Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction, I own none of it.

Summary: A more rational Danzo takes on team 7. The world changes accordingly

Chapter 1 - Team Formation

For most of Konoha it was a day like any other. But for some it was a milestone, the first day of their Shinobi careers. And for an observant few, it was the first time they ever saw Uzumaki Naruto in class early, and he would be hard to miss. With his bright blond hair and atrocious orange jumpsuit it was amazing he'd ever managed the level of stealth required for some of the pranks he was known for.

In fact, no one can really say when he got there. Or even how he'd gotten there, hadn't Naruto failed the graduation exam?

"Hey Naruto! Don't ya know you need to pass to be here? You can't just steal a headband. Iruka will know it's not yours!" Truly, Kiba was and never will be known for tact. Or anything that involved human social constructs. The wild Inuzuka clan's ninken often being the more civilized of their pairings.

"Get a clue dog breath! Iruka-Sensei gave me this headband himself! I've already done my first mission so how's that!?" Well… No one ever said Naruto had learned anything about tact either.

"Pft, like the village would ever let a clown like you on a missio-"

"Quiet down all of you! Find your seats and try to act like adults, which as of today you legally are!" Iruka on the other hand, had both tact and timing. And… Fresh bandages? More than a few questioning brows were raised.

"Now, I'll start reading out the teams. Then after lunch you'll meet with your new Sensei and begin your careers as Shinobi."

Of course most of the teams were long since determined, and the smarter members of the class (Shikamaru at the very least) weren't terribly surprised. Well, except for one thing no one saw coming, even Iruka.

" And team 7 will be Haruno Sakura, Uchiha Sasuke, and Uzumaki Naruto. Your Sensei will be…" a series of emotions fly across his face, not even concealed to the fresh batch of Genin.

"Shimura Danzo, your Sensei will find you on his own after lunch."

"Sakura-chan! Since we're on a team together now do you want to get ramen with me?!"

"Pft, as if Naruto! I'm not going on a date with you, I should be on a date with Sasuke!"

"But… I just wanted to get lunch… I didn't mean it like a date…" Unfortunately, she'd already stormed off. Kami Naruto wished he'd never asked her out that first time. He just didn't know any better, he thought that was the only way boys and girls spent time together. Really he wanted to be friends, because when they first met she seemed just as lonely as he was. Before she started hanging out with Ino and got kinda mean.

"Ugh… Guess I'll go for ramen alone…"

"Sasuke-kun! Now that we're on a team together shouldn't we spend more time together!?" Kami let him say yes, just once let her win something.

"Go away. You're annoying." He didn't want to spend time with her. He didn't want to spend time with anybody. Never again would he let someone in. Never again would he have to lose everything.

Though it seemed that maybe it wasn't a day like any other. A certain ramen stand didn't see its favourite customer. A small produce stand outside what remained of the Uchiha district noted the sole resident didn't return home that day.

And the Haruno residence received a note, informing them their daughter would be entered into an accelerated training program and would be off with her team until its completion.

A reward for her top kunoichi ranking, courtesy of one Councillor Shimura Danzo.

When Naruto woke up he was alone. Strange, he thought his Jounin Sensei was supposed to get him after lunch, sorta figured someone would have woken him up from his post-lunch nap. Oh well, guess he'll go find Iruka-Sensei and see what's going on.

Only… That's strange, he can't seem to find him. Okay, um, the Hokage would know what's going on for sure. Off to see Jiji!

Oh, probably shouldn't have barged in that old guy looks like, really mad.

"This is the respect I receive here Hiruzen? The first time a Tsuchikage enters the Leaf to establish better relations and a GENIN can just barge in. Who are you BOY to interrupt Kage!?"

"Hey I didn't know you old geezers were having a meeting! No one told me that. And I'm Uzumaki Naruto! And I'm going to be Hokage, believe it!"

The visiting kage looks like he's been struck.

