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Guest: I spoke too soon. I've changed my mind but I won't tell you what I changed it too.
Notes: Danzo has no part in the coup. A lot of time skips in this chapter.
Deal With The Devil
Naruto opened his apartment door and let Sasuke in so they could talk about their plans again. Sasuke brought the ninja cosmetics that he promised and they needed a way out for when things go ass up.
Naruto looked at the products with amazement. "Where did you get these? Only the people in the body work department get to use this stuff!"
Sasuke flinched. "You don't want to know."
"Tell me."
Sasuke sighed heavily. "Fine. They had ANBU guarding the place so I had to dress up as a girl I found." Naruto laughed and Sasuke groaned. "But it gets worse. There was an emergency seduction mission that needed a mother and daughter and I was forced to go with it." Sasuke started shivering. "I had to seduce and kill a nine year old boy! Since when do nine year olds want to have sex! The killing part was easy but I am never doing a body work mission again!"
Naruto started laughing. "You have the worst luck with men and women. Your mother might be a pornstar, you'll have to ask Fugaku, and the man himself is a cheating manwhore, you just got back from an involuntary seduction mission, and your only friend is the village's most hated."
"Yeah, and what luck have you had?"
"...Fair. Anyway, do you know how to put it on or did they do it for you?"
"They did it for me but I still don't get it. Should we take the risk?"
Naruto shook his head. "If done wrong, the changes can be permanent." Naruto smirked. "However, beauty products make great explosives."
"That they do. Any other ideas?" Asked Sasuke.
"We sneak into your grandparent's house at night but make ourselves known in the morning."
Sasuke sighed. "Nah. I say we scrap this plan and go with something simpler."
The Uzumaki nodded. "Yeah. Neither of us have deep cover training but we can hide better than most chunin and a few jonin."
"I can accept that but we have to hurry. The clan is getting worse."
Naruto nodded and looked at the time. It was almost 10 and the sun was almost gone. "We could probably go tonight if we book it."
A few hours later, abandoned house in the Uchiha Compound
Naruto and Sasuke visibly relaxed when they finally made it to the second floor of their makeshift headquarters. The building was condemned after the Kyuubi attack so unless they made noise or produced a lot of light at 2:00 AM, they'd be fine. It was also tall and you could see most of the compound from the roof. Including the entrance.
Sasuke and Naruto looked out at the Uchiha compound from the roof of their temporary home with wary expressions. They were only seven and a mission like this could be considered S-rank.
Naruto spotted Itachi's house. "Is that your house?"
"Yeah. We can also see the gate. If someone comes through that gate, we'll know about it." Said Sasuke.
"Yeah." Naruto looked at the gates for a few minutes. "We'll have to do 12-hour shifts." Sasuke didn't respond but Naruto knew he understood. "When do you think Itachi will finally go insane?"
Sasuke sighed. "Seventy two hours, max. Look at them. They look like we're about to be invaded."
"Or about to launch one."
"True. I'll take the night watch."
Naruto nodded and left.
60 hours later, 7:30 PM
Being forced to do 12 hour shifts took a toll on the body. Sasuke's internal clock was almost completely flipped and Naruto was always tired. But it didn't stop them from observing the Uchiha clan.
For the first day and first night, nothing happened. But one the second day, Itachi started snooping around the compound but he didn't discover their location. That night, everyone in the clan over the age of 16 and a ninja started running towards an old Uchiha shrine. Needless to say, Itachi was with them and looked so pissed when he left. On day three, every Uchiha ninja left the compound and didn't come back until 4:00 PM.
This is where Naruto and Sasuke knew they had to leave. This was the Uchiha's boiling point and if they got caught with the clan now, they would be killed and labeled as traitors with the rest of the clan.
Naruto and Sasuke ran as fast as they could to their old training ground where they could escape. The run there wasn't that hard but avoiding people while doing it was. Thankfully, they were able to do so and made it back to Naruto's apartment at 7:30, before the sun went down.
Naruto threw open the door and collapsed on the couch. "That was close."
Sasuke closed the door and staggered in as well. "Too close." He fell face first onto the couch opposite of Naruto. "If I ever sign up for an espionage mission, kill me. That was...too much."
"Yeah." Naruto put one hand up in celebration and laughed. "We spied on the Uchiha Clan!"
