A/N: Here it is. My newest chapter. Hope you will enjoy it.

A/N: Im sorry to have to inform you that my updating will slow down in near future due certain reasons. Its only a few months but its something i must do. I will NOT abaddon this fic. I will simply not update it often as a used to. And i got a new story idea which i want to write... (so many ideas... so little time) anyway, hope you wont hate me. Enjoy this chapter!

Remember to review!

Chapter 11: Without his king, knight is lost

"How is he?" Chadao asked from Hana who was sitting on a bench at the roof. Summer was turning into a fall quickly and most of Tantas garden was turning to red and yellow.

Hana tightened her grip from her teacup. It was burning her fingers but she paid no mind to it. "No change." She whispered.

It had been a week since the Uchiha massacre. After Naruto had woken up the next day at the clinic, he had given his report and nothing more. He had remained silently on his bed. Far-off gaze on his eyes, faced turned to the window. Hana hadn't left his side for one minute until she thought he might me hungry and left for some food. When she had come back, he was gone. After she had raised a ruckus, scolded all the nurses at the clinic and almost raised the alarm, he was found at the roof next at his old meditating spot. Sitting on Tantas garden nothing but hospital clothes, chest still bandaged.

Hana had tried to get him inside to eat and change bandages but he did not move an inch. He only gazed on the carps that swam around carelessly. He did not eat, not sleep, not even budged for a week.

Everyone tried their best to help him.

Hana had tried to ask was there anything wrong. After she had failed, Tanta came in reminding him of importance of appearance and decorum. After a while she gave up helplessly and gave Hakena a chance. She had brought a shamisen with her and said that he needed to start practicing soon or his skills would get rusty. Naruto only blinked when a fish jumped from the river to catch a fly. That was it. Captain ladies retreated totally defeated making room for the guys.

First one to come was Tenzo simply making flowers and trees grow around him and asking questions. Then Shiyaku came threatening to use his Shadow mimicry jutsu to move him if he wouldn't do it himself. His bluff was easily called. Chadao jumped happily next to him whispering about this new plan he had made up which would make girls at the hot spring scream. Naruto didn't even turn his head when Captain ladies beat him up right there and then. Then flashily as always, Anko drop by asking for some help for interrogations and wanting to see his Nightmare sleep jutsu in action but he didn't even move.

Ibiki had tried asking some questions like he did when interrogating some high-class suspects who weren't allowed to be broken (mentally or physically) but he had failed. Time after time Naruto rejected all the attempts to get him to talk. It had been a week after people started to get really worried.

Naruto himself was just sitting in his spot. Thanks to his tenant, he couldn't even die from mere starvation of week. He just sat there next to a river memorizing the scene what had happened three years ago.

Naruto was on the roof. Soon after he had left the Bandage man, he had found himself on the garden from the same spot he had mediated earlier this day. Evening son was coloring everything in orange.

"Hello." He trembled when someone called for him. There hadn't been anyone on the roof since he had arrived here. He turned around and saw boy standing in front of him. He was a bit older than himself. That much was obvious. "What are you doing here?"

Naruto only shrugged bur didn't answer.

"Who are you?" Boy asked and stepped closer. Naruto stood quickly up and backed away with accusing face. "Oh you want to know my name first? Im Itachi. Itachi Uchiha." He bowed in high manner. When he looked up, he saw that the boy was even more frightened than before. Had it something to do with his name? He observed the boy quickly.

Boy was young. Not more than four. He could have been an NE member but they didn't leave their personal base without a reason. And that boy was way too emotional to be one of them. Fear could be seen from his eyes when he looked up to him.

"I don't hurt you." Itachi said quietly. "Tell me, what's your name?"

Naruto repeated that scene time after time. 'I didn't answer him that time.' He remembered. Then he remembered when Itachi had attacked him. Had just pulled out a kunai and punctured his chest. Like… like… like he was just a random enemy ninja who had just attacked the village. He felt like lollipop but then he remembered another scene.

Itachi gave his present away from others gazes. He lured him away to a hallway and gave it. It was a paper bag which had inside… "Lollipops?" Boy asked looking up. "Where did you get them?"

"From my last mission." He answered. "I didn't know it was your birthday when I bought these. I originally was intending to give them to Sasuke-kun but he said that he didn't really care for sweets so… I hope you don't mind." Uchiha prodigy handed him a bag of lollipops. "Here. I hear they taste very good."

