Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, but I wish I could own Minato though.
Prologue - New Recruit
"No matter who you are, no matter what you did, no matter where you've come from, you can always change, become a better version of yourself."
― Madonna
Perhaps it was the darkness in Naruto's heart that Danzo saw that made him curious about the Jinchuuriki. Perhaps. Danzo wasn't a fool when it came to identifying such people that would be suitable for the Root or ANBU.
'He may be loud, but that will certainly change once we teach him the right ways.' Danzo mused. 'He'd be an…. Interesting addition.'
He observed the blonde boy as he ran his fingers through his hair sheepishly, being caught in the act of vandalism. Despite the posture of remorse, he could see the glint of defiance and hatred in his eyes for the way that the people looked at him because he had a tailed beast sealed within him.
"I'm not 'that thing'!" Naruto bursted out, before sprinting away which snapped the black-haired man out of his reverie. Danzo's lips curled into a sly smile. Yes, that boy would be his next acolyte and he'd certainly be a prodigy indeed.
With that thought in mind, he walked towards the headquarters of Konoha, wanting to make a request to his old friend to transfer that boy under his care. Maybe a compromise of some sort to transfer him to ANBU when he was done with the teachings of the Root was in order. It'd benefit both of them - tame the child and mature him such that he'd be control of his emotions.
'If he'll have any to begin with when he's done with the training of the Hidden Mist.'
内に宿る闇 - The Darkness That Dwells Within
"What business do you have with me, Danzo?" The Third Hokage asked offhandedly, hearing the familiar footsteps and sound of the walking stick, not bothering to look up from his paperwork.
"I'd like you to transfer Uzumaki Naruto under my care of the Root, Hiruzen."
The Third Hokage looked up from his papers in alarm. "Why such a boisterous request? Does the child have an aptitude for such things?"
"You've seen the darkness that's growing, you've seen his philandering ways, Hiruzen." He said tartly. "I'd like to tame him and it'd be beneficial for both of us. He won't lose control and there won't be a chance of the Nine-Tails going on a rampage like what happened five years ago."
The Third Hokage wondered for a moment. Yes, it would be beneficial but would Minato want his own child to go into such a ruthless organization? To kill without a thought, only missions and no namesakes?
Danzo saw the hesitance in his friend and striked. "I won't ask him to forget his name, afterall, it's a bloodline that is limited. Once he reaches of age or when I'm done with what I can teach him, he'll be transferred to ANBU. Isn't that a worthy bargain? We both win."
The Third Hokage sighed. From the look of his friend's eyes (or the lack thereof of one) he could see that he'd go through all means of getting the child under his wings. He knew the child causing problems and the citizens' complains, but who could blame him? Being an orphan since he was young and shunned because of what was sealed in him wasn't something he could avoid.
No matter how tempting, his resolve stayed. "If the Fourth Hokage was alive, he would not condone his own blood joining such organizations so ruthless that they can kill without remorse, even though it brings peace to Konahagakure."
"But Minato is six feet under, and he cannot love the child and tame his ways. Surely you understand how important the child is. He is the Jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi, which is the only thing that holds a great power to make our enemies hesitant to attack. Taking him into the Root is an ideal option. We can give him protection and teach him defensive skills, instead of that old attic that is vulnerable to attacks." Danzo retorted back.
"I have to take my student student's feelings in account, I hope you understand that. The child will nurture and grow however he pleases, we will only guide for he is not a puppet to toy with or a piece in a chess game. He is human I like to enforce that. He may be the vessel of the Kyuubi, but he too, has feelings and he is Uzumaki Naruto through and through."
Danzo's eyes hardened. "You know how many assassination attempts that had went against him, the amount of death threats he has and yet he's oblivious to. You know these things and yet you allow the child, who had somehow managed to survive with sheer luck and will continue to be in danger? Like you said, he is the vessel of an ancient relic and we need it. If the vessel dies, it will be a repertoire of what happened five years ago. With instability of peace between villages, losing him would tip the scales into the enemies' favor and they will not hesitate to strike at our weakest."