"Uzumaki you say. Oh yes I do see it. I see Kushina in your face. And that can only make you his" He all but hisses at the boy. Steadily growing more and more terrified as the killing intent blankets the room.

"Onoki that's enough, this was obviously an accident-"

"Accident? An accident that you FLAUNT the legacy of a clan I all but destroyed and Iwa's nightmare? No Sarutobi, this is an insult. This will be war Mark my words."

And with that the old man took flight, blasting his way out of the office and to the north west. Towards Iwagakure no Sato in the land of Earth. And… Kage? Onoki? Oh Kami that was the Tsuchikage he'd even said that. Why hadn't Naruto listened?

A tense silence seizes the room for a single moment before a white cloaked ANBU appears before the Hokage.

"Commander, prepare our forces. War with Iwa begins again."

"Naruto, your Jonin Sensei was held up. Can I trust you cause no more trouble until he collects you?"

Naruto nods numbly, before being escorted out of the room by a faceless ANBU.

Naruto goes through life almost shell-shocked. He can barely understand when he hears that his classmates are grieving lost parents.

By the time he's informed Iruka-Sensei didn't make it back from a mission, he can't even cry anymore.

Nobody but him and his Kage knew that this was all his fault.

He can't pay attention to his training. He can't even picture his Sensei's face.

When Sakura dies on a mission it starts to set in that he did this. That she was dead because of him. That they were all dead because of him. He sees red.

Sasuke's sharingan brings him back. It's different than it used to be. Sasuke is different then he used to be.

Naruto's Sensei is dead too, what was his name again? No one says anything, but Naruto knows what the claw marks were from.

He's only allowed missions with Sasuke now. They all go the same way. They go to a battlefield, Sasuke makes eye contact, the world goes red, and comes back into focus with Sasuke's sharingan. More often than not with just the two of them.

One day they go out and Sasuke is more tense, more tired than usual. When they get to the battlefield Han and Roshii dominate the field.

Naruto sees red. But when he comes back he's alone. Sasuke didn't make it this time.

Naruto just closes his eyes and lies on the battlefield, waiting for someone to come and either take him back to the leaf, or end his suffering.

When he opens his eyes again he's in a dark room. He feels younger again, his chakra pathways don't feel like fire anymore. A door opens, bright light blinding him. He can only make out the silhouette of a man standing stick straight, one arm tucked into his robe while the other holds a cane.

"Today is the day of your team formation. Everything you have seen was an illusion. What I have shown you is a future that could be, as you are.

This is not a future I desire. If you have the strength left I would help you ensure such a fate never happens."

Naruto squints at the figure, details slowly coming into focus. He doesn't recognize this man.

"Who… Who are you?" Why does it feel like he hasn't spoken in so long?

"I am Shimura Danzo. Your Jonin Sensei."

Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura sit quietly around a dining room table. Yesterday they were made a part of team 7 under Shimura Danzo. After Danzo's… Introduction. None of them spoke much. But they were directed to a tasteful apartment in a quiet part of town. When Naruto arrived he was the last of them. All of their things were already moved in.

It was a single bedroom with three beds, almost more of a barracks than a home. Of no surprise to any of them Sakura had a great many books, of some surprise was Sasuke's traditional tea set.

Probably the biggest surprise was Naruto's collection of houseplants.

There were instructions to be prepped and ready for their first mission at 6am. It was currently 5:30, and Naruto and Sakura were surprised to find that Sasuke had made breakfast and tea for everyone.

Even more surprised to find that it was VERY good.

Naruto spoke first "So… Did you guys go through a weird genjutsu yesterday too?" Cautious, barely loud enough for everyone to hear.

Sasuke looks down into his food "Hn"

Well, that's about the best someone can expect of Sasuke all told.

Sakura on the other hand starts to shake and cry quietly. Naruto starts to reach out but hesitates when she flinches back slightly.

