Codename: FOX Chapter 8: Survival training, a naruto fanfic

A/N: Nothing to report now. Expect Im still looking for a beta. Interested? Contact me and we talk about it.

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Chapter 8: Survival training

Naruto, six year old.

It had been over two years since Naruto had been brought to ANBU base. His physical abilities had risen above average (A/N: I know many people would think that with right training, Naruto would be practically invincible at the age of six or something but that's not possible! I mean, that's breaking the laws of physics. Human body can only evolve certain amount in certain time. Even if Naruto has his demon fox, his body won't grow any faster than it normally would. Of course in this fic, Naruto gets lot of exercises, eats healthy and doesn't go through same kind of emotional trauma than in canon so his body will be above average but now he is six years old! It's possible that he could give a beating to a genin but mostly because he has more experience in fighting than usual genins. In contest like… arm wrestle, he would get his ass kicked pretty good by strong ten year old. Sorry about this. Just wanted to make some things clear.) His life was going good pace. He trained, studied, sparred, learned how to use gusari, played shamisen, practiced tea ceremonies with Tanta, read books, played shogi with various opponents, learned chakra control and even jutsus. He had somewhat normal childhood and in certain ways, he was like a normal child. Even though if he could pound a boy twice his age to the ground.

His normal day would start by getting up in the morning and walk to the roof. He would first do some physical exercises like push-ups, sit-ups and such, run around, warmed his body and trained. Roof was his own personal training grounds. ANBU had their own training ground but he wasn't allowed there. Not after what happened at the first time.

Naruto, just before his fifth birthday had been brought to ANBUs own training grounds, Training area 44. Forest of death. It was used only by ANBUs to train their field abilities. Others were allowed there only during chunin exams were held at Konoha. Otherwise, it had been completely sealed from outsiders.

As ordered, Naruto had three ANBUs escorting him. They were Hana, Anko and Tenzo. They had tried out his hiding skills with simple game of hide and seek. Then it had happened. Some group of chunin had been at the scene drinking. Idiots who didn't understand sings 'off limits' at all. Naruto had accidentally run into them and he had been recognized. He knew, he had no chances against group of chunin so he ran. But didn't get really far before he was captured. Chunins had been ready to kill him when Hana had arrived at the scene. That group of chunins were never seen again.

Naruto had been so shocked of that incident that he hadn't talked to anyone for a full week. And after that, he had refused leaving the base ever again. Especially to the training grounds. It required lot of persuasion to make him leave the base which was to the Tea Ceremony.

So, he trained on the roof instead. And enjoyed it.

After his physical training, he would start his taijutsu training. His style was a bit original, somewhere between Goken, Karate, Judo, Tantas weapon Kung fu, street brawl and his gusari style without an actual gusari. He called it, Te no naruto, Hand of maelstrom. It basic idea was to use brawling moves to make an opponent to lower their guards while he would attack with deadly accuracy. In the morning, alone he would work with his styles katas. Hana had been so pleased of this style that had asked him to record it. That had led him to inventing new moves and katas. He would work with them in private and would try them on practice dummies or with Sai.

After that he would start his chakra control. After his incident with Itachi and fireball, Hana had been convinced to allow some jutsus being taught to Naruto. It was obvious his control wouldn't improve just by doing those exercises but he would have to get used using chakra to get be able to do jutsus. He learnt quicker by doing an actual jutsus than those exercises.

They stayed under B-ranks and high Cs. Some from water and earth elements. Fire and lighting were more difficult to him. And only few ANBU knew any wind jutsus. They had tested his affinity too but he didn't have one yet. No surprise there. He should be at least ten years old before he could manifest his first affinity, which ever it would be. There were few earlier cases (like Uchihas or Hyuugas) but they were rare outside of clans and with Narutos control it was unlikely.

When he had trained his control, he would walk down to the dojo. By this time of the morning, it was full of people training. He would meet Sai at the door and they would spar. Sometimes without weapons and sometimes with weapons on the different dojo. Then they would go to the bath and breakfast.

Then it was time of their morning studies. Sai would most likely excuse himself to get some personal training while Naruto would make his way down to the library. If Hana would be at scene, she would teach him if not, he would teach himself. He would improve his reading and writing. Human anatomy and medical theory was one of his liked subjects. Even if he wasn't going to proceed to career, he would most certainly find it handy some day. And of course normal school kids stuff.

Then would be time for lunch. He would arrive at the cafeteria and eat. Then a little break. Read some book, play shamisen or play pool with the guys. Normal stuff. It was kind of humouring when six year old was playing pool with a bunch of grown ups.

After the break would be time for his gusari techniques. Tanta would teach him the use of his projectiles and gusari but he had reached the level when he should train himself before he could learn more effective attacks. And Tanta needed more time for her own training and as her duties as a captain of one of the groups.

So he would train with Sai most of his time now. Two of them had become something like brothers. Where the first was, second wasn't that far away if not on a mission. They shared everything they did like normal kids.

