Chapter 10: Chunin

Note: If you feel like there's slight Itachi-bashing, know that it's not on purpose. I tried my best to portray him as a good character, without destroying the truth of how Itachi acted and how his personality is, based on the manga, anime, and Itachi-shinden novel. It's just I feel that Itachi only really matures or develops his "genius intellectual" after his teammate died in front of him; its only then, that Itachi knows the pain of losing something important – that's the reason why people fight. They want to protect what's precious to them, and losing it, can drive people mad.

I hope you guys had a good New Year! I'll be posting two chapters this time! But this is only because I'll be taking a bit of a break from writing - sorry, sort of buried under preparation for finals, reports, and presentations I have to do... :(

Please give me some reviews! The more reviews or follows I get, the more likely I will try to get back to writing earlier XP!.

Warnings: AU Universe. Slight OOC. Good-ish Danzo. Some parts are from Itachi-shinden.

Hiruzen and the three elders looked at the files of team seven, led by jonin Yamanaka Inoichi, in front of them.

In the first exam, both Zero and Kaname had achieved first place with the same score, setting a new record in all of Konoha's history as they received a higher score than the past record holder, who was the Yondaime, Namikaze Minato, himself.

In the second exam, team seven had completed it in the shortest time ever, once again setting a new record, of a mere one hour and twenty-three minutes.

And in the third exam, again, all three members of team seven had defeated their opponents in record time; none of their matches lasted even longer than one minute.

Obviously, all three genins of team seven – Kiryuu Zero, Nara Kaname, and Takamiya Kaito, would be promoted to chunin. There was absolutely no reason not to, after seeing their flabbergasting performance in the Chunin Exam.

"What tremendous talent." Koharu murmured. "Kiryuu Zero and Nara Kaname graduated the academy in one year with flying colours, so their results are not so surprising. But this Takamiya Kaito…"

"Yes." Homura nodded his head in agreement. "To think he was able to keep up with those two, he must have considerable talent in the shinobi arts too."

Hiruzen blew his pipe out, deep in thought. It was rare for a shinobi to dominate the chunin exams and achieve such remarkable scores. Those that did were prodigies seen only once in a generation, like the Yondaime, and Hatake Kakashi who became a chunin at the tender age of six. But the latter passed when it was during war time, when the standards were not so high. But now was different; it was post-war time now. Having not just one, but three shinobi with such talent in one generation was unheard of; just what did Inoichi even feed them?

"Now that Kiryuu Zero is a chunin, should he not be joinining ANBU?" Danzo proposed. While all three genins of team seven were promising shinobi that would do well in protecting Konoha from the shadows, Danzo was most interested in having the mokuton and hyoton user under his command. "ANBU is the best place to nurture the unparalleled talent that Kiryuu Zero possesses, as well as protect him from people who would want his power."

Seeing both Koharu and Homaru utter their approval, Hiruzen sighed deeply. He wanted to disapprove. ANBU was the darkness of Konoha; they underwent and completed the harshest and grimmest missions for the sake of the village. It was no place for children, yet a barely seven year old. But, on the same hand, Danzo made a good point. Orochimaru had been searching for information about Zero ever since their encounter, almost a year ago. There was no better place to hide Zero, except in ANBU.

"Very well, Zero will be offered a place in ANBU when he passes the initiation." Hiruzen complied. When, not if, because Hiruzen knew that the chances of Zero not passing were slim; he was way too talented for a boy only seven.

The decisions on who to promote based on the genins' performance in the Chunin Exams being finalized, Hiruzen called for team seven, who was waiting outside the door to enter.

Zero, Kaname, and Kaito, walked into the room and stood at attention in front of the Hokage and the three Elders. They had a clue to what this was about; promotion to chunin.

Hiruzen puffed on his pipe, as he stared at the three young genin in front of him. All three were young, especially Zero and Kaname, they had yet to hit double digits in their age. Nevertheless, they all demonstrated impeccable and unquestionable skill in the exams.

"Team seven. Despite being a genin for only a year and it was your first time participating in the Chunin exams, all three of you displayed remarkable skills, maturity, and exceptional teamwork in the exams. It is an honour, therefore, to promote the three of you to the rank of Chunin. Congratulations. Wear your flak jacket with pride, and continue to support Konoha with the best of your abilities."

"Arigatou gozaimasu, Hokage-sama." The three genin chorused as they each received a green flak jacket, and bowed low in respect and gratitude.

