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Without a Fox: Senju Style
Chapter 3: Plans
By Jamnaz79
Beta: ?
Notice: I do not own Naruto or any of the characters in the story. I only write for the hell of it and for a bit of fun and hopefully to have others enjoy. I take no profit or anything from this story.
"Yes, that should be more than enough time to have him prepared. We both were done with the Academy at twelve due as was many other generations. I would expect you can make him to be a high level genin while still a happy child." Hiruzen smiled at the very idea of Naruto-kun coming into his own.
"The boy will take the hat from you someday Hiruzen." Danzo stated the line that Naruto warmly shouted whenever he visited his Jiji with no little amount of pride mixed with conviction. The two men changed topic of the meeting to other concerns for the village. It would not be till much later in the evening at home that Danzo reflected on the words he told Hiruzen that his dream was no longer for himself to become Hokage but for Naruto to someday surpass him to that goal.
~~~ WaFSS ~~~
8 years after the Kyuubi Attack
"Naruto come here." The Elder summoned the boy from the training grounds. The youth saw his grandfather standing next to a tall lanky man with spiky gravity defying silver hair, a dog mask of the ANBU covering his face. The boy leapt up from his seated position, focusing on having three leaves move around his face and shoulders. The exercise forgotten, the leaves stayed stuck to his forehead as he ran to his Ojiisan and the stranger. Stopping before the two men Naruto bowed before them, "You called me Danzo-sama?"
"Yes, Naruto, this is Inu-San of the ANBU. He will be instructing you starting today three times a week for two hours a day on the Uzumaki Tatijutsu style on the orders of the Hokage. This will be in addition to your hand seal and chakra control training secessions. If I find out you are slacking in those we will stop the training. Understood?"
Danzo turns towards the Jonin with a frown, "Inu-San understands that he will be promptly on time despite what problems he might run into some problems as his favorite book series will be outlawed to be sold in the village."
Danzo turned to watch the ANBU shiver a moment then nod his head towards the Elder respectfully. "Good now that is solved, I expect to see results." The old man having said his peace turned and walked into the main building back to his work.
Kakashi leaned down to look over the young boy. Naruto had grown remarkable, standing almost four and a half foot tall at eight years old. His spikey blonde streaked with rivers of fire red hair seemed to go in every direction at once as it bounced around his head. The ANBU Captain could note the boy took after his mother with a certain fire of life in his cerulean eyes sparkling with excitement, 'Yet, I can see you in his face Minato-Sensei. Change his hair to blonde and he would be a spitting image of you except the whisker marks. The boy must have picked them up as traits from his mother being a Jinchuriki.' An eye smile was hidden behind the ANBU mask from Kakashi to Naruto still the boy could sense the excitement of the older man, "Let's get started shall we?"
6 months later
Eight short years to the old man, eight quiet years for him in the peaceful Shimura compound. The elder watched his young grandson try to run up a tree with only his chakra. Despite spending five hours trying to accomplish the training and failing, Naruto was still at it. A small smile could barely be seen on Danzo's face 'Eight years and he is growing so fast. Getting that ANBU as a trainer helped him see a goal to work towards. By the time I am done he will become the perfect Shinobi and a Hokage after the heart of Tobriama-Sama someday. Him in the light and I will continue to control from the shadows to make Konoha the strongest village possible. But, first I will need to get him the proper contacts in the village to secure his future.'
A few weeks later
Naruto walked beside his grandfather through the market district. Danzo had told him earlier that day that he would like to go for some shopping together for a few items at the compound. For Naruto it was a rare chance to get out away from the compound. Not to mention an afternoon off of training is always pleasant to an eight year old. After a few hours of moving from shop to shop Naruto was starting to get bored of shopping. After all, how many silk kimonos or plates can a six year old look at before it started to look the same to the boy? Naruto by this time was bouncing around like a hyperactive child with energy to burn, which perhaps he was. Danzo noticing this turned a kind look to his grandson, "Naruto-kun, how about you go play in the park while I finish up shopping? It is just down the street, turn right at the intersection. Just remember to keep your eyes open as you walk."
Naruto smiled brightly at the dismissal from his Ojiisan. Bowing quickly before retreating from the shop, the boy turned and practically ran from the store towards the park calling back, "Thank you Danzo-Sama!"
