One Year Later

"Eh, Naruto? What are you doing? Don't you start in the Academy today?" Kakashi poked his head into my room as I sat at my desk, writing a short letter.

"Nothing, Kakashi. I just wanted to write this down so I don't forget it. Oh, yeah! Don't say anything to anyone about Mizuki that you hadn't in the original timeline. If you warn the old man, that means I don't have a good cover story for knowing the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu. Which I'm definitely going to need in the future. Besides, I'd love to learn some of the other jutsu on that scroll," I explained somewhat breathlessly. I stuffed the letter into my backpack and slung it over my shoulder as I prepared to jump out of the window.

"Wait, Naruto!"

"Eh?"

"You're seven. Wouldn't it be a little bit strange if you jump off the third floor and land on your feet? There are only so many times I can brush off the neighbors' comments."

"Then don't," I smirked, Shunshining out of my room and appearing on a rooftop nearby the Academy. I spotted Hinata-chan waiting by the door of the Academy. I jumped down from my vantage point and started to walk to Hina-chan. "Hey, Hina-chan!"

"Naruto-kun," Hinata-chan smiled quietly. "You're almost late."

"So are you," I pointed out to the Hyuuga heiress.

"Yes, but I was waiting for you. Come on, we don't want Iruka-sensei to get mad at us on the first day."

"Don't worry, we both know enough that he couldn't fail us if he wanted to. I just can't wait to see Sasuke-teme's face when I throw shuriken better." Hinata-chan raised her fist at my remark and I immediately took my words back. "Don't worry Hina-chan, the massacre doesn't happen for another year and a half or so. Besides, I already personally heard the Sandaime that he wouldn't allow the use of deadly force on Konoha ninjas."

"You heard this personally? How did you get into his office? Does he know that you were there?"

"Yes, easily, probably not. In that order. His office does have an open window. How do you think Ero-sennin got in so many times? I'm pretty sure he doesn't know I was there; if he does, he hasn't mentioned to either Kakashi or I, so I guess I'm in the clear. For now at least. I had an ANBU outside my room the other night."

"Yeah, I've had a few tailing me on and off the last week or so. Do you think Danzo is behind this?"

"Nah, they're just regular ANBU, not ROOT. Kakashi has an eye on Danzo, anyway. He couldn't try much and hope to get away with it, not now."

"I guess."

Hina-chan and I turned towards the Academy doors, only to find an ANBU wearing a weasel mask blocking the entrance.

"Hyuuga Hinata and Namikaze Naruto and summoned to the Hokage's office immediately. Your chuunin instructor has been informed. Follow me please," Itachi spoke from behind his mask. Hinata-chan glanced subtly in my direction and I gave a slight nod, pretending to glance at my blissfully orange-free outfit. Itachi had walked a few paces into the building and paused, waiting for us to catch up. I walked up to him and gave him a quick hug.

"It's nice to see you, Itachi-san. How's Sasuke doing?" I said as soon as I released him. The older ninja seemed surprised, hesitating under his mask. I gave him some time to compose himself as I dragged Hina-chan towards Sarutobi-ojiisan's office. The Uchiha collected himself and caught up just as I reached my fist to the door, ready to knock.

"Come in," a voice called before I could alert my presence. Eyebrows together, I feigned a confused look, trying to be innocent. I couldn't glance at Hinata-chan, her thoughts were in line with mine: trying not to laugh in our current situation. I glanced around the room, surprised to see the elders as well as half the Council hiding behind the Hokage and his ANBU guards.

"Ohayo, Ojiisan!" I smiled, jogging towards the desk. I stopped and ducked as I felt a kunai come dangerously close to my neck. I tried to retain my innocent child act, but my old battle-ready instincts kicked in as I spun downwards, grabbing the ANBU's wrist and twisting until I heard a faint crack and the ninja gasped, dropping the weapon. "Has ROOT decided to assassinate me yet? Or is this a social visit?" I coughed, dropping most of my act. I had my back turned to the desk, but I felt a chill travel down my spine as I heard Danzo chuckled humorlessly.

