Prologue: Decisions, Past and Future:

Hiruzen sighed as he leaned back in his chair. The battle over, exhaustion had finally set in. It still didn't feel real. Minato gone, Biwako gone, he was lost. When he stepped down two years ago, he had looked forward to a long retirement. Give Minato some occasional advice, play with the grandchildren, read his student's works. He didn't particularly want to be Hokage again.

"Being Hokage is more than being strong Saru," Tobirama-Sensei used to say, "Being Hokage means placing the village above all."

Hiruzen saw the fox disappear. He burst into the clearing. Minato was on all fours, hovering over his son, his dead wife next to him. "Minato…" Hiruzen whispered.

Minato only had enough strength to turn his head. "Heh, looks like I have to bother you again Sandaime-dono."

"Your son. How - I mean, why?" he finished lamely.

Minato smiled, "It was a dangerous man behind the event. The village needs its jinchuriki in the coming times." He started coughing splattering blood over Naruto's face. He tenderly wiped him. "Look after me for him. Let him know that I had no choice, that I love him, and most of all, that I believe in him."

Minato understood. He knew the hard life jinchuriki led. Yet, he still sealed the fox in his son. Naruto. This small, innocent boy was going to spend his entire life fighting, for survival, for the village, for himself. Some would see him as a monster, others a weapon. He wondered how many would see the boy inside.

The door creaked open, and a man shuffled inside. Shimura Danzo had seen better days. Arm and eye bound, each movement was an effort, or it seemed like one. Hiruzen could never quite tell with Danzo.

Danzo sank into his chair. "So this is the boy then?"

"It is."

There was no immediate response. Danzo chose his next words carefully, "What will you do with him?"

Hiruzen sighed. Truthfully, he had no idea. He desperately wanted Naruto to have free childhood. But, he needed to be prepared for his life ahead.

"His status remains a secret for now, " Hiruzen started, "and I intend to keep it that way for the foreseeable future."

"Good. " Danzo nodded firmly, "but his education?"

"He will be prepared for his duty, like his mother before him. He will learn his burden, and how to harness it," Hiruzen replied. "He has a long road ahead of him."

"The boy was born to be a shinobi Hiruzen. I have no doubt he will become an excellent one."

"He'll also spend his entire life looking over his shoulder! Watching for the next village or group who want his body, his chakra, his beast!" Hiruzen spat.

Danzo raised his remaining eyebrow at his outburst. He'd always been measured over the years. He didn't let success or failure change him. It made him an excellent commander, able to be objective unattached. Hiruzen disagreed with his philosophy, but didn't ignore his results. Whatever Danzo did, it worked and he didn't care how. That said, he was curious, "You don't want the boy for yourself Danzo?"

Danzo snorted, "I'm sure that's how I'm seen. The boogeyman stealing ninjas. That said, a jinchuriki is too important to risk on my training method. If you say you'll have him raised right, I believe you Hiruzen."

"Yes," Hiruzen muttered, "let's just hope I am."

Chapter 1: Enter, Naruto!

Naruto woke at exactly five in the morning. He quietly slipped out of bed and made his way out behind the house. He started stretching, willing away the stiffness from sleep.

He liked his early morning excercises. As a child, the katas were difficult for his small body, requiring his total concentration. Combined with the early hour, he absolutely loathed the entire affair. Seven years later, they were muscle memory, and he spent the time in an almost-meditative trance. He did a lot of his best thinking this time of day.

Today was a special day. Late last night, the Old Man informed Naruto knew it could only mean one thing, he was finally getting a team! No more handlers, no more Pervy Sage. Real missions with real teammates. He rarely interacted with kids his age. He wasn't imprisoned, but it felt like it sometimes. His life had been constant training since he was six years old, and had little time for anything else. Naruto knew why, and even understood why, but it didn't mean he had to like it.

"You carry a great burden Naruto, " the Sandaime said. He took a deep pull of his pipe, staring out into the village. "A jinchuriki's life is rarely easy. You are the village's shield, and its sword."

"B-but, I don't know if I can do that Old Man! I mean, I can barely wake up for training ya know?"

The Sandaime smiled, "Your father had faith in you Naruto. That's why he sealed the Kyuubi in you. I share that faith." Seeing that Naruto wasn't really reassured, he sighed, "Naruto, the village asks a lot of you, but it will also support you. Konoha's strength comes from its men and women fighting for each other. While a ninja of Konoha, the village is your family, and support you as a family should. "

At thirteen, Naruto was stronger than most ninja his age. But for all his strength, he had no idea how to work in a team, the most crucial aspect of being a Konoha shinobi. But he would learn, he swore it. He would find friends, precious people, to love and protect.

Hiruzen looked down at the file. Gaara of the Desert. Host of the Ichibi, and a crazed young boy if the reports were true. A crazed young boy that would be attending the Konoha chuunin exams. Villages rarely sent their jinchuriki for events as trivial as promotion exams. It reeked of deceit.

He had hoped to shield Naruto from the world longer, but he no longer had a choice. Short of a plant, he didn't have a genin that would be able to keep up with Gaara, considering his abilities. Naruto would be the only one that could face Gaara one on one, and win.

Koharu was the first to speak, "It's time then?"