While quickly leaving the large market area Naruto felt a chakra signature giving off emotional distress down one of the alleyways. Frowning for a brief moment in consideration, the boy turned towards the signature and started to stalk forward. Moving silently as he had been taught by his grandfather's personal ANBU he stalked quiet as a cat on the toes of his sandals to the edge of the building to peer down the alleyway. When looking down the alley he spied a small fair skinned girl that appeared to be around six years old backed up against a wall. The girl had short cropped hime-style midnight blue hair and pale eyes while wearing a simple loose fitting robe. She was currently surrounded by three older boys that looked to be academy students around ten to twelve years of age. The girl had tears running down her cheeks covering the bruise that was growing on her right high cheekbone.
"That will teach you Huyga scum to look down on us!" The largest boy yelled at the girl as he shook his fist towards her. His two comrades pulled back their legs and swung them forward to kick the girl in her thigh and stomach bringing out another grunt of pain. Naruto studied the movements of the boys before reaching into a pouch at his left knee and pulling out two shuriken then picking up a rock.
The younger boy started to stalk forward, creeping along the edge of the wall to try to circle behind the boys but a dumpster was in the way. The girl glanced upwards noticing the spikey blonde haired boy coming sneaking up on the boys and let out a gasp. A sigh escaped the lips of the Uzumaki as he quickly threw the rock over the head of the boys to distract them. All three boys turned to look towards the clanking sound of the stone hitting a pile of trash bins.
While distracted and still unaware of him, Naruto struck at the trio of boys. First, threw the two shuriken into the back of the legs of the largest boy with a whip of his hand. His aim was a bit high and instead of hitting the boy in the back of the thighs he hit both shuriken into the backside of the boy. A cry pierced the alleyway sounding like a female from the largest boy as he fell forward holding onto his ass in pain.
The second miscreant was not much better as the blonde Uzumaki used the screaming as a distraction as he ran forward throwing a quick strike to the boy's kidney causing him to let out an oaf of pain. The older boy reacted immediately by grabbing his lower back. Unfortunately for the boy that allowed Naruto to lash out with a chopping strike to the side of the neck dropping the boy like a bag of potatoes.
The final boy turned towards his attacker surprised to find a younger boy had attacked him and his friends. His surprise turned to anger as he tried to rush towards the spikey blonde-red head. But, Naruto was too fast as he leapt to the side of the raw charge that lacked technique. As the Uzumaki landed to the side of the boy he landed in a crouch swept his left leg outwards taking the feet of the older boy out from under him. The older boy landed on the ground fast first, grinding against the ground with a squelch sound. Naruto stepped forward before the boy could stand him and delivered a kick to the side of the head. Turning to the final conscious boy whose screams of pain had died down into a whimper, Naruto walked forward only to rip out his two shuriken from the flesh of the kid causing him to pass out from pain.
Wiping off his shuriken on the boys clothing, unconcerned with the fact that the boy was bleeding Naruto stowed away the shuriken and turned towards the girl. Putting forth his best smile he stepped onto the back of one of the unconscious boys before reaching down to offer a hand up to the Hyuga princess, "I always wanted to rescue a damsel in distress. I am Naruto."
Her eyes widened as he reached for her with his hand. All at once she turned bright crimson all over her face, then fainted dead away before her rescuer just hearing his name being spoken. Her last thought ringing in her head. 'My Hero'
Letting out a sigh after seeing the girl fall unconscious, Naruto frowned to himself, "Really? I rescue her then she passes out? So much for the fun work, now I have the grunt labor." Naruto carefully picked up the girl bridal style and carried her from the alleyway towards the Hyuga compound to return her.
~~~ WaFSS ~~~
After the boy and girl left a shadow slipped out of the wall. The brown haired woman looked over the three unconscious boys with a smile behind her all white NE ANBU mask. She reaches down and used a simple healing jutsu on the lower back of the bleeding boy to staunch the blood. Then kicked awake the leader of the little group and dropped a roll of Ryo, "Here is your money. If you talk about this you and everyone care for will die." With a sway of her hips she walked back into the shadows to disappeared to follow her charge.
~~~ WaFSS ~~~
Naruto did not get too far holding the unconscious Hyuga girl before getting stopped by a pair of Hyuga. Both of them rushed forward seeing the boy carrying the injured girl, "Stop, what you are doing with Hinata-Sama?"
The boy let out a grunt and a sigh, "Well at the moment I am breaking my arms trying to hold her. Do you mind taking her?"
