Chapter 1: Human Illusions
Naruto Uzumaki, didn't understand a lot of things.
Why did everyone hate him?
Is he a demon?
Who are his parents?
Did they love him?
He wondered that as he kicked a rock. It was October 10, the worst day for him. He was simply trying to avoid anyone, as an old man got in front of him.
He was covered in bandages and walked with a crane. He eyed Naruto with sharp and calculated eyes that made Naruto gulp "Naruto Uzumaki... a pleasure to meet you."
Naruto nodded slowly "Do... I know you sir?"
The old man nodded "I do. You can say... I am an old friend of your father."
Naruto eyes widen and he grinned "You knew my dad!?"
The old man smiled "I did. My name is Danzo. Danzo Shimura. What you say if we talk somewhere else? I bet you have a lot of questions."
Naruto nodded as he followed Danzo to his home. The ANBU guards looking for Naruto, being killed by ROOT ANBU.
*Shimura Compound*
Naruto eyed his tea, with sad eyes "The fourth hokage... he was my dad..."
Danzo nodded solemnly "I am afraid so."
"Why didn't Jiji told me?" He asked Danzo, referring to Hiruzen. Danzo kept his stoic face.
"Because he hates you."
Naruto head snapped to him, eyes begging for this to be a joke. "W-What?... WHY!?" he cried and Danzo patted his shoulder.
"Tell me boy; do you know about the Kyubi?"
*Hokage's Office*
"Let me see if I got this clear; the whole ANBU squad protecting Naruto, the 4 elite shinobi, disappeared and so did Naruto. No one knows where the ANBU or Naruto are. Am I right?" Sarutobi asked and Kakashi nodded and Shikaku frowned.
"Maybe it is an Iwa assassination attempt..." Kakashi said, worried over the safety of Sensei's kid.
Shikaku on the other hand, had another theory "Do we know where Danzo is right now?"
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow "In his office, if I am not wrong. He said he rather work than go to the festival."
"Do you mind calling him?" The ANBU Commander asked and Hiruzen nodded. He told her secretary, and after a moments, the woman arrived.
"I'm sorry, but Danzo-Sama's office is locked."
Hiruzen nodded as he stood up. "Follow me." He ordered and both men nodded. They walked to the office and Sarutobi dissolved the seal after 5 minutes of trying. Whatever Danzo was doing, it was kept a secret.
Once the door opened, with the signature of Danzo inside, there was no one. Hiruzen expression went blank. Shikaku frowned and Kakashi narrowed his eye.
"Find Danzo and bring him to me." The Sandaime ordered as btoh shinobi left.
*Shimura Compound*
As Naruto absorbed all the information, Danzo patted the crying boy's shoulder "There is one way, for Hiruzen to accept you. One way, to make your parents proud." Naruto looked at him and Danzo smiled.
"Live and die for the village."
Naruto blinked "How so?"
Danzo closed his eyes "Shinobis are weapons and tools for their villages. True shinobis understand that. Your father and mother knew that, that's why they gave their life for it. Now, it is your turn."
"H-How do I do that?"
"Do you know what emotions are?"
Naruto nodded slowly "Like love?"
Danzo shook his head "No. What the word emotion stands for." Naruto shook his head "It is what a person feels in certain moments. Emotions are, and always will be, the death of a Shinobi. You know why?" Another shake "Because emotions, are a human illusion made to feel safe. Instead of trusting their skills, they trust their bonds with their team and village. That's why Konoha is so weak. Because the are all blinded by emotion. Naruto... if you want to become strong, you must get rid of them."
Naruto gulped as he nodded "H-How do I do that?"
Danzo smiled as he stood up "Follow me. A friend knows a way."
XxXxXxXxX
Kakashi can't find them anywhere. He had his sharingan eye flaring, looking everywhere, but still...
Shikaku was ordering to some more ANBUS before he gestured Kakashi to come. "We believe he might be in his ROOT Headquarters, and the most posible thing, is that Naruto is with him there."
Kakashi nodded "Then what are we waiting."
"Nothing. We are done." Kakashi blinked behind his mask and then glared at Shikaku.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
Shikaku sighed "We have orders of the Sandaime to not interact with anything related to ROOT. We will just report and then the Sandaime will know what to do."
That angered Kakashi "But Naruto!"
"He will be fine."
"But-"
"That's an order Inu. Go home and sleep."
Kakashi nodded "You were his best friend. His closest advisor." He said and Shikaku nodded.
"And you were his student. You were supposed to be Naruto's brother. Before you insult me, look yourself at the mirror."
XxXxXxXxX
Danzo saw how Orochimaru connected tubes to Naruto. "This better not weaken the seal, Orochimaru."
Orochimaru smirked "How little faith, Danzo-San. Why would I ever betray an ally of mine?"
Danzo didn't answer. The fourth try of Orochimaru's experiment, 'Resurection'. An experiment to kill someone, and bring him back with more power. The other 3 failed and died or became insane once they came back.
