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 8 - Supremacy of Shadows

"You let 29 teams pass, Ibiki?" The recently arrived proctor seemed dumbfounded at the idea that so many Genin would be able to get past the scared Jounin. "You must be going soft.", but just as she said that it seemed something dawned on her, as her grin turned predatory and she rounded on the group of assembled Genin.

"No matter, my test will be sure to cut the number at least in half. Follow me if you don't want to live!" She shouts the last bit as she dashes out of the room with a shit eating grin on her face. A quick collective look at Ibiki to see if this could possibly be serious was all the delay it took most of the teams before the younger ninja's all burst into action to follow the…. Potentially unhinged woman on whatever merry chase it was she was sure to lead them on.

Truthly the chase wasn't all that hard, the purple haired proctor wasn't actually trying to lose the group of Chunin hopefuls, just keep them on their toes. If only she only thought to monitor the group of aspirants on their journey, she might have realized that some of the faster members of the group she was charged with were taking advantage of the (to them) rather leisurely pace.

Of course, how was she to know that she had both a ringer team, and a Sannin in her group.

Cut to everyone gathered in front Training Ground 44

It took a few minutes for some of the teams to catch up, but once all 29 had arrived, they assembled outside of a huge gated Forest with a few tents set up in front of it. For the most part the collective of assembled Genin kept their distance from each other, except for the three teams of rookie Genin that gathered together making small talk while they waited for the next stage of the exam to start.

Though they didn't need to wait long before the voice of the proctor could be heard silencing the crowd. "Listen up maggots! Y'all might think your hot shit wherever you're from, clan prodigies or whatever. You know who doesn't care about that shit? Me. you know who else?" She pauses for effect before gesturing at the forest behind her. "My home away from home, Training Ground 44. Better known locally as the "Forest of Death". From any given gate it's ten kilometres to the tower in the center. There's a freshwater river that runs the length of the forest if you need a drink, and a whole legion of monstrous chakra enhanced animals that are probably edible if they don't eat you first. Honestly I've never tried so I hope you brought supplies." She pauses again to flash a predatory grin at the assembled Genin before withdrawing two scrolls from her trench coat, one marked "Heaven" and one "Earth".

"Now the objective of this test is simple, reach the center tower within five days with one of each of these scrolls with all three members of your team. We'll give each team one randomly in exchange for a set of signed waivers that we're handing out now. You have to sign to be in the exam, and if you do Konoha is in no way responsible for any death, mutilation or crippling that may occur henceforth. As for how you get the other scroll? I don't much care, kill, barter, steal. I really don't give a fuck. Any questions?"

Most of the crowd was somewhat stunned by the onslaught of information, but it was Ino who ended up raising her hand and asking. "Yeah, um, what's in the scrolls?"

"Good question Blondie. You don't get to know. And if you look you're disqualified. Anyone else?"

It would have been so much better if it had been left at that. But unfortunately Kiba was an idiot and raised his hand. "How would you know if we looked? What if we took the scroll from someone else that had looked at it how could you tell the difference?" He smirked smugly, certain he had found a loophole. At least until Anko's kunai cut across his cheek and he suddenly found himself with the proctor holding another kunai to his throat while licking the blood off his cheek.

"Oh I love loudmouths like you, you always die first, and the loudest-" Anko cut herself off, as suddenly a shadow was being cast and Akamaru started to whimper. Whirling to face the new threat she saw a grass shinobi holding out the first kunai Anko had thrown, with her tongue. "Ah Grass-san, you should know it's unwise to try and sneak up on a more experienced shinobi." Anko accepted the kunai back with narrowed eyes.

"Sorry Proctor-san, I just got a little excited at the sight of blood." God what a creepy fucking grin, at the interaction between the two Team 7 and several other teams seemed to go still.

But then the tension was broken as Anko broke out in maniacal laughter and started to make her way back to the proctors area. "Oh we've got some bloodthirsty ones this year, between you and the idiots this is gonna be a good one." Her laugher trails off before she shouts over her shoulders "Get those forms into the tents and they'll assign you a scroll and a gate! Move it maggots! It's your time you're wasting!"