One of the pair of branch members stepped forward and took the girl from him with a glare at the child. "I truly hope you had nothing to do with her condition. I would receive death for the disrespect of the Hyuga Clan." With a growl at the boy the man stepped into the juken stance. "I suggest that you explain what took place boy."
Before he could attack the boy a hand laid on the man's shoulder, "Excuse me, are you planning on harming my grandson?"
The Hyuga turned around to glare at the old man for a moment before blinking realizing it was one of the Elders of the council. Immediately he lowered into a bow to the honored Elder, "Danzo-sama, we were merely trying to ascertain why Hinata-sama was in this condition in the arms of this boy."
Walking to between Naruto and the pair of Hyuga, Danzo stopped and rested his good hand on a cane. Standing there he glared at the two Hyuga members, "I suggest in the future you do not judge so quickly as I am sure when the girl awakens she will provide you the details you seek."
A glare was leveled at the two men as an immense amount of killing intent was let out. The sheer amount of the anger radiating from the Elder was enough to stop the traffic along the busy street as all of the civilians turned to look at the two Hyuga's standing before the Elder shivering, "If you ever so much as think of attacking my grandson, I will see you in such pain that you will beg the Hokage to give you to Ibiki Morono."
Turning his back to the two branch members, Danzo looked at the boy with a smile, "You did well Naruto-kun to save the girl. Let us go home now, I completed what I needed to accomplish today."
~~~ WaFSS ~~~
A few days later
The bell rang in the main house of the Shimura Compound. Naruto perked up from the book fuinjutsu for beginners that he had recently become engrossed in, "Danzo-sama, I will get the door!"
Placing down the book carefully, Naruto sprinted from the house towards the front gate. Skidding to a stop while kicking up a bit of dirt, the boy walked casually to the wall plate next to the entrance. The Uzumaki heir held up his left hand up to the wall plate channeling chakra onto it. A light blue sheen appeared around the gate as it swung inwards slowly, allowing time for Naruto to walk into the middle of the walkway.
Through the gate walked a toll stoic looking man from the Hyuga Clan. The man had long black hair, featureless white eyes of his clan while wearing loose fitting traditional brown robes. Along behind the man walked a pair of Hyuga guards watching everywhere before their Clan head seemingly at once. Hyuga Hiashi glanced over the child before him with an expressionless look, "Uzumaki Naruto?"
The boy at first almost replied asking who else it would be considering it was his compound but instead Naruto lowered into a bow before the Clan Head, "Hai, I am Uzumaki Naruto. Are you here to speak with my Ojiisan Hyuga-sama?"
The man studied the boy closely for a time with curiosity after not having seen him but there was something very familiar about his appearance. It took a few moments before it hit him, he had after all once been a teammate of a particular redhead. Hiashi could easily see the look of the boy's mother in him. The streaks of red hair and chubby cheeks of his face were a dead giveaway for her, but he could not determine the boy's father. Putting away the thoughts to consider for another time, Hiashi spoke up, "No Uzumaki-san, I am looking for you, child. You are the one that assisted my daughter with a problem in the village recently. I wished to thank you personally for your assistance. If you should have need of the Huyga Clan please come see me."
For a moment the boy bristled at being called a child before the manners drilled into him by his grandfather took over. Bowing before the powerful Clan head, Naruto spoke friendly, "Thank you Hyuga-Saama. The Uzumaki clan is grateful for the offer of friendship from the Hyuga Clan. We offer the same assistance in the future if ever there is a need that we may assist you."
The Hyuga Clan Head blinked in surprise at the diplomatic response of the eight year old child. He had merely come and offered to the boy his thanks not an offer of formal assistance between his clan the boys but still if the boy was this creative already. It would be interesting to see what he might become especially considering who his mother had been. Hiashi inclined his head in return to the words of the child, "Thank you for your time Naruto-san. Have a peaceful day." Turning the man walked from the compound back through the gates.
In the meantime Danzo stood in the window of the office watching the interaction take place from afar yet listening to it carefully from the remarkable seal on the gate. The Elder could not keep a small smile from his lips at the quick thinking and phrasing of his grandson. Turning back to his work he started to hum an old song to himself from his youth.