"So much for their all-powerful eyes and soon-to-be clan."
"We spied on the Uchiha Clan!"
"DAMN RIGHT WE DID!"
Both boys were high on success and they passed out on their respective couches with smiles on their faces.
The next morning, 8:00 AM
Naruto and Sasuke awoke with triumphant smiles on their faces and they just sat there and bathed in satisfaction. But the moment was broken when there was a knock on the door. They boys grabbed a knife from the kitchen and Sasuke went to the door while Naruto went to the window to see who it was. Naruto whispered hokage but that didn't calm them down.
Naruto answered the door with a smirk. "Hello, old man. Did you sleep well?"
That was a low blow and everyone knew it. The hokage didn't bat an eye. "Are you doing okay?"
Naruto nodded. "Yeah, I'm doing okay. Is there something you need?"
"No. Just checking on you." Hiruzen paused and then widened his eyes. "Sasuke!? Where on earth were you?!"
Sasuke stepped out of the shadows. "Hello Lord Hokage."
"Where were you? I was just about to put you with the other people who died last night." Sasuke didn't say anything and the third hokage sighed. "You up and vanished, Sasuke. Even before the massacre, we were about to label you MIA."
Naruto started laughing. "Oh shit, really? We weren't even trying to hide from you."
"Ha, ha, very funny. But seriously, don't do that again." He walked towards the door. "Have a good day."
After the old man left, the boys started frantically searching for any ANBU who may be watching. They found none and went back to relaxing.
Naruto took a good, long, look at his apartment and smirked. "This place is a dump, don't you think?"
Sasuke did the same and nodded. "And now that I own everything in that compound, we don't have to worry about getting kicked out." He took another look around. "Say what you want about my old house, but it was certainly fancy."
Knowing what that meant, the boys packed their stuff and then made a beeline for Sasuke's old house.
Four hours later (Noon)
It took them four hours to pack, transfer, and unpack all of their gear but it was worth it. The only problem was stepping over the bodies. They hadn't started until they were half way done and they found Mikoto and Fugaku dead in the living room. It wasn't traumatizing and it didn't make Sasuke hate Itachi but the smell of rotting flesh is hell on the nose.
When the boys finally got all their stuff in order, the first place they went was the Uchiha Armory. The katanas they had were standard issue but they wanted to know if there was something special in there. And after searching through the katana section, there was. They found over 100 chakra-conductive weapons including katanas. Metal is chakra conductive when it's used along with heat in the forging process.
"Jackpot." Said Naruto.
"Yep. But not now. We'll use them when we go on your first C-rank." Replied Sasuke.
"I agree."
The next day; Monday: 4:30 PM
Naruto and Sasuke decided they needed to reevaluate their plan for the academy. With their most active haters gone, they could try their best and be out of the academy. And that's why they decided.
Six months later; Council chambers: 3:00 PM
Hiruzen Sarutobi and his former teammates looked at the ninja in front of them with neutral faces. There were reports of two prodigies in the academy and they wanted to know if they were true. So they asked their teacher. Iruka Umino.
"It's truly amazing. Both boys sleep in class but when I call on them, they answer every question correctly. The Uzumaki boy and Sasuke can do shadow clones, yes, shadow clones, and go out of their way to crush the others in sparring matches for some reason." Said the scarred Chunin.
"Ah yes, I heard about that. And socially?" Asked the third fire shadow.
"Very antisocial. And when six bullies tried to beat the Uzumaki boy, he sent all of them to the hospital and one of them might have to drop out."
Their eyes widened and Hiruzen was going to ask another question but Danzo beat him to it. "Did you try to stop him?"
"No. I got there too late and found a sunkissed blonde boy standing over six kids who are two times his size looking like they got attacked by a dandelion from Training Ground 43." Said Iruka.
"What were their injuries?" Asked Koharu.
"Bruises and broken bones but the largest one was stabbed in the gut with a pair of chopsticks."
Their eyes widened. Hiruzen was going to try again but Homura beat him this time. "It seems our hero is a vindictive little shit." They gave him a look. "What? I'm not wrong."
"And Sasuke?" Asked Hiruzen after giving up on Naruto.
"Same deal. Anti-social, violent when attacked outside of a spar, incredibly skilled, and the Uzumaki boy's best friend."
