Naruto: The Last Harbinger of Storm

Naruto: The Last Harbinger of Storm

Chapter 25: Remnants of a Great Village

Author's Note:Thank you for your patience and continuous support. Writing this chapter has been intense for me. After a long time, I'm including a collective review response at the end of the chapter. While I may have missed a few, rest assured I'm reading and appreciating every one of your comments. Enjoy the ride!"Great men act, not react. Understand, then act."

Join ThirdFireTriden on !

Chapter 26: The Bond of Loyalty IS OUT !

Chapter 27: The Turning Tide is out!

Chapter 28: Clash of Loyalties is out!

Chapter 29: Return to the Leaf is OUT! (Mist Arc is completed!)

Chapter 30: Political Crossroads is OUT!

Chapter 31: A Fitting Punishment IS OUT!

Chapter 32: Embracing Change IS OUT!

Chapter 33- Monster of a Sensei IS OUT!

Chapter 34: "The Uchiha and the Tower" IS OUT!

Chapter 35: "Convergence of Fates" IS OUT!!!

Happy reading!

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Shisui was working in a small, dimly lit bar nestled in a bustling alley of the Mist Village. The atmosphere was thick with the scent of stale beer and the constant murmur of patrons. His job involved cleaning up the tables and maintaining the premises, a task that was often tedious and grimy. Today was no different; he was meticulously scrubbing a table after a particularly rowdy bunch of customers had left. The mess was revolting—one of them had even vomited during a brawl, leaving a pungent stench that clung to the air. Shisui's nose wrinkled in disgust as he wiped down the sticky surface, the rag in his hand becoming increasingly soiled.

Suddenly, the seal on his left calf started pulsing with a certain pattern. Shisui's eyes widened momentarily before he schooled his expression back to neutrality. He knew what this meant. Without wasting a second, he briskly walked towards the bar's manager, a burly man with a permanent scowl etched onto his face. Bowing respectfully, Shisui spoke, "My health has been failing for a few days. May I have the day off to recover?"

The manager's face contorted with rage. "You useless, irresponsible lout! Why would I give you the day off? Don't give me excuses. Get back to work! I'm paying you handsomely."

Shisui suppressed a bitter laugh. Handsomely? The man paid the least in the market and worked everyone like slaves. But he maintained his calm facade. "Master, when I consulted a traveling healer two days ago, I was told that if the blisters and pain still last, it may be contagious."

There was a flicker of movement in the manager's eyes as they met Shisui's. In that brief moment, Shisui's Sharingan came alive, casting the manager into a subtle genjutsu. The man's demeanor shifted instantly. "Get out immediately before you spread the disease!" he barked.

Feigning illness, Shisui walked out of the establishment with his head held low, but his mind was whirling with possibilities. What could have happened to Naruto for him to signal an escape from the village? The first signal indicated that he couldn't return to the Mist and was in a confrontation, yet he hadn't sent the standard message that their cover was blown. That likely meant he was being pursued for a different reason than being a spy. The second signal was an urgent command to escape from the village ASAP.

Shisui hurriedly packed his belongings, his heart pounding with a mix of anxiety and determination. He had to reach their secret hideout in a nearby village outside the Mist. There, he would wait for a minimum of a day. Naruto had a temporary single raven summon; he could send a message when he was alone. Shisui knew the standard protocol for this type of mission was to wait until further instructions, but the countless 'what ifs' gnawed at his mind.

Despite his restlessness, Shisui knew he had to stay composed. He needed to send a message to Konoha and then wait, trusting Naruto's skills and their preparation over the past year. This was the moment they had been readying themselves for, and Shisui could only hope that their efforts would pay off.

Shisui moved swiftly through the darkened streets of the Mist Village, his mind racing. The urgency of the situation was palpable, and he had no time to waste. He had to ensure that he and Naruto could make their escape without leaving any trace. The mission was precarious enough without adding unnecessary risks.

He reached his modest apartment and quickly gathered his essentials: weapons, supplies, and the few personal items that held any significance. Shisui's movements were efficient, honed by years of experience in ANBU. He packed everything into a small, inconspicuous bag, ensuring nothing was left behind that could tie him to his true identity.

Once ready, Shisui left his apartment, blending into the shadows as he made his way to the rendezvous point. The secret hideout was in a nearby village, a place they had prepared for emergencies just like this. The journey was tense, with Shisui constantly on high alert for any signs of pursuit. He knew that the Mist Village had many eyes and ears, and any misstep could spell disaster.

Upon reaching the outskirts of the Mist, Shisui picked up his pace, the sense of urgency driving him forward. The path to the hideout was treacherous, filled with dense foliage and hidden traps meant to deter any potential pursuers. Shisui navigated the terrain with ease, his familiarity with the route a testament to their thorough preparation.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Shisui arrived at the secluded hideout. It was a small, unassuming cabin nestled in the dense forest, far enough from prying eyes but close enough to the village for a swift escape. He entered the cabin and set his bag down, his mind already racing with plans and contingencies.

