LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 48: council of shadow
The dimly lit council chamber was filled with tension as the elders and clan leaders of Konoha gathered to discuss critical village matters. Each face bore an expression of seriousness as they exchanged glances, wary of what was to come. They weren't prepared for the visitor who would join them today.
At just seven years old, Naruto Uzumaki entered the council chamber with confidence that belied his age. Dressed in a sharp black and red kimono embroidered with swirling patterns of fire and wind, he commanded an aura of authority. His crimson and silver eyes shimmered ominously, their hypnotic glow amplified by the dark, swirling energy of his Shinringan (5-tamoi)—a dojutsu feared even by the mightiest shinobi.
Behind him, a masked ANBU operative silently stepped aside, announcing, "Lord Naruto Uzumaki has arrived."
The elders and clan leaders turned to face the boy, their expressions a mix of confusion, curiosity, and contempt. To them, he was still a child—a loud, impulsive brat with no place among the leadership. But today, that perception would change forever.
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Naruto Takes Control
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat at the head of the table, observing Naruto with a mixture of suspicion and intrigue. "Naruto," he said in his deep, measured voice, "why have you requested an audience with the council? These are matters beyond your years."
Naruto's lips curled into a slight smirk as he stepped forward. "Lord Hokage, I believe my years are irrelevant. What matters is my power—and my vision for this village."
The room erupted into murmurs of disapproval. The elders were insulted by the boy's audacity, and the clan leaders exchanged disapproving glances. One of the elders, Homura Mitokado, banged his hand on the table.
"This is absurd! A child has no place here. Remove him at once!" he barked.
Naruto's smirk widened, and a faint glow emanated from his eyes. "It seems some of you still underestimate me. Allow me to demonstrate why that's a mistake."
With a flick of his fingers, the intricate tomoe patterns in his Shinringan began to spin rapidly. A dark, hypnotic aura filled the chamber as his dojutsu activated. One by one, the elders and clan leaders froze, their eyes widening in shock as Naruto's mind control seized them.
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The Power of the Shinringan
The swirling patterns in Naruto's eyes mirrored themselves in the irises of his targets. Hiruzen, Homura, Koharu, and even the proud clan heads like Hiashi Hyuga and Fugaku Uchiha found themselves ensnared. They struggled momentarily, their willpower impressive but futile against the overwhelming power of Naruto's 5-tamoi Shinringan.
"Let me be clear," Naruto said, his voice cold and commanding. "You all have a choice: align with me, or lose your free will entirely. But know this—resistance is futile."
The room was silent, save for the faint hum of Naruto's chakra coursing through the air. Slowly, the once-defiant elders began to nod, their expressions blank and compliant under Naruto's control.
Satisfied, Naruto deactivated his Shinringan, releasing them from his influence—but not before planting subconscious commands deep within their minds.
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Naruto's Vision
Naruto turned to Hiruzen, who, despite his age and experience, now regarded the boy with a mixture of fear and admiration. "Hokage-sama," Naruto said with a mockingly polite tone, "this village is flawed. The council spends too much time bickering while the common people suffer. That ends today."
Hiruzen hesitated, then asked cautiously, "What are you proposing, Naruto?"
"I am proposing reform," Naruto declared, his voice unwavering. "The old ways are dead. Konoha will prosper under a new order—my order. And with your approval, I will ensure that prosperity comes swiftly."
Hiashi Hyuga, now free from the Shinringan's grip but shaken by its power, spoke up hesitantly. "And if we refuse? What then?"
Naruto's gaze turned to him, cold and calculating. "Refusal is not an option. You've seen what I can do, Hiashi. You all have. Now imagine what I could do if I weren't feeling merciful."
Hiashi fell silent, and the rest of the council followed suit. The boy had made his point.
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The New Leader Emerges
Naruto walked to the center of the room, standing directly under the chandelier's dim light. "Here's how this will work," he said. "From now on, all council decisions will pass through me. You will all publicly maintain your roles, but behind the scenes, you answer to me. Do I make myself clear?"
The council members exchanged uneasy glances but nodded in agreement, too afraid to challenge him.
Naruto's smirk returned, his confidence radiating like a flame. "Good. Remember this moment, all of you. Today marks the beginning of Konoha's true future."
He turned to leave, pausing at the door to deliver a final warning. "And one more thing—if any of you even think about opposing me, you'll regret it."
With that, he walked out of the chamber, leaving behind a room full of shaken but obedient council members.
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A Seven-Year-Old Conqueror
As Naruto stepped into the cool evening air, he couldn't help but feel a surge of satisfaction. At only seven years old, he had accomplished what most could only dream of: bending the most powerful leaders in Konoha to his will.
The path to his ultimate goal was now clear. The village was his to mold, his to command. And this was only the beginning.