Start Chapter 15

I made it past the training and initiation of ANBU. I'm going to be sleeping, eating, training, and running missions until I can't. Who knows how long that will be? Maybe I'll do this forever? Because honestly, dealing with some of the people I've worked with on regular missions are head cases. Being in the ANBU may be the thing for me instead of Hokage. Only time will tell.

Somewhere in Water Country in the Dead of Night

Naruto crouches in the brush eying down his target. The lone Mist ninja sits there relaxed, without a care in the world. His ninja-to is lying by him propped up on a log. Scanning the area for his team the blonde picks them up on his chakra senses. He takes a quiet breath before shifting through the brush silently. He almost steps on a small branch, but avoids it. Behind his target he draws his ninja-to in a flash and sheathes it back. The head of the wanted ninja falls to the ground blood flowing from his freshly decapitated body. Naruto signals for his team to help him dispose of the body and evidence that he was ever there. Once the task is complete the Fox-Masked teen says, "Let's go home everyone." They all nod and hear the sound of three pre-teen voices coming from nearby, "Move!" Naruto hisses and everyone scatters.

Several miles down the path they regroup, "Was anyone seen?" Dog says and everyone shakes their heads in the negative, "Good let's keep moving." The team quickly scales into the trees before using them to accelerate their travel. Staying in relative silence the way back they keep up a good pace.

Once they know they're in Fire Country Naruto lets a breath out, but keep his guard up. Thinking about the target he realized that must have been a Genin team led by the Jounin they killed. Realizing it's for the good of the village Naruto shakes out the thought and keeps moving on home.

In the ANBU Mission Hall

Naruto and his team collect the reward for the mission and evenly split the large bounty on the Jounin's head, "Good job team. Do as you please." Heading to the barracks he calls home the blonde enters his room. He takes off his mask and repeats the process he's been doing for the past three weeks. Realizing the repetitive nature of the ANBU Naruto shrugs it off, "At least I'm doing something more for the village." He undresses and steps into the shower before letting the cold water drip down on him numbing the soreness in his muscles. Washing off with soap and finishing his shower the blonde gets out and redresses for a meal.

The Next Day in the Training Ground

Dog pushes Naruto as they go at each other with wooden ninja-to. Eventually the silver-haired ANBU activates a seal and his Sharingan is revealed. Kakashi tries to end the fight quickly, but finds Fox is able to push him despite the activation of his eye-technique. The strain of using the Sharingan gets to him and puts it away. Feeling the fatigue set in Kakashi makes one last push, but Naruto gets the best of him landing a jab to his chest area, "Well Dog looks like you lose." Smirking from behind his mask the blonde makes the sign of the ninja and his fellow ANBU does the same.

"Fox, did you notice something during our sparring?" Dog asks and Naruto nods his head.

The blonde says, "You activated your Sharingan and it got to you fairly quickly. I think you need to work on using it more often and trying to build up the stamina so you can use it longer. It would come in handy when we're dealing with multiple targets or illusionary specialists." Kakashi nods and they head towards the mess hall to sit down for a meal. A silence sets over the mess hall and not a word is exchanged as they eat. Once they finish eating they head into the barracks to get a good night's rest before another day of training.

Two Days Later

"You all will be conducting surveillance on someone suspected of defecting from the village in the near future. If he does make a move to leave you will stop and apprehend him." The ANBU commander hands them a file with a picture of Sasuke Uchiha on the front, "You must remain undetected as you carry out this mission, understood?" The team nods and they phase out of sight before going to work on the task ahead of them.

That Night around 3 AM at Sasuke Uchiha's Apartment

Naruto and Kakashi plus the other two ANBU stare at Sasuke's apartment watching for any sign of movement. The door opens and Sasuke comes out carrying a backpack. They signal to each other and watch the Uchiha start running as his apartment goes up in flames. Realizing it's just a diversion they run after the Chuunin and eventually Naruto gets in front of Sasuke. He stares at the Uchiha from behind his fox mask, "Sasuke Uchiha, where are you going?"