Shisui knew he had to remain patient. Naruto was skilled and resourceful, and he trusted his friend to handle the situation. But the waiting was excruciating, each passing minute filled with a thousand 'what ifs'. Shisui's instincts screamed at him to act, to do something, but he forced himself to remain calm. The only thing he could do now was send a coded message to Konoha and wait for Naruto's signal.

He quickly wrote the message, detailing the situation and their current location. Using a specially trained bird summon, he sent the message off, praying it would reach Konoha without interception. With that done, all he could do now was wait and trust in Naruto's skills and their preparation.

As the hours dragged on, Shisui's mind kept returning to Naruto. He thought about the countless missions they had undertaken together, the bond they had forged through hardship and battle. Naruto was more than just a comrade; he was like a brother. And Shisui would do everything in his power to ensure they both survived this ordeal.

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Meanwhile, Pakura was following Jinin Akebino, the Wraith of the Mist, of all people. She knew that if she had been at her full strength at the beginning of the battle, she could have taken on both platoons and Jinin Akebino. But she also knew that fairness was an excuse only failures gave. If the Wraith of the Mist had been at his peak, it would have been an even battle, or possibly a losing one for her. After all, the first generation of the Mist's Seven Ninja Swordsmen was one of the strongest groups in the elemental nations.

She couldn't ponder this much, as her mind was whirling with thoughts of how easily she had been discarded by her own village. The burn of betrayal and treachery still scorched her heart. The thought of revenge and making them all pay consumed her. Amidst these conflicting thoughts, her eyes shifted to the young boy beside Jinin Akebino. She always had a soft spot for children; her own student, Maki, was a prime example. The boy was talented beyond his years, and she recognized a predator of the shinobi world when she saw one, even if the predator was just a cub now.

She was thankful that the boy had saved her, but she knew he had only done so because it gave them a better chance to escape. Her thoughts shifted from gratefulness to questioning what there was to be grateful about. What did she have to live for now? What was her purpose? All her life, she had worked towards one goal: to serve Sunagakure loyally. But now, they had spit on her and all the sacrifices she had made for them.

As her mind filled with conflicting thoughts and questions about her very existence, she heard Jinin Akebino's voice, breaking through her reverie. "Do you want to follow us?" he asked.

Startled, Pakura replied, "Why would you have me? After all, I could still be loyal to the Sand. The Sand has abandoned me, not vice versa."

Jinin, in the midst of sprinting, looked at her and said, "Girl, I've been in this line of work for so long my hair may still be black with a few white streaks, but I am old enough to have participated in all three wars. I have seen the true god of Shinobi when he came to the Mist with the Senju Devil. I have seen the world change when two gods decided that the old system no longer suited them. I have seen the fall of one of the oldest settlements, Uzushiogakure. I've seen enough to know what you're thinking. You bring in revenge. Take advice from an old man. What separates an ordinary mind from a great one is that great men act, not react. Don't let emotions guide you. Understand, then act. I don't mean not to attack or get justice. Get them, but not with a mind clouded by anger. Think clearly."

Pakura said, "It's easy for you to say."

Jinin's expression hardened. "I served the Mist for so long, yet they discarded me. Do you think it was easy for me to do nothing when the bloodline users who worked with me for decades were killed due to a madman's whims? No, I chose not to do anything for my own reasons, yet I never helped the so-called loyalists."

They reached a cave and entered. Pakura looked around and asked, "What is this place?"

Jinin replied, "This is a network of secret caves that the original order of the Seven Swordsmen once used."

As they settled in, the cave's damp air filled Pakura's lungs. She couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding. The weight of her situation pressed down on her, but Jinin's words lingered in her mind. She glanced at Naruto, who was still unconscious, and then back at Jinin, who was setting up a small fire.

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Groggily, Naruto woke up and heard a familiar voice. "You've been sleeping quite a long time now."

Alarmed, his hand moved to his kunai holster. "It's me, Jinin," the voice reassured. The effect was instant—Naruto relaxed and asked, "What happened?"

Memories flooded back to Naruto. Jinin said, "Calm down, kid. You had a pretty serious case of chakra exhaustion. You've been out of it for the past six hours."

Naruto was shocked. "Six hours?"

Before Naruto could ask another question, Jinin continued, "We're in one of my secret hideouts. Pakura has gone out to get food."

As if summoned, Pakura entered with a few game animals and flasks of water. Naruto awkwardly said, "Hello."

Pakura smiled without a hint of awkwardness. To shake away the embarrassment, Naruto said, "I have sealed food and water."

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Meanwhile, Shisui was panicking. It had been six hours, and there was no news from Naruto. Then, in a sudden puff of smoke, a raven appeared. He quickly opened the message attached to its leg. It mentioned that Naruto was safe, detailed how he confronted Pakura, and how they were betrayed. However, Naruto didn't know their current location.

Shisui wrote back, instructing Naruto to keep him informed of any updates and to meet him soon. Until then, Shisui would be in the bunker.