"Very good?" Naruto asked. "Haven't you tasted them?"

"I guess Im same as my brother in the end. I don't either care for sweets." Suddenly Naruto handed him a red lollipop that had black dots inside. "Like your Sharingan!" He exclaimed happily. "C'mon! Take it!" He had no other chose but to take it.

So that day everyone saw Naruto eating lollipops. When they asked where he got them, he only grinned and walked away.

A carp swirled around in a river. 'Why did he do it? Why didn't he answer me? Why did he attack me?'

Naruto could feel how tension around suddenly tensed up. Sai, who had been drawing near by, stopped.

"What you want." He spoke for the first time in a week.

Danzo glared down to him. "When captain of my personal group is disabled for a week without proper explanation, I have to see the reason myself."

Everyone else had left them. The whole roof was empty expect for two of them. Older man sat next to the young boy. "I want to be alone."

A cane swung and hit him painfully to back of his head. He clutched to his head and cursed. "W-why did you do that?"

"Im still trying to prove the theory. Can you cure the stupidity with a cane?"

"Why did he do it?" Naruto whispered. "I thought he was loyal to the village."

"Maybe he was just that good at acting." Danzo shifted his eye to him. "No matter how good you are at reading people, there's always someone better hiding his feelings."

"So… this was my fault?"

"What you mean?"

"If I wouldn't be so sure about people… maybe someone would have suspected him… and…"

"Could have prevented him from doing such acts? No chance. Itachi had beaten all polygraph test, had clean record, not single failed mission in his history. Graduated as a best of his class. Came from a great clan. All-in-all, a perfect ninja. No one would have believed you if you had raised any suspicions. And even if someone had believed you, what could have they done? Itachi was our best fighter. A person who was able to clean an entire clan all by himself, surely would have dealt easily with few ANBU. And remember how easily you were defeated."

"What are you saying?"

Danzo sighed and threw a kunai into a near by tree. It pierced it easily leaving a hole to be found. "Tanta-san will kill you." Naruto whispered indifferently.

"No, she will kill you. It was your fault." Danzo looked front.

"What?"

"If you hadn't aggravated me I wouldn't had have to do this." He explained. "So it was your fault."

"But you threw the kunai!" Naruto yelled angry.

"Exactly." Danzo stood up as well. "In the end, it was me who took hold of the kunai and threw it. You may have aggravated me but in the end, it was my chose to do so. Understand?"

Naruto was dumbfounded. "So… even if I had known Itachis plans… I couldn't have stopped them."

"Something like that." Danzo nodded. "But more likely than… you didn't force him to do it. So you can't be blamed."

"I still don't understand why he did it…" Naruto muttered.

"No one really can." Danzo answered. "So… what now? Do you want to do?"

"Huh?"

"Do you want to chase him? Bring him back? Kill him? Avenge on him?"

Naruto was confused. "What you mean? Do I have orders…?"

"No. Im asking what you want to do?" Danzo asked. "Or should I ask how you feel?"

"Feel?"

"Yes. Disappointed? Angry? Enraged? Sad? Depressed? Happy? Indifferent?"

"I… don't know." Naruto hang his head. "It's all so confusing."

"Perhaps these could help…" Naruto almost jumped when Hana appeared behind his back holding a bag of lollipops. "You like these, don't you?"

Naruto looked deep into her eyes and nodded. "Thank you." He whispered and grabbed a lollipop.

Hana petted gently him to the shoulder. "Hokage-sama sent a message. Council is needed on an emergency meeting."

"Thank you." Danzo shushined away.

Saito was waiting for him at his office. "Danzo-sama, there is a meeting called considering the Uchiha massacre." She informed. "And then the Hyuuga clan representative is requesting a meeting with you."

"Did he tell the reason?" Danzo asked.

"It's about Akahana Misachi… and her 'sister' who visit often the village… with her nephew. The heir of Uzumaki clan."

Danzo stiffened. "Explain."

"But the council meeting-"

"They shall start without me. Now, what do they want about the Uzumaki heir?"