The raven-haired teen scoffs, "Nowhere of importance." Running at the ANBU and drawing a kunai Sasuke prepares for battle.

With his Sharingan blazing he barely has time to react as Kakashi comes from behind him and chops him in the neck effectively knocking him out, "Bind him and seal him off." Dog says and they carry the unconscious Chuunin to the ANBU detention center.

At the Detention Center Under the Leaf Village

Sasuke struggles under the binding seal placed upon him and he tries to activate his Sharingan, but finds that does nothing, "What is this?" He says.

Fox says, "It's called a chakra sealing. It prevents you from molding chakra beyond what's necessary to minimally survive. In addition, we placed seals around your eyes that prevent you from activating your bloodline. Also we bound you in ninja wire and restricting seals so you can't move."

The Uchiha thinks of a plan, "What if I have to go to the bathroom?"

Naruto replies from behind his mask, "We'll change your clothes for you. We're not taking any risks here." Sasuke grunts and the blonde leaves the room. Turning towards the Hokage he says, "What are we going to with him?"

Tsunade bites her thumb, "Keep him here for life, he's betrayed the village and I doubt he's going to change if we let him go." Fox nods and the team carries out their orders as the Hokage walks away she says, "God the village is going to hate me for this, but it must be done."

The blonde ANBU hears the woman's words and knows that this is part of being Hokage. Making tough decisions no matter how much people may hate you for them comes with the title. He sighs as he throws Sasuke in a cell and says, "Well back to missions I guess." Locking the door behind him the boy heads to his room to rest and reflect on the events that just transpired.

Late that Night in Naruto's Room

The blonde sits at his desk with his only light being a candle. Leaning back in his chair the ANBU sighs and looks out the small invisible window, "Maybe one day I will be ready to make choices like that." Pulling out his sketchbook Fox begins to draw out a combat scene. He works for hours on it and feels his hand cramp a little as he puts the finishing touches on it. The scene depicts two friends battling out with their faces split at the top. Something hits Naruto deep in his heart and he sighs putting the sketch away, "I wonder if I can ever get back to that place." Shaking his head the blonde crawls into bed to get some sleep.

Several Months Later in Lightning Country

Naruto severs the head of a wanted Hidden Cloud ninja and his team quickly disposes of the evidence. Another mission down and another piece of Naruto's soul begins to fade.

Back at ANBU Base

Behind his fox mask Naruto feels the stress of the ANBU lifestyle get to him and he takes a step back, "I'm done." Naruto says and the ANBU commander looks at him confused, but nods.

Waving the rest of the team out the ANBU leader sighs, "So you're quitting the ANBU for good?"

Naruto shakes his head, "No I just need a break from it. I need to get back to regular ninja life for a while. I'm starting to feel disconnected from the world and I think it's time to go back for a little."

The masked figure says, "It's good you recognized that before it became a real problem Fox. Hand in your mask and clean out your barracks. We'll give you your discharge papers and a briefing before you go." Naruto feels a little confused and the man laughs, "Yes it's that simple, now get going you have a life to live." Heading out and doing what he was told the blonde feels like the rest of the day goes by in a blur.

In Naruto's Apartment that Night

Naruto opens his door and feels a sense of nostalgia come over him, "Home sweet home." Putting his stuff down the blonde walks around and a little bit of his former self comes back to him at a time. He takes in a deep breath and decides to head straight for bed. Tomorrow he starts up his new, but old life as a normal ninja.

At the Hokage's Office

Tsunade hears a knock at her door and says, "Come in." The door opens to reveal Naruto dressed in a Jounin outfit, "Ah Naruto it's good to see you. It's been a while."

The blonde smiles, "I know, I'm glad to be back. So who am I going to be working with?"

Pulling out a file the Hokage says, "Genin, I want you to be a Jounin-instructor for the teams graduating this year." Naruto takes and looks over the file, "How does that sound to you?"