When normal kids played tag, Naruto and Sai had a spar. When normal kids were making sand cakes in a sandbox, they would be making fireballs and ink monsters. When normal kids wanted someone to tell them a story, they went to their parents. Naruto and Sai would sneak into library's archives and read some of the old mission reports. True. Naruto Uzumaki and Sai, Hyena were two really original children. They didn't smile that much around each other. They didn't get the hold of the concept that well. Naruto did smile but it was mostly his polite smile. He only smiled truthfully around few people. But with Sai, he didn't saw it necessary to express his feelings by curling his lips upwards. It just seemed… futile.

After gusari lessons would be all out spars. Dinner. Free-time and studying. Evening bath and rest. His days followed through this regiment more or less.

When his seventh birthday came nearer and nearer, Hana became more and more anxious. Because seven was the magical number she feared. Seven was the agreed year. Year when Naruto would… grow up.

One day, Danzo had required her presence at his office. They were talking about Narutos training and how it was going.

"Is that so…" Bandaged man frowned deep in thought after hearing the report. So far everything was in schedule. His skills expected to be in all out fight with equal stand against two mid chunin level ninjas. This was remarkable considering that the boy wasn't even seven yet and hadn't received normal ROOT training. Yet, there were things he lacked. Things he must learn before he could take his mask and became a complete ANBU black op fighter. And one of those things was experience. He was good in spars but he was not familiar with real fights. Fights where opponent would come at you with heart full of hatred and full intent to kill you. The feeling of your body won't move even when you command it. Fear of death. Will to win. Will to live. He hadn't yet had his first blood lust.

He had yet to fight for his life against another living being and taking a beating didn't count. And that would soon change.

"Danzo-sama?" Hana asked little nervously even though he was trying to cover it.

"I want to test his skills." He said standing up in his office and walked to the shells, pulled out a scroll. "Ask Anko-san here, please."

"Y-yes." Red haired woman nodded and disappeared.

Anko was in the basement of ANBU base, where she was enjo- doing her job. She asked questions from people and they would answer. Considering the manner their answer, she would either reword them or punish them. If she didn't get any answer, she would punish them greatly.

"I asked; what you are doing here." She whispered the question licking kunai in her hand. Soon-to-be-ex-shinobi of the Iwa was shivering from blood loss, bruises, cold air, pain and of course of fear. Man had been infiltrated the Konohas academy as a cleaner but was discovered by a students who had a kunai throwing practice. Projectile had slipped from her hand and hit mans back. Henge had dropped and his back had deep puncture. Chunin teacher had no trouble straining him until the ANBU arrived taking him away. Little girl had received lots of compliments. Tenten Soujiro had become her class's hero and idol of many younger girls.

Anko had first asked Iwa shinobi a question who had been tied to a chair. Man didn't answer so she started first by cutting his skin some painful flesh wounds. Man had only spat at her. A mistake. She had summoned a snake to strangle him for certain periods of time releasing just before he was about to pass out while continuing cutting his skin and whispering threats to his ear. Snake disappeared and she repeated the question. Again he spat but it lacked the will power it had before. Even still, another mistake. She had lifted him from his chair and let him hang from a hook on the roof. Then she would start beating him with pure fists and kicks while shouting questions and making threats. After that she seated him back to his chair and asked the question. He only mumbled: 'Fuck off bitch." Another mistake. When this bastard would learn? She summoned another snake. Little and bright coloured and had it bite the poor guy. Strong poison entering through man veins creating hallucinations and pain.

"Lunch time." She muttered herself and walked away. It would take at least half hour before poisons hallucination effect would disappear. Before that, man was useless. She exited the cell leaving two watchers alone. They had only followed her work in silence, not interrupting her spending their time on their own.

After lunch, Anko came back. Man was breathing hard trying to cope with the pain which was left. She slowly injected him with antidote which would only ease his pain. Then she held out a kunai. "I asked you; what you are doing here." She licked the kunai.

Man gulped in defeat. "I-I was on a m-mission to as-assassinate a-all U-Uchihas i-in the academy." He whispered.

"Is that true?" She asked, not from the man but from her other viewer.

"Lying." Naruto said simply continuing doing his homework's. Anko had often asked him to follow through her interrogations. First of all, boy always knew when he was lied at and secondly didn't mind all the blood, screaming and begging.

"I also believe that." Morino Ibiki nodded agreement. "Naruto, that's wrong. You forgot to memorize this." He liked helping the little boy with his math. "Ask him about that paper he was carrying."

Ankos smirk only grew wider. She could continue her work. That was when door was knocked and opened. Hana stepped in, dressed in her ANBU wear. "Anko-san." She nodded and looked at the prisoner. "Important?"

Purple haired woman shook her head and knocked the guy out with her straight left. "Nothing special. Just some infiltrator from Iwa. What's up?"

Hana removed her mask revealing her frowning face. She didn't like one bit of Narutos 'tutoring grounds'. But long as he didn't complain, she didn't want to bother him. Even though his nonchalant attitude was alarming. "Danzo-sama asked you to pay a visit."

"Huh?" The other woman asked. "What you mean?"

"I don't know for sure." Hana shrugged. "Anyway, you should get going. I can look after the prisoner for you if you want."

"Knock yourself up. Even though, if that guy is able to walk after that, I'll be dammed." Anko walked away and disappeared from sight.

Hana walked casually next to Naruto. "What are you doing?"

"Math problems." The boy answered indifferently.

"Anything hard?"

"No… I think I can handle these."