With Team 7

Team 7 was unusually quiet as they lined up at their gate. The proctors chalked it up to nerves. The other rookies figured this must just be Team 7 in mission mode.

When the proctors opened the gates and announced the start of the exam they raced in without a word. They knew the plan, talking about it would only let other people find out.

Of course there weren't many Genin present that could keep up with them, they noticed a single Ame Shinobi try to set up an ambush point but they basically just blew by him.

For their mission they needed to be closer to the center.

Only it seemed they weren't going to get there smoothly as Naruto called them to a halt with a gesture. Sasuke and Sakura exchanged a glance before they were hit by a wind jutsu of some kind, being familiar with such techniques from training with their sensei they were able to keep their footing.

Which you would think was a good thing until a giant snake leapt from the forest floor and ate Naruto, plunging off into the forest below.

The remaining two Genin were frozen in place as the Grass Kunochi from earlier appeared and squared off with them. Just as a smirk broke across her face though, it was mirrored by a much more playful grin by the remaining team 7.

Followed by them both flashing the peace sign and poofing into smoke.

Elsewhere, slightly earlier

In a room full of monitors observing the events of the second exam, Anko was having a great time. Eating dango, watching genin have a bad time. Only for it to be ruined when someone opened the door just when some unfortunate team was about to be eaten by the flesh eating slugs.

"Anko, there's been an emergency. You need to come see this."

Well shit.

When Anko arrived at the scene she knew immediately who they were dealing with. Her blood ran cold when she realized how close she'd been standing to that man. The corpses of the faceless grass Shinobi staring at her hauntingly.

"We're there any others?"

"Three other teams were found, just knocked out and tied up though."

"Fuck, that's not him then. We have two parties interfering with the exams then. Alert the Hokage that the snake has returned and an unknown interloper. I'm going in." And with that they both dashed off towards their respective tasks.

In a cave in the Forest of Death

Naruto's eyes shot open as he processed the new information. His eyes met that of his teammates, the three of them disguised as a trio of mist Genin they had replaced in the space between exams.

"The team of clones disguised as us popped… It was that same Grass Kunoichi that freaked everyone out before. Only… Only she had a summoned snake, and killing intent like you wouldn't believe…" Naruto trailed off, the implications of what he'd said settling into the room.

Sasuke was the first to say it out loud.

"So in summary. We're exam we're supposed to be rigging, being hunted by one of the leaf's three greatest criminals of all time, and are completely off the book with no hope of backup."

Naruto just nodded, with a "Yup." thrown in for good measure.

The cave shook as Sakura drove a fist into the wall. "Fuck. Fuck us. This was complicated enough as it was. Naruto how much progress have the clones made?"

Naruto's face twisted up for a second as he made sense of the memories he had. "Um… Decent, we've mostly herded or baited stronger teams to get in the Sand Teams way. And a few weaker ones towards other Konoha teams. The Team disguised as us was supposed to give us their scroll though so we'll need to go get one ourselves now."

Sakura gave a frustrated sigh "It'll have to be good enough, anything else?"

Naruto looks a little sheepish for a second at that "Um… I'm pretty sure Shikamaru knew something was up. He was the wrong kind of surprised at having a weak team dropped in his lap, ya know?" Sasuke groans at that.

"Great, now he's got a crush on you and he's onto us. Troublesome Nara…" The irony wasn't lost on him, but he said what was on his mind.

Naruto turns bright red though "He doesn't have a crush on me…."

Sakura interrupts the two before they can start bickering "Not important right now. Lose the disguises, I'm sure Orochimaru will have us made by now anyways. Who's the closest team we can target we're gonna need to hurry."

"Um, Oto. They're not too far from us."

"Perfect, lead the way, Sasuke go high I'll go low Naruto you're on support. Full speed we can't fuck around with a sannin on our tail." Two nods are her reply before they dash out of the cave. No more shadow games, Team 7 was on the hunt now.

Dosu, Zaku, and Kin had never exactly been best of friends. But for now they were having a pretty good time. Their orders were to just not get eliminated in the second round and await further instructions. Compared to life in Oto the "Forest of Death" really wasn't all that tough.