"Hey… Sakura-chan it's alright. It wasn't real, the scary old guy said so. It's gonna be okay, we're gonna make it better. We're gonna do better together Sakura-chan."

That was surprisingly sensitive, coming from Naruto especially. It's really too bad he has no clue what to do when she breaks down sobbing and all but jumps into his arms.

"I didn't know! I didn't know being a ninja would be like that. I didn't think people still did things like that!"

Naruto looks like a deer in the headlights at this point, he'd never had to comfort someone like this! Hell he'd never been comforted like this! Oh God he needs to be a good friend like now what should-

Oh Sasuke's being helpful. Even as dense as Naruto can be he can still make out Sasuke mouthing "hold her".

And he does, and after a few minutes of sobbing she starts to get herself back together. When she starts to sit back up Sasuke is there and presses a warm mug of tea into her hands.

"I don't know what you saw. But we saw what we saw to make us better. I can't see any other reason for it. And I can't find any flaws in the illusion. All we can do is make sure the real world doesn't go that way."

"Yeah Sakura-chan! We can do this together! And… And we'll do better this time!"

"sniffles I… I guess. I guess I'll try."

"Good. Team 7 must be strong." At the sound of the new voice team 7 jump ready... More or less...(is Naruto holding chopsticks in a kunai grip?)

"Hn. I see we'll need to work on that. You were all to be ready 1 minute ago for your first mission." Finally seeing their Sensei in the morning light of their apartment was unexpected. He seemed a frail old man, with shaggy black hair and a bandaged right eye. Most of his body is covered by long robes, though they don't seem to hinder his movement any if his soundless entrance was anything to go by.

"um, yes Sensei." an awkwardly unprepared team 7 stutters out.

"Yes we'll need to work on that too. Follow me, for your first assignment you will undergo a full combat assessment and receive appropriate gear and training supplies. Come."

Danzo turns to leave, team 7 scrambling behind him. There is… A lot of work to be done.

For the good of the leaf. He would make team 7 into a legend.

All three of the members of Genin squad 7 looked as though they'd been through a meat grinder.

Danzo on the other hand looked as close to being genuinely angry as he could.

"This is what the academy can produce? Pathetic.

Under my tutelage such foolishness will be unacceptable. Rushing in without thinking. Shouting the names of your jutsu, no unit cohesion, no plan.

You expect to be a kage? You expect to kill a shinobi that can rival kage? You expect to be an asset to your team? Did you all learn nothing yesterday?"

After calming down, his gaze softens somewhat on his three cowering pupils. A swift double tap of his walking stick summoned a trio of masked shinobi. Each of them presented a bundle to a member of team 7.

"Each of you have received your new shinobi kit. Anbu training gear, lightly armoured, highest quality. In addition two of you will find weapons I believe will fit your fighting styles in addition. Sasuke, a training sword. Sakura, knuckle dusters will prime you for hard hand to hand combat. Many will try to force you into close quarters on account of your stature and gender. You will be prepared.

Naruto. You will find no extra gear."

"But Sensei-!"

"Do not interrupt. Now Naruto I noticed something interesting while we fought. You use henge as if it actually transforms you. Why?"

"Um… Because it does? It's the 'transformation' jutsu duh."

"Um, Naruto… The henge is a genjutsu not a ninjutsu." Oh good, Sakura can still speak!

"What? No way I'm useless at genjutsu. And I'm great at henge!"

"An astute observation. I suspect it's for the same reason you excel at the kage bunshin. You have so much chakra it's used to being kept high density. In other words it holds shape well. I believe you'll have a much easier time with shape manipulation than most shinobi.

In effect your henge is a true transformation. And as you seem to have an aptitude for kage bunshin I fail to see why you should need weapons. I expect you to keep yourself and your team outfitted with all standard Shinobi weapons. Is that understood?"

"Hai Sensei!" All three chorus back, as Danzo is about to move on Sasuke nervously clears his throat to catch Danzo's attention.