XXXXXX

After being dismissed by the Hokage, Zero, Kaname, and Kaito stepped out of the room and were greeted by Inoichi-sensei. The four of them walked towards Yakiniku run by the Akimichis, as Inoichi-sensei said he would treat them as congratulations for all three of them being promoted to chunin in one go.

"Congratulations, all three of you." Inoichi praised them, as they sat down in Yakiniku, waiting for the food to come. "The last time an entire team was promoted, was the legendary sannin. Hokage-sama and the elders were extremely pleased at your spectacular performance."

Though to be honest, Inoichi felt as if his genin had performed a bit too well in the exams. After all, the three of them established a new record in not just the written exam, but also in the survival exam. Not to mention, they had defeated their opponents in the third exam in less than one minute. Normally, the third exam was a tournament style, so genin would fight their way, until there was only one winner. But his genin had displayed such astounding results that the village adminstration deemed it unnecessary for them to fight anymore; their promotion to chunin was already guaranteed.

Zero and Kaname simply bowed their heads slightly, in acknowledgement of Inoichi's praise, while Kaito waved away Inoichi's compliment.

"It was easier than I thought, though." Kaito spoke up. "I was hoping more of a challenge."

Inoichi smiled wryly, "your skills were already far higher than a chunin's, Kaito. You can't compare other genin to Zero and Kaname here, these two are special."

"Oh, yeah." Kaito snorted. "I forgot that I was stuck on a team with two lifetime geniuses."

The waiter brought the food to the table, and the four dug in. The meat that the Akimichi served was the best in Konoha. Its deep flavour and mouth-watering taste was not something you could easily find anywhere else.

Zero took a piece of meat with his chopsticks and dipped it into the sauce. "Inoichi-sensei, now that we are chunin, what is going to happen to team seven?" Zero asked what was bothering him for quite a while.

Looking up from his food, "ah, we will probably have fewer chances to work together as a team, now that you three are chunin." Inoichi replied. "Do the three of you have any special divisions you want to join? Like the T&I?"

"Your favouritism is showing, Inoichi-sensei." Kaito smirked amusedly. "Trying to get us into the T&I that you belong to eh? Too bad, but I'm not interested. I think I'll just stay as a regular chunin for now." Kaito shot down the offer before Inoichi-sensei could say anything. He was more leaning towards direct assault combat, not interrogation.

"Sorry, Inoichi-sensei, I also have no plans to join T&I." Kaname said with an apologetic voice. "I've already asked Shikaku-ojisan if I could help him with his work as jonin commander."

Inoichi sighed, looking slightly depressed that both Kaname and Kaito had no desire to work in T&I like he did. And here he was hoping that he could maybe push the duties of head of interrogation to one of them. The amount of paperwork that came with that position, ughh, just thinking about it made Inoichi weasy. "Oh, come to think of it, how about you Zero? Interested in the T&I?" Inoichi prodded, remembering that Zero had yet to tell them what his plans were.

"Eh? Oh, I…I don't have any particular plans." Zero answered a bit hesitantly. "For now, I guess I'll just complete missions as a regular chunin…"

Actually, Zero had a suspicion that the Hokage had already assigned him to a division, based on the scroll he had been given along with his chunin flak jacket. But if Zero was right, and he was supposed to enter that division…then…

Inoichi and Kaito stared confusedly at Zero, before looking at Kaname for an answer, only for Kaname to give a shake of his head and shrug his shoulders lightly. Kaname didn't know what Zero was concerned about, but it didn't seem like Zero was ready to open up and tell him yet. So Kaname would simply wait until Zero was ready to talk to him.

Inoichi shared a glance at Kaito, before the two decided they would let it slide. If Kaname made no movements to push Zero for an answer, then it was probably best to leave it alone.

After they finished eating, Inoichi-sensei told them that even though they were now chunin, they were still free to find him if they ever needed help. The four of them then said their goodbyes and they parted their ways.

Ichiru was manning the counter of Rose Blossom Bakery, and he had just finished packaging a shinobi's order, when he spotted Zero walk into the shop. Instantly, Ichiru jumped over the counter and ran up, scanning him for any possible injuries. Once Ichiru confirmed that his brother wasn't hurt, he immediately gave Zero a tight hug. Although it had only been five days since Ichiru saw Zero, it felt like it had been a really long time.

"Congratulations on becoming chunin, nii-san! I knew that you would pass!" Ichiru chirped, recognizing the green flak that Zero now adorned.