"Naruto is modest as always." Ibiki laughed patting the boys head. "He is damn little genius. Solving these problems like they're nothing." Blond boy looked up confused but Ibiki only nodded him to continue. "Anyway, I have to continue where Anko left. Hana-san, I would like you to place your mask on. Just in case."

Hana nodded and did as told and sat to Ibikis place next to Naruto while he proceed waking the culprit up.

Moments later, Ibiki broke the guy. He had been brought to either abduct or assassinate many of the clan heads children as possible. Uchiha and Hyuuga on top of the list. He was supposed to meet with his accomplices in two days time near by outside the Konoha.

"Is this true?" Ibiki asked from Naruto who nodded.

"Yes. I don't think he hides anything else."

Interrogator nodded approvingly. He had reached the same conclusion but it never hurt to get the second opinion. Narutos abilities were very helpful and it would be great training for him if he wanted to be interrogator as well. "Okay. Weasel, Leopard!" Two figures appeared to either sides of the prisoner. "Take him to his cell. I will report Hokage-sama about this."

"Hai!" Both nodded and half dragged, half carried Iwa-nin away. Ibiki followed after them.

Hana removed her mask and smiled. "What about if we go to some snack?"

"Sure." Naruto shrugged.

"Is something wrong?"

"I was just wondering… Ibiki-san is captain of Interrogation Group, right?"

"Yes."

"Yet Takeshi-san is also a captain but one of a squad, right?"

"Yes."

"And the same thing in other squads. Tanta-san is captain of Hunter-nin group while Buki-san is captain of a squad. And just like that, Itachi-kun is lieutenant of Fourth attack group while Kirabe-san is captain of a squad. Right?"

"Yes." Hana nodded patiently. "Is there a problem?"

"What's the difference between group captain and squad captain? How does ANBU work in general?"

"Good question, Naruto-kun." Hana smiled. "Let me explain."

ANBU are divided thirteen groups. First became four attack groups. These groups specialize in fights, both defensive and offensive alike like defend Konoha or attack enemy village. Then becomes the support group, Hanas group. They specialize in field medics and deliveries like extra kunai to trapped fighters or other supplies. Then became the Interrogation group, Ibikis group. Even though they specialized in interrogation of prisoners, sometimes they would send people to the field to extract information on situations when prisoner couldn't be brought back to the base. Seventh group was Hunter-nins. Their mission was to capture run-away-ninjas who disregarded their loyalties and tried to run away. Tanta was the captain that squad. One reason why many of the fighters specialized in projectiles and kenjutsu was because they sometimes needed to bring enemies alive. Eighth group was information and infiltration group. They were specialized in information gathering from enemy villages especially.

Ninth and tenth were protector groups. They specialized in bodyguard and escort missions, was it for someone or something. Hakena was the captain of the Ninth squad and his loyal lieutenant, Shiyaku. Eleventh group were messengers. Their mission was to contact targets fast and unnoticed. They either delivered a message or contacted he neighbouring village. Twelfth group was a rookie squad. When someone joined ANBU they were firstly assigned to this group. They would learn basics of ANBU and how it worked. There hadn't been any new recruits since Naruto had joined ANBU two years ago so it was much unhanded. Last group had number code zero. Root. Danzos personal group. Non-existing.

Each group had its own captain and lieutenant who would keep these people in line. After groups lieutenant, became squad captains. Squads were formed by requirements of a mission by taking members of different groups by needs. If a mission was simple assassination, they would dispatch a single soldier from the first group. If it would be assassinating a daimyo who was associated with missing-nin and had a missing scroll in his possession, they would dispatch members from first, seventh and eight groups. If it would possible take longer time or chances of injuries were high, also a member of a fifth group. Squad would be led by highest officer.

"Do you understand?" Hana asked.

Naruto thought about it for a minute. "What are ANBUs 'patrol duties' I hear much about?"

"ANBUs first duty is to defend the village. Most of the time it means running around in circles and watch people from shadows and reporting from everything unusual." Hana explained.

"But isn't that what military police does?"

Hana frowned. "No. Their mission is to keep the civilians and off-duty shinobis in line. And as you know, they aren't the most reliable organization in Konoha."

Naruto nodded slowly trying not to remember bastards of Uchiha clan who only beat him up when he tried to ask help.

"And besides, mostly ANBUs patrol around Konoha and only one team inside so we must rely on military police in that."

Naruto nodded understanding.

When they arrived the cafeteria, window blew open and always flashy Anko jumped in. "Hell yeah!" She screamed exited ignoring all the drawn weapons and half ready jutsus. And glares. Especially glares. "Naruto! Hana! Good, you're here! I have a message for both of you!"

"Huh?" Both of them blinked while others walked away muttering something about 'self-control' and 'using a door for a change'. They seated in the same tables and Anko started to tell them about her meeting with Danzo. "To put it simply, he wants me to train Naruto for a one month."

"Why's that?" Hana frowned. The idea of influencing Naruto to this… 'crazy snake lady' (nicely put it) was something she didn't really want to. Just a thought of loud, boisterous, annoying Naruto gave her shudders. Suddenly she started thinking yellow haired boy running in bright orange jump suit waving his hand. 'That would be just like Hina-chan in males' body.' Thought gave her new shudders.

