((This story is pure fan fiction. The characters and locations are the sole property of Shonen Jump and the series's creator, Masashi Kishimoto. Arrow is an American action crime television series developed by writer/producers Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim, and Andrew Kreisberg and is owned by the CW network. At no time is this an attempt to infringe upon their rights nor properties.))
Kushina Namikaze-Uzumaki, the Godaime Hokage, looked at the report on her desk while she waited for her dear friend and Chief Medical Officer, Tsunade Senju to arrive. Steepled hands under her chin as she regarded the results, noting how a lot of them were highlighted in yellow.
Large Reserves for his age. Accelerated healing. His reflexes, strength, endurance, and agility are in the upper Genin levels. His stamina though is closer to Chuunin. All of that points to his Uzumaki heritage...but not to this degree. The intelligence and strategic ability points to his father. Mina-kun would overthink things. Enhanced senses though… that is definitely the Kyuubi's influence. A purse of her lips as she tried to ignore the fact it was about her eleven year old son and maintain a semblance of objectivity.
Violet eyes panned up and her expression changed from thoughtful to welcoming as she rose her feet to welcome the overly buxom blonde with a hug after walking around the desk. "Good to see you Tsunade. You have no idea how happy I am you came back. How's Shizune doing?"
Tsunade returned the hug warmly and with a smile. She took a seat after her friend retook her place behind the desk, as was proper for a formal meeting. "It's only been a year but the hospital's shaping up. As you know, I released a few of the doctors," the quick frown a mark of her displeasure with those individuals, "But I see a few of the fifth year residents taking their places by summer if they keep going. There are a few gems in that group I plan to offer a Fellowship to get them to specialize. One in particular has an eye for Internal Surgery." the blonde trailed off as she noticed the somewhat blank eyed stare the Hokage wore as an expression. "Nevermind. You didn't call me here for a blow by blow of the hospital staff. What's up, Hokage-sama?" she ended with a laugh. "And Shizune's having a blast whipping the nurses into proper shape."
Kushina shook her head to clear her mind of confusion Tsunade's little rant had caused, "I'm thinking of putting Naruto in the Truncated Program. In light of these test results as well as his Academy scores and Iruka-kun's observations."
A blonde eyebrow rose in surprise. Project Deathstroke? "I thought that was canned after Itachi … I mean the Hyuuga nomination was shut down pretty hard..." she queried carefully since very few knew the whole truth of that night.
"Itachi's actions weren't the result of the program. But his growth and subsequent track record to that point were." Kushina replied honestly. She sighed as she decided whether to let her friend in on a very dark secret or not. Not. "That night and the incident that occurred during were the result of other factors and decisions that I will not discuss, Tsunade."
No stranger to politics, the blonde bombshell read between the lines quickly and surely. "I...I understand."
Kushina nodded, "I know you do. I'm informing the Council in the morning. I just really wanted your opinion."
Tsunade rose from her seat, "Then I look forward to hearing how he's kicking the program's ass." she smirked as she made to leave. "We should really get out sometime. Kick back and let our hair loose, ya know?" which meant one thing: going out and getting drunk together.
Kushina blushed hotly, "Maybe." she replied suddenly remembering just how the last time they did that ended up with Tsunade sleeping in the guest room of her apartment and her riding Minato into a sexually induced coma.
"Atta girl." Tsunade teased as she left the office.
Two days later…
Naruto sat in class with his classmates. Chatting and laughing with Kiba Inuzuka and teasing Hinata Hyuuga until she nearly passed out. He quickly turned in his chair and everyone else settled down as their sensei entered with another man.
((A/N: please interject Manu Bennett's Slade Wilson))
That he was a shinobi, there was no doubt. His body language and the ease at which he scanned the room, and its occupants, before labeling them as no threat screamed Veteran Bad Ass to them all. His choice in clothing: black wife beater, baggy dark navy pants and black sandals reinforced the image as they emphasized his powerful arms, chest, and legs. His head turned slowly as he searched all the faces until he stopped and spoke in an odd accent, "Namikaze Naruto. You're coming with me, kid."
Naruto rose to his feet the moment his name was called. A glance around showed everyone was as confused as he was. What the hell? I haven't played any pranks for over a week! Mom made me promise! He walked down the steps feeling a rock settle in his gut as he tilted his head back to stare at the man. Not backing down as he began to feel this stranger exude his Killing Intent in waves.
Meeting the stare in silence, He stopped with the KI and gave a bitter smile. "Good. You have some backbone. Let's go." with that he nodded once to Iruka and walked out, clearly expecting Naruto to follow.
Getting a move on, he caught up with the man and lengthened his stride to where he had to nearly trot to keep pace. Not even looking back as the classroom erupted in questions. Where they went Naruto had no clue, but they ended up in a clearing where a single figure in white stood. One he immediately recognized and he started to ask questions, "Mom! What the heck's going on?" Anything more was cut short as the stranger smacked him on the back of the head hard enough to send the boy to his knees.
"Shut up kid and show some respect for the Hokage." he growled as he himself went to a knee and lowered his head.
Fighting the urge to take the man out for hitting her son, Kushina steeled herself for what she had to do. "Thank you, Slade-san. As always it is good to see you." she then turned her attention to her son. "Naruto, it is by decision of the Hokage that you will be entered into Project: Deathstroke. For the next five years you will be living and training away from the distractions of the Village. This man will be your only human contact and trainer. You can only return upon completion of the program or upon your death." she paused as said hollowly, "Slade-san? I place him in your care."
The now identified Slade rose to his feet and spoke lowly, "As you will it. He'll either become a man or a corpse." he reached over and grabbed Naruto by the back of his jacket and yanked him to his feet. "By your leave?" he inquired respectfully.