Suddenly though, as they were passing through a clearing however, Dosu brought them to a halt, and not a moment too soon as the ground in front of them was suddenly shattered. Dosu used his Melody arm to keep them safe from the bigger pieces, but just as Zaku cried out his "Decapitating Airwaves" to clear the dust out of the air, they were met face to face with a musclebound, pink haired Kunoichi. They didn't have long to think about it before Kin was quickly pummeled into the dirt with a vicious flying haymaker. Only Kin really got a chance to realize Sakura was wearing knuckle dusters as she was laid out for a dirt nap.

Zaku was the first to react, still primed to fire from using his jutsu to clear the air he turned to fire on the pink haired assailant. Only they had seen his trick already, and as Zaku began to call his Jutsu again Sakura closed her eyes and smiled, still in the finishing stance of her strike. Almost as smooth as blinking, as her eyes shut she felt the massive presence of Naruto's chakra wash over her as one of his clones took her place before being dispelled. As she opened her eyes she was back in the surrounding bush with Naruto, she was just in time to see Sasuke go into action. Falling from the treeline with blade in hand he landed on Zaku's shoulders, bringing the Genin to ground with a cry cut short by Sasuke's sword diving into his clavicle and finding his heart.

Enraged by his teammates rapid defeat Dosu lashed out with his melody arm. But the moment he saw the smirk of his red eyed opponent he knew he'd been had. Once again a member of Team 7 was fished out of harm's way by a Naruto clone. And just as the clone was dispelled he heard the jutsu called from behind, just loud enough to be heard. "Team 7 Style: Flashfire Blitz!" and as he whipped around to put up a defence against whatever technique was coming his way he was immediately blinded by a wall of white fire. He felt the heat for only an instant, before he too learned what Sakura's fist tastes like.

The whole assault took less than a minute. But unfortunately Team 7 was done just yet, and just as they were sealing up the Oto teams weapons and had secured their scroll the clearing filled with chilling laughter.

"Kukukuku." The 'Grass Kunoichi' began to applaud. "When I heard Danzo had taken you three instead of Kakashi I thought for sure my dear old Sensei was losing his grip on the village. But this? Never could I have imagined this." He began laughing even harder as Team 7 tightened their formation. They knew if they tried to break for it they'd never make it. They couldn't even beat their Sensei and the Snake Sannin was said to be a match for any Kage. All they could really hope for was the Snake playing with them too much and being able to slip away. Or maybe to make enough noise to attract the proctors…

As the disguised former leaf shinobi recollected himself and observed the way the Genin below reacted his smile got only wider. "Oh you've even figured out who I am haven't you? Kukuku I see why that Sensei of yours warned me away from you… You're all just too… Perfect." That big smile split his borrowed face again. But before he could continue Sasuke interjected.

"What do you want with us, Orochimaru? If our Sensei said to stay away you should know he isn't to be trifled with." Not… A great card to play but they really didn't have a good hand right now so… Good enough I guess.

"Oh but that's just it, how could I not see what it is the fabled Darkness of Shinobi was trying to protect, even above his beloved village."

"You don't know a thing about him if you think our Sensei would put us above the village." Sakura contested.

"And yet, he was talking to me. Don't you find it strange that your oh so patriotic Sensei would be telling me to stay away from you? Why should he be telling me anything? Kukuku, Aren't I one of the greatest criminals of the Leaf?"

"Whatever." Sasuke's emo streak had never really gone away. "We're just genin either way. Why do you care about us?" But that just made Orochimaru laugh harder and Team 7 shared a worried glance.

"Just genin? Is that what you think the three of you are? You, Uchiha Sasuke? The last loyal Uchiha, Rookie of the Year. Or you? Haruno Sakura, the only clanless student to make it onto a team. Kukukuku but then I suppose you all think young Naruto is clanless too don't you?" The snake's gaze focuses on Naruto "Tsk, tsk, tsk. How they failed you my boy. Unsung Hero, Forgotten Prince, Namikaze's Legacy? You know if they had made me Hokage you could have been a Jounin by now. All of you likely." He pauses to lift his arms invitingly "This village has failed you, but worry not. Under my teachings you will flourish!"