Sato took a deep breath. "It appears that late Hyuuga Hitami, wife of the head of the clan had taken liking of the Uzumaki boy during the tea ceremony they had together and started making preparations for arrange marriage between her daughter and the boy. Uzumakis are relatively known clan among the high-class people and it wouldn't be a bad deal on their side. But she passed away before the second tea ceremony so the idea was buried mostly. Well, during these last years, it seems that Hyuuga Hiashi is eager to get rid of his daughter so the idea was reopened. So Hyuugas made contact with the Uzumaki clan without our notice."

Danzo frowned. "Why wasn't I informed of this?"

"I only found out today, sir. The Hyuuga who asked for a meeting told us that they had refused they offer. I immediately contacted our contact in Uzumaki clan who confirmed it."

Danzo leaned back. "So, why do they want to meet Akahana-san?"

"If I would have to guess, I would say they want to inquire how to persuade them to accept the deal."

"What about Uzumaki clan? Have they been in contact?"

"Actually yes. This just came in." Sato handed him a scroll. He quickly read it. "I didn't believe it was with important significance so I was going to inform only after the meeting."

"That sneaky little man." Danzo crumbled the letter.

"Who?"

"My old team mate."

--

Naruto slowly recovered from the shock but never completely. It seemed that he had turned back to his old self. Kept looking into the ground. Never spoke out loud and seemed to cling on to Hana. When she raised her thoughts to Hokage, he gave an advice.

"Why don't you go and ask Yamanaka people about this?" Old man suggested. "They are all highly skilled when it comes to human mind."

"But brining Naruto out of the base like that…"

"I understand but I trust Inoichi and his clan." Hokage said. "Of course he and his best physiologist are now working with the Uchiha survivor."

"How is he?"

"Not much better than Naruto." Hokage sighed defeated. "Not spoken a word. No wonder really. Seeing his brother to kill his own parents with your very eyes… that's too much for any child."

"Unlike beatings, abuses, assassination attempts, forced to ninja training before he can even write well, killing people before can read kanji and seeing ones brother figure committing killing in front of you before attacking you?" Hana said rather coldly.

"You understood me very wrongly." Hokage calmed her down. "Sasuke has lost his family. Loosing something what you have is worse than not having it at all."

"But having something is better than never having it at all." Hana retorted.

"We're loosing the subject here." Hokage pointed out. "If you want, I can ask Inoichi to look at Naruto."

"Fine then…" Hana nodded and turned around. "What about…"

"I will keep Naruto out of the line-of-duty until you will clear him." He assured her. Then he frowned. "There are other matters that are starting to worry me."

"What?"

"Head of Uzumaki clan has announced that he will be visiting in the near future." Hokage leaned back and told about Hyuuga wedding plan and all.

In the end, Akahana gulped. "So… my dearest father wants to see me? … when?"

"Soon. That's all we know. But you must understand what kind of opportunity this is to us. Uzumaki clan holds a great deal of power among the old vassals of the late daimyo of the Whirlpool. After the daimyo of the Whirlpool died and the country ceased to exist, Uzumaki clan seized the power and kept the people of the country together. Even if officially they are part of the Fire, doesn't mean their alliance with the Konoha would be bad. Especially now when our strength is decreased." After a moment of silence he continued. "There's thing that always puzzled me. If they were so strong, why didn't your father just simply declare himself as a daimyo and maintain Whirlpool country but instead allied himself with the Fire? Even though they were considerately weaker than before the war, they had a good chance to survive."

"That's just like him." Hana said looking away. "It was during my last days there when I heard many of Uzumaki clans' vassals asking the same question. He answered with a shook of head. 'There is no heir to the throne so I can't accept. Man without a son is a man without a future. Country without an heir is a country without a future.' And my father never really cared for leading the country. He was loyal to the fault."

"Yes… the reason you and Kushina chose exile." Hokage nodded understanding.

"It was because he wanted me to retire from ninja career and become daimyos son wife. When I refused he… they… clan disowned me. Just like that."

"And you left there. With your sister."

"She was the heir of the Uzumaki clan. Perfect for leading a shinobi clan but unfit for leading a country, he said."

"Anyway, he is coming and soon. So you better come up with a plan soon or he might find out about Naruto."

"If he already hasn't." She muttered and turned away. "I take my leave then. I'll be hearing from the Inoichi then?"

After he had nodded, she left.