"Yes?"

"Sensei, these uniforms don't have the Uchiha fan emblem. Am I not representing my clan?"

"You can all make modifications to your uniforms as you see fit either when you become chunin or complete an A-Rank mission."

"But Sensei!-"

"SILENCE! I will not be interrupted by Genin again, and certainly not over fashion." That got them all back in line. Even as fast as Naruto heals they were all still sore from their assessment.

"Now, you three are not a normal squad. You will not be taking D-Rank missions. They are beneath me. I am training the three of you to be a first to the field recon and response team team, the only one currently in Konoha's roster. Can anyone tell me who the last such team was?"

"The Dennetsu Sannin sir?"

"Correct Haruno. And before them?"

"Umm, I don't know sir."

"Lord Third and myself." He gave that a moment to sink in before carrying on. "This is not a task normally given to one team. Under normal circumstances we attempt to keep such high intensity tasks divided. Make a new team every time. However, myself and Lord Hokage believe two things. Firstly, the time we can afford to assemble such teams can not be tolerated for much longer. Secondly, we believe that this team can rise to the occasion.

This is why I am your Sensei. I am no normal Jonin. I have fought in every Shinobi War, I have run two divisions of ANBU, I possess jutsu, skills, and information that no other Shinobi in the village can hope to offer. For example, Sasuke what was Uchiha Madara's fiercest fire jutsu?"

"Fire Style: Majestic Destroyer Flame. But the Jutsu is lost, only Madara and his brother knew it."

"How convenient for me then to be in possession of the journals of one Uchiha Izuna, pilfered off his corpse by Lord Tobirama? No?" Sasuke just stared wide-eyed at this.

"It will not be easy, you will not be nurtured and allowed to grow as you see fit. You will be torn apart, have your roots spread in optimal patterns, you will be fed the best nutrients, allowed in the sun when it is best for your growth and kept in the shade when required.

I have until July to make sure you dominate the Chunin Exams. I have been promised at least one month of dedicated training time however. Which will begin at 5am tomorrow morning." Some eyes go wide at that "You will begin each day with a breakfast you prepare yourself, I will have a meal plan provided for what you will eat and groceries delivered to you. You will get ready, you will come to this underground Anbu facility. You will begin each day with vigorous calisthenics, followed by yoga. All the while you will be drilled on a variety of subjects, from jutsu theory to politics. Once you've learned to stand on walls this will be performed either on the walls or ceiling. Then you will break for lunch which will be provided to you. After lunch you will be drilled in either tai or kenjutsu at my discretion. You will run a mock combat scenario of my devising before dinner. You will have a break to cook yourselves dinner. In the evenings you partake in various games of skill and tactics, practice hand signs, go over formations and any other non-physical training I see fit." Now everyone's gone pale.

"Naruto. You have been given an unusual boon in the form of your Kage Bunshin. How many can you make?"

"Um… Maybe 2000? It's kinda hard to say. I was really tired after too."

"Understandable. For reference the Kage Bunshin is a Jonin level forbidden technique, to make 10 and continue fighting at full strength would be a feat to admire." Naruto beams "Do not let this go to your head. 2000 times zero is still zero. First we will need to make you into a more formidable shinobi. To this end when you begin each day I expect 10 clones studying. I expect you to be a well read and fully educated Shinobi by the Chunin exams, which your team are currently years ahead of you in." Danzo gestures to silence Naruto's oncoming outburst "This is no fault of yours. I have reason to believe you were sabotaged in this field. There will at all times be a clone of myself in my office that you can ask any questions you need. I suggest starting with improving your knowledge of kanji to expedite the process. Sasuke, Sakura, I expect you to help him in your evenings."

Danzo readjusts slightly. "Now, there are just a few things I will clear up now. Firstly, people will react when they find out I am your Sensei. You will likely be shunned. I am known to many as Shinobi no Yami, or the Darkness of Shinobi. I have earned this moniker and regret none of it. What I do I do for the good of the leaf. You will understand over time.