Team Seven shared a look before Naruto answered for them. "And what makes you think we'd defect just like that Oro-teme?"

His smile couldn't get any wider. "Well that's easy little Naruto-chan, you and your pink haired friend would follow Sasuke anywhere I imagine, and while I'll give him the first taste for free he'll have to come back to me for more!" And just like that Orochimaru made his move. His neck stretched out inhumanly as he lunged towards Sasuke at blistering speeds. Sasuke's Sharingan showed him clearly that he wouldn't be able to move in time. But more surprisingly it showed him that it wouldn't matter.

Sakura reacted first somehow. Some piece of her subconscious registered Sasuke was about to be attacked before anyone else and threw herself in front of him. As Orochimaru's fangs sunk into Sakura's arm and her blood curdling scream ripped through the Forest of Death, a sequence of events transpired that would change the face of the shinobi nation.

The one you might expect was Orochimaru's eyes narrowing in displeasure as he dropped Sakura.

Quickly related to that was Sasuke catching her and locking eyes with Orochimaru. And while most of the people present didn't understand what happened when his eyes started to bleed and Orochimaru was locked in place. Immediately followed by Sasuke passing out with Saskura in his arms, his chakra completely drained by whatever he'd done.

But as all of this happened before Naruto's eyes he had just one thought in mind. This can not happen. This will not happen. Whatever Sasuke had done it would buy him a moment. But only a moment he knew.

And so Naruto turned inwards. Not in fear, or rage. But with purpose. He had waited his whole life for his family and he would not let them go here. And when he grasped firm the bars of his prisoner, it's power flowed into him freely. Three tails worth, he could be himself for a few moments with three tails worth.

It was this scene that Anko arrived on, just in time to watch a fucking genin cut Orochimaru in half, shoulder to hip. Before quickly bundling his teammates up in his arms and dashing away from the scene, not even noticing Anko's presence.

Stunned by what she'd seen, and ever cautious of Orochimaru it took her a moment to react. Jumping down to inspect what her eyes couldn't quite believe, she checked and found it was a real body, not a clone… And yeah that was real blood. But just as she flipped the top half of the body over to inspect the face she jumped back in shock as it smiled at her before seemingly regurgitating another whole, healthy Orochimaru. Like a snake shedding it's skin.

And he was laughing as he stood back up. "Kukukuku! Did you see that Anko-chan? Did you see them? To force me to use that jutsu at their age? Kukuku, oh it's better than I ever hoped. They're not there yet but I've never seen so much talent in one place!" He might have continued but Anko cut him off.

"Can it Orochimaru. Our Jinchuriki did his job and cut you down a peg, now I'm here to finish you off!" She called as she shot towards him. But she was quickly disarmed, and Orochimaru held up a half sign with his free hand. As soon as he did her dormant curse seal boomed to life, filling her chakra pathway with virulent poison all but crippling her until he let her go.

"Oh dear Anko, you showed such promise but you were never able to take the steps to become truly great. Tsk. Tsk. You should know better than to try and attack me like this. Oh well, I suppose I can let you live if you do just one thing for me." He forced her to lock eyes with him. "Don't cancel the exam Anko-chan. I'll only make it worse for your precious village if you do."

And just like that he was gone. And Anko left panting in the dirt.

The Tower in the center of the forest of death was at high alert. The exam was only in the first day and yet already a proctor was missing, the monitors had to watch the redhead boy from Suna tear through team after team, and now they could feel the overwhelming presence of the Kyuubi bearing down on them.

All in all, Umino Iruka was a little worried. He hadn't seen Naruto in months, no one really had. And he certainly had never seen him using his charge's chakra. So when he could feel it enter the tower just before being summoned down he was understandably nervous.

But the scene he was summoned into was not what he expected. Naruto shrouded in the Kyuubi's with a scroll in both hands, three tails of chakra swaying protectively over his teammates. His predatory gaze landed on Iruka for only a moment, and in that moment Iruka felt his blood run cold.

