in his domain.
Please continue Lord Uzumaki. Said the Daimyo.
Naruto took his time, scanning the gathering and meeting every gaze with an unwavering calm. Some men flinched under that scrutiny, while others stood rigid in defiance. Then Naruto continued.
"To ensure the Fire Capital does not go back on the agreement and for the protection of my village in my absence, during my self-imposed exile, I want a signed contract that Hiruzen Sarutobi will swear he will protect Uzushio if Nobinaga Yuseken ever attacks. But I'm not fool enough to believe you, or even a Daimyo's accord. I cannot trust you with lands" He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. "After all, if you can betray Uzushio once, you can do it again. Moreover, your commitment is evident from breaching the accord hardly five days after it. As insurance, I want Lord Hiruzen Sarutobi's second son, Barac Sarutobi, his wife and children to serve as ambassadors to Uzushio, residing in Uzushiogakure until my return. Moreover, your third son, who is now second in line after the 'execution' of your second son will be fostered in Uzushiogakure under Princess Tsunade."
Naruto's words fell like hammer blows against the tension in the room. Every person present had their eyes widen in astonishment. The Elders shifted uncomfortably, and several advisors looked as if they had been slapped. Hiruzen Sarutobi's face burned with fury, though his outward demeanour remained composed. Hostages. The Emperor was demanding literal hostages as if Konoha and the Land of Fire had lost a war and were now being forced to sign a humiliating peace treaty.
But when Naruto went on to imply that even the secondary heir to the Land of Fire would be handed over, Hiruzen's composure cracked. His eyes widened in disbelief. And slowly, all heads turned toward the Daimyo.
The Fire Daimyo's jaw clenched tight, his fists balled at his sides. His entire posture radiated anger and something. But before he could speak, Naruto added, "You must understand that I can't trust your words. Even if you write them in gold ink on the most precious of scrolls. As it stands, the accord has been breached twice. Since all the major Daimyos broke it the first time around, many don't think much of it. But for a second time, for it to be broken again… I'm sure as it stands now, your words or accord won't carry any value with other Daimyos."
There was a collective flinch from some of the attendants. Naruto continued, "Your age-old institution of Daimyo-hood will come crashing down if it's proven you can break your oath and not pay what is owed. What's to stop someone else from ignoring it in the future? I've already set the precedent of executing one Daimyo. Now, when we are trying to reach a compromise, and I am being 'punished,'" he said, making air quotes with his fingers, "I refuse to be the only one bound while you can go back on your word at any moment. People in this room might not grasp the gravity, but you, being the Daimyo, know precisely what is at stake. If you willingly make a gesture of recompense and agree, it will heal a lot. But if I have to fight for every inch, then it will be clear there's no difference between the shinobi and the daimyos."
A heavy silence followed. The Fire Daimyo internally grimaced, for he knew Naruto spoke the truth. The longer this dragged on, the more precarious his authority became. Unlike shinobi, who might solve matters with blows or completely renege on the agreement, he was bound by his words. He couldn't be seen opposing recompense or outright denying the agreement. There was value and a sense of honor in upholding an accord between daimyos; it was the very bedrock of their institution.
Lord Uzumaki now held the upper hand, and the Daimyo would have to accept the losses willingly. Only then would it appear that he had no involvement in the Uchiha incident and that he was willing to offer recompense for an unfortunate tragedy that had been beyond his control.
Hiruzen Sarutobi opened his mouth to protest, but the Daimyo cut him off, voice laced with finality. "Enough. While I haven't accepted the rest of your conditions, this one I will accept as gesture of good faith."
"It was my duty to give safe passage, and now it's going to be seen that my word has no value. So I will have my son fostered under Princess Tsunade, and Hiruzen's son will be ambassador until the Emperor returns, and he will not leave Uzushio until then."
Hiruzen blinked in shock. To him, this was akin to a thunderbolt. The Daimyo was, in effect, surrendering. A swift glance at Sukino revealed her subtly shaking her head—silently advising him to stand down. If the Daimyo was willing to give up his secondary heir, then Hiruzen couldn't afford to be seen fighting to protect his own son.
Naruto watched them all with a detached gaze, as though he had anticipated every reaction. The confrontation that had just played out only confirmed his suspicions: the fire court knew its back was against a wall, and Naruto was positioning himself to take full advantage of the situation.
he question was: What would the final two conditions be, and now the Fire Court found itself utterly bound, paying the high price?
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In another part of the world, Tsunade had finally reached Uzushio. She had received the message from Naruto and was now busy carrying out the instructions he had left for her to complete before his departure. There was important news she had intended to share with him, but due to the current situation, she hadn't been able to. Instead, she had sent a letter to Naruto, suggesting what one of the conditions should be particularly concerning the Senju, who still had ties to Konoha that Hiruzen would never willingly give up. But now, things were different. She was certain that if Naruto included a condition relating to the Senju, it would strike a painful blow to Hiruzen.
Sunset cast long shadows across Uzushio's winding streets, painting them in gold with crimson hues and slowly the darkness took over. The people gathered in droves, each clad in black mourning robes and carrying a single, flickering candle. For all intents and purposes, it looked like a riot but it was the most peaceful kind imaginable. They were silent, eyes brimming, hearts heavy with the news that their beloved Emperor, Naruto, had self-exiled himself for the sake of a useless accord.
It all started with an elderly man, his steps slow. He had once suffered under the corrupt rule of the Land of Rice, until the Emperor took him in and granted him a second lease at life. His neighbours and friends watched him, and one by one, they did the same, returning to their homes, donning black robes, and taking candles in hand. Eventually, the entire village followed, forming a massive, sombre procession. The city guards hesitated to intervene, fearing that even a small disruption might cause panic or, worse, accidental fires, with so many people carrying open flames in such close proximity. Ss the water element user were on standby.
