Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto


Deal's Made In the Dark

Koharu Utatane walked down Root's underground base with one simple motive in mind, which was to strike a deal with her old friend Danzo Shimura over Konoha's newest jinchuriki, Naru Uzumaki.

The reason why she was visiting Danzo was that she knew that he wanted to recruit Naru into his Root program; however, she knew that the Third Hokage would never allow it. Henceforth why she was here.

The truth was Koharu didn't want to see the girl go to waste; she knew once the child came of age the villagers would stunt her growth and that couldn't be allowed to happen. Konoha needed a weapon to keep it on top and Naru Uzumaki was the key.

So here she was, preparing to strike a deal with the man who could help her. In all honesty, Koharu wanted to train a team by herself, one that was separate from Root; however, she knew that having Danzo on her side would be in her best interest. Plus, if the Jinchuriki disappeared suddenly Danzo would be the number one suspect, so he couldn't be directly involved with this.

"Koharu san, what brings you here?" A familiar voice pulled her from her thoughts.

Koharu smiled, "Can't an old lady visit a friend," she asked?

Danzo Shimura quirked an eyebrow, not buying her friendly demeanor, Koharu never visited him here it was always at his private residents, which meant she was here on business. "I have no problem with you visiting me, I'm just confused as to why you bothered coming here. Surely if you wanted to see me, we could have met at my home," he said.

Koharu looked at him seriously, "I'm afraid what I have to discuss with you is something of a sensitive matter, and talking with you at home would be inappropriate," she said.

Danzo tilted his head, intrigued; so he was right she did have business to discuss, "Forgive my rudeness Koharu san why don't we discuss this matter over tea," he said.

Koharu smiled, "That would be lovely," she said following him into his office.

Danzo sat down placing the tea down in front of them, "So what do you wish to discuss with me," he asked?

Koharu took a sip of her tea before she spoke, "I've come here today to make a proposal," she said. Danzo looked at her intrigued, "A deal? What's gotten into you Koharu, you're not the type to go making deals not with me at least," he said.

Koharu looked at him sternly, "Cut it out Danzo san this is serious. I'm here because of the jinchuriki; I know you want her, but we both know Hiruzen will never allow it," she said.

At the mention of the jinchuriki, Danzo straightened up, "Sarutobi will let her go to waste," he said annoyed.

Koharu nodded, "Yes it's a shame but it would be an even bigger shame if we allowed it to happen," she said.

Danzo quirked an eyebrow at her, "Yes, I agree it would, but what do you propose we do about it," he said.

Koharu took another sip of her tea before she spoke, "I'll be frank with you Danzo, I want to make a team of assassins like the world has never seen; however, I'm not stupid I can't do it on my own. So I'm thinking we can help each other out, I'll keep the girl and the other two in a secret location and you can have your go in help training them," she said.

Danzo hummed, "What makes you think I just won't take her for myself," he asked?

Koharu chuckled, "We both know the minute the jinchuriki disappears you will be the number one suspect; however, no one would ever suspect me," she said.

Danzo nodded what she was saying was true; Sarutobi would believe he was responsible for sure and that could risk his Root operation, which couldn't happen. He wouldn't mind playing decoy though because once Sarutobi realized he didn't have the jinchuriki Koharu would have her safely tucked away.

Danzo smiled at her, "I see your point Koharu san, so how can I help you," he said.

Koharu smiled, "First of all I would need your Root agents to stage three kidnappings," she said. Danzo tilted his head, "Aww yes, you said you wanted a team of three, do you have any idea's for the other two," he said.

Koharu nodded, "I've decided I want a Nara and Uchiha on the team," she said. Danzo quirked an eyebrow, "Those are good choices but the only Nara and Uchiha babies are both clan heirs, well one's a spare, but still," he said.

Koharu looked annoyed, "Do you think I don't know that? I don't want just any clan members I want the best of the best. Shikaku Nara is a formidable strategist and I have no doubt his brat will be just the same, and as for Fugaku Uchiha I don't even need to specify, his firstborn Itachi is already showing signs of being a prodigy, his second son should be no different," she said.

Danzo laughed, "My, My Koharu, you really have been thinking this over. Alright, I'll help but only if I get to help train the brats," he said.

Koharu smirked, "I wouldn't have it any other way," she said, and so the deal was made; a week from today the jinchuriki along with the two baby clan heirs would disappear.


The night was warm and everyone in Konoha was asleep except for a few select Jonin and Anbu that were busy patrolling for intruders. No one noticed as an Anbu snuck into the orphanage nor did they notice when he ran out leaving behind an empty crib that looked like a murder scene.

At the Nara residents, a small army of Root operatives dispersed around the property and quickly dispersed placing exploding tags around the forest where the Nara's prized deer were sleeping.

At a quarter to two in the morning, Shikaku and Yoshino Nara along with the rest of their clan were rudely awakened to the sounds of explosions going off. "What the Hell!" Shikaku thought, looking out his bedroom window.

To his surprise and horror, he saw a heard of frightened deer running out of the forest; that was ablaze. "Oh My God!" he thought, putting his shoes on he ran out of the house along with his wife, to go try and calm down the deer.

It was an hour past three when the couple finally made it back to the house and the Jonin commander was ready for bed, his wife though went to check on their son first. The man hadn't even made it to the bed when he heard his wife's scream; grabbing a kunai he raced into his son's room where he found his wife looking petrified.

Yoshino looked at her husband in despair, "Shikaku he's not here, Shikamaru he's not here, my baby, where's my baby" she screamed!

Shikaku felt the blood drain from his face; his son was only a month old, there was no possible way he had moved, which meant someone had taken him, someone had taken his son.

The Jonin commander didn't think he moved, racing to the Hokage tower to request help.

Meanwhile:

A small army of Root Operatives descend upon the Uchiha compound; they were careful to mask their chakra and be as quiet as possible. Their target? Sasuke Uchiha.

When they reached Uchiha Fugaku's house they were pleased to note that the window in Sasuke's room was opened. It was obvious the Uchiha clan wasn't too worried about intruders, after all, who would be dumb enough to attack the most powerful clan in Konoha?

Obviously, they weren't counting on Root to take a chance.

A cat masked operative quickly jumped into the baby's room and grabbed him before leaping out the window. No one in the Uchiha compound ever woke up.


The Root operatives returned to their base with the precious cargo; Koharu and Danzo were waiting for them.

Danzo smirked, "Well done, all of you. Cat, Eagle, Boar take the children to this location and then return," he said, handing the cat masked operative a slip of paper.

"Hai!" the soldiers soluted before running off to complete their task.

Danzo turned to Koharu, "It seems this plan of yours is going to work. I look forward to seeing the final product," he said.

Koharu smirked, "So do I old friend, So do I," she said.


Author's note: So here's the first chapter of The Black Widow of the Leaf. Tell me what you think.