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Naruto was experiencing one shock after another. To think that he was the wielder of one of the most storied bloodlines, the Storm Release. He didn't know what to feel. The child in him was giddy at the thought, but the shinobi in him was considering the repercussions. He looked at Jinin, who was deep in thought, and then at Pakura, who was calmly tending to the fire.

Pakura, noticing Naruto's contemplative expression, said, "The world of shinobi is harsh. Your abilities will make you a target, but they will also make you powerful. Use that power wisely."

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Naruto finally gathered the courage to ask the question that had been burning inside him for a long time. "Why? Why are you helping me? You know well that I'm not from the Mist. I might be an infiltrator." He couldn't keep it in any longer. The question had been gnawing at him, but self-preservation had stayed his hand until now. Despite any repercussions, he had to know.

Pakura's eyes widened at the question, while Jinin looked at Naruto with a mix of amusement and seriousness. "It took you this long to ask?" Jinin laughed, his face clearing with amusement. "You should know about me before you question why I didn't turn you in when I first saw you at the academy."

Naruto listened intently as Jinin began his tale. "My name is Jinin Akebino, as the world knows me. What the world has forgotten is that there was once a clan called Akebino. We were wanderers during the Great Warring Era, one of the foremost seal smiths on the continent. Our blacksmithing skills rivaled the likes of the Fuma clan of Rice Paddies. But what truly set us apart was our knowledge of seals that could be seamlessly melded into the weapons we created, making them unique and incredibly strong."

Jinin's voice grew somber as he continued, "It so happened that some rival clans petitioned the daimyo of the Land of Lightning, claiming we were abominations that needed to be exterminated. This was mainly due to some of our practices, which they deemed barbaric and unsuitable for society. We were hunted to the ends of the world. No daimyo or clan gave us refuge because the Yotsuki clan, the clan of the present and previous Raikage, who are some of the strongest wielders of the Lightning bloodline, spearheaded the campaign and massacre."

Naruto's eyes widened with every word. Jinin continued, "By the time we reached the Land of Fire, hoping for sanctuary from the two strongest clans in the world, we were reduced to seven members, three of whom were children. The daimyo refused to give us sanctuary, not wanting a confrontation with the Land of Lightning over seven people. My clan fled the Land of Fire, still being hunted, until a wandering old red-haired saint took pity on my clan and told us that if we pledged our loyalty to his people and his land, they would protect us. But he also said that the final decision lay with the leader of his clan."

Jinin's eyes glistened with unshed tears as he recounted the tale. "My ancestors were taken to what they described as paradise: Uzushiogakure, the Village Hidden Among Whirlpools. It was a mighty fortress that stood tall and imposing, deterring harsh storms and people alike. These lands were ruled by the great Uzumakis."

Naruto's heart raced at the mention of Uzushiogakure and the Uzumakis. Jinin continued, "Uzu was ruled by the Uzumakis, but there were other clans too. It was the first hidden village, even though it was not named as such. My ancestor was taken to the court of the Uzumaki and presented before the then Great Lord, His Grace Arashi Uzumaki. This merchant, with utmost reverence, explained how he encountered four adults trying to fend for their children while even the children were being persecuted and hunted."

"The royal court was silent. There was no discussion or negotiation about our jutsu or knowledge, which my ancestors were ready to offer for the sake of their children. Only one question was asked by the aged ruler: 'Will you, will the Akebinos, serve the Land of Whirlpools loyally and with all you have?' My clan head, an aged man of 55, along with the entirety of my clan, kneeled with tears in their eyes and pledged to serve until the end of our days and our descendants' days. For two centuries, we served the Uzumakis loyally. In return, Mother Uzu embraced us as one of her own."

Jinin's eyes misted over as he closed them, his voice thick with emotion. "Imagine my shock when I learned that a descendant of the royal Uzumaki line was in the Mist, of all places. How could I turn you in, Naruto, when I saw the very bloodline that saved my ancestors, the bloodline I promised to serve and protect, running through your veins?"

Naruto was speechless, overwhelmed by the revelation. He felt a deep connection to Jinin and an understanding of the sacrifices and loyalties that bound them together. The weight of his heritage pressed down on him, but it also gave him a sense of purpose and belonging.

Jinin looked at Naruto, his eyes now clear and determined. "You carry the legacy of the Uzumakis, Naruto. Remember that your strength comes not just from your abilities, but from the sacrifices and loyalty of those who came before you. Use it wisely."

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Stay tuned for the next exciting episode of Naruto: The Last Harbinger of Storm!

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Join ThirdFireTriden on !

Chapter 26: The Bond of Loyalty IS OUT !

Chapter 27: The Turning Tide is out!

Chapter 28: Clash of Loyalties is out!

Chapter 29: Return to the Leaf is OUT! (Mist Arc is completed!)

Chapter 30: Political Crossroads is OUT!

Chapter 31: A Fitting Punishment IS OUT!

Chapter 32: Embracing Change IS OUT!

Chapter 33- Monster of a Sensei IS OUT!

Chapter 34: "The Uchiha and the Tower" IS OUT!

Chapter 35: "Convergence of Fates" IS OUT!!!

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