"Not what you think." Snake lady shook her head. "He wants Naruto to… train his survival skills while… observe him."

"Little more details… please." Hana's eye twitched.

"Well you see… Danzo wants Naruto to live certain amount of time in… certain place (completely secure) and observe him how he survives in real life-and-death situations. "

Both of them blinked. "Huh?"

Anko gulped. She knew captain of fifth group long enough to expect what was going to happen. "Naruto is going to live a month in forest of death."

"…"

"WHAT!?!?!?" Hana screamed. "What did you just say?! No! He will not do it! You remember how close he was to death last time! You expect me to just forget that and move on?! Dumb him in the middle of that hell hole and say: 'see you in a month!' Huh!?" She kept ranting loud so she didn't notice how people started slipping away silently not wanting to be caught in cross-fire.

"That won't happen this time. After those chunin 'disappeared mysteriously' everyone has avoided that place like it had a plague. You know that." 'Disappeared mysteriously' was another way of saying 'killing after seeing something they certainly shouldn't have' which was the case. "And Naruto will need some field experience before we place him on duty. You know that too. He must learn how to cope with adrenaline when it starts run wildly in his veins. And let's not even start talking about his pet. Naruto had yet to feel real life and death situation… since he started training. We must be sure his pet is in line before he joins squads."

"You can tell Danzo-sama that the seal works just the way it's supposed to. Tenzo and Hakena can both verify it. And Hokage-sama also who checked it personally on his last birthday!"

Anko laughed sheepishly. "So you knew it wasn't my idea."

"Obviously." Red haired medic muttered. "If it doesn't concern dango, snakes, sadistic sex, it's not your idea."

"Anyway, it's not that hard." Anko turned to Naruto. "You will have to do this if you want to get your mask."

"You want me to live in the forest for a month? That doesn't sound that bad." He said turning to his aunt.

Hana fought against the need to snort. Knowing Danzo and Anko, there was something more. "Go and pick something to eat while I think about it."

Soon as he was gone, she turned to Anko. "Okay, what's the deal?"

"Nothing slips through you, now does it?" She muttered annoyed. "Danzo wants me to attack him disguised as some random person and fight him and see how well he does. If he passes expected grade, he will be given his mask, codename, amour and sword." ANBUs sword was a symbol more than a weapon. Every ANBU was given short ninjato which they would strap to their backs. After shinobi retired from ANBU honourably, they could take that sword with them as a memento (or sell it, their call).

"What if, some chunin does arrive at the scene? Or worse? What about if some missing-nin comes at Naruto? What about then? Are you just going to scratch back of your head and say you're sorry?"

Anko really was loss of words. She never was good when arguing with people. Insulting and retorting was a different thing but she couldn't do that now. She would have to convince Hana for this. After all, it was up to her as his legal guardian. Danzo had been most clear on that. "We have patrols of genin survey the area. And we hide his features like you did when putting him to that tea ceremony stuff few months ago again." Naruto and Tanta had joined the annual tea ceremony once more not too long ago. All the people from last years meeting were present expect Hinata and her mother. She seemed to be in bad condition then. She had passed away soon after that. "Of course there are few things Danzo wants to talk with you but that's only if you accept this."

Hana thought her options. She knew it was up to her what would ever happen to Naruto. She knew that without her, he would have been transferred to Root soon as he had set foot inside the base. That was exactly the reason why she was his guardian. To keep Danzos long fingers far away as possible.

She could deny them this. It would mean that Naruto wouldn't get his mask now but some other way if at all. She would like the idea that Naruto would be transferred to academy and make his way in ranks like everyone else. It would help him to grow up more like a child. The way he acted most of the time was very alarming. One could think he was ten years older when looking his behaviour. Boy had watched from side with blank face when Ibiki had once removed one victim's fingers and practically bathed in blood only saying: 'He's telling the truth.' calmly when asked.

Then once in a spar with Hana (yes they sparred) she had accidentally punctured his arm with a kunai which she knew hurt like hell but he merely frowned at this. It – was – not – normal – goddamned! And once Chadao had lured him to play a prank on others, he had laughed weirdly, one could say Itachi-way of laughing. That kid needed some normal friends. He was too mature for a kid.

But she knew she would have to approve this. Sooner or later. One of the parts of this agreement was that Naruto would join ANBU ranks. It would happen sooner or later. And squads were starting to run low in man power. Not alarmingly but ANBU fighters did die on missions. It was inevitable. They could do a year or so before they would have to let more people join the force. And everyone had put lots of effort training Naruto for an ANBU. She remembered how Danzo had already full plans for harvesting Kyuubis chakra in a way or another in the future. And he was safe long as he was useful for Danzo. That was true. Naruto also could use with some experience he would gain from this. Heck, this wasn't that different with normal ANBU exams where examined person would be thrown into same training grounds for two days. His mission would be to find a scroll or something equal size and get it to tower in the middle. At the same training grounds there would be number of ANBUs constantly attacking him. If the results were acceptable, he would be promoted to ANBU. That would be most likely same with Naruto. But soon as he would be given his mask, he would become an adult of Konoha and would fall under jurisdiction of Hokage from her care.

"Aunt Hana." Naruto spoke gently making her turn over to him. "I brought you an orange. You look like you need one."

