I d not own 'Naruto'
True Test
To say Naruto was happy was to say Sakura was a fan girl. He had just finished his survival test and got the White Fang's blade. To celebrate he went out and ate all of Ichiraku's 'Naruto special' ramen. Eat a certain amount under a set time and it's free, he won eight times.
He payed for the extra seven. The Ichiraku's had always been good to him, he wouldn't bankrupt them.
He was still full as he headed to the team training ground.
"Okay team." Kakashi spoke "Today you will start your D-..."
"Excuse me." A new voice interrupted. "We have come for Uzumaki-Sama."
The team turned to see two figures, one with a blank mask with a 'Root' Kanji and the other with a Cat masked ANBU. Naruto had the filling that it was the one that assaulted him in his house. The Cat was familiar to Naruto, she was an .
"We are to escort him back." Cat spoke.
"Can I ask why you need my student?" Kakashi asked as he stepped in front of Naruto.
He knew of Root.
"It's okay Sensei, I trust Cat." Naruto spoke "She protected me when Dog was away."
Slowly, their Sensei back away.
"It's good to see you Naruto-Kun." She spoke.
"Wait!" Sakura spoke "Why did you call him -Sama, he's no one important!"
"...You know so little." The Root operative spoke.
"Let's go." Naruto called.
In a whirl of leaves, the disappeared in a Body Flicker.
When they arrived, Naruto saw both the Hokage and Danzo.
"You requested to see me?" Naruto asked.
"Yes Naruto-Kun, we have a mission for you." Hiruzen spoke "A test."
"I thought I passed your 'test'!" Naruto spoke tensely. "Plus the Genin test."
"You thought that was all, that was only part of it." Danzo spoke "And the Genin test was a front."
"We're Ninja." Hiruzen spoke.
"We live in deception." Danzo finished as he handed Naruto a scroll.
Naruto looked at the scroll and back at the elders.
"Is this some kind of joke?" He asked.
"It is no joke." Danzo spoke.
"And if I refuse?"
"It wouldn't be the best choice for you." Danzo stated vaguely.
"Naruto." The Third spoke "You keep going on about being a real Ninja, right?" Naruto nodded "Well this is what it means to be a ninja."
"We are cold killers for hire." Danzo spoke "Nothing else."
Hiruzen looked at the boy as he had his inner struggle. He felt sorry for his surrogate grandson. Maybe it's too soon. He thought, most Shinobi didn't get this until they were Genin.
"I understand." Naruto spoke drawing his leaders attention "I accept."
"Good for this mission we'll assign you two partners." Hiruzen spoke "The first is an...associate of Danzo's." He gave the bandaged man a cold glance. "The second is Anko Mit..."
"No." Danzo spoke.
"What do yo
"No." Danzo repeated "Picture the boy influenced by her."
Hiruzen did.
The Third looked at the Naruto before him, the one influenced by Anko. Said Kunoichi was in the roomc with them.
"A hit huh?" Anko asked "You want us to make him suffer, or end it quickly and quietly?"
"It's not a hit." Hiruzen spoke tiredly "Just scare the man into leaving."
"We can take out his tongue." Naruto offered.
"With a knife." Anko added.
"Or remove his friends heart." Naruto continued.
"Yeah, with a knife.
"A bigger knife." Naruto countered.
"FUCKING KNIFE!" Anko and Naruto shouted as one.
"No. Killing." The Hokage spoke.
The Third couldn't suppress the shudder that rose in him.
"Smart move Danzo." Hiruzen admitted.
"How about Cat?" Danzo offered "They seem to have a trusted history, and she is a capable kunoichi."
"I accept." Cat spoke.
"Then you will have a second mission." Hiruzen spoke handing her a scroll.
The kunoichi read the scroll over before giving their leader a glance. "I accept." She repeated, though without emotion.
"You have one week to complete the mission, you leave immediately." Hiruzen spoke "Dismissed."