For he knew with absolute certainty that if he had so much as entered in a combat stance he would already be dead.

But then the moment is over, and as Naruto's gaze and posture soften his tails flick and wisp away along with the cloak. "Oh thank Kami it's you Iruka-Sensei. I couldn't keep that up much longer." Naruto falls to his knees panting. "Sakura needs a medic, Sasuke probably does too but I think he just pushed his eyes too hard. And" Naruto shudders and a bit of red bleeds into his eyes before he pushes it back down. "Sorry, hard to keep him down when I think about what happened. I need to see my Sensei. And the Hokage. Immediately."

Iruka was stunned "Uh, Naruto I'm not sure we can-"

"Listen to the kid." They both turned to see Anko looking like a bag of shit leaning on the doorway. "Get them here now, and get Anbu on the door with those two behind it." She says while gesturing at the two fallen genin and walking up to Naruto and taking a knee next to him. "You did good kid, but we're gonna need you for a few more hours." She holds a soldier pill in between their faces. "Think you can tough it out?"

Naruto's face hardens and his gaze turns to steel as he reaches out to take the pill before crunching down on it and looking to Iruka. "Please stay with them yourself Sensei, they're gonna be freaked out when they wake up and I don't trust anyone else with them."

Clearly not expecting the heartfelt request from his former student Iruka couldn't help but smile fondly at the boy. "Of course Naruto… We should catch up when this is all over."

And for the first time since Iruka laid eyes on him Naruto managed a smile. Weighed heavily by the severity of the situation, but a genuine smile all the same. "I'd love that Sensei… There's a lot I'd like to talk about."

Iruka nodded at him as he was led away by Anko, and Iruka gathered up the unconscious genin.

Danzo was the first to enter the sealed room Naruto and Anko were waiting in. And much to Anko's shock he immediately stormed across the room to Naruto, turning his head to either side inspecting his genin.

"Did he bite you? Did he leave his seal on you anywhere. I need to know now Naruto." The concern in Danzo's face was evident.

"No sensei... Not me. He… He was aiming for Sasuke but somehow Sakura got in the way." Naruto stuttered out, near tears now that the adrenalin had worn off.

Both Naruto and Anko flinched as Danzo's cane shattered in his grasp as he strode towards the door, the moment he had it open all but screaming at one of his Root Shinobi "Get one of our medics to Haruno's room. Bring my sealing supplies, the moment she's stable I need to be alerted. Use any means available to us to ensure she survives this."

"Hai Lord Danzo" And the man was gone before Danzo could close the door. Once he did he returned to Naruto, taking a seat next to him.

"Calm your mind as I taught you Naruto. Exist in the present. Lord Hokage will be here soon and he will need to hear your account." And seemingly something Naruto's done before he closes his eyes and starts to breathe deeply, when he's recollected himself he asks only one question.

"WIll they be okay?" The amount riding on this question was obvious to everyone.

"There is no path I will not take to ensure their recovery. You have my word." Naruto's anxiety noticeably lowers at his Sensei's assurance. But just as he begins to calm down the door opens again revealing Sarutobi Hiruzen, the door closes behind him.

As soon as the click of the door closing is heard, Sarutobi's voice commands the room.

"Report."

It takes a while for them to get through Naruto's account of the exams up until this moment. Anko almost has to pick her jaw up off the floor when she finds out that Team 7 had been playing so aggressively, taking out 3 teams before the second exam even started, and then using clones to control what teams met in the forest… Thinking that genin could do something like that, even a Jinchuriki…. Well it was a hard pill to swallow. Especially hearing that it was all Sakura's plan… (Their mission was of course, black booked. And as such could never be talked about)

Things got a little tense for a minute when Naruto began describing his encounter with Orochimaru, while Danzo managed to stay stone faced even while Anko was seemingly trying to burn holes in his head with the implications of "Danzo told me to stay away from you three", but Sarutobi didn't react much either so Naruto pressed on.

The aged Hokage however, did flinch when Naruto brought up some of the things Orochimaru had said about Naruto himself. "Forgotten Prince" and "Namikaze's legacy" were sore points apparently. Danzo didn't appear pleased at that either.