At last, they converged on the grand statue of Naruto, erected by the people and nobles as a tribute, despite Naruto's own embarrassment and objections. The statue's face was turned slightly upward gazing into the fare away. Now, with the setting sun, its stone features seemed etched in sorrow. Many villagers knelt around it in silent vigil, tears carving tracks on their cheeks.
Among them was a young girl, thirteen years old named Shinoe. She was once from Land of Water persecuted due to her bloodline limit, persecuted until Uzushio offered her sanctuary. Slender fingers clutching a small paper, she scribbled a poem to express the heartbreak she felt. Then, standing in the hush, she began to sing, her voice like 13 yeaar old child's sweat but trembling at first but growing stronger as she repeated the words:
"O Storm-Bearer, Emperor bright
Who gave us dawn in darkest night,
You are our father, our guiding flame,
Our savior who freed us from our chains.
Now as you leave, our skies turn gray,
Please, don't orphan us this day.
Your kindness saved our body and soul,
Now losing you leaves our hearts unwhole."
Her childlike voice quavered with each line, and by the time she repeated the poem a second time, tears spilled from her eyes. Softly at first, those nearby joined in the final lines. Soon, a gentle chorus swelled throughout the square:
"O Storm-Bearer, Emperor bright…"
Again and again, they sang it, voices weaving together in a quiet, unifying lament.
Word of the gathering reached Tsunade in her chamber. The Empress of Uzushio was still busy completing her work, but as soon as she heard what was happening, she rose at once. Zabuza Momochi, carrying a concerned frown, was the one who came to inform her.
"They're calling it a riot," he said, voice low. "But it's… peaceful. Everyone is in black robes, holding candles. They're all mourning Lord Naruto's self-exile. It looks like most of the village showed up."
Tsunade's face paled. "What do you mean they're mourning him? He's still alive, damn it!" She paused, realizing the weight of Zabuza's words. "Where is Suifu? He normally deals with large crowds."
Zabuza shook his head. "Suifu's just left an hour ago, As a representative to our principality. Between his injuries and duty, he chose duty."
Tsunade let out a frustrated sigh. She sympathized with the people's heartbreak, but she also knew Naruto would be upset if he saw them lamenting as though he had died. "Fine," she said, squaring her shoulders. "I'll handle this myself."
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When Tsunade arrived at the scene, the sheer magnitude of the turnout astonished her. All seated or kneeling around the statue with flickering candles. The child's quiet poem still drifted through the crowd, repeated over and over in hushed unison. Despite the deep sorrow in the air, Tsunade recognized herself.
As she approached, the onlookers realized who had come. One by one, they stood. Some bowed, others simply gazed up, eyes still brimming with tears. Even the old man who had first sparked this vigil rose with difficulty, leaning on his cane. His face carried the grief of a father losing his son.
No one spoke at first, waiting for Tsunade to address them. She looked out at the sea of mournful faces.
Tsunade cleared her throat, fighting the lump that formed there. "Naruto is not gone, not aleast yet" she began, her voice resonant but gentle. "I understand your fears. Trust me, I share them. This self-exile… it's something he believes is necessary to uphold Uzushio. But I've come to tell you, his exile hasn't started yet. He will come back to Uzushio. He'll speak to you, all of you, before he leaves."
A ripple of cautious hope went through the crowd. Some lowered their candles, others clutched them tighter. Shinoe, the young poet, wiped her eyes and looked up at Tsunade with trembling lips. "He… he's going to come here first?"
Tsunade nodded, a small smile softening her face. "Yes. He'll address us all. He wouldn't leave without talking to his people. You know that. The Emperor wouldn't want to see you like this sitting in the streets, mourning as though he'd died. He's alive, and he's still your Emperor."
A collective hush followed. The old man who had led the vigil took a shaky step forward. His candle flickered in the gentle breeze. "Empress Tsunade… we only acted this way because the news was that his exile started. Afraid that if he goes….
Tsunade looked him in the eye, her tone somber yet resolute. "I understand. But please, be assured: Naruto hasn't abandoned you. He's sacrificing his own comfort and dreams to secure Uzushio's future. This decision is about preserving what he's built for you and your childrens, so that your grandchildren can live in peace. I believe in him. He's believed in all of us this entire time. So don't you believe in him?"
A fragile optimism began to stir among the people. Candle flames still danced in the twilight, but now the hush carried a warmth of possibility. Tsunade moved through the crowd, placing a reassuring hand on a few bowed heads. Zabuza and several guards, who had arrived in formation, exchanged looks of relief as the crowd began to calm. Though they maintained a perimeter around Tsunade, she chose to walk among the people.
Tsunade raised her voice again, allowing it to carry over the hundreds of hushed whispers. "Return to your homes," she said, "or stay and pray if you wish, but remember: Naruto is coming back, he's going to address you, and he wouldn't want to see all of you so heartbroken. It's not what he fought for. When he leave give him very happy farewell after all he will come back."
"But there is something else I want to share, Naruto may be leaving......"
Then slow dispersal of the black-robed citizens. Some still held onto their candles, letting the melted wax drip onto the cobblestones, while others stood quietly near the statue a bit longer, bowing their heads in silent prayers. Yet the happiness and oppressive sorrow though diabolical had weighed on them began to lift.
Tsunade watched them go, her heart heavy with both pity and pride. She admired their loyalty to Naruto. And though she carried her own worries about his upcoming exile, she clung to the hope that he would indeed return before leaving for good.
Turning to Zabuza, she exhaled, half in relief, half in lingering concern. "Let's make sure they stay safe tonight," she said quietly. "And when Emperor arrives …. We have arrange a public addressing.
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To be continued. Stay tuned and let me know your thoughts! Like and comment! 🙏🔥
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