Inoichi contacted her soon after that and asked to meet with Naruto. He didn't know the specifics but it had something to do with the Uchiha massacre and the ANBU and about double SS-rank secret.

"Can you do this?" Hana asked while standing in front of the Yamanaka residence which was also Inoichis private clinic. "Cause you don't have to if you don't want to."

For a moment Naruto didn't say anything. "… what do I want to do?" He whispered with a low voice. He had dressed in normal shorts and t-shirt. He didn't have his clan markings or hair color changed. For the first time in long time, Mikato Namikaze was alive. Because Uzumaki boy was hot topic now days. Of course it was forgotten under the Uchiha massacre but they didn't want to raise any more rumors before Uzumaki clan was dealt with. And to be sure no-one would find out, Hana had shisunned them directly to the front door of Yamanaka house.

"I don't know…" Hana looked towards the door which opened. Smiling Inoichi Yamanaka stood there.

"Hello there. Im Inoichi-san. You must be Naruto-kun? Please come in."

He didn't move a muscle but instantly grabbed Hanas sleeve. Nodding understanding, Hana showed him the way in.

"Here." Hana gave Narutos file to Inoichi as requested. Man quickly read through it.

"This boy is the…"

Hanas hand was quickly raised while holding a kunai. "Say the word and I have to get rid of your body. And trust me, Hokage-sama will understand."

Inoichi gulped and nodded. His eyes sifted to the boy who looking up eyes… so lifeless. Like he was looking at a corpse. 'This… this is the son of Minato. And the human sacrifice. And the bloodthirsty Fox. Captain of the infamous Root division. I thought he was dead already. … I may not be so wrong by the look of his eyes.' He led them to his patient room.

"Well then, Naruto-kun." Inoichi said as he sat down to his chair, Naruto sat opposite of him, not letting go of Hana. "What do you like?"

Narutos eyebrows raised a little.

"Do you like… soccer?" He asked like it was no big deal. "Baseball? Books? Manga? My daughter likes to read shoujo manga. I guess that's a little girlish for a boy like you. What about Saruto? I heard from my friends that boys are really into it?"

Narutos only responded by shrugging.

"What about candy? Do you like candy?"

Naruto shook his head a little.

"How about… playing? Do you like playing? Shogi? Go?" They continued this 'talk' for a while until Inoichi was satisfied.

After the session, he smiled. 'So, infamous Fox is still just a confused child.' He turned to Hana. "What was the reason you wanted me to see him?"

So she explained about his past and relationship to Itachi. So it didn't require too much for him to realize what was going on. "So he reverted back to this?"

"Yes."

"If this were just a normal kid, I would assure to his parents that it's only passing phase and make him interact with his peers. But I presume that's not possible so…" His eyes diverted to Naruto who was obviously listening and understanding every word. "Naruto-kun, why don't you go to the backyard. I have something to talk with Akahana-san here."

Naruto quickly looked at her but assuring look in eyes made him agree.

After he was gone, Hana narrowed her eyes. "So? What you mean?"

"Seeing how he obviously sees you as his mother figure, I thought it might be best for talk to you. I think Naruto has suffered from the betrayal of his 'older brother' already in his weak state of mind. As I said, in a normal case, it would be best for him to interact with peers."

"Not a chance. I don't trust this rotten village enough to let him to move an inch out of base without his mask on." Hana muttered.

"Aren't you being too harsh to them? In these few years many of the people have been able to rebuild and star over. Im sure that they will give him a ch-"

"Like you did just a moment ago?" Hana narrowed her eyes. "I may not be a physiologist but I know what you were going to say just a moment ago."

Inoichi had the decency to look ashamed. "I… I have no excuses. To be honest, all of us lost so much during that day yet Mi-Naruto-kun was a living reminding to all of us that horrifying power we fought against."

Hana started leaking killing intent. "I lost my only sister, my brother-in-law, many friends in ANBU, my own protégé was crushed under one of its tails and my only living family and most important thing in the world was taken away from me. And somehow I was able to see the difference between the two." She tightened her fist. "You people broke him while fighting over him like he was some new toy! I know everyone in the council wanted to govern the power of the Kyuubi himself but when you couldn't do it, you didn't allow anyone to do it! You let the people of this village, people he has given his life to protect before he even had breath the fresh air, to kill him inside and you are here giving me your shitty excuses! YOU SHOULD SHOW YOUR FUCKING GRADITUTE TO YOUR FUCKING HOKAGE AND TO MY FUCKING COMBRADES IN ANBU THAT I HAVENT GONE FUCKING BERSERK YEARS AGO!!!"