~~~ WaFSS ~~~
9 years after the Kyuubi attack
A young boy with blonde hair and whisker marks on his cheeks leapt through the crowd laughing happily. Naruto sprinted away from the crowd to an alleyway before running up the wall onto the rooftop. Glancing back towards the Inuzuka compound the boy laughs to himself with a dark grin at his success with no sign of pursuit. "Well that was fun, time to get home!" The boy starts to leap from roof to roof quickly towards the Shimura compound stopping finally to drop down into an alleyway when he gets close. Instantly Naruto rolls to his right placing his back to the wall as two kunai go flying past where his head was moments before. "I know you are there Inu-san. I can sense you there hiding. You know I am a sensor."
The tall lanky ANBU stepped out of the shadows, the one visible eye behind the dog covered mask seemed to crinkle with amusement, "Naruto, you should not be playing pranks on other shinobi. You need to live up to your mother's name after all."
The boy frowned at the words of the ANBU, then shrugged his shoulders as he started to walk towards the Shimura compound, "But, Inu-San! I am still a civilian till I graduate from apprenticeship. Besides, they should have learned as Shinobi to always be on their feet. Danzo-sama tells me that a Shinobi should never let down his guard. We must always be on alert for what is happening in our environment."
The ANBU walking beside the boy smiles behind his mask, "That is correct Naruto-kun. But, we do not trick or harm our allies of the leaf. Still, I think this time I can look the other way since it is a special day."
After a short walk Naruto and Inu came to the gates of the boy's home. "Naruto, I will leave you here. But, before I do this is for you. Happy Birthday Naruto". Inu reaches into a pouch at his hip, then pulls out a small orange book handing it over to the child before him. "Remember what I said." Then the man disappears in a swirl of leaves.
Naruto looks down at the book with a smile, "Fuinjutsu for beginners level two, perfect!" Pocketing the book the boy walks through the gates into the small compound. Closing his eyes for a second the boy, knows exactly where his grandfather was seated, turned to walk towards the training ground near the pond.
Naruto stops before the old bandaged man and drops to one knee. The laughing, smiling, childishness slides from the boy's face as he bows his head respectfully to the Elder. "Danzo-Sama, I have completed the first task you have set out for me. I was able to infiltrate the two clan compounds without being seen. First, I replaced a canister of flee powder with itching powder in the Inuzuka compound. They should notice the change in two days when they perform the monthly flee bath on part of their ningen dogs. I hid my scent with there would the smell of canine feces and urine before scaling the fence and using stealth to reach the desired location. I would rate the mission a success except it seems Inu-san was looking for me and noticed my leaving of the Inuzuka Compound. He has promised since it is my birthday that he will not notify anyone."
Danzo looks at the boy sternly considering the report from his "mission" to prank a clan compound. Sneaking into a compound of the best trackers and not getting caught was an impressive accomplishment. Especially considering the boy's age of nine this was truly remarkable. That means his infiltration skills were up to requirements for now. The best part though was that in a few days Hiruzen will have to deal with a pile of paperwork related to the incident. A small smile touched the lips of the elder shinobi as he considered the mischief he just created for his old friend.
The elder shakes away his thoughts of enjoyment then reaches forward to place a hand on the head of Naruto and ruffles the spiky blonde-crimson hair. "You have grown well boy. Naruto, I have you perform these pranks to practice skills at stealth, infiltration, agility, and speed. I know you don't like to play the fool in the eyes of the village but remember a Shinobi's best skill is deception. If we show all of our strengths to everyone then our enemies will know what we can accomplish. A true Shinobi strikes from the shadows and is not noticed till after their enemies lay dead at their feet."
Pausing a moment watching the face of Naruto as the boy scrunches up his nose having heard this lecture many times already. "Still Naruto, I am proud of your skills. You have continued to grow each time I put expectations on you. I believe you are up to the challenge so far. But know that I am going to start to require far more from you. Now is the time you need to prove you are worthy of being an Uzumaki."
The Elder removes his hand from the head of the boy then patted the bench beside him. Sitting there was a thin three foot long wrapped package. "Before I forget this is your birthday gift my boy."
Naruto reaches out pulling the package into his lap. The boy starts to unwrap it quickly letting the paper fall to the side. The paper reveals a red leather hilt of a wakizashi imprinted with the Uzumaki swirl in white on the end. The sheath felt sturdy and well-built of plan red leather with lightning bolts shaped black patches along it. The sword itself is about two feet in length, made of chakra metal with etchings of whirlpools and lightning bolts on one side. The reverse side of the sword was imprinted in kanji life, loyalty, and family. A few tears slid down the cheeks of the boy before he looked up to his godfather, "This was her sword correct?"