Next, Naruto even I can not reveal your secret to your team. But you will be trained to utilize it. I do not suggest waiting

Furthermore Sasuke. Your brother was one of the most formidable Shinobi to ever come from the leaf. I would have you know I had a part in his training. If you seek Itachi's death, Team 7 is how you will accomplish it."

All of Team 7 look to be in shock at this point.

"You are dismissed. Return at 5am."

The day started, and would end at the small dining table it would seem. Thoroughly exhausted by… Well everything. Team 7 mostly ate in silence.

"So Sasuke… You like to cook?" Solid ice breaker Sakura, well done!

"Hn." Well that was more or less to be expected

"Oh well that's cool! Maybe with all of Naruto's plants you'll get some good fresh ingredients too!" Which strangely makes Naruto look a little bashful?

"Oh um… I don't really know which ones are good to eat. I just got them to keep me company." Oh there we go, a classic Naruto head scratch. Good the world was almost back to normal.

"You… You were so lonely you bought plants?" Well it was gonna get sad eventually anyways.

"Uh, yeah I guess. I mean I didn't really buy them but… Yeah. No family and no one ever really wanted to be around me so… Yeah."

"Naruto, I thought people didn't like to be around you 'cause you cause trouble?"

"No, even before the pranks. Even Father didn't want the clan around him." Shockingly Sasuke cut in.

"Wait really? The great Uchiha clan wasn't allowed around Naruto? Why?"

A shrug is the only response they get though. Unfortunately things go awkwardly quiet again as Naruto starts to look extra nervous and fidgety.

Well now or never. "Hey guys… I actually know why. I… I just found out the other night myself." At his sudden shyness his team settled back into their seats to wait patiently.

"So you guys know how the Kyuubi attacked right? 13 Years ago?" A pair of nods.

"Well… It turns out you can't kill Bijuu. They'll just poof and reform. But… But you can seal them apparently." To punctuate he pulled up his shirt a bit and channelled some chakra to display his seal.

Oh. Oh that is big.

"Is… Is it safe?" Practical question from Sakura.

"Jiji said Lord Fourth was the best seal master who ever lived so… Yeah I guess."

"And your parents?"

"Jiji says they died in the attack, it was the day I was born so…" The saddest of shrugs. Sasuke's eyes and stance soften ever so slightly.

"Oh…" Well, I mean how would Sakura know how to continue from there? I mean, luckily she didn't have to and trauma lord Sasuke knew how to carry it from here.

"Your parents were heroes then Naruto. Be proud of your family."

"Thanks Sasuke."

"Is it difficult?"

"What?"

"The Fox."

"Oh, no. Or I mean. I don't know? I've never talked to him or anything, maybe he's why I have so much energy I feel like I'm going to burst, or maybe that's jsut me. I don't really know I've never lived any other way ya know?"

"Hn" Sasuke nods, almost sagely. Or maybe they're just all getting tired.

"Guys I think we should go to bed… We have to get up really early"

"Yeah sounds good-" Sasuke cuts Naruto off

"No. I have something to say as well." The two shinobi settle back into their seats and wait for Sasuke to finish psyching himself up.

"Itachi was my brother. He slaughtered my clan. He made me relive it for what feels like ever. I… I've spent years thinking I just needed to hate more strongly and isolate myself so I would have less weaknesses. I… I guess just what I'm saying is… What I saw yesterday showed me that that won't work. To beat Itachi I have to be better than Itachi. And I can't be better than him if I just do everything the same way he did."

"Oh Sasu-"

"Shut up, Don't get sappy. I just… You're my team now. I thought you should know. Just leave it." And leave it they did, they got up and went to bed. Maybe Sasuke and Naruto shared a brief look of empathy with each other, who's to say really?