Hiruzen sighed, "It looks like it. I had really hoped to wait longer -"

"Don't worry Hiruzen," Danzo interjected. "The boy is ready. His abilities were made for taking down those of Gaara's ilk."

Homura was the only one yet to speak. He sat back in his chair, pensive look on his face. "I think, " he spoke slowly, considering every word, "that the experience will be good for him regardless. Uzumaki is loyal to the idea of the village, not the village and its people." He stopped to take a sip of his tea, " Meeting those his age, developing bonds are crucial for him to truly love the village, the way we do."

"You're not worried about the danger? He's an impulsive boy" Koharu prompted.

Homura snorted, "As irritating as he can be, he's competent, and knows when to focus."

"Very well." Hiruzen stood up and tapped a seal on the corner of his desk. The door opened and a young woman walked in.

"You rang Hokage-sama?"

"Ah Kimiko, please send for Uzumaki Naruto. Let him know I'd like to see him in my office immediately."

Naruto took a deep breath and knocked twice on the door.

"Come in."

The Hokage sat behind his desk, hands clasped in front of him. Surrounding him in a semi-circle were his advisors. His former teammates, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, and the head of the ANBU Danzo Shimura. Naruto had met the man on several occasions, and was wary of him. There was no doubting Danzo's loyalty, or his interest in Naruto's safety, but Naruto always felt something off about him.

"Hokage-sama, honored elders, " Naruto greeted. This wasn't just him and the Old Man. With the full council, he had to watch his words. Offending one of them could cause him years of problems.

The Hokage spoke first, "I assume you know why you've been called here Naruto-kun."

"I have an idea, " Naruto responded. "Will I get a chance to join a team of genin Hokage-sama?"

"Yes," the Hokage confirmed, "but for a specific reason. Konoha will host the chuunin exam in two months. Genin from various minor villages, and the Sand are participating. We, we-" He cut himself off looking pained.

"Hiruzen! Compose yourself!" Utatane-sama hissed.

"I'm sorry, " the Hokage resumed, "As I was saying, we will need you to be our plant."

Naruto was baffled, "Plant? I'm sorry I don't follow Hokage-sama,"

Seeing the Hokage wasn't speaking up, Utatane-sama elected to continue, "Suna has sent their jinchuriki. A crazed boy according to the reports; he slaughters indiscriminately." That left a sour taste in Naruto's mouth. Anyone chosen to host a tailed beast led a hard life. Hosts who resorted to abusing their power and killing gave them all a bad name.

Utatane-sama had seen his reaction and nodded approvingly. "You, Uzumaki-kun, are the only genin we have that can face him. You have a unique skillset, one that can directly counter him, in both forms."

Here Danzo interrupted. "There is a chance he may initiate a full transformation. How comfortable are you with the beast's chakra boy?"

Naruto grimaced, "Three tails, Danzo-sama."

Danzo wasn't impressed, "I expect you to be further after a lifetime's worth of training."

Naruto expected himself to be further. He had found his answer recently after going through the notes left behind. "Apparently Danzo-sama, anything beyond three or four tails will require me to tangle with the beast directly inside my mindscape. Neither Mito-sama or my mother ever progressed to this stage. At my current level, I do not feel ready to take that step."

Danzo didn't respond, only staring at him. "Failure would mean the Kyuubi being the dominant personality in my body," Naruto clarified. Danzo dismissed the matter, but Naruto could tell he hadn't fully let it go.

The Hokage finally spoke again, "Naruto-kun, it's an unsavoury mission we have for you. It won't be easy either. You will need to subdue Gaara, kill him if you must, seal him if you can't."

Naruto was surprised. They're putting that much faith in me...I can't fail them now. He gave a deep bow, "I won't fail you Hokage-sama!"

The Hokage gave a pained smile, "I know you won't Naruto-kun. You will be added to Team 7 consisting of Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura for the duration of the exams. The team leader is Kakashi." The Hokage took another deep breath, and gave another smile, one that reached his eyes. "I know how long you've been waiting to join a team. Enjoy this."

Naruto bowed and murmured his goodbyes. Walking out of the tower, his mind was working in overdrive. Frankly, it was a mission he didn't particularly like. He may have to kill this Sabaku no Gaara. The first time he killed, he was convinced he was the monster. It took Pervy Sage an hour to calm him down. His target was a real monster. Abusing the power like that… it bothered him deeply. Shaking his head he tried to focus on the positives - teammates! Yes, thinking about teammates and the bowl of Ichiraku's ramen he was about to have was much better. Resolved, he set off for the ramen stand, smiling all the way.

"Well, " Homura remarked, "he took it well."

"Indeed, " Koharu agreed, "it gives me hope." At Homura's questioning look, she clarified, "The fact that he can be serious when called for."

Hiruzen was apprehensive, they were risking a lot. He turned to his ANBU commander, "Danzo, I want a full squadron on him during the 2nd exam. Fair play or not, Naruto-kun is too valuable an asset."

Danzo nodded, "As you wish Hokage-sama."

It soothed his conscience that they weren't quite throwing Naruto into the fire.

Hiruzen turned around and faced the window. He heard the three leave, but he was too focused on beautiful view in front of him. Times like this reminded just who he was making the decisions for. The village before all Hiruzen, the village before all.