Hana smiled. "Thank you."

"So I give you an orange and you dumb me in the middle of the forest for a month." Naruto said looking his surroundings. "Yeah. That sounds fair. Im just glad I didn't give you full salad. God knows what would have happened to me." He pulled out a lollipop and placed it in his mouth.

Anko laughed while Hana scowled. "Not funny. It wasn't my idea."

"Is this revenge then for the time when I stole your dango with Chadao and used senbon to nail them to the roof?" He asked glancing to Anko.

"It was YOU!?" She growled. "I should have known that it was you two." She pulled out a kunai slowly. "This exercise begins –"

"Wait Anko-san!" Hana raised her hand before she could start killing. Woman seemed to be neurotic when it came to dango. Little like Naruto and his lollipops. You didn't touch them. You just didn't. Hakena had once the balls to touch them and… for a Hyuuga captain it was extremely humiliating defeat even if it was with complete surprise by enraged Jichuuriki. "I should tell him the meaning of this exercise. Naruto-kun, this exercise is to evaluate your skills in real-life situations and your survival skills. This forest is currently a hostile territory to you. You are currently alone, in the middle of no-where waiting for your team mates to arrive which is scheduled one month from today. You have been chased here by enemy nins who want something that you have in your supplies. Your mission is simply to survive. You have some supplies in your back bag. You're free to use anything inside this forest in a way you see it fit. There are lots of dangerous animals and plants to you to watch out for. There will also be civilians running around from time to time. Remember, you're an ANBU! Your not here! Understand?"

Naruto thought about if for a minute. So put it simply, he was currently in unknown location, chased by enemy. There were chances of meeting some civilians. He smirked slightly. In a way this was something he would enjoy. "Yes."

"Good." Then she nodded to Anko. "Give it to him."

Purple haired woman grunted and took a scroll from her pocket. "This is your short cut out of here." And tossed it to him.

"My what?" Naruto asked curiosly.

"If you feel like this exercise is too much for you to handle, you just open that scroll and this exercise will stop. Simple as that." She answered. It was same type of scroll as they gave in chunin exams which would summon certain person.

He thought if for a minute. "Fine. When will we begin?"

Hana closed her eyes. She had expected those words but also feared them. She had wanted him to refuse with some excuse. But of course he wouldn't. This was Naruto. Son of Minato and Kushina. Stubborn and fierce. He would run through grey stone if he set his mind to it.

"Now." Anko nodded and disappeared in swirl of leaves. "See you in a month, brat!"

Hana stayed behind for a minute. "This will be long month for me." She whispered. "I want you to understand that if you don't want to stop this, there's nothing to be shame in that. Don't try anything stupid or… you understand… right?"

"Don't act like Naruto?" He grinned. Naruto being the favourite character in his favourite book.

"Yes." Hana smiled gently. "That exactly what I meant. This is only a test and that is only pure fiction. Remember that." She hugged him gently and smiled. "See you in a month." And disappeared in swirl of leaves.

Naruto stood alone in the small clearing somewhere inside the forest thinking. If he was meant to spend one month here, he should first and inspect his gear. He looked around. There was no-one around now but he should try and find little more secluded place just in case. He run silently towards a tree and started climbing it up using chakra. He couldn't help but smirk for convenience of this simple move. He soon landed on wide branch and sat there observing his surroundings for a while. This wasn't first time he had survival training. But before it had been inside the genjutsu and at the dojo so he knew in theory what he should do. When he was sure there was no-one around he pulled out his back bag and opened it. He started inspecting objects he had.

First there was three bottles of water which would last a five days max if he rationed it. There was also five days worth of ration bars. Then there was small box which had three pills inside, one being a food pill, second being a blood pill and third being a soldier pill. Then there was five storage scrolls. He opened first one which had twenty sharp kunais. Another had same amount of shuriken. Third one had some ninja-wire, exploding tags, lamp oil, bandages, some other medical equipment and various other ninja items he might need. Fourth had a sleeping bag. There was also a fifth scroll but he didn't open that. It said: 'Open as your last resort.' He nodded understanding. That was all he had with him. Expect what he was wearing. That was light body armour and above that standard chunin vest (he had gotten it as a birthday gift from Shiyaku), gloves (A/N: like Kakashi has), his own kunais and shurikens ten of each, twelve exploding tax, approx a hundred meters of ninja wire and his two gusaris wrapped around his wrist for quick reaching. He had gotten his second one at his sixth birthday. And small pouch for his… personal items. He had dressed in black ninja shirt, dark blue pants and straw sandals which he preferred over normal ninja-ones.

Hana had said there was something enemy might want to have he just didn't know what. It could be the last scroll. That sounded logical. He placed that scroll into his pouch, just next to the other important scroll he kept close.

'Now then, I must find some shelter. Clean water. Set traps and get a simple lay-out of this place.' He thought what he should do today. He collected all his equipment back to his back bag and jumped moving. He jumped through the forest until he found small stream with clean water on it. It came from small spring, directly under the earth. Near that place was small cave, perfect place for hide himself. First he decided to secure the area somewhat by placing several alarming traps around. He hadn't that much kunais he could spare in case something happened.