Before the Third Hokage could speak, he continued. "It's not a selfish decision. It can help Konoha in many ways. We can help him not lose control, we can provide him the needed protection. We can teach him the ways of the Root and ANBU such that he will never be taken advantaged of, which are things he needs in order to survive in the shinobi world as a Jinchuuriki."
With reluctance, the Third Hokage knew the words hit home before he finally nodded his head after much contemplating. Some training for the child to get stronger and refining his skills could easily get him into a high ranking shinobi if he decided to be defected. Learning to control his emotions wouldn't hurt would be a good thing too.
"But by the age of 15, he is to join the ANBU." The Third Hokage then opened his conjoining drawer, pulling out a seal and giving it to Danzo. "And if he is to ever lose control, use this on him. It'll pull him back to his consciousness."
Danzo glanced at it, before nodding and keeping it in his sleeve pocket. "Point taken. I thank you for agreeing with my choice and I shall take my leave."
He walked briskly out the door, before finally revealing his smirk. Now that he had gotten his permission, he was going to mould the child to his pleasing.
"Fu. Torune. Collect the child at midnight. I shall see to him at dawn. I will not accept failure." He ordered coldly, before walking back to the Root, in preparation for the new member. His followers nodded, before disappearing.
Naruto couldn't even let out a scream before two men descended upon him. He knew the scene all too well. They were here to kill him, again. Anger and sadness welled in him. Who the world decided to curse him to have such a thing in him? Had he sinned so much in the past to deserve such a treatment?
"Child, do not fight. We do not want to hurt you." Fu muttered, knowing that Danzo would be displeased if they had bruised the child.
Naruto attempted to shriek, before biting into his captor's hand. "That's what you all say!" Before he whipped out a three-edged kunai from his pocket, attempting to slash his captors into backing off. He had known too many times if he caused too much trouble, they'd give up.
Torune was barely fazed. 'This child sleeps with one eye open. It's terribly tragic he's constantly being hunted. The Root shall teach him ways to protect himself from harm's way.'
"Knock him out." He muttered, before darting behind the child and pressing onto his pressure point. Throwing the boy over his shoulders, they darted towards the Root, knowing that Naruto had to be restrained or he might try to be free. For someone who was constantly hated on, he had a fighting spirit in him that was not to be underestimated.
内に宿る闇 - The Darkness That Dwells Within
Naruto woke up in a disoriented state. He glanced around, surprised that he wasn't half-dead in some forest nearby. He snorted at the thought, because no one would care if he was alive or dead. Well, mostly wanted the latter for him.
The place was nicer than most, having high walls, with him in the middle of the intersection of the four paths. He looked at the ropes he was tied in and he groaned, knowing that no matter how small his size, he wouldn't be able to wriggle out of this without rope burns.
"Welcome to the Root, Uzumaki Naruto." Danzo said, walking up to the blonde boy.
"What do you want from me!?" He yelled, glaring at the black-haired man with utmost hatred.
Danzo frowned, before slapping the boy. "I do not tolerate disobedience, child, and you ought to give some respect to your elders." He said coldly. "The Root is an organization that strives to protect Konoha secretly and you've been recruited."
Naruto looked suspiciously at the man towering over him. "Why'd you want a child like you said?"
"You'll know soon enough." He said in a matter-of-factly tone. "But I see a craving in your heart, child. You long for somewhere to belong, to be accepted. And the Root-" He gestured around him-"Can grant you that. You won't be known as someone with a Tailed Beast, you'll just be Uzumaki Naruto."
"Really?" He said quietly, unable to believe the preposition placed before him.
"I guarantee that." Danzo said firmly, knowing that he had dissuaded the child.
"I'll join the whatever then."
"The Root. Get the organization's name drilled into your head child." He corrected. "Your training starts in two hours. Fu will show you where you will reside in and the place you will train."
With that final line, Danzo walked off, knowing that he'd need to pay close attention to Naruto.
Welcome to my first Naruto story! This was mainly from Danzo's perspective, but I guarantee after this it's mostly Naruto! It's just more of a introduction how he got into such an organization and him getting into the ANBU and stuff.
Any comments on what I can improve on? Review!
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Till next time! (Uploaded 10 May 2014)