Orochimaru theorized that with the Kyubi's chakra, will keep Naruto stable enough for the procedure to be complete. But before, Danzo planted a seal on Naruto's head. One created by Orochimaru.
It had as a codename, 'Hollow'. A seal to destroy one person personality, making him into a blank page.
Perfect for ROOT.
Danzo made a tweak or two on it. After all, his weapon will bring despair into the elemental nations.
XxXxXxXxX
When Naruto woke up. Many of his questions were answered.
Why did everyone hate him? Because he is a useless weapon. Danzo-Sama can fix that.
Is he a demon? Yes. A demon that must be ready to be unleashed on Konoha's enemies at any given second.
Who are his parents? It doesn't matter. The past is irrelevant. It only matters the future of Konoha.
Did they love him? No. But he can still make them proud, by following their steps.
"Naruto Uzumaki," He looked up from his bed and Danzo-Sama was staring at him "Your training starts tomorrow. From now on, you codename is Bat. Understood?"
Naruto dull eyes blinked as he nodded. "Answer me."
"Yes, Danzo-Sama."
*Hokage's Office, Next Day*
"I heard you were looking for me, Hiruzen." Hiruzen glared at Danzo.
"I was. Where were you yesterday? Did you enjoy the festival?"
Danzo nodded "I did. I even found myself an aprentice."
Hiruzen glare hardened "Bring him here."
Danzo nodded. A few minutes passed before an ANBU let enter a... different Naruto.
He was pale. Sickly pale, like the moon, or like his student. His eyes, once shining, were now dull and slatted.
"N-Naruto?" Hiruzen asked in shock and Naruto nodded shortly.
"Hokage-Sama."
Jiji... no jiji... no Old Man... no screams. Danzo smiled "I showed him how to respect his superiors. After all, a good shinobi needs to be good following orders."
Hiruzen gripped his desk so hard it actually broke. He was shaking... Naruto... "Naruto-Kun, I need to talk with Danzo. What you say if after this, I take you to Ichiraku's? We need to celebrate your birthday after all."
Naruto closed his eyes "I appreciate the offer, Hoakge-Sama. But you seem to be busy, and you don't need a useless tool bothering you. If you excuse me, I will resume my training."
As Naruto left after bowing his head Hiruzen was gripping his chair so hard that it was cracking. Useless... Tool... Bothering... Just as the door closed, the room was filled with Killer Instinct.
"One reason... Give me one reason to not kill you right now!" The Sandaime demanded. The ANBU guards tensed up.
Danzo frowned "I am doing what is best for Konoha. We need the Kyubi ready to attack and protect. Besides, I am honoring Minato's and Kushina's memories by making him into a capable shinobi."
This... this man wasn't his teammate. This war hawk... took Minato's legacy... brainwashed him... transformed him...
"ANBU..." Hirzuen said and 4 ANBU jumped from the shadows ready to attack the elder. Danzo smirked.
"Before you kill me, Hiruzen, hear this. Naruto is now my pet fox. If I die... he will kill himself. So choose, Lord Hokage; the dead of the Namikaze bloodline? Or the strongest shinobi the village will ever see?"
Hiruzen kept shaking in rage. The ANBU ready to attack... he... can't do this... "Leave..."
Danzo nodded. Bowed his head and left. The ANBU in charge, Tiger, look at his leader "Sandaime-Sama?"
"Get Inoichi to look into Naruto's mind... and get both, Kakashi and Shikaku here. Now." He said shaking. Once the ANBU left he rested his head on the table.
"Minato... how I had failed you..."
XxXxXxXxX
Shikaku and Kakashi heard what happened. Kakashi slammed his hands on the desk "Where is Naruto!?" He demanded and the Sandaime sighed.
"He should be with Inoichi now."
Kakashi growled and glared at Shikaku "If you let me go after him yesterday! This wouldn't be happening!" He accused and Shikaku glared at him.
"Calm down Kakashi. Don't make me punish you for insubordination." He warned and Kakashi didn't care.
"You didn't want to save him, didn't you!? You just wanted him gone! Like everyone else!"
Shikaku was getting angry "Hatake..."
"You make me sick... what would Sensei think if he saw what you did."
Shikaku had enough. He punched Kakashi in the stomach, making him bend over "What would Minato think, seeing how the older brother of his son never talked to him."
"ENOUGH!" Hiruzen exclaimed and glared at both, before sighing. "Kakashi... the order of adoption you put and was denied... I will accept it. From now on, you are Naruto Uzumaki's legal guardian."
Kakashi nodded, still holding his stomach and left, bumping Shikaku's shoulder "And Shikaku. I want an ANBU watching every movement Naruto does, and even more on Danzo. But you have a more important mission;"
"Make sure Naruto regains his emotions. No matter the method"
Next Chapter: Orders