He moved around placing traps. He didn't say it to anyone, but placing traps was one of the things he was proud of. He had lots of private teachings from Chadao whose another speciality was placing traps. They had done several pranks to the base by placing various traps. He smirked to memory how Itachi had once tripped into a wire at the poolside making him to slide directly into women's bath. Needless to say that man was off duty for next few weeks.

Giggling silently to those memories (A/N: In this fic, Naruto has VERY VAGUE idea what difference in sex means in practice) he placed last wire. Idea was simple. If something would trigger this trap, it would make noise which would alarm Naruto. When he felt secure enough, he left for scouting. He decided to locate at least two more sheltered locations and places for clean water before end of the night. Just like it was written in the manual; 'Shinobi survival in the wild 101.' In one chapter there was written how to survive semi-hostile territory.

When night finally came Naruto was sitting in his cave next to a small campfire. He had used small katon jutsu to create small fire and placed over it a 'smokecloak'. It was standard ANBU gear which simply was placed over a fire and the smoke would just disappear. There was some technical stuff too but he wasn't too interested in that now. It was a lifesaver when one was supposed to hide himself from others but needed fire to keep you warm. He was eating a ration bar for dinner while dreaming of ramen. It was treat he missed and only got on rare occasions. Three times since he joined the ANBU. And it was the only thing he missed outside of the base. Suddenly he stopped eating the ration bar. Finally it hit him. He was alone. Just like before. Alone against the whole world.

Panic started to fill him up. He was alone! He was alone! He was alone! He was starting to tell himself time after time like a mantra. He feared it. He feared being alone. In the base there was always someone with him. Sai, Itachi, Hana, Danzo, Hakena, Tanta or someone! Even if not in the same room but close enough. His hand found his way to his personal pouch and quickly retrieved a black lollipop. He tried to calm himself down best he could but no luck. Until now he hadn't noticed how he had gotten used to the secluded area.

He didn't even realize that he had already finished his lollipop when his hand already was pulling out another one. But then his hand touched something else. He looked at the objects. Hair pin and a book. "Naruto wouldn't fear being alone." He whispered. "Nor would Aunt Hana either." He pulled the hair pin and played with it for a moment before stabbing his hair. It had started to grow too much. He made a bun with that hair pin little like Tanta did with her own hair. Then took his book and opened it. He had read it more than thousand times already and could have written it backwards in different language but it was comforting. He wasn't alone. All his friends were still there. No… all his family was still there. Just waiting for him to pass this test.

Then he remembered the scroll Anko had given to him. He hadn't even remembered that one. He shook his head. 'Panic attacks. I must be aware of these in the future.' After few chapters Naruto decided to sleep.

His first week was full of happenings while getting used to his new found life. Most of his days he spent by scouting and checking his traps. After a while several animals had trigged his traps so he killed them in annoyance. It was his first time killing something bigger than a spider. It was a little rabbit who had trigged his trap. Naruto had rushed through the forest to the site and found the same little jumper which had alarmed him five times in a row already. He had enough and killed it. That night he was served with roasted rabbit. After that night he started hunting regularly. His ration bars had long period before they would expire. And I mean long. So he decided to save them for more needing days.

On his fifth day he finally learned what Hana had meant by civilians. He was doing his regular scouting when he heard voices.

"What the hell is this?" A voice asked. "Why the hell we must clean this stupid forest!? Its just plain stupid!"

"Because, baka, we are told to!" Another voice answered. "We're here to search all used kunai and shuriken from last chunin exams."

"But this is boring!" First voice argued.

"Don't give a damn. Now move your ass or I move it for you!"

Naruto frowned silently recognizing that voice. He decided to check them out quickly.

Sarutobi Asuma wasn't having a good day. His father had forced him to take a genin team to train and here he was now. With loud Inuzuka girl, stoic brat and anxious brat. And now his father had given him this mission. This must have been some kind of revenge from joining the Twelve Ninja Guardians. He was ready start strangling the kids. He swore, if he could get rid these kids without killing them, he would never take another team.

But he had to agree with one of his students. This mission was strange. Why an earth they needed to clean the forest of death? I mean, that was just the waste of ones time. There must have been thousands of used kunais and shuriken alike in here. It would take half of all Konohas man power to clean it properly. His father had pointed out that this would be good training for them. He wondered what he meant by that.

Then he felt it. It was faint, like a dream or his imagination. But he was sure he felt it. Someone's presence lingered in these woods. He thought it for a minute. Obviously had some talent in hiding. He hardly noticed his presence and any of his genins had at all. If he was correct, that someone was above the wind so his scent should be carried directly to Inuzuka Hanas nose. 'It could be a trainee ANBU. This is their training ground after all. But I don't remember hearing anyone being accepted to trainee program for years. Hmm…' He decided to play safe. He suddenly used shushin to where he believed this silent observer was now.

Naruto cursed his carelessness. Soon as he had located the group, he recognized it as a genin team with a jonin sensei. Man he believed was Sarutobi Asuma. Son of Old man. Former member of Twelve Ninja Guardians. Way out of his league even if he was supposed to fight the man. But soon as he placed his eyes on the man, jonin had tensed. He had been found. Damn! He pulled back immediately just before Asuma shushined himself to his original location only to find nothing.