Naruto looked at the two he would be partnered with. The Kunoichi, Cat still with her mask. The second was a pale boy with a fake smile on, named Sai. Naruto knew of fake smiles.
"Are you two prepared?" Cat asked.
"Yes." They answered.
"Our target is about a day's travel from here." Cat informed "Let's go."
Their mission, assassination.
They had traveled at a moderately quick but even pace. They arrived outside a small town just as the sun was beginning to set.
"We will camp here for the night." Cat spoke.
"Our target?" Sai asked.
"It's not ours." Cat spoke "It's Naruto's."
"What?" Naruto asked.
"I am to make sure that you get your first kill." Cat spoke "This is your mission."
"But I already have my first kill!" Naruto spoke.
"Yes, but that was self defense." She reasoned "You are to make this kill, we are here to make sure you do."
"I can't d..."
"It is not our duty to think or question." Sai spoke in an emotionless voice. "It is our duty as weapons to simply do."
"He is right." Cat spoke "Now sleep."
There was no more discussion on the mission.
There was an early morning rush for the preparations. Apparently there was going to be a festival.
The target would be in site.
To blend into the crowd, Naruto needed to move with the rush. He moved from shop to shop, each time he looking for his target.
His team mates were hidden in plan sight as well. They would be studying Naruto, but the wouldn't aid him. It was his mission.
There he is! Naruto locked on.
The target was the leader of a group of criminals. They worked in all trade from drugs to thievery.
He was a bald man at about six feet. He wore a stern expression on his face, the crowd actually seemed to be avoiding left him alone and open.
Naruto made his way towards the target.
20 feet. He estimated.
He would make his way to the target and use the water bullet Jutsu. If he aimed right it hit the man in the head, killing him instantly.
15 feet. He estimated.
The target turned his eyes towards Naruto, but not at Naruto. The blond forced himself no to break stride, not wanting to look suspicious.
10 feet. He estimated.
He was in range.
Before he could fire, three blurs rushed past him. It took all of his training not to act.
5 feet. He estimated.
The blurs latched onto the target.
"Daddy, look at what we brought!" The smallest blur spoke.
It was a little girl of about five.
"I won this one!" Another spoke.
It was a boy of about eight, he reminded him of Konohamaru.
"Kids, let him breath." The final blur spoke.
"It's okay honey." The target spoke as he gave her a kiss.
1 foot. He estimated.
The target was right there, he could make it without hitting the civilians. They wouldn't even understand until it over. By then Naruto would be long gone.
5 feet. He estimated.
He passed the target.
"Care to explain yourself?" Cat asked.
Naruto looked at her in regret.
"I couldn't do it." He mumbled, just loud enough for her to hear.
"Why?" Sai asked.
"I...don't know anything about him." Narutp stated.
"You were debriefed." sai stated.
"Documents can be forged!" Naruto snapped. "I don't know what this man has done to deserve death."
"It was your order." Sai stated.
"We get orders from our Kage, so I'm supposed to kill without question?"
"Naruto..." Cat sighed in understanding "Sai, go gather some information on the target, see when he will be vulnerable again."
Without a word, he left.
Naruto looked at the Cat ANBU, his former protector.
With another sigh, she removed her mask and sat down next to him. Naruto saw her face for the first time, she was beautiful.
"It's best you don't know anything personal about them Naruto-Kun." She spoke "It makes it...easier to do the job."
"I've been in your shoes Naruto, many Shinobi have." She explained "We all have the struggle in us."
"How do you get through it?" Naruto asked "This is different then with Mizuki, it was self-defense then.
"We have to cope." She answered "Some of us find habits for an outlet, usually dirty, or someone to cling to. For instance, I have a boyfriend named Hayate, we've been together for a few years now."
"What about those who don't have an outlet?" Naruto asked "What happens to them?"
Cat hesitated before answering. "Some of them either quit or break." She looked away sadly "Those that don't actually enjoy the job."
