In the streets of Konohagakure, a pair of of drunk, angry villagers chase down a small child. Who is this small child? One Naruto Uzumaki.
They chase him in the night, through paths and alleyways, until he has nowhere left to run. Seeing that he's run into a dead-end, he turns around hoping that he has enough time to exit the alleyway and continue running from the mob. Unfortunately, that was not to be.
The pair of drunks close in on him, knowing that the boy had no escape route. As they close in, they start beating the boy mercilessly, punching with their fists, smaching their bottles on his head, cutting him with shards of broken glass. One of the men, a shinobi, begins hacking at him with his kunai.
"Damn you demon!" "For the Yondaime!" "Return to hell!" They would yell these things and more as they wail on the boy.
A few minutes after they began their assault, a group of special ANBU, ROOT, descends on them.
The ROOT shinobi begin executing those who've said the term "demon" or anything similar, while others were quickly incapacitated and arrested. The shinobi within the group pretended to be helping, but by then it was too late, and they too were either killed or taken into custody.
After the chaos settled down, the ROOT members left, with the last one taking Naruto into his arms and heading towards Hokage Tower.
Within the tower, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the reinstated Sandaime Hokage after the Yondaime's death at the hands of the Kyuubi, watched on his crystal ball, mourning at the event.
'Oh Naruto…', he thought.
Behind him, Danzo watches.
"I've told you many times, Hiruzen, that announcing the boy's Jinchuriki status would lead to such abuse. How many times have I had to remind you?", Danzo asks.
"Too many", the Hokage replies, "Too many times. I should have listened to you. If not for me, then the boy wouldn't have to deal with such scorn. If not for me, then he wouldn't have to deal with the abuse. If not for me, he wouldn't have to survive on his own in the streets after being kicked out of the orphanage. If not for-"
"Enough, Hiruzen. Wallowing in self-pity will not help this situation."
"I know, but-"
"It is not too late to do something. If you wish to atone for this, do something for the boy. I know you consider him a second grandson. Why not give him a gift? Tomorrow is his birthday, is it not?"
"Yes, it is, but it's also the Kyuubi Festival tomorrow. While the people celebrate the supposed weakening of the Kyuubi, Naruto will be shunned, perhaps even beaten, during the event… and it will be much worse than today."
"Yes, but you are the Hokage. You have the power to prevent such an occurrence. Why not use it?"
"Because doing so would make it seem like favoritism. The most I could do is give him an apartment and an allowance, the latter of which I've already done."
"An excuse if I've ever heard one. If not that, why not make him a ninja?"
"An excellent idea, but I doubt he would be popular in the Academy. They might even try to sabotage him, forcefully making him the dead last."
"Then give Naruto to me. I will train him", states Danzo.
"That too is a wonderful idea, however, Naruto would not be able to handle such intense training. Even if he were, he does not have enough darkness within him to be an effective ROOT or even ANBU shinobi", Hiruzen counters.
"Then have someone teach him, then give him to me."
"Any suggestions on who to apprentice him?"
"The Yondaime's student, Kakashi Hatake. He is an excellent shinobi to teach the boy, even with his severe slothfulness. And I know that he is one of the few who do not dislike the boy."
"Yes, he would be a marvelous sensei, but there is also the matter of the council."
"Yes, those fools would no doubt want him to remain uneducated and without power. They would sooner screech at you to reconsider 'giving the demon what he wants', those buffoons", Danzo says.
"Yes, I have no doubt they would do that, or worse. However, I do believe that some of the shinobi portion of the council would vote for the idea, if not only to spite the civilian portion", Hiruzen says.
"Indeed. Fugaku, the Uchiha Clan Head, would no doubt vote for the idea. The Yondaime was his best friend after all. Ironically, his younger son, Sasuke, is friends with Naruto. That, and he is one of the few to know Naruto's lineage. The same goes for Inoichi, Shikaku, and Choza, the Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi Clan Heads, respectively."
"Tsume, the Inuzuka Clan Head, will vote yes, as she knows the sacrifice that the boy is making. That, and her clan values family, and they no doubt consider Naruto as their family. He is friends with Tsume's children, after all. Shibi, the Aburame Clan Head, will vote yes, as he can relate to the feeling of being shunned by your peers for something inside you."
"Hiashi is the only Clan Head to worry about, as his clan is one of the most influential, rivaling the Uchiha Clan. The Hyuuga are known for their pride, and some of the Hyuuga's Main Family have been in the mobs before. Although, there is the chance that they may vote yes, as some members of the Branch Family, as well as the Clan Heir, Hinata Hyuuga, and Hiashi's wife have taken a liking to Naruto."
"Yes. Even if the civilian portion demand otherwise, with those votes, Naruto would be able to become Kakashi's student. We must also consider the outlier of the civilian portion. That ramen stand owner, Teuchi Ichiraku, would vote yes, as Naruto is a family friend and one of their best customers. That adds an extra point to the table, which means that votes would be equal, considering Hiashi votes no."
"In the event that Hiashi votes no for our proposal and the votes end in a tie, the decision would ultimately fall to the Elders, including me. I, of course, would vote yes. Koharu and Homura would vote yes, as they trust my judgement."