Zero smiled tiredly at Ichiru's faith in him, and lightly patted Ichiru on the head. "Thanks, Ichiru. But sorry, nii-san is a bit exhausted right now, so I'll spend time with you later, ok?"

Receiving a nod from Ichiru, Zero headed to his room.

Lying on the bed, Zero held up the scroll the Hokage had given him earlier, in deep thought. If his suspicions were actually correct, then this was a request to… Zero took a deep breath and opened the scroll. He sighed, once he registered the words written on it.

Chunin Kiryuu Zero (1200-35)

Report to Training Ground 44 at 0500 sharp on the 1st of November for your ANBU initiation. Sealed inside is your trainee mask and armour. You are not allowed to bring any equipment other than the one provided here, but personalized or specialized weapons are permitted.

The Initiation will last for one month. Ensure all necessary parties are informed.

ANBU Commander

Just as he expected; it was an invitation, or rather, an order to join ANBU.

Zero's abilities were too far valuable for the village to let him continue as a regular chunin. It was only in ANBU, that Zero would be able to use the hyoton and the mokuton without gathering so much attention. That's why Zero wasn't surprised, he wasn't upset. But nevertheless, Zero felt a bit reluctant. While he had no issues devoting himself to the village, because Zero was a Konoha shinobi, ANBU was different. ANBU was the darkness of the darkness; the missions they took on and what they did in the name of Konoha were unspeakable and no doubt, horrifying. In ANBU, Zero would have no choice but to kill when he was told to, he wouldn't be able to avoid spilling blood like he had done so far.

Well, at least he had one week before the Initiation started, Zero thought, as he rolled over on the bed and closed his eyes. He would spend as much as he could during that week with Ichiru, who would definitely not be happy that he wouldn't be able to see Zero for a whole month.

XXXXXX

It had been two months since Itachi had graduated from the academy, at eight years old.

Itachi, along with two other new graduates – Aburame Sugaru and Suzumori Suzuka, had been assigned to the team led by jonin Minazuki Yuki, a jonin who was an average shinobi, one that was yet to be known by other shinobis or villages.

Itachi's career as a ninja was going smoothly. He had yet to be sent on any particular difficult missions. So far since becoming a genin, they had only done D-rank missions. D-rank missions were simple chores like babysitting or chasing after cats, which made Itachi feel dissatisfied as he had no chance to improve his skills except training with Shisui.

Itachi's relationship with his teammates and jonin instructor was practically non-existent. Aburame Sugaru had yet to say a single word to them at all, Suzumori Suzuka was a fan-girl and called him "Itachi-sama", Minazuki Yuki watched over them in panic, not knowing what to do or how to communicate with them, and Itachi simply stood there on the side, not doing anything.

But Itachi was fine with that. Even if they were unable to open up to each other as a team, as long as they managed to execute their missions without fuss, Itachi was satisfied, because he had no intention of hanging around them for that long.

He would pile on the achievements, rise up to chunin, then jonin, before becoming the best ninja in the world and eradicating all fighting and war. For that reason, Itachi couldn't stand still. Instead of spending any of his precious time worrying about his teammates or his jonin instructor, he poured his heart into polishing his own skills.

Being a genin, Itachi had been introduced to the Uchiha clan meetings held in the Naka shrine, and he now knew what the adults talked about.

Itachi wished he didn't.

"Well, go in."

At his father's urging, Itachi placed a hand on the closed sliding doors. On the other side of the spotless paper, the room was silent. And yet the intense aura there, in that room separated from him by a single sliding door, came through with such intensity that it practically prickled his skin.

An aura of unrest ... Itachi's heart sank.

"Itachi," his father pressed him.

With no other choice, he opened the sliding door. The hall, fifteen or so tatami mats, was filled to capacity with members of his clan, the Uchiha.

"Sorry to make you wait." Gesturing Itachi into the room, his father crossed the threshold, and then reached back to close the door. "Sit down there, and listen." His father pointed to a seat at the very back of the room, the only open space on the floor jammed with people.

Itachi pushed through them to make his way to the designated position, and sat down quietly. His father watched his son get settled in, before stepping through the assembled group to sit at the front of the room, facing everyone.

"We'll now begin our regular meeting," Yashiro announced from beside his father. "Lord Fugaku's son Itachi will also be attending the meetings from now on.