Naruto shuddered at the idea of anyone enjoying taking a life.
"You have to understand Naruto, we aren't Samurai, we aren't honorable." She reasoned "We are either kill someone or get information from them."
"What happens if w-I don't kill him?" Naruto asks.
"...Someone else will be given the mission." Cat answered "Either way, that man will die by someone's hands. The choice is whether or not it's before he kills another person himself."
"But-" Was as far as he got before she placed a finger on his lips.
Cat placed her mask back on and the conversation was over.
Sai returned an hour later with the needed information.
It turns out he wouldn't be alone again within the time limit they were given. That meant to finish the mission, they would have to kill the target and leave no witnesses.
"When would b the best time to strike?" Cat asked.
"He will be having a meeting a warehouse with a colleague of his." Sai answered. "The have hired Academy drop out from Iwa as guards."
"A chance to take out him and his group." Naruto mumbles to himself.
"Can you do it?" Cat asked.
"No." Naruto answered "But I have to."
"You have a few hours to prepare.
Naruto sat in front of a pond in contemplation. He needed a plan for his mission.
How do they just expect me to kill a random stranger! He raged.
"How are you Naruto-Kun?" Sai asked.
Naruto look at the boy as he approached him. Man that's a horrible fake smile. He thought. He was an expert with the situation.
"I'm fine." Naruto answered before asking. "How do you do it Sai?"
"Do what?" Sai asked.
"Kill." Naruto stated "I asked Cat, but I only gained advice for the after, not actually how to do the job."
Sai took a moment to consider the answer.
"Be someone else." Sai spoke.
"What?"
"Be someone else." Sai repeated "That way you won't have to deal with it. It won't be you doing the deed, so it won't be your burden."
Naruto looked at the boy in front of him. He wasn't that much older than him, but Naruto knew he was dangerous. He was skilled, more so then most of the other 'Root' Naruto met.
He was aware of Danzo.
"Who should I be?" Naruto asked.
Sai 'smiled' before answering. "Who ever can get the job done."
"Who are you?" Naruto asked with narrowed eyes.
For a moment, for the smallest of a second, Naruto saw an emotion on Sai's face. "I am a tool."
Before Naruto could dig deeper, Cat arrived.
"Naruto, it's time."
Naruto was at the warehouse filled with the criminals. His team was with him and like before, they would be no help.
The blond began taking several deep breaths. His body began to control the adrenaline he felt building. It would be useful.
He activated his bloodline before entering, the guards never noticed him.
Inside the warehouse was a total of nine men, seven were in control of protecting their own 'business' in the village. They each worked for the ninth man, the target. The eighth was simply the colleague in question.
They were discussing the 'profit' of their 'companies when they heard a noise.
"What was that?" One asked.
"Don't know, spread out and see." The target ordered.
Naruto was actually inside the building, standing on the ceiling. When they scattered, he dropped.
He landed behind the first person.
He grabbed the man from behind and slid his throat with his tanto. The victim only had time to emit a gurgle before dying, enough to alert the others.
Eight to go.
Naruto ran to the closest of the other guards, he kicked his leg from under him.
His 'Sight' told him that someone was behind him with a kunai.
Naruto turned and locked his left arm with theirs. Using his free hand, he delivered a punch onto his enemies chest. That knocked the wind out of him long enough for Naruto to put him in a single arm headlock. He positioned the enemy just enough to reveal his chest.
He drove the tanto straight into the heart.
Seven.
Just as he did, a shuriken lodged itself into his shoulder.
Naruto tore it out while drawing one of his own. He threw the one in his shoulder back to it's owner, lodging itself into his throat. The other went into the man that Naruto knocked off his legs trying to sneak up on him..
Five.
One was charging him head on. He held a sword in a poor grip and had a sloppy stance.
Naruto literally smacked the weapon out of his hand as it he were smacking a person. He then grabbed the man by the neck and pulled him close. Naruto had him in what was close to a bear hug and chock hold with the man's hands trying to push him away.