"That's odd." He muttered. "I could have sworn there was someone here." He muttered but shrugged. He was most likely just tensed due all the stress he had thanks to his students. He walked carefully back to his team who cross-questioned him where he had been only explaining that he had taken a leak. So Naruto got lucky that day when he removed his henge that disguised him as a squirrel. Then he made his back quickly to his camp.

That made Naruto more careful while moving in the forest. During his next two weeks he had met four different genin teams and two chunins teams which he had successfully avoided. He spent his days reading his book and scouting his surroundings. He had once got lost in the forest and found himself directly at the nest tigers.

"Shit." Naruto muttered. "Is a bad word that shouldn't be used. Ever. That's what my aunt and Tanta-san says. But I think now is perfect time for that word." He gulped. "Right? Kitty?"

Giant tiger only growled answer and attempted to scratch him with its giant paws. He jumped backwards only to dodge another tigers claws. He was cornered against a giant rock. He cursed again and nervously played with his gusaris. One in both hands. Unfortunately most of gusari was designed to fight against another's weapons or to restraining. Not a killing weapon. At least not the way he was thought using it. Tanta had justified this by saying it wouldn't do any good to know anything advanced before he knew the basics.

So here he was facing against five gigantic tigers with basically nothing useful techniques. He considered his options. Gusari demanded getting close to use techniques effectively so it was out. With kunais and shuriken he could possibly take two of these things down before third would finish him so it was out too. He only had five senbon needles in his pouch and tigers had too thick skin for his throws to penetrate it was out too. He had the ninja wire but that was pretty much useless now if he couldn't figure out the way to use them. Taijutsu was useless. His Te no naruto was designed fighting against humans. Not tigers. He was only left with ninjutsu. He knew about dozen jutsus. Five water releases, four earth releases, two fire releases and one wind release. He had yet to master any lighting releases which really ticked him. If he could use even one of the most basic raitons which would lead electricity through his fingers, Te no naruto would be ten times more effective. But somehow he had no luck when it came to lighting and fire jutsus. Wind and water were much easier to him.

But he only knew Fuuton:Daittoppa and that didn't help that much. Or did it? He looked down. Earth was mostly grassy. Wait a minute… plan started to form in his head. "Grass… burns… to ash… ash… floated around." He smirked. He had just formed his first battle plan. Tigers were getting restless. They made more and more bold attacks. He started his own. He pulled out his lamp oil and quickly poured it around himself and threw the bottle away. Quickly forming needed hand seals he blew moderate sized fire ball out of his mouth and it light the oil on the ground. Tigers backed away from the flames but not too far. Naruto could still see them lingering further away from the flames and bright yellow glow attracted more tigers. He needed to act fast. He ripped his shirt and used the fabric to cover his mouth and nose. Grass was green and little damp, so flames burned out soon after oil. But they did what he had expected it to do leaving large ring of ash around him. He formed hand seals. "Fuuton:Daittoppa!" Sudden gust of wind blew ash all around blocking every tigers scents leaving Naruto mostly unaffected by using fabric covered his mouth and hand cover his eyes.

Soon as the gust wind down, he charged towards the woods. Tigers were mostly shaking their heads and crying in pain. "Sorry guys! But I must fly!" He couldn't help himself from taunting. He jumped to a tree and disappeared from sight.

Unknown to him, Anko had been watching the whole thing. She had actually lured more tigers by some bloody rabbits. But the boy had done well surviving those things. Little too flashy if it was a real mission but drastic situations required drastic measures. She couldn't help but like the boys' style.

Next day after that, something weird happened. Naruto was doing his regular tour when he heard noises. Expecting it being another genin team (those had been bugging him many times) so he ran to check it out. What he found out was something he hadn't expected. It wasn't a genin nor chunin or one of those blasted tigers. It was familiar silver haired man in jonin vest leading a blindfolded woman who Naruto didn't recognize.

"Ooh, Kakashi-sama. Are we there yet?" Woman asked anxious. "Im starting to… heat up."

"We just arrived." Copy-nin smirked under his mask and removed the blindfold from his date's eyes. He had picked one of the civilian girls who he had run into. He was so impatient of the prize he was soon getting that he didn't notice Naruto spying from the treetop.

Fifteen minutes later Naruto was back at his cave confused. Kakashi had done… something with that woman which resembled little like wrestling. But that didn't explain why they had removed their clothes or why Kakashi seemed going so easy on that civilian woman. He had expected that he would have cornered the woman easily but they kept at it. Chasing positions one after another. And the woman kept saying things like: 'more' and 'again' or 'so long'. He didn't understand what she meant. Seeing that he wasn't going to learn any useful moves to update his own taijutsu, he left 'comparators' alone.

Next days serious of misfortunes followed Naruto one after another. First his primary water supply was poisoned. He had been washing his face when it had suddenly started to burn. He noticed slight change in waters shade. After that, he couldn't locate any food from surrounding areas. It seemed like every animal and eatable plat had disappeared from the whole forest. Then his cave collapsed. It took him several hours to rescue what he had. He had almost run into several genin teams and some chunins who were 'cleaning the forest'. So after 28 days, Naruto was trembling in cold rain, sitting on a tree branch high from the ground hungry and feeling dirty. Few days ago, other ponds and rivers were poisoned as well. He had eaten out all his ration bars, drank his spare water, had another clash with tigers which ended him running seriously wounded in his side and had to run away from them and most of his traps were useless. So put it simply, he was feeling like crab. He had somehow managed to save his pills and most of his weapons but that didn't make him feel any better. And what only made things worse he was out of lollipops and was starting to suffer from withdrawal symptoms. So he was biting his nails neurotically and shaking his body back and forth.