Looking out the window Naruto smiles, "I'll do it, I think teaching some kids might be a good thing for me." The Jounin asks, "So what do I have to do as far as training to teach these kids?"

Tsunade shakes her head, "Nothing just read over that file and you'll see what you need to do."

Naruto raises an eyebrow; "Okay then, I guess I'll see you later." Tsunade nods and Naruto leaves in a puff of smoke before heading back to his place.

At Naruto's Apartment that Night

Scribbling down some ideas on how to train his Genin, "Well this kid Konohamaru is the grandson of the Third Hokage, so I have a feeling he has great potential. He won't require as much attention as Udon and Moegi." Looking at their scores however paints another picture, "Wow Konohamaru will need some serious work in his basic skills. The other two won't, but at least they're all good friends so they can work with another." Penciling down some sample lesson plans Naruto starts to see a great team unfold.

At the Academy the Next Afternoon

Naruto walks into the halls of the Academy for the first time in a while and opens the door to see a classroom full of children and Iruka, "Hey Iruka, I'm here to pick up my team."

The Jounin looks over at the blonde and smiles, "Naruto it's great to see you again, and it's been a while since I last saw you." Naruto nods and the two exchange a handshake before Iruka calls out, "Team Seven! Come with your instructor." Iruka calls out and the Genin team quickly comes over, "Good luck Naruto, these three will be a handful."

Naruto nods and smiles at his former teacher before parting ways, "Alright kids, follow me to the top of the building." The group of four walks up the stairs onto the roof and Naruto sits on a ledge while the other three take a seat across from him, "Now we're going to introduce ourselves." Looking over his team the blonde Jounin sees they're paying close attention, "My name is Naruto Uzumaki, and I'm a Jounin. I like training until I drop, running missions like crazy, and being the best I can be." He pauses to think for a bit, "I dislike quitters, traitors, and lazy people. My hobbies include going to Ichiraku ramen as a treat and reading." Taking a look over the team he continues, "My goal is to prepare you guys to be splendid ninja and my dream is to become the next Hokage."

Konohamaru yells, "Not if I get there first!"

Shaking his head the blonde Jounin says, "Well since you're so excited I guess you can go first."

The brown-haired boy looks a little shaken being put on the spot, "Um, my name is Konohamaru and I also like training hard and maintaining the Sarutobi name. I don't like traitors or people who hurt those that care about them." Tapping his chin in thought the boy continues, "My hobbies are going to the BBQ place and hanging out with my uncle Asuma. And I will be the next Hokage mark my words!"

Naruto chuckles and points to the girl in the group, "Me?" The Jounin nods and she blushes before saying, "My name is Moegi and I like studying and learning. I don't like bullies and people who take advantage of others. My hobbies are reading, learning about medical ninjutsu, and helping out at the hospital with my mom. My dream is to surpass Tsunade as the best medical ninja ever."

Smiling the Jounin inwardly applauds the girl's goals and looks at the final member of team seven, "Oh, my name is Udon. I like to train and study. I don't like the cold or people that are copycats. In my spare time I read, train, and spend a lot of time in the library. My dream is to be a great ninja and maybe one day run the ninja archives."

Naruto claps his hand loudly and says, "Alright then, you seem like a good bunch of kids. However, that doesn't mean anything in the ninja world. You're going to meet a lot of people you don't agree with and go through many tough and deadly challenges. I'm here to prepare you for that." Taking another looks over the team he continues, "Training starts at 5 AM tomorrow at the Hokage Mountain. Make sure to eat a good breakfast and pack food because we're going to be working all day." In a swirl of leaves Naruto exits the area leaving his new Genin to their own devices.

At Ichiraku Ramen that Night

Finishing a bowl of ramen Naruto says, "Thanks Old Man Ichiraku, I'll see you around." The blonde leaves the money on the counter and heads to his apartment. Once he gets there and is inside the Jounin smiles, "Tomorrow I start a new journey as a teacher." Heading into his room Naruto gets ready for a new adventure…

End Chapter 15