"Any random acts of violence from him?" Asked Danzo.
"Ten kids tried to beat him up for verbally defending Naruto and three of them almost died. You read the reports right?"
They shook their heads.
"I see. I'll continue then. Sasuke used the pencils next to him as kunai and if was really feeling hateful, we would've had three dead academy students and seven coma patients. If it was up to me, they would be arrested but considering who they are, that probably won't happen."
"You're right, it won't. Promote them to genin and give them to Kakashi Hatake. If two seven year olds can nearly kill people three times their size, they don't belong in the academy." Said Danzo.
"Their children, Danzo. And they need a normal life." Said Hiruzen.
"For Fire's Sake, Hiruzen! One of them is a jinchuuriki and the other is the last Uchiha who was neglected and abused! The only thing 'normal' about them is the time they spent in their mother's womb!"
Hiruzen was about to argue but Koharu interrupted him. "Let's try this from a different angle. What about the other kids? Will you leave them with two people who are several times stronger than them and have a tendency to send kids to the ER? How long before medical ninjas come running with black bags instead of stretchers?! Or worse, how long before they pull a Zabuza and massacre everyone in the entire school. Your choice, Hiruzen. Two violent prodigies with no parents or 340 kids with large families? It's up to you."
The old man finally gave in with a tired sigh. "Alright. Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki are now genin under Kakashi Hatake. Iruka, please go tell them the good news." The chunin left to do what he was told. "Happy now?"
"Yes." Said Danzo.
All four of them left after that.
The next day, 8:30 AM, Hokage's Office
"Ah Kakashi. Thank you for coming." Sadi Hiruzen.
"Of course, Lord Hokage. What can I do for you?" Asked Kakashi.
"Tell me what you think of these."
Hiruzen handed Kakashi Naruto's and Sasuke's classified academy report and the more he read, the wider his one eye seemed to get until his mouth started to do the same thing. "I'll admit, I was never the most behaved kid in the academy but the only kid I sent to the hospital was Doki. He was sexually harassing girls and boys so I put him out of shape for months."
The Sandaime chuckled. "Yes, I remember that. The boy got kicked out of the academy and a $500 fine. Anyway, I need you to teach Naruto and Sasuke. Specifically Sasuke."
"Why Sasuke?"
"Because I'm starting to think Naruto is a flight risk. His rough childhood and obsession with the less than pretty aspects of ninja life worry me as both a kage and a grandfather. Don't teach him anything destructive or harmful. Just chakra control and bare basics."
Kakashi's facial expression didn't change but his respect for the Sandaime took a nosedive. "Okay."
Academy, 10:00 AM
Naruto and Sasuke were bored out of their minds. After their stunts, everyone seemed to fear them instead of hate them. Even most of Sasuke's fangirls turned on him. Much to his relief. But they were still bored. No matter what they did, nothing could keep them entertained long enough for it to matter.
Naruto and Sasuke sat next to each other in the back of the left corner of the classroom where they wouldn't be bothered and then the door opened. Sasuke had his head down and Naruto opened one eye to see who it was. It turned out to be a jonin.
The man whispered some things into Iruka's ear that included their names. This got Naruto's attention. "Hey, Sasuke. Wake up. You might want to see this."
Right on cue, the jonin turned to face the class. "Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha. Stand up." They did so. "Come with me. You're genin now." The brothers in all but blood followed the jonin out of the classroom and onto the roof. "Tell me your likes, dislikes, hobbies, and dreams for the future."
"Only if you go first." Said Naruto.
"Fair enough. My name is Kakashi Hatake. My likes and dislikes are a little old for you and so are my hobbies and I have no dreams. Sunkissed." Said Kakashi.
"My name is Naruto Uzumaki. My likes and dislikes are a little young for you and so are my hobbies. My dream is to make this village the strongest of the great five." Said Naruto.
Sasuke cut Kakash off before he could give him a nickname. "Same as Naruto."
"Ha ha very funny." Kakashi decided to pass them right away but give them the bell test just to be sure. These two were brothers, that he could tell. "Meet me at training ground seven at 10 AM." Kakashi left in a body flicker.
Noon, Uchiha Kenjutsu library
Naruto and Sasuke were growing more and more frustrated with their lack of results. Neither of them could find a kenjutsu style that both fit them and didn't have any holes.