Inoichi gulped. "Akahana-san, have you considered therapy? You obviously have lot suppressed anger inside of you. And you should know that, that kind of feeling is very dangerous during missions. Especially as dangerous as yours."

Hana glared at him. "Are you available Tuesday mornings?"

"I clear my schedule." Man nodded. "But back to our original patient I would suggest therapy to him as well."

"No."

"Excuse me?"

"Naruto-kun is a captain of ANBU and also most hated person in all Konoha. It took lot of Hokage-sama to persuade me to bring him here. Trust, me I wont do it again."

"Then there's an option you could suggest to Hokage-sama."

"Im listening."

"Place Naruto into the academy. Lot connections with his peers would help him to stabilize his personality and help him get over this incident."

Hana thought for a moment. "I don't really think that's such a good idea."

"Because…?"

"Sasuke Uchiha."

"Younger brother of Itachi Uchiha." He nodded. "You're saying that being close to a person who reminds him so much of Itachi would be harmful."

"Exactly." Then she sighed. "I guess I really have but one chose."

"Which is?"

Hana looked at him." I can't tell you."

--

Naruto was sitting on a riverbank looking into the river. He had somehow wondered out of the small backyard and its relaxing fountains and gardens to escape his thoughts. Before he even realized it, he was sitting on a riverbank looking into the clean surface.

"Why are you here?" He heard someone asking. He glanced carefully to his side. Black haired boy who resembled… someone was sitting little further away. (A/N: Narutos brains have denied the connection between Sasuke and Itachi). "Why aren't you playing with your friends?"

"Because I don't have any." Naruto whispered. "Im alone…"

"Im too." Sasuke answered. "Im only one left."

"Im too." Naruto answered. "He left me."

"I will revenge my family." Sasuke raised his hateful gaze. "I will kill my brother for what he had done to my clan."

"I… don't know what to do." Naruto muttered lowering his face.

Sasuke stood up. "I will go to train. What about you?"

"He will come home." They both turned around. Sasuke saw the boy for the first time. He had black short hair and expressionless face but he didn't really care. He rushed away jogging. After he was gone, Sai continued. "Your mother is still looking for you."

"My… mother…?" He continued to sit there. "Sai… will you ever leave me?"

"I've been ordered to follow you." He answered. "I will complete this mission."

To Naruto it sounded like he would never leave his side. "Could you keep me company for the moment?" (A/N: One thing must be set straight! Naruto and Sai are like BROTHERS!!! This is no YAOI relationship.)

Sai sat next to Naruto. "Im scared." He whispered.

"Of what?"

"I don't know. Everything. Nothing. Why did he do that? Left just like that? Why did he attack me?" (A/N: I just want to make it clear that to Naruto, Itachi isn't a traitor) "What should I do?"

"You will go back to the base, prepare your mask and prepare yourself for a mission. Then you complete it and come back to the base. Then you wait for another mission. This will go on until you are told otherwise." Sai said with plain voice. "That it means to be a captain of the ANBU ROOT division."

Narutos eyes widened in shock. He had just realized it. "Im the Fox. You are the Hyena."

Then he started to laugh. "Silly of me! Im Naruto Uzumaki." He stood up and pulled out his hair pin. His long hair waved around with the gentle wind. "Heir of Uzumaki clan. I haven't been playing shamisen for a long time. Not enjoyed a nice cup of tea either. Or read a book. Lollipop! I want some lollipops."

"Here." Hana handed him a paper bag. She had been watching for the whole time with a sad smile. 'Only person who can help you is him.' She looked at Sai who was looking at Naruto who was sucking a lollipop. 'Boy who can't smile is the only one who can help another boy who can't smile.' As Naruto stood there, his hair open looking into the sunset she realizes how much he really resembled his father. Both of them. The one who gave the seed and the past. And the one who raised him and gave the future. The same idealist look in his eyes yet the cunning smirk on his face. "Let's go eat some ramen!" He said suddenly as he changed his hair colour and painted his cheeks. "Im hungry!" Hana smiled. 'Yet she has Hinas spirit.' "Do you want some?" 'And perhaps… my… kindness?' She prayed it would be so. She smiled. "Yes. I treat you."