"My son is eight," Fugaku said. "Although he has the genin status required to take part in these meetings, he is still very much a novice. Due to my admittedly selfish desire to have him learn about the clan from a young age, he has been allowed to take part. I appreciate your understanding." He bowed his head.

In response, the clan members sitting before him bowed their heads simultaneously.

"Now then, to pick up where we left off last time, I'd like to discuss the issue of the submission of a written opinion to the Hokage, with regard to the treatment and attitude towards the Uchiha since the kyuubi attack." Yashiro had barely finished speaking before the people at the meeting all started talking at once.

Some insisted on a show of force for Konoha, others said they should keep a calm eye on things and proceed amicably, and some looked at the faces of those around them, unsure which opinion to agree with. Even though their intentions were all different, it seemed that everyone there wanted to actively participate in the conversation.

Abruptly, Itachi felt someone's eyes on him and immediately turned his own eyes in that direction.

Shisui.

He met Shisui's eyes. The older boy was silent, and seemed unaccustomed to the rowdy atmosphere of the place. Then, his good friend smiled at him, and Itachi felt an indescribable sadness.

The clan's evil feelings hung heavy here. Itachi was also not accustomed to it.

I feel the same as you...Itachi put his heart into the smile he flashed back at Shisui.

To be honest, what the clan was planning, was thinking, Itachi didn't want anything to do with it. He didn't understand the unrelenting dissatisfaction the adults felt, why they couldn't be happy with what they have now, and why they couldn't get along with others outside of the clan even though they were all comrades of Uchiha.

The clan meetings were something that consistently weighed down Itachi's heart.

It was near the end of October when Yuki-sensei finally deemed them ready for a C-rank mission.

The four of them headed towards Rose Blossom Bakery, as Yuki-sensei told them that their C-rank mission would be to help out at the shop. Rose Blossom Bakery's popularity had skyrocketed during the Third Great Shinobi War, when its "miracle elixirs" had saved many shinobi's lives, and even now, many shinobi would stop by there and stock up on the various potions they could obtain there, from curing colds to regrowing one's bones.

Itachi had never needed to stop by Rose Blossom Bakery for potions though, since the Uchiha clan bought a large range of potions from the shop monthly, as a package deal, which was then shared around the clan members.

They entered the shop with Yuki-sensei in the lead, and Itachi stopped briefly in his steps, startled at seeing Kiryuu Zero standing behind the counter, "Zero-san?"

Zero looked up from where he was filling in the money the shop spent and earned in the accountant ledger. "Ah, Itachi-san…it's been quite a while." Zero greeted Itachi hesitantly, never having spoken to each other much before in the academy.

Itachi gave Zero a nod back, not sure on how to communicate with Zero. His eyes automatically scanned the other's figure, when Itachi noticed the chunin flak vest Zero was wearing.

"You're a chunin?"

Itachi's voice ended up more sharper than he intended it to be. He felt heat rising from his stomach and tightness in his chest that he couldn't suppress – frustration. Zero was so much farther ahead of him; he was already a chunin while Itachi was still stuck as a genin.

"Yes…umm…I was promoted after the chunin exams held in Konoha, several days ago…" Zero replied, a bit unsure on how to handle Itachi's sudden question.

"I…I see…" Itachi looked off to the side, not saying anything more.

Zero looked confusedly at Yuki-sensei, question clear in his lilac-eyes, only to receive a shrug in return. "May I ask why you guys are here? Do you need to buy some potions or something?" Zero enquired, deciding to change the subject.

"Ah, sorry, actually we are the genin team hired to help you out, Kiryuu-kun." Yuki answered with a nervous smile on his face.

"Oh, yes. I remember now." Zero remembered his mother mentioning something about that a while ago.

Yuki sighed inwardly in relief. "Let me introduce you guys, this is Kiryuu Zero, his family is the one that makes the miracle elixirs that basically every shinobi in Konoha uses." Yuki explained to his genin.

Itachi's head shot up in surprise at hearing this. He never knew that Zero's family was the one behind the miracle elixirs that had saved so many people's lives. Itachi felt his cheeks reddening, even though he was classmates with Zero for half a year, he didn't know.Was this what Hisagi-sensei and Shisui meant when they said I was still lacking? Itachi mused.

"Thank you for accepting the mission." Zero gave a slight bow in thanks, before he started explaining to Itachi's team what he needed them to do.

After Zero finished his explanation, Itachi and the rest of his team headed off to complete what was required from them.

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