Yay, I'm back. I'm sorry for vanishing without a warning. I was in and out of the hospital and just got stable last week. Good news is, I get to live longer and will be able to finish my stories.

Anyway, just a note: Naruto is NOT friends with Sasuke nor Neji. He is merely using them.

Chapter Ten: Shadows

Two days after the academy's recognition day (Monday)

Konohagakure

Hokage's Office

Despite the recent two deaths, everything in the village ran smoothly. Thankfully, no deaths followed from academy students or their family members. The Hokage had been paid a visit by Ron just yesterday, and demanded justice for his parents' deaths. However, after some investigations, he found out that the boy's parents had dealings with Gang members outside the village. So Hiruzen had the case dropped. And Ron was shipped off to the orphanage.

Just then, an ANBU whose body was no older than a ten year old appeared. "Damn that Danzo, recruiting children and having them kill at a very young age." Sarutobi sighed as he regarded the ROOT's presence.

"The mission was successful, Hokage-sama. Mei Terumi's side have won." Sai appeared, kneeling.

"That's wonderful news. Continue."

"Indeed, Hokage-sama. She is now the Godaime Mizukage. She told me to tell you to expect her visit within the week to discuss the alliance between Mist and Leaf."

"Very well. What of your division? You shall receive your pay tomorrow."

"There are only twenty-one of us who survived. Most of us fell from the Yondaime Mizukage."

"That's understandable." The Hokage nodded. After all, they fought against a jinchuriki. "You and your division may have three days off."

"Thank you, Hokage-sama."

"Hmm, I should send them off to more dangerous and suicidal missions. I can't have Danzo's ANBU working for me." Hiruzen mused as he puffed more smoke from his pipe. "It will be an act of mercy if I just had them killed."

Later

Naruto's Hotel

Naruto was pacing on his study, scheming, when he was alerted of Sai's presence.

"Mission: Harvest Souls was successful, Naruto-sama." The lead ROOT ANBU said as he handed the boy three huge scrolls that contained the soul gems.

Naruto nodded, pleased with result. He now had about five thousand souls. Only four thousand more for him to resurrect the whole village of Uzushiogakure. "Report."

"Hai. We were able to collect the requested number of souls from both enemies and allied Kiri rebels. Forty-nine of us 'died' on the battle."

"Very good. Instruct the forty-nine to begin with the infiltration and recruitment in Kiri. Fu and Torune will be supervising the task. It shall be easy since Mist is still recovering from war and are willing to recruit more ninjas for their village even if they aren't natives of Water Country."

"Understood, Naruto-sama."

"Good. From now on, you are no longer called ROOT. You are now my Shadows. You have four years to recruit and train six hundred new Shadows. Four hundred in Kiri and two hundred here in Konoha. The Hokage will be sending you twenty-one into suicide missions soon. He's eager to have you killed after all. When you 'die' from these missions, begin recruiting and training. Now go."

Later that afternoon

Hyuuga Compound, Training Grounds

Neji was alone, training his dojutsu's techniques that he was able to observe from the Main Branch. As he finished an attempt at the sixty-four palms technique, he heard clapping, causing him to stiffen.

"Impressive, Hyuuga-san. You really are a genius to be able to do techniques exclusive for Main Branch members."

"I didn't notice you arrive, Uzumaki-san. Or should I say, Namikaze-san?" Neji said, smirking.

"Ah. So you know, eh?"

"I did some study on you after the first semester."

"I see. So what do you know about me?"

"You are the son of Kushina Uzumaki and Minato Namikaze. If Uzushiogakure still existed, you would be the Heir."

"Is that all?" Naruto asked, smiling.

Neji frowned, confused. "That's all. What else should I've known?"

Naruto walked closer and took out a scroll. "Here. It requires a bit of your blood to be locked from others. It shall be accessible only to you after. Others won't be able to read it. Still be careful though. If that falls into the hands of authorities, you're fucked. Deeply fucked. That's SSS-Rank secret. Got it from the heavily protected vault of the Hokage and produced copies." Naruto grinned.

Neji's eyes widened at this, his cold demeanor gone for the moment. "Then why…?"

"Just read it, yeah? And before you ask, my answer is no, I do not know. It could be the Hyuuga, Inuzuka, Yamanaka, Nara, Akimichi, or the Aburame Clan that's next. I trust you'll keep everything that you'll learn to yourself. I know that you hate everyone in the village too. That makes the three of us."

