ST9
Prologue.
"3."
"2."
"1!"
"GO!"
4 figures shot out of the tree line at insane speed. Two heads on the ground. Two seconds. Anyone close enough could barely tell they wore black wooden masks, black baggy utilities, black armor plating on their abdomen, forearms, and shins, and wielded midnight black katanas. But then again, any one in the Kumo camp close enough to see this would be writhing in agony, soaked in a pool of their own blood, dying of a sword slash to the throat. Thus was the works of team nine of Konoha's elite ANBU Special Tactics branch "Roots". Precision. Speed. Instant Death.
The ninja world was at war again.
It all started 3 years after the Sand/Sound invasion. Many prominent officials saw it as a minor dispute over land and power. It was actually a prelude to war. Kumo, witnessing the destructive capabilities of Oto after the [A/N- fictional Kishuma village massacre, signed an alliance with Orochimaru. Suna, as we know, was allied with Konoha. Soon enough, smaller countries were flocking to ally with either powerful side. The world was a hair's width away from war. And Sasuke's second defection finally broke the tension. Accusations were flying, Sound accused Konoha of forcing their elite nin to leaving. Konoha defended their precious sharingan wielder. 1 week later, a declaration of war landed on the Godaime hokage's desk. The world was at war, and she wept.
Team seven was on a border patrol mission the day war was declared. Naruto had just gotten back from his training with Jiraiya 4 months before, and he still had his crush on Sakura. What ever changed?
FLASHBACK
Naruto, Sakura, and Sai were separated from Kakashi when they heard the chirping of a thousand birds.
"Damn birds, I just woke up!" Naruto complained. Sakura smacked him in the head.
"BAKA!!! That's Kakashi-sempai!"
"Let's check it out", Sai gave an uninspired answer.
The 3 blasted into a clearing, and saw a horrifying sight. A man in white aand yellow robes and matching hat held his fist through a limp blue and green clad ninja. Kakashi wasn't moving. Sakura knew the moment she saw him he was dead. Naruto tried to rush into the clearing but Sai stood in his way.
"NO NARUTO, it too dangerous, that's the Raikage! The fucking Raikage!" Sai whispered, showing unusual emotion.
"We need to get the hell out of here", Sakura said calmly. She was doing a good job of hiding her shock, sadness, and rage.
So they did, they double timed it all the way to Konoha. The moment they stepped into Godaime's office, they knew something was wrong. Tsunade was weeping.
"What is it Tsunade-baba?" Naruto asked, exasperated.
"We're at war."
A look of understanding crossed the minds of team 7 So this was the way it was.
END FLASHBACK
After major engagements all across he fire country, it was apparent the war was going nowhere. It was a stalemate.
War did incredible things to Team 7, good and bad. First Sai was killed. Sasuke took his place on the team again once his psychiatric evaluation and training was over. Yamato was their new sensei. All were promoted to jounin to fill in gaps in the ranks.
Six months later Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto were promoted to ANBU. There were no celebrations. Just mutual understanding. Thanks to a wooden mask, Naruto could finally roam the streets of Konoha with stares not of hatred, but respect. Almost a year of war had changed them all.
After several S-class missions, and the assassination of the grass countries daimyo, they joined Roots, and were redesignated team nine. Yamato didn't follow them, staying in regular ANBU. The stage was set for greatness or failure. Now all that was certain was bloodshed.