"Yes, this will certainly work out in our favor."
As the two old men finish discussing their decision, ANBU Captain Kakashi Hatake enters the room, a bloody and beaten Naruto in his arms.
"Hokage-sama, Danzo-sama", he greets, "Naruto's been attacked again, though not as severe as before."
"So it seems", the Sandaime replies.
"Hiruzen, tell him", Danzo says to the Hokage.
"Kakashi, I have a proposition for you."
"Yes, Hokage-sama?", asks Kakashi.
"I want you to become Naruto's personal sensei."
"...What?"
"I said, I want you to become Naruto's sensei."
"...No", Kakashi answers.
Hiruzen sighs. "And why not?", he asks.
"Hokage-sama, I am not fit to be a sensei, and I have too many duties to even have the time to teach him", Kakashi replies.
"I believe you did not hear your Hokage correctly, Inu", Danzo says.
"Yes. ANBU Captain Inu, I am giving you an S-Rank mission to become Naruto Uzumaki's sensei", the old Hokage demands.
"But Hokage-sama-", Kakashi tries to retort.
"No 'buts'. Unless you would like to oppose your Hokage?"
"...No, Hokage-sama. I will teach Naruto Uzumaki", Kakashi gives in.
"Excellent", Danzo says, "Now to deal with that damnable council."
"Unfortunately", the Hokage says somberly. "Inu, I want you to bring Dr. Yoiisha here to heal Naruto. I trust the doctors at the hospital with Naruto as much as I trust the Academy teachers with him. After that, go inform the members of the Council of a meeting tomorrow morning", he demands.
"Yes, Hokage-sama", Kakashi replies, taking his leave.
Meanwhile, inside Naruto…
'Hmm, it seems that the brat has been brutalized once more. I might as well heal him, if only to preserve myself. Though, I'll do it later, when that doctor of his finishes up his work. That way, I won't have to do as much,' monologued a large, red fox.
The fox opens one eye, looking around at its flooded cage. 'If only this brat knew about me. Then at least he would hopefully brighten up this dreary place.' The fox continued thinking until his thoughts wandered off to his past. 'If only I had my full power, then I could communicate with the brat and either kill him and steal his body or… befriend him, and have him free me one day. But because of that damned seal that blasted Namikaze created, I'm stuck in here, with half of me gone. If only I was still a dre-', Kyuubi immediately stopped himself from thinking further, 'No, don't think about that, it will cause you grief and anger…'
'Damn that slimy, pink, tutu-headed amphibian! Reincarnation is a bitch…'
"Your diagnosis, Dr. Yoiisha?"
"Not good, but not bad, either. He's got some broken bones and some minor internal bleeding, but nothing that can't be healed, either by me or his… tenant", Dr. Yoiisha explains.
"Good", says the Hokage, "I want you to take care of the larger injuries so that the Kyuubi doesn't awaken due to feeling like its injured."
In Naruto's Mindscape, the Kyuubi laughs boisterously, 'HA! It's funny they don't realize that I've awoken already. Hell, I've been awake since the boy's first injury! Damn, if the boy doesn't die and take me with him, I might just keel over from excessive laughter! Hehe..'
After healing Naruto's internal injuries, including most of his broken bones, Dr. Yoiisha takes his leave, advising the Hokage to tell Naruto not to do anything too strenuous for at least a few days, a week at most.
After Naruto awoke, the Hokage spoke to him about the mob situation and Yoiisha's orders, and he tells Naruto about his future career as a shinobi.
"I have some good news, Naruto", Hiruzen says in a grandfatherly voice.
"What is it, Jiji?", Naruto replies, "Am I getting a coupon for free ramen?"
"No, Naruto, though I will take you out for some if you like. It is actually about your future as a shinobi…"
"Am I not gonna be one!?", Naruto interrupts, sweating profusely and looking at his grandfather figure with wide, scared eyes.
"No! *Cough* Uh, no, Naruto, you are still going to be a ninja. Now if you let me finish…"
Naruto rubs the back of his head sheepishly.
"You are, in fact, going to become an apprentice. Your future sensei will be Kakashi Hatake, son of Konoha's White Fang", Hiruzen explains.
"White… who- Nevermind. Wow, Jiji! Am I really gonna be a shinobi apprentice!?", Naruto asks, anticipating s 'yes' to come from the Hokage's lips. Which indeed happened.
"Yes, Naruto, you are. However, you will not achieve the rank of Genin until your sensei determines you to be at that level, with my approval as well. Until then, you will technically still be a civilian, but also a shinobi-in-training."
"Cool! Thanks, Jiji!", Naruto engulfs Hiruzen a bone-crushing hug. Literally, the Hokage's bones creaked.
"Oof! You are welcome Naruto. Now, if you would release me, I'll take you for some ramen. How does that sound?"
"Great!", Naruto, instead of releasing the Hokage as asked, tightens his hold on the old man, effectively suffocating the Hokage.
After the conversation at the Hokage's office, a black sludge with yellow eyes slithers out of the building into the sewers, thinking to itself.
'Perhaps his son is the one…'