"Who's the other one…?" Neji wasn't able to get his answer as Naruto have already vanished. He decided to end his training for the day and retire to his quarters to read the scroll.

Uchiha Compound, Sasuke's Home

"Hello Sasuke." Naruto said as he stepped out of the shadows.

"Naruto." The Uchiha nodded.

"I've just come to inform you that Neji knows."

"You've told him then?"

"I just gave him a copy of the documents I also gave to you. I'll be explaining things further next time I see him."

"Very well. So I should expect a visit from him then?"

"Yes."

And with that, Naruto walked back to the shadows and travelled to the Kurama Family's Hotel.

Later, at the Family's Hotel

"Naruto, Wave used to be a part of Uzushiogakure, right?" Raido began as he served the boy a drink.

Naruto took it gratefully and nodded. "Yes. Why?"

"There's a man. Gatou. He's a businessman wannabee gangster. He just left Kirigakure now that the war's over. He's earned a lot from the war, that man. Right now, my sources say he has his eyes set at Wave. He may move in a month or less. And I already smell trouble for the small town."

The boy nodded and was silent for a while, sipping his drink.

"Thank you for giving me this information. However, I'll ask that you leave him and Wave alone. We'll just keep an eye on him. If he gives trouble, then it will be better. We'll be the ones to rescue the town. And we'll move in there."

The Kurama Head raised an eyebrow. "Move in? And you said we. So does that mean the Family Operations will relocate as well?"

Naruto nodded. "I have decided. In two years, I'm leaving the village. We'll allow Gatou to pull Wave to the ground. When they finally seek for help, that's when we move in. That will probably take four years, at most."

The Boss Head raised an eyebrow but did not vocalize his question. He was sure that the Uzumaki Heir had a plan, and he wasn't one to question the boy. He may be young, but he was frighteningly smart and cunning.

Naruto, meanwhile, kept an impassive face. He knew the man in front of him was wondering. But he didn't bother explaining. He wanted the people of Wave to suffer. He wanted them to be punished. After all, when Uzushiogakure fell, they didn't help the surviving Uzumaki. He knew because he's talked to the ghosts. And he knew that most people in Wave do not have backbones. So even if Gatou began to destroy Wave now, it would take four years before someone sought help from the outside. Enough time for Sasuke and Neji to graduate the academy. All would fall into plan.

"Right then. So four years…" Murmured Raido.

"Yes. Now, we'll talk about Yugito's training… I've found someone who can train her jinchuriki powers." Naruto said as he did some hand seals and produced a Shadow clone. While it is called the same, his Shadow clone was actually created from his dark chakra. Thus making it a real Shadow Clone. He's also told the Family about the Shinigami being his mother. He had no problems sharing the secret with them as they were non-shinobi and has no loyalties with Konoha. Add also the fact that Naruto is now considered a son of Raido 'The Fox' Kurama.

As a shadow clone materialized, Naruto took out Kagutsuchi and stabbed the floor. Like usual, a circular void appeared at the pierced ground. The son of the Shinigami intoned, "Yagura Karatachi. Hear me and obey. I summon you."

Unseen by everyone in the room except Naruto, the ghost of the Yondaime Mizukage appeared and kneeled in front of him.

Naruto then motioned at the ghost towards the shadow clone. As the spirit took possession, the clone's features began to change into the appearance of the one possessing it.

Naruto then turned at Raido and Yugito. "While I'm a jinchuriki as well, I cannot teach Yugito since our tail numbers are far. I have the Kyuubi but Yagura had the Sanbi. Since their tail numbers are closer, their training style won't be far from each other."

"Every Monday to Friday from now on, I will be transporting Yugito to Uzushiogakure so she could freely train with her jinchuriki powers." Added Naruto.

"That's so awesome! I get to get trained by a Kage!" Gushed Yugito, causing Naruto and Raido to smile.

Naruto then dismissed the ghost and ordered it to return the following morning. He spent the rest of the night discussing random things with his now adoptive family, before retiring to his own penthouse suite.

The following day

Uchiha Compound, Training Grounds

Sasuke was doing his morning exercises when he felt the compound's seals warn him of a visitor. Knowing who it was, he went to the gates to welcome the guest in and escorted him to the training grounds.

"So… you know, huh?" Sasuke began as he casually leaned against a tree.

"Yes."

"Do you trust Naruto?" Sasuke asked inquisitively.

"I see no reason for me not to trust him." Neji shrugged.

"Good then. You understand his status?"