He stopped struggling when two kunai lodged themselves into his back.
Naruto tore one free and sent it back into the man's head.
Three.
The colleague decided that it was too much for him, he dropped his weapons.
Naruto paused.
That was a mistake.
The last guard decided to take the opening by cutting Naruto's back leg.
Before he could straighten himself, a punch to the head knocked him to his back. A kunai was lodged deep though his right hand into the ground.
The colleague began holding down Naruto's left hand. Even though he was a grown man, Naruto was a Shinobi. It took everything he had to hold down Naruto's hand.
The last guard wrapped his hands around Naruto's neck. He was going to choke the life out of Naruto.
Is this how it ends? Naruto asked himself.
He looked at the man that was strangling him, he was enjoying it. Just as Cat had told him.
The thought of those two gave him hope. Where are they?
He didn't need to activate his eyes to find them. They were on the ceiling, watching him. They were making no efforts to help him, just as they were ordered. They were going to watch him die.
"I've seen dozens of people like you." The guard laughed "Cowards who can't draw their sword." He looked around. "At least people who don't know what they're doing."
"Just playing ninja." The colleague spoke.
Already he could feel his neck beginning to cave in from the pressure. His lungs were burning from their lack of air.
I don't want to die! He frantically.
"It isn't a job just anyone can do." His killer taunted before getting angry "But they get rid of us who're perfect for it, simply because we enjoy it!"
He raised Naruto's head and slammed it back onto the ground. "Does it hurt?" He did it several more times.
His vision was fading fast.
Naruto was so woozy that he didn't notice the strangling stop. The colleague was holding down both of Naruto's arms while the guard grabbed Naruto'd tanto.
He crouched over Naruto with the blade held high. He intended to kill Naruto with the blade Kakashi gave him.
"Don't treat this as if it's all a joke!" The man spoke "The lesson is just beginning."
"Don't treat this as if it's all a joke!"
Those words broke something in Naruto.
Sensei...
"Don't make the mistakes I made!" Iruka practically begged "Don't treat this as if it's all a joke!" He wailed "Become a proper Shinobi."
"We are cold killers for hire." Danzo spoke "Nothing else."
"Be someone else."
"I am a tool."
That was what he needed to be! A proper Shinobi, both skilled and merciless. He needed to someone else.
He needed...
The guard brought the tanto down as 'Naruto's' eyes snapped open to reveal a pair of empty red orbs.
"What the-"
It was enough of a distraction for the colleague to loosen his grip.
'Naruto's' left hand flew out and grabbed his assaulter by the hand.
With just a flick of his wrist, he snatched the weapon free. In a swift and blur like motion, 'Naruto' swung the blade through his assaulter's neck. It cut through like a hot knife through butter.
'Naruto' didn't waste time on watching him thrash around. He turned and aimed a finger at the man that held him down.
Water Gun Jutsu
"Wait I..." Was as far as he got.
He stood up, there was one more to kill.
'Naruto' made his way up a flight of creaky stares, they didn't make a sound. He stopped at a locked door. He could 'See' that his target was behind it, trying to hide.
'Naruto' simply pushed a little chakra into the tanto. It began to glow a pure white. With a wave of his hand, he cut the door down like it was paper.
The target sat at his desk, terrified.
"Wait." He spoke, trying to be calm "I can give you money."
'Naruto' said nothing as he fired a water bullet into the man's head.
He turned to leave, his mission was complete.
He met Cat and Sai outside of the building.
"Shinobi leave no trace." Sai spoke.
'Naruto' looked at the building.
"Do you have anything large enough?"
'Naruto' didn't answer, he just began weaving hand signs.
Water style: Black rain Jutsu
A black mist began forming over the warehouse, it shaped itself into a cloud. The cloud began growing larger and larger until it was wide enough to cover the warehouse. Once it was, black rain began to fall.
"Oil." 'Naruto' spoke. "Back away."