Hearing how Sakura got the curse mark though… everyone's eyes narrowed at that. Anko asked the question on everyone's mind though.

"How'd she both out anticipate a Sharingan and out maneuver a fucking Sannin? Isn't she a clanless genin?" Naruto shot her a dirty look but it was Danzo that spoke.

"If I recall so were you before Orochimaru took you in." The jab obvious, she took the message and shut up. "I've long suspected Sakura has a unique trait. I don't know if it will develop into a bloodline or not but… That isn't the point. Sakura possesses a second…" He pauses to find the right word "Intelligence, I'll say. It allows her to intake and assess information at approximately double the usual rate. In addition, it can briefly take control of Sakura in times of duress, usually just for a single action. In this case, saving her teammate before the main Sakura even knew he needed saving."

"I see. A useful ability to be sure, even more useful the fewer know about it." Naruto and Anko both nodded at the implied hush order.

Naruto still had a concern however. "What about Sasuke's eyes? They were bleeding but he stopped Orochimaru in his tracks"

It was Danzo that answered that one. "Young Sasuke likely forced his eyes to use an ability they had not yet manifested and exhausted his chakra. I would not be concerned but I will ensure they receive a proper inspection. There exist doctors old enough to have dealt with Uchiha and he will see one." Naruto's main concerns now, mostly at ease he quitted back down.

And so they continued the debrief, Naruto was only mildly surprised to find out that he hadn't really killed Orochimaru. Even with Kyuubi he knew he was no match.

Arranging his paperwork the tired Hokage shared a glance with Danzo before speaking "Anko, Naruto. You have both had a hard day, why don't you retire for the night?"

Anko bowed quickly and exited, not really wanting to be in the room with someone that had obviously conspired with an enemy. Not that she could say anything, it was up to Lord Hokage to deal with treasonous old men.

But as Naruto was standing to leave Danzo interjected "Stay seated Naruto. You are my student and I would have you hear this." Naruto shot a glance at the Hokage, but the man's face was unreadable and so he sat back down.

When they were both seated, the Hokage started in a firm monotone.

"Now Danzo, how is it that you would have told my wayward student to as Naruto put it "Stay away from my students?"."

Danzo's face remained impassive though. "The same way I was able to inform you that he would be attacking the leaf. I talked to him, and made a deal. I of course will be double crossing him on that deal and by so doing giving Konoha yet another advantage in the coming war."

"I see. And you telling me this is in no way caused by him attacking your students?"

"Of course it is, the longer you remained in the dark the more likely my plan would succeed." Hiruzen was clearly unimpressed but Danzo continued. "Though it will be difficult to convince him our arrangement is intact with recent developments, I believe we can still successfully draw him out."

"Even with your own students as potential casualties you would still continue this mission Danzo?" Hiruzen's narrowed eyes rapidly widened in shock at the cold rage and killing intent punctuating every word of Danzo's reply.

"Don't you dare shift the blame for your wayward students' actions onto me. You failed to kill him when he defected, you have failed in every attempt to contain his vile and as a result he has terrorized every nation on the continent like some kind of Shinobi Boogeyman. My Team will never be safe until he is dead and I will see it through even if you can't. Is. That. Clear?"

The room went silent and cold, Naruto all but shrinking into his battle kimono at the tension that filled the air. Broken only by a soft knock at the door before an aide cracked it open to announce "Lord Danzo, word has arrived that Haruno is stabilizing, I can show you to her room if you like?" Prompting a final look at Hiruzen before he waved the two of them off.

Naruto was through the door first, but as Danzo moved to shut it behind him he heard a final remark from the aged Hokage. "You are responsible for everything that happens from here Danzo. Tread carefully."

Naruto had to jog to keep up with Danzo's longer strides as he stormed through the tower, proctors and aides flattening themselves to the wall to keep out of the enraged councilors path, Naruto hot on his heels.

As soon as they arrived at a room with two Root guards in front the door was opened and they were ushered in, the moment they entered Danzo sent everyone but Naruto and his two unconscious students out of the room and Naruto had a chance to take in the scene.