Sasuke found something that might be worthwhile. A hiroyuki attack developed to Tojuro Hichigata in the 2nd War. Naruto found the tornado style kenjutsu that he only semi-liked because it was fast.
"UGH! Why can't I find anything that works for me!" Yelled Naruto.
"Same and no clue. The one I got will have to be modded because I'll be fucked if my enemy dodges it. What about you?" Said Sasuke.
"I've looked at all the styles in that library, even the forbidden ones and I can't find anything that fits my style. Just bits and pieces and I can't afford to pick and choose the battlefield."
Sasuke thought for a moment before a giant lightbulb went off in his head. "That's it! If all you have are bits and pieces, then combine them and you'll end up with your own original style. You might have to create your own attacks here and there but those scrolls will do the leg work for you."
Naruto put his hands on Sasuke's shoulders and started shaking him. "You're a genius!" He then took ten scrolls with him to the other side of the training ground."
Ten hours later, 10:00
Naruto stumbled into Sasuke's house with his scrolls, gear, and sword with a satisfied smile on his face. He collapsed on the couch.
"Any luck?" Asked Sasuke.
"Tons. I got the basics of my style down or at least figured out. It's based on the battoujutsu, tornado style, and the sheathe style. It's by no means complete and I need to create some transitions as well as my own attacks but it's a start." Replied Naruto.
"Good. Get some rest. We have training at 10."
Both boys went to bed and slept like a rock
10:00 AM, Training Ground 7
Naruto and Sasuke stood in front of Kakashi with bored expressions. Supposedly, only one of them would pass and make it onto the team and the other would go into the reserves. He gave them two hours to get the bells and the boys vanished together before he could say start.
A yards away
"Something's not right." Said Naruto.
"Yeah. The fact that we're a team of three is odd enough." Said Sasuke. He narrowed his eyes. "That bastard! He wants to get rid of you to train me."
Naruto narrowed his eyes as well. "Wait. Do you think it's personal or did the Hokage order this? If it's the latter, then well shit. If it's the former, then fuck you too Hatake. " Naruto looked at the ground and sighed. "You know that whichever one of us doesn't pass will have to make a deal with the devil."
"That's a bad idea and you know it."
"But what choice do we have? We just have to play our cards right. Who knows? Maybe this will turn out for the best?" Naruto sighed again. "This test is bogus. Tell Kakashi I said your test is shit and I'll be in the reserves if you need me."
Sasuke nodded his head. They were bonded no matter what so they chose the least damning option. Sasuke came out of hiding to find Kakashi reading his pervy book. "The test is over, sensei. The purpose of the test is to split us apart but it didn't work and I bet you were ordered to pass us. But in the wise words of Naruto, Your test is shit and I'll be in the reserves if you need me. Come on, Kakashi-sensei. Let's go tell the Hokage what happened."
Kakashi narrowed his one visible eye. 'He knows! He wouldn't pull a stunt like this without a trump card! SHIT! Should I tell the old man!'
With that last nerve racking thought, Sasuke and Kakashi went to the Hokage's office and Naruto went back to the Uchiha compound to train.
Hokage's office, 11:00 AM
"Welcome back Kakashi. And I see you brought Sasuke but where's your other student?" Asked the not so nice old man.
"He called my bluff and forced me to take Sasuke as an apprentice. He chose to fail but he knows too much and he has a nasty trump card and that's a can of worms I wouldn't open even if you ordered me to." Said Kakashi.
Hiruzen put his elbows on the desk and his chin on his interlocked fingers. "Fair enough and I won't make you. Hell, I don't want to do it because of the power he holds."
"Excuse me?"
"Did you know that he can magically disappear from this village and even hide from my crystal ball? If Naruto ever wanted to leave, we wouldn't know until another nation held him for ransom or something like that."
"Oh, I see." Kakashi sighed. "Well if that's all, I'll take my leave now." The old man nodded and the sensei apprentice went to their respective homes.
Sasuke's house, 12:30 PM
Sasuke walked in to see Naruto resting on the couch with a content smile on his face. Sasuke didn't want to disturb him but he had important news that couldn't wait. "Naruto. Wake up. You need to hear this."