Naruto looked up with sparkling eyes. "Really? Five bowls?"

"Two." She laughed. "Im not a millionaire like one could think."

They went to Ichirakus ramen stand where they were greeted by the chef and his daughter. While they ate, Sai sketched new versions of lions he used for fighting. Naruto glanced over his shoulder.

"Isn't that too fat?" He pointed out. "That will be too slow."

"… you're right." Sai muttered and started remodelling it. "But if I do it too agile, it becomes too fragile and won't be able to withstand your gusari like I planned."

"What are you two doing?" Interested Ayame asked extending her neck over the counter. "Wow! That's very nice drawing! You're really good!"

Sai looked up confused. "Of course. Im draw a lot."

Ayames smile tensed up a bit. Bratty kid. Then she looked over to Naruto who was eating ramen. "You've been coming rather frequently lately. Have you moved in to Konoha?"

Naturally Narutos lips formed his polite smile. "No. My aunt had some business with the Hokage."

"I see." Ayame nodded before shrugging and walking away. She found her father spying behind the door. "What is it?"

"Huh? Ayame! Nothing! Nothing at all!" Teuchi smiled nervously and walked to the kitchen. "Why don't you offer our customers another serving? On the house."

"On the house?"

"Yes." Teuchi smiled. Confused Ayame couldn't help but shrug and do as told. As she served some the ramen to the customers (both the lady and the black haired boy gave their share to blon- brunette boy who was sitting in between). 'Of course! Brunette! Not blond. That blond boy died years ago.' His eyes shifted to the picture on the wall. Happy blond boy eating ramen. Then they returned back to the brunette boy sitting behind the counter talking to the black haired kid. 'It's a fat chance… but too much of coincidence for being not.' He smiled behind the door.

They arrived back to the base soon after that. Everyone was glad to see Naruto back as his own self. "And just in time too!" Chadao pointed out to others.

"What you mean?"

"New trainees have just earned their masks and there will be the entrance ceremony at the grand hall." He answered with a grin. "There are a lot of good looking girls there too. Especially that purple haired chick."

"I see…" Naruto nodded.

Naruto got his masks after a moment of hesitation he put it on. Small eye holes felt so comforting. Like he had met an old friend or a member of family.

Hyena was standing behind the door in attention with another Root ANBU. Group lieutenant and acting captain, Jackal. She was year older than Fox and Hyena but she was one of the few people, Fox had met but couldn't outsmart. Her physical strength wasn't anything to brag about she had few strong move which helped her in the tight spot.

"Taichou!" She stood in attention. "Group Zero has been gathered in the main hall except the Team 2 which is currently on a mission in Iwa."

Fox nodded approvingly. "Let's move."

They arrived to the great hall from the side entrance used only by the Roots. Fox could see other captains and lieutenants and most of their subordinates sitting on their pillows. Expect for one lonely spot. Lion mask was lying on the pillow where its owner once sat.

Fox ignored the longing mask and sat to his own place. Front of the separate group, just next to Danzo. The light of the room was directed that he was only barely visible unlike Danzo who was only meters away.

Only Roots wore masks during these situations. Expectation of Naruto and Sai, others faces remained as a mystery to the rest of the force. Even Fox didn't know what his lieutenant looked like. Sai knew, but he really didn't see any importance telling about it nor did Naruto care really.

Fox sat on his pillow looking directly to Danzo bandaged side of the face. He saw his face nodding a little. It was like a message saying: 'Im glad your back.'

Sato was sitting behind him looking as cold as ever correcting her glasses every other minute. Then there was someone who he really hadn't expected. Hokage in his white robes walked to the stand looking tired even if he covered it well.

New trainees were standing in line their mask in their hands. Naruto checked them up quickly and immediately recognized Uzuki Yugao. They had met several times during tea ceremony gatherings so far so he remembered her very well.

"Here you are!" Hokage spoke up. His voice echoing through the hall. "During last years of peace in our village, our elite force the ANBU has been risking their lives until the very end almost flawlessly. So we neglected it. While casualties happened, we didn't reinforce it at all for years. In light of recent events, we had to start adding our fighting force.