Neji raised an eyebrow. "Which one? Him being the son of the Yondaime and Heir to Uzushiogakure or being a jinchuriki?"

"The latter."

Neji frowned. "Well, I was able to make little inquiries about a jinchuriki. When I asked about the topic, everyone I asked scowled, making me think it's a bad thing. But I believe they're being biased about it. I'm still trying to figure it out though."

"Well, you're correct about the last part. Everyone who's twelve years old or above are biased or simply bigoted." Sasuke straightened up and motioned Neji to follow him.

As he led the Hyuuga towards his house, he explained to him what exactly happened eight years ago, up to the part where the Uchiha Clan was massacred.

Neji was silent for a while as he absorbed the information. After some silence, Sasuke asked him, "So, what do you think of Naruto? What do you think of the village?"

"Nothing's changed upon my views on Naruto. Only now he's earned a lot more of my respect. The village, I was correct to think that everyone in it are idiots. Even the higher ups are allowing these bad things to happen. My hatred for this village just grew."

Naruto, who was melded with the shadows, grinned. He'd been at the Uchiha Compound the moment Neji arrived. He was just listening in to their conversation.

"That Uchiha boy is loyal to you, that's good. It seems you may have another loyal follower." Kurama said.

After hearing the Hyuuga's response, Naruto chose this time to finally make his presence known.

"Well said, Neji."

The Hyuuga, who was normally stoic, jumped in surprise, causing Sasuke to chuckle. "You'll get used to it."

"Naruto. How long have you been there?"

"Just in time to hear your response."

"I see. So what now?"

"I'll be blunt. I want you to decline the academy's offered grade-skip."

"What? But why?" Shocked, Sasuke asked.

"I have plans. One of them requires the two of you."

"Tell us about the plan that includes us." Neji said.

"I want you two to remain on the same level with our current classmates. Upon graduation, you'll have to be placed on the same team. For that to happen, one of you must be dead last while the other is the best of the class. The both of you may remain at the top until the grade five. The academy only bases the team placement on the grades for the sixth grade. I don't care which one of you will be the dead last. I'll leave the decision to you."

Neji was silent while Sasuke pondered for a moment before asking. "What's in it for us?"

"At least this one can think." Naruto grinned. "You agree to the plan, then starting tomorrow, an ANBU will be training you. Personally."

"One who'll be teaching us both or one each for us?" Inquired Neji.

"One each for you." Replied Naruto. It wouldn't be much of a problem. After all, he's found a temporary solution for his current inability to bring the dead back to life. While creating special shadow clones for spirits to possess required an eighth of his dark chakra, it solved his problem, even though the clones have to be recreated up to twice a day. Naruto estimated it would take two to three more years before he's able to awaken his Kuraigan's fourth level.

Neji and Sasuke nodded, the latter smirking.

"You drive a good bargain there, Naruto." Said Sasuke.

"Indeed. We only need to refuse the grade-skip but we're still getting trained in advance." Added Neji. "Will you share us some of your plans? Or at least explain why we need to be on a team?"

"Oh, sure. I intend to accept the grade-skip. After that, I'll excel at fourth grade. And then I'll be offered another grade skip. So I'll be entering sixth grade. On the second term, I leave the village. It will be easier for me if I left as a civilian and not a registered genin. I can easily get rid of my records at the academy. The reason why I'm skipping grades is to get to know more academy students. Remember my introduction? I plan to say the same to them. Before I leave, I want academy students to realize or figure out my heritage. By the time I'm away, the knowledge of me being the Yondaime's son will be known throughout Konoha. Sarutobi won't be able to do anything. The village will be in an uproar. Also add the case where my father's enemies will go snooping in the village. More chaos." Naruto said, smirking at the last part.

"Devious." Muttered Neji, grinning. "I'm in."

"Me too." Said Sasuke. "Who's going to be our team's third member then?"

"Whoever's the top girl in the graduating class. But seeing things as it is now, I believe it would be the Haruno girl." Naruto replied, shrugging.

"Can't you arrange something so she couldn't be our teammate?"

"No. Don't worry about her. She's a huge fangirl. She'll be the first to die once you go on missions." Naruto replied. "Now, there's another thing that you should know. Since you'll be the best team, I believe Kakashi Hatake will be your jounin sensei. And trust me when I say, he's useless. He'll just keep you on doing D-Rank missions. The thing I'd like you to do is to drag it on. Keep on doing D-Ranks. There will be a time where a mission from Wave will arrive. Make sure you do not accept it. Have another team do it."