Kushina nodded and showed them her back, the words "Fifth Hokage" emblazoned on the back of the white robe she wore. She wove through a complex number of handsigns before a twisting portal of swirling black and purple appeared.
Saying nothing else he lifted Naruto easily and hurled him screaming through the portal. Pausing before entering it himself, he said, "I won't be gentle, you realize that. Even if he is your son."
"I never expected you to, Slade-san. Just teach him well."
He smiled humorlessly and entered the portal, his words echoing as the doorway closed, "Of course."
On the other side...
Naruto emerged through the portal still shouting even as he landed roughly on the grassy soil and rolled until he collided against a downed tree back first. "Ow…" he said as he arched and rubbed at his now sore back. He quickly got to his feet as Slade emerged walking out of the portal without a care in the world. He pointed a finger accusingly,"What the hell do you…" his question stopped when a large fist planted itself in his gut. Dropping him to his knees yet again before he vomited his lunch and a little blood.
"No shouting." Slade said coldly as he stared at the boy, Shaking his head ruefully as he began walking into the forest. "First rule here kid is Shēngcún. It means: survive. Rule two: Never let your guard down." he looked around and then at the sky. "Three hours until dusk. You have until then to find base camp or I'll eat your dinner." he said before he disappeared into the thick jungle.
Getting to his feet, he looked around and recognized nothing. He was all alone in a strange place with an apparent madman. What the hell's Mom thinking?! What is Project Deathstroke? Putting all of his questions aside, he began searching for clues. Finding a few light tracks, he set off into the jungle.
Two hours and forty-five minutes later…
Naruto stumbled into a clearing to see Slade ladling a thick stew into two wooden bowls. His stomach growled loudly and he made his way forward, eyes glued to the steaming bowl. He started to reach for it, but stopped himself. Somehow keeping himself under control.
Slade nodded and handed him the bowl and utensils. "Good. You can control your impulses and maintain your humanity. Eat and I'll answer some questions." he said as he settled back with his own stew.
Naruto forced himself to eat slowly, knowing that to gorge was to invite trouble he made sure to chew before asking, "Who are you? How do you know my Mom? What is this place?" he then shoveled another spoonful into his mouth after blowing on it.
Slade laughed as he responded, "Alright. In order. My name is Slade. My family name is Wilson. You will address me as Slade-shishou or Sir. Either of those will do. Anything else and I'll make you wish your parents had never decided to figure out what sex is." he added in a deadly serious tone, "I'm an old friend of your parents. I owe them a life debt. This place is called Lian Yu. It means Purgatory. You can call it home. Or hell. Or whatever you want. You're going to be here for five years."
Pausing in eating to let the information sink in, he asked, "Mom said I'd be training here. What will I be learning? What is Project Deathstroke?"
Pausing in his own eating, Slade lifted a black eyebrow. Interesting. He cuts to the point without me having to do a long introduction. I may come to like this kid. Maybe. He answered as the sky darkened quickly and the only source of light was the campfire. "It's so named after a world famous assassin and mercenary. You will be learning the skills he spent a lifetime perfecting. You will become either the new Deathstroke or will wind up in a grave." he paused thoughtfully, "Though you will eventually end up in one anyway…"
"Specifically?" Naruto prompted as he set aside his bowl though he really wanted to dive after seconds. He reflexively caught a bottle of water thrown at him.
"Specifically everything you have learned to date and I'm going to make you polish every one of those skills until you are the best. I've read your file. You're good at the basics, despite the limited practice. Your mom told me you continued to train in those basics. I'm going to see if she was right or if you're blowing smoke up her skirt. If I'm satisfied with what you show me, we'll talk about what comes afterwards. Now get some sleep in that tent." he finished gesturing to some supplies set out for him. "Well it looks like you'll have to set it up. Silly of me to forget. Hop to it!" he ordered as he doused the fire and went into his own tent. "Oh and kid...if you wake me up for anything less than life or death, you'll regret it."
Thirty minutes later, Naruto crawled into the poorly raised tent and crawled into his sleeping bag. Then he cursed quietly when the tent fell around him. Fuck it...too tired, he thought as he fell to sleep. Never noticing the shadow of a man standing not far and shaking his head.
This is going to be a looong five years… Slade thought to himself.
Five years later…
Kushina stood nervously as she stared into the vortex. Worried that Slade would emerge with a body bag dragging behind him. To make her fears rise even higher, she stepped aside as Slade did emerge, using a makeshift crutch to balance himself.
He dipped his head, speaking in that low voice, "Hokage-sama…"
Her hand rising to hide her fears, she took a moment to respond. "Slade-san?"
He looked over his shoulder and said bluntly, "Get your ass in gear, kid. You're scaring the hell out of your mother."
A laugh came from the depths," Well, serves her right for the scare she gave me five years ago."
He did it! He actually did it! She thought proudly as a new figure emerged. One that made her lips part in surprise and a blush rise on her cheeks. He looks just like his father! Just...beefier. She amended after a moment of contemplation.
Standing nearly five-foot-eleven, Naruto rubbed the back of his head nervously. His hair had grown long and shaggy even with the wild spikiness. His eyes shined a bright blue as they met with the violet gaze of the woman across from him. His clothing was identical to what Slade had worn when they had first met five years prior. A strange pack strapped to his back in a solid olive green colour ((ALICE Pack, US ARMY issue type)) and a long black case in his left hand. His smile never wavering as he went to a knee and bowed his head. "I've come home...Hokage-sama." His voice had deepened to a rich full baritone that conveyed the warmth of his emotions.
Taking a moment to compose herself, Kushina nodded and knuckled the tears from the corners of her eyes. Straightening to her full height she intone formally, "Welcome back…" a glance in time to see Slade's slow nod, "Namikaze Naruto, Deathstroke of Konoha."