Anko was smirking while looking at the sad site. 'This is what you get when you play with my dango.' Naruto had only two more days to go. It was about time to start the real hell. She disguised herself by henge and jumped into action.

Naruto flinched as bunch of kunai were thrown at him. Using Kawamari to escape he disappeared from sight. Anko jumped on his place watching a log full of kunai. Henge made her look like some random chunin. "Who are you!?" His voice demanded angrily. "This is a forest of Konoha! Come out peacefully and you will not be harmed."

Naruto panted behind a tree when he heard mans voice. He had yet to see mans hitai-ate or rank or anything of him expect that he was attacking him and now asking him to surrender. Had he failed the test? So close at the end? Naruto checked himself. One of the kunais had hit him on his arm. He cursed his lack of chakra control and so failing the kawamari. Naruto thought for a second what he should do. He wouldn't give up. If it was just some random Konoha-nin, he would have to explain his presence. But what if it was an enemy? Some spy trying to locate Konohas weakness. In any case, he should avoid open fight.

Naruto run his hand by his hair. It was brown and his clan markings were again on his cheeks like from the start. Chances of recognizing were low. After all, Mikato had been dead over two years already. His name was Naruto Uzumaki.

"Did you hear me!?" Man's voice demanded again.

Naruto thought for a minute. First he should see what was mans reaction to him. "Tsuki Bushin no Jutsu." He whispered. Ten replicas appeared down below at the ground. He had to create so many so he could do them at all. His control didn't allow him to create anything less than seven Tsuki Bushins. And it was useless to even try to use regular bushin. He had tried once and it had become half dead. Even after creating twenty bushins they looked like they all had stomach ache. And Tsuki bushins were solid unlike normal ones. He could use them as distraction.

Naruto made few hand signs talking with the clones. They quickly nodded and divided themselves in to the forest. Then Naruto peeked as one of them appeared behind one of the trees.

Anko frowned as she saw Naruto appearing behind the tree. Were all the teachings run down to the drain? But he put on a fake smile. "Good boy. Now tell me, what were you doing here all alone?"

Narutos clone frowned at this. "No." He said simply with a blank face.

"What?"

"You're obviously a Kumo-nin, Im not going to reveal my objectives to foreign shinobi."

There was still something in his head. "That's too bad, kid. I have to kill you then."

The real Naruto watched as his clone interacted with the Kumo-nin. There was something weird about him. Something familiar in his way of holding a kunai and standing there.

Suddenly a kunai flew just by his face. "Stop playing hide and seek and come out!" Man demanded and killed his clone with puncturing it with a kunai.

Naruto quickly changed his place with a clone and started running in circle behind his enemy's back. Meanwhile Kumo-nin was trying to kill his clone throwing several kunais at it. Naruto checked himself once more. Wound made by tigers and that one kunai were too much. He couldn't fight against a seasoned chunin. But man could be an enemy. It was hid duty to stop him. He pulled out his senbons. After being Tantas apprentice in kenjutsu for so long, his aim was significantly improved. Nice out of ten hit the bulls' eye. He decided to move in… now.

Anko had just disposed the last bushin when he felt something flying against him. It was couple of shurikens. She was about to evade them before he heard Narutos voice. "Shuriken Kage Bushin no Jutsu!" Two became two dozens. Ankos eyes grew wide. Since when did that brat knew this move? But now was not time to watch. She quickly used kawamari to escape when she suddenly felt fire ball flying towards her. She scowled realizing how tables had turned. She saw from corner of her eyes several Tsuki Bushins throwing projectiles while the real one was attacking her with various jutsus. She was pretty much standing there as a sitting duck.

She couldn't use any of her special moves. Not without risking of revealing her name. And that wouldn't do. Naruto must fight like it was against a real enemy. Soon as he realized it was her, he would stop doing that. Then she felt it. Senbon puncturing her arm, just half a centimetre from a nerve point. Her henge was dropped but it wasn't too late yet. She pulled out a smoke bomb and dropped it. She jumped inside the dark cloud and decided to retreat for now. She had underestimated the brat dearly and was paying for it. But Kamis could go fXXk themselves if they thought she wouldn't inflict any pain to this brat.

Naruto smirked victoriously as his plan was set into motion. Simple idea was to use Tsuki bushins to distract his enemy with projectiles while he himself circled around behind her back and attacked him with various jutsus. But there was downsize. His reserves were diminishing at dangerous rate.

Then the woman jumped in the air avoiding all his clones' attacks and his fire jutsu by twisting his body in the air. While floating there, Naruto saw his chance and pulled out a senbon needle. With thought accuracy and with his knowledge of human anatomy he threw it directly into Ankos forearm. Then something happened he didn't expect. Cloud of smoke puffed around Kumo-nins body.

"Henge?" Naruto muttered but before he could identify the real attacker, he (or she, Naruto wasn't sure anymore) dropped smoke bombs and black cloud