Hearing the urgency in Sasuke's voice, he sat up quickly. "What is it?"
"I am now Kakashi's apprentice."
"I see. Then I better start looking for Danzo. His ethics are 100% questionable but you cannot deny the results." Naruto looked at the clock. "On second thought, I think I'll wait until nightfall." Naruto took a deep breath to reassure himself of what he was about to do. In the Shinobi World, Hiruzen Sarutobi is god, Minato Namikaze was the Grim Reaper, Ibiki Morino is the Boogeyman, and Danzo Shimura is the Devil. And of all the people he chose, he chose Danzo. He knew this could be one of the best or worst decisions of his life.
Midnight, Unknown Location
"Report."
"Sir! The jinjuriki intentionally failed so Uchiha-san could be the Copy Ninja's apprentice."
"Why?"
"I don't have any facts but I do have some educated guesses. Would you like to hear them?"
"Yes."
"He either has a trump card that no one should touch with a ten foot poll or he's trying to lure you out so he can make a deal with you. I doubt this is the work of Hiruzen. He's not strong enough. But I think it is our best interest to strike a deal with him."
"Yes, I agree." The man smirked. "Hiruzen lost his advantage over me the moment the boy became a ninja even as a reserve. Tomorrow night at midnight, I will approach him and offer him a place in ROOT. That is a deal he can't turn down.
The next day, midnight, Sasuke's house
A man with his left arm in a sling and a bandage over his left eye walked into Naruto's bedroom with two ROOT ANBU behind him. His goal was to test the jinjuriki to see if he was worthy of his training. He was about to plunge a kunai into Naruto's neck but Naruto used the kunai he hid under his pillow to sever the man's hand.
The man also felt a sword at the back of his neck courtesy of Sasuke. "Danzo Shimura. I've heard of shitty entrances and introductions but this takes the cake. It's no coincidence that you're here. We gave a lot of hints that we were seeking you out and I must say, this is not how I expect to meet you."
Naruto stood in a ready stance in case Danzo attacked again. "Danzo Shimura. Also known as, the Darkness of Shinobi and creator of ROOT. Responsible for the assassination of the 8-tails jinjuriki in the second shinobi war providing vital information in the last one. You tried to assassinate me as a test to see if I was a true shinobi or at least, ready to learn how to be one. And judging by the ANBU in the back left and right corners of the room, I'd say I'm correct." Naruto put the kunai back under his pillow and Sasuke put his sword away. "Come. We have much to discuss."
Sasuke led the two of them to the living room where Naruto and Sasuke sat on the couch across from Danzo and his ROOT. Danzo went first. "You know why I'm here and won't degrade you by asking why. On the other hand, what made you want to make a deal with the devil?"
Naruto didn't hesitate. "Please, Lord Danzo. It has become clear to me that I am the most hated person in the village and the Hokage takes special interest in me. I would like to know why but he either changes the subject or gives me the I don't know excuse. Here is my offer. I will join your little group if you tell me why I'm hated and train me in ninjutsu, kenjutsu, and assassination, and stealth."
Danzo didn't skip a beat either. "That makes things easier for me." Danzo looked Naruto in the eyes. "You are hated because the 4th made you into a jinjuriki, the 9-tails to be exact. The Hokage takes special interest in you because he's worried you might leave. And because you are a jinjuriki, you are the village weapon. By joining me, you will get the training you desire but….You will do anything and everything I ask you to do. Seduction, false flag, assassination, interrigation, espionage, the works. Do you understand?"
Once again, Naruto didn't hesitate. He knew what he had to do. "Yes, I understand. In exchange for training, I will be your weapon, and by extension, the village's. We will work out the details another time. Fair?"
"Yes, fair. Good night, Naruto Uzumaki. Or should I say...Fox. Training ground 8 at 5:00 AM. I'll take care of the rest."
When Danzo left, Naruto and Sasuke realized they made a deal with the devil. But for some reason, they were proud of it. Proud to know they weren't afraid of the darker aspects of their chosen career.
"My name is Naruto Uzumaki and I have made a deal with the devil. My new name will be ROOT ANBU FOX. About damn time."
Both boys smirked. 'Not all deals with the devil are bad ones. After all, you always get what you ask for and nothing more.'
Well? What do you think? Please leave a review. That place is dead.