Sasuke looked mostly like he was just sleeping. But the kind of sleep you sleep when you pass out drunk or exhausted, still other than the slow rise and fall of his chest.

Sakura though, Sakura was a mess. She had been stripped down to her undergarments and was in a tub of ice water, with an IV line in each arm. One appeared to be blood while the other Naruto couldn't identify. Only her face was above the water and well she appeared peaceful now you could tell from the paleness of her skin and the way it clung to her that she'd been fighting for her life.

Naruto stood, in shock as Danzo began to explain what happened.

"Orochimaru brands those he favors with a mark he claims grants them strength. What it actually does is bond to the hosts chakra network, a process that has a 90% fatality rate. Once it's woven its way through the hostess entire system it gathers nature chakra using cells we can't identify, and is then… Stabilized isn't quite the right word by a portion of Orochimaru's own soul bound to the mark. Because of this, using it can make the user overly aggressive, and many seek out Orochimaru in either an attempt to control it or a lust for more power." He pauses to look back and make sure Naruto is following while Danzo prepares his sealing supplies.

"Of course, we don't want that. And while she is a fighter I have my doubts she would have survived the process on her own, simply lacking the volume of chakra to achieve balance with the curse seal. So to help her body cope we've got her on ice, and with a heavy dose of painkillers coursing through one IV, as well as several system boosters. This would be all they could do if not for me. Because that bag." He points at the blood bag. "Is O- blood that I've had infused with Senju Hashirama's cells. The first Hokage had incredible restorative powers and was the most gifted user of nature chakra we know of. " He glances at Naruto again "I trust you understand that no one can know about this." A nod is all he gets back.

"Now that she's stable I can begin my own sealing to undo some of the harm Orochimaru has done. The seal can't be removed, but I believe with the introduction of Hashirama's cells, and the presence of Sakura's… Inner persona I should be able to safely remove Orochimaru's influence. And while it may take time for her to learn to use it… I believe this could turn to be a benefit. We are very, very lucky it was her that was branded and not either of you two…" He moves to remove Sakura from the bath before glancing down at his injured arm with distaste. "Help me move her, be gentle." Naruto jumps to action, eager to help his injured teammate despite his own mounting exhaustion.

Once they have her on a bed with her IVs all settled around her Danzo begins doing intricate seal work all over Sakura. Starting from the seal on her arm just below the shoulder and moving outwards. As he worked, every now and then he would pause to step back and examine his work. At one such time, he addressed Naruto without looking at him.

"I imagine you have questions about some of the things you've heard today."

But it took Naruto a moment to answer, such a long moment in fact that Danzo went back to work and it wasn't until the next pause he took that Naruto spoke up.

"I get the unsung hero bit… I know Iruka's called me a hero for containing Kyuubi. And Namikaze's Legacy could be the same thing but I don't know why he'd bring it up twice. But he said I wasn't clanless, that I'm a forgotten prince?" His voice was tough to read, there was a lot bundled into the issue for him.

"Yes, you are in fact a forgotten prince. Much like Sasuke you are one of the last few members of the Uzumaki Clan from the Land of Whirlpools. The Uzumaki were a proud and fierce clan, renowned for their potent chakra, long lives, and seal work. We were closely allied but when our enemies banded together to destroy their village we were too slow to respond and only a few survivors scattered throughout the shinobi nations." He pauses to touch up a line "However that isn't all he meant. I can't tell you the rest." He turns his eyes away from his work to give naruto a suggestive glance.

"Ah… Understood Sensei." Naruto nodded, deep in thought at the newfound information.

The room remained almost silent for quite some time before Danzo stepped back to take a final look at his work. He glances over to see Naruto starting to doze off. He had considered asking Naruto to activate the seal with his massive chakra reserves, but seeing him dozing off decided to let him rest.

The sealing process was over quickly, and with the drugs in her system she didn't feel a thing. Once he was sure she was stable he had an aide come in and help unhook the medical equipment, and put her and Naruto to bed.

Content his team was safe, he left them to recover from their ordeal. A scroll in hand containing a piece of Orochimaru's very soul, Shinobi no Yami mobilized for war.