I won't lie to you. Our village is not as strong as it was couple weeks ago. We have lost our whole clan of sharigan users. Other villages might see this as an opportunity to invade. That's why our elite fighting force must seem strong and fierce to outsiders. We can prevent a war that might be lurking around. Iwa and Kumo still hold great grudges towards us. We mustn't show them opportunity to take advantage of.

ANBU, from now on, our village is in your hands. Senpais, take good care of your new subordinates.

Danzo here will be my ears, eyes and voice in this base. I trust the ANBU in his hands. Danzo."

Bandaged man stood up. "Newcomers, form out to your assigned places." They rushed off. "Due of the Uchiha massacre, we must make sure none of the villages plans surprise attack against us. So I will be sending spies to other elemental villages which hold now the greatest power. Tanta-san, I want you to take a team outside the village and chase after the Uchiha traitor. We have a possible clue at north."

"Hai!" Woman said with clear voice.

"Tenzo-san, you will take another team to assassination mission. For the details come to my office."

"Understood."

"As for the rest of the missions, Sato-san."

Woman stood up starting to make orders in her regular manner.

After the missions were assigned, Hokage dismissed them. Most of the trainees who yet had no missions started wonder around the base by lead of their seniors.

Fox remained in the hall with Danzo, Sai, and Jackal. "Fox. I will be sending you to your first mission outside the village. It will be a stealing a scroll from one of the city of the Lighting country. Team will consist of you, (and due her personal demanding) Akahana-san who will be there only as an observer. You will be on the lead. Three man cell. You, Akahana and Hyena. Jackal will keep a team close by if anything happens. Understood?"

"Hai!" Fox nodded and bowed his head.

"Good. Now, go and introduce yourself to your new friends. Hyena, Jackal. You two prepare for the mission. Fox, you will be leaving tomorrow at noon."

"Understood."

Fox exited through the main entrance. He found Shiyaku brooding in the corridor.

"What's wrong?" Naruto asked removing his mask.

"Hakena." He muttered while drawing circles to the ground with his finger. "I asked if he had a fiancée or boyfriend and she flipped completely." He showed a red, hand shape mark on his cheek. "It's not like I asked her out or anything."

"Asked her out?" Naruto repeated.

"Yeah it's that when you…" Then he realized who he was talking to. Seven years old with emotional capacity of a bee. And overprotecting aunt. "Never mind! That's something I will explain when you get older. Let's get to the cafeteria. We are throwing a small, unofficial party for new members. Let's go."

Naruto followed him to the cafeteria where he felt very relaxed atmosphere. And crowed. He wanted to back away but Shiyaku landed his hand to his shoulder. It was a deal adults had made. Naruto needed to socialize more. Itachis betrayal had obviously left a mark on him. They would make him socialize with people even if they would have to tie him down. Naruto pulled out a lollipop.

"Let's go then." Shiyaku smiled. "Let's start with them!" He pointed towards a group of people in their twenties. "They are in my group so it will be easy."

"Okay." Naruto nodded.

"Hey you guys!" Shiyaku smiled. "How are you? Feeling wonderful?"

"Shiyaku-chotaichou (A/N: not sure I wrote it right. It should mean vice-captain.)." People saluted him. "Yes."

"Im so glad. There will be a lot awful things ahead so it's important to enjoy about anything that is wonderful." Shiyaku explained.

"Yes sir…" Others sweat dropped to his energy.

"And drop the titles! Call me Shiyaku or Shiyaku-san if you have to."

"Sure…" Others looked at each other. He was so different from cold and angry Hyuuga captain. "Excuse me Shiyaku-san…" One of them cleared his throat. "Who is the kid?"

"This kid? This is Naruto Uzumaki. Captain of the group Zero. Codename: Fox." Shiyaku smiled. "So you better not look down on him. After all, he is very special."

Naruto only bowed like expected by the etiquette. "Nice to meet. Im looking forward working with you." He smiled politely. Somehow, everyone who he met that day thought his smile was more frightening than his mask.

Chapter END

Poll results so far...: Will say go into the academy?

Yes... 2'

No... 5

Unless I get at least ten (10) voices to either side, i will decided myself. I have transfered the poll to my profile! You should see it. Thank you!