Danzo slid off of the bench to kneel with Naruto. Reaching out with his good hand he wrapped the boy into the rarest show of affection for him, a hug. Speaking softly to the ear of the boy, "Yes, Naruto. It was her sword and before her it was Senju-Uzumaki Mito's sword. It was one of a Daisho, pairing of Katana and Wakizashi, worn by the Uzukage. I know you shall wear it proudly my boy."
Clearing his throat the old man stands up before the boy the reaches down to give him one last ruffle of hair, "You will begin your lessons with kenjutsu in the morning. I will acquire a tutor to teach you the basics of it. Every morning between five and seven you shall drill with the basic katas for kenjutsu. When you are skilled enough I shall acquire the scrolls from the Hokage for you to learn your clan style. Come, since it is your birthday we shall go into the village to have some of that Ramen you love." The boy and the old man with their shadows walked from the compound to enjoy the day.
~~~ WaFSS ~~~
A few months later
It was special day at the Academy. Today Naruto had been given permission by the Hokage to escort his best friend Fu to the school and join in to see what it was like. It was a chance for the boy to view this Academy for the first time since he was privately taught. The boy was bouncing around excited to the point of almost being bubbly for the first time there, "Danzo-sama, do you think they will teach us some powerful ninjutsu? Do you think perhaps we might be able to go on some missions for the school out of Konoha? Will I get to work with any ninja more powerful than Purple-neesan?"
The old man let the boy ask his hundred questions without drawing a breath, watching him with a concealed smirk at the disappointment the boy would face. After all Danzo himself had made certain that Naruto knew everything that would be learned over the full length of the Academy teachings. While watching the boy he could not help but feel a bit of pride. Even if he was only nine years old, Naruto had proven that he had a bright future as a powerful and intelligent future Shinobi of Konoha. Just as important the boy was a logically, and emotionless thinker when needed to make a proper decision. Overall he was a true leader.
Naruto was dressed currently in a black Kimono that was stripped in crashing waves of red. On the back of the Kimono a white Uzumaki swirl was covered by his mother's wakizashi. The boy had refused to take it off except to sleep or bathe since he had received it a few months ago on his birthday. The Uzumaki heir had learned first how to oil and clean the blade and sheath. A ninja was a weapon but weapons were useless unless they were properly cared for. Danzo was a firm believer that a good Shinobi took care of the items that would take care of him in the field. His grandson had repeatedly been given this message. Naruto wore black Shinobi sandals tied up above the ankle and completed his outfit with a pair of fingerless red gloves that Inu had given the boy for his Tatijutsu training.
Although it was not Danzo's idea to allow Kakashi Hatake near the boy, especially considering his relationship as a student of the boy's father, it was a simple fact that he had made an impression on Naruto. The ANBU demands were relentless for the proper Katas and training for the basics of Mito's style. It was a shame that the ANBU was too busy with duties now to continue the training, but the boy nevertheless spent an hour a day just working on the Katas for from the scrolls. Danzo's personal bodyguard, of NE ANBU agents, would correct the visible flaws and openings in the child's form.
"Before you go Naruto-kun, did you remember to feed Fluffy-kun?" Danzo asked with a pleasant smile.
"Yes Grandfather, I made certain to feed him. Tomorrow is one year that I have been raising him. Do rabbits have birthday parties?" Naruto asked excited.
"No, they do not. After school I want for you to come find me in the training yard with Fluffy-kun. I think it is time for you to learn an important lesson." Danzo requested of the boy as they walked to the front gate. "Now off with you."
The Elder watched the boy run off to meet his little friend, then let out a sigh and shake of the head. He was becoming too soft. Perhaps the afternoon will change that a bit, no matter what it was needed for the boy.
Author Note: That concludes the third chapter of Without a Fox. I should have another one edited and changed enough for posting next week. I hope I have changed the story enough to fix a bit of the problems in the past. Next chapter will introduce Fu! A bit of fun at the academy, which will be one of the only times that Naruto attends it. He has his own training and ways but I figured it would be fun to show how the Academy life is to the boy. Danzo wants to see how boring it is be to be raised normal. Give me your two cents please. Once again pairing isn't decided but it will not be Hinata or Sakura.