"I think I like this one, Hiruzen. He's either really stupid or really smart. Either way, with a few years I'm sure we could-"

"Naruto is not a weapon, Danzo. I said no. However, this is a matter that needs to be discussed," Hiruzen reprimanded the old war hawk, shifting his eyes to my stance. I realized I was primed for the taijutsu style I had created, the warau akuma, or the laughing demon. I shook myself out of the stance, walked slowly towards the desk and dropped the kunai onto the old wood.

"Keep your dogs on a shorter lease, Danzo. Kakashi already taught me how to defend myself. Also, I have no inclination to join ROOT. If anything, I'd go for the general ANBU corps." Danzo narrowed his eyes dangerously. I'm sure that the man's glare, as well as the killing intent that radiated from the old man, would have froze a normal six year old, but I had both seen and felt worse in my past. Danzo may have intimidated the council and the village elders but he had nothing on Uchiha Madara. "You don't scare me Danzo. But I'm sure Kakashi already told you not to mess with me," I smiled, equally humorlessly. Hinata-chan put a hand on my shoulder comfortingly and I shot her a much happier grin.

"Well Kakashi isn't here right now, is he?" Danzo smirked, thinking he had won. I smirked and laughed under my breath, pointing to the window. Kakashi sat on the window sill, reading from the orange book he was so fond of. He glanced up tiredly as he noticed the others jump at his presence.

"Thanks, Naruto. I was just going to watch, now I have to be involved." Kakashi complained to me.

"You don't have to be involved. You know I can take care of myself. After all, you're the one who taught me," I winked subtly at my former -or was it future?- sensei. He smiled and rolled his visible eye.

"True. Either way, here is the mission report," Kakashi stood from the window, passing the hokage a scroll. "You sure you're fine, Naruto?" I nodded, rolling my eyes. Kakashi chuckled and raised his hand in farewell. "Ja ne," he waved to the crowd gathered in the office. A few protested but the ninja paid them no attention, jumping out of the window and disappearing in a Shunshin no Jutsu.

"So," I emphasized, drawing out the word, "if Sarutobi-ojiisan would come with me, I have something to tell him. And- if you're worried for the Professor's safety against a seven year old, Weasel-san can come too," I announced. I turned to Hina-chan and gave her a carefree smile. "Can you stay here, Hina-chan? I think the council would get too antsy if the Hokage and an ANBU are up against two seven year olds." Hinata-chan rolled her eyes though her thoughts agreed to the wisdom. The Hokage and Itachi probably couldn't take us, even as seven year olds, if only because they'd be holding back.

I looked towards the ANBU whose wrist I had broken. "ANBU-san, give me your hand. I'm not going to do anything bad," I reassured the disguised ninja. He warily gave me his hand after Danzo nodded at him. I held his hurt wrist in one hand, holding out the other to the crowd. "Nobody freak out, I know what I'm doing," I murmured, concentrating my chakra onto my hand and causing it to light up with a green energy. I held my hand to the injury as I straightened the bones with my other hand. The ANBU winced once as I reset the bones, but remained still until I took my hand away and smiled. "Sorry for that earlier, I noticed Danzo's signal for you to attack. It was my fault, I could have just taken the kunai away. Are you better now?"

"How- How did you just-" A council member stuttered before Nara Shikaku, Shikamaru's father, elbowed him in the ribs.

"Medical ninjutsu. Keep up," he frowned tiredly.

"I think he meant to ask how I have enough chakra, chakra control, or even basic knowledge of medical-ninjutsu, Nara-san," I smiled tightly. "I'll ask again; can Weasel-san and Hokage-Ojiisan come with me?"

The two ninja came to my side, albeit warily. I shook my head and tried to be good-natured, seeing as I was almost kidnapping two ninja. "Inoichi-san, you should come too. Just so you guys can relax, we'll be in Interrogation room three. Knock if you absolutely need to come in," I glared pointedly at Danzo, sending him and only him, a short burst of killing intent. He shuddered and stared at me confused, probably wondering just what I was.