They did.
Once they were out of range, 'Naruto' raised the pressure of the Jutsu. This forced the black rain out faster and in a larger quantity.
'Naruto' then joined his teammates. Without aiming, he threw a kunai with an exploding note attached to it.
The height of the fire was reached the sky.
They made their way to camp once the fire started. The further they were they less suspicious they looked.
Their was an awkward silence, even for the Shinobi.
"Naruto." Cat spoke, gaining his attention.
'Naruto' looked at her, it made her flinch.
His cold red eyes showed absolutely nothing! There was no regret, no anger, no joy, it simply was. Under they eyes were an endless stream of tears that had no end.
"Who are you?" Sai asked.
The question held much meaning. The answer would hold just as much.
'Naruto' looked at Sai, even the emotionless 'Root' felt a chill.
"I am...a ninja."
A ninja was supposed to be an emotionless killer of the shadows. He was on his way.
That didn't mean she couldn't feel the emotions falling from hims tears for him.
She pulled the blond into a hug.
The tears he didn't cry continued with hers added along.
She had always been his protector along with Dog. Someone that was supposed to make him feel safe. It tore her heart as she watched his being strangled. It tore it even further to see what he had become.
Naruto had returned to the village with his team. He had returned to his regular emotional self after the hug. It took him a full day to get over what he had done.
"How did the mission go?" Hiruzen asked.
"It was a success." They answered as one.
"Good, all but Cat are dismissed."
The other two left.
"Anything I should know about?" Hiruzen asked.
"No Hokage-Sama." She replied, no need to tell more than needed. "Permission to speak freely sir?"
"Granted."
"You got what you wanted." She spoke with barely contained venom "You got your weapon."
"It's not like that Cat." He tried to explain.
"Yes it is." Danzo stated.
"Silence." He snapped. "Cat, you must..."
She cut him off. "The villagers couldn't break him. The ninja couldn't break him. The mission couldn't break him, but it came pretty damn close!"
"Your point?" Danzo asked.
"You did break his trust." Cat explained to her Kage "Don't push it or you might break his loyalty."
"That boy has an iron will." Hiruzen spoke.
"An iron will, a unholy amount of chakra and no reason to stay." Cat listed.
"Then we simply give him a reason."
Naruto made his way towards the ramen stand, he needed to feed his addiction.
"Hello, welc-Naruto-Kun!" Ayame squealed "Where were you, I heard you were on a mission."
"Does that mean you decided to be a ninja?" Teuchi asked.
"Yes and yes on both accounts." Naruto answered.
"Damn!" Teuchi shouted "I was so close to getting you with Ayame!"
"Dad!" She shouted as she hit in the head with a frying pan.
"Well, can you tell us anything about it?" Teuchi asked, unaffected by the blow.
"Sorry, but no." He answered.
The way he answered gave the father and daughter a small pause. Without another word, they handed him the first bowl of Ramen.
He took it gratefully and began to eat it at a slow pace, the Ichiraku's were worried.
They noticed that he began to shudder as he ate while letting out small gasps. When they looked at his food, they saw he had stopped eating. Instead, drop after drop of his tears fell into the bowl.
"Naruto-Kun." Ayame spoke.
Naruto didn't respond to her, he just continued to eat his tear flavored ramen.
Not knowing what else to do, Ayame pulled the blond into the back. When they were out of sight she pulled him into a hug.
That was all it took to break the leaky damn. Naruto let all of his tears fall freely onto the ramen waitress. She only held him tighter, hoping to comfort him as best she could.
"I'm sorry." He whimpered "I ruined your ramen."
"Shh, it's okay Naru-Kun." She cooed. "Let all out, Ayame's here."
They knew he couldn't speak of the missions he went on, but it didn't mean he had to suffer alone.
Review.-You all are not doing that enough.-I know you're there.
I don't care what you say as long as it's not a flame. Just give me an honest opinion.
Polls closed.