Both Hyuuga and Uchiha agreed to the odd request and didn't inquire further about it. After all, if they do what Naruto wanted, they'll be trained by an ANBU.

"Oh, and one last thing. I want you to act hostile towards each other when in public. That's all. You'll meet your teachers tomorrow." Naruto said before he walked towards a shadowed corner and travelled to his hotel.

Back at Naruto's Hotel

"Why include the Hyuuga?"Asked Kurama.

"Well, I need an inside man here. Sasuke will be leaving the village too someday. His target is outside. Neji on the other hand has less ambition. His target is Hinata, although I don't think he has the guts to murder her. Maim or cripple, yes. But outride murder the Heiress? No. He has hate but not enough to make him leave the village."

Time Skip – Two Years and Six Months

Some local BBQ Restaurant

Kin was a part time worker at a BBQ Restaurant. Like everyone, he has a secret. His secret is that he's actually a spy from Iwa. It was currently Tuesday afternoon and there were three academy students having a snack. As he got the children their orders, he discreetly listened in to their conversation.

"What's gotten you so smug, Jin? You've been acting annoying since morning." One of the kids asked.

"Oh. I got super cool information." Replied Jin, grinning widely.

"Come on, spill it!" Said the last kid.

"Huh. There's a price." Jin said.

"What? Come on, man. We're you're friends." Said the first.

"Well, this is very awesome information. And I'm not willing to divulge it easily, you know?"

"Oh, well. How about we treat you for lunch for the whole week?" Offered the last kid.

"What? That's expensive!" Said the first.

"Hmm, that will do. After all, if I share you the information, we'll be famous at school."

"What?! It's that awesome?" Asked the first kid.

"Yeah. So we have a deal, then?" Asked Jin.

"Fine." Said both his friends.

"Remember that Naruto?"

"The one who skipped two grades?"

"Exactly. Now, remember his introduction? He said he was the last of his clan from both his mom and dad's lines. He said his mom's clan had a lot of enemies while his father also got loads. Well, as I was walking to school earlier, I happened to glance at the Hokage Mountain. I was idly staring at their faces when Naruto's face popped in my head. That's when I realized, he looked a lot like the Yondaime!"

"What?!" Shrieked both his friends, suddenly standing.

"Come, look!" Jin motioned to his friends and walked to a nearby window and pointed outside.

"See?" He asked as his friends looked.

"Woah! You're right!" Said the first kid.

"Damn! It's no wonder he's such a genius! He's the son of the Yondaime!" Said the other.

"Yeah! I remember now! He said he was taking his mother's surname because he had to hide from his Dad's enemies. But the thing is, the Uzumakis are also strong and had lots of enemies!"

"Yeah! I remember one of our history lessons. It took the combined forces of Iwa, Kumo, and Kiri to destroy Uzushiogakure! They are that powerful!"

"Damn!"

"Damn indeed!" Jin said. "Now you know why I'm so smug. You're treating me to lunch for a week, okay?"

"Sigh. Fine, fine."

"Now, we'll be famous tomorrow. We'll befriend Naruto. Once news spreads, we'll be known as the friends of the school genius, aka the Yondaime's son!"

"Fuck! That's awesome man!"

And with that, the children went back to eating and plotting to befriend Naruto.

Kin, who was eager to deliver his newfound information, told the restaurant manager he's having his afternoon break, and promptly went out of the establishment.

Kakashi Hatake, who was given the task of keeping an eye at Kin, shakily walked out and hurried after the spy. But since he was too shocked from what he have heard, he lost his target. So he walked to another bar to get a drink. He needed to calm his nerves.

As the two other occupants of the restaurant left, the children finished their meal. Jin told his friends to go on while he remained. When he was finally out of sight, he body flickered from the restaurant.

At Naruto's Hotel

Naruto was talking with Raido about weaponries when one of his newly trained Shadows appeared.

"Ah, Jin. How did it go?"

"The mission went on smoothly, Naruto-sama. ANBU Hatake has failed his mission of following his target. The spy Kin is relaying the news to his Tsuchikage as of this moment. Might Guy, who was doing his rounds by Hand-walking, happened to pass by as I pointed out at the window and heard our exclamations. He will be shouting about Naruto-sama being the Yondaime's son tomorrow morning as he trains."

Naruto nodded as the Shadow left. He smirked at Raido before going into a full blown laughter. His heritage will be revealed sooner than he expected.

"Well then, I'm heading to the academy. I better erase my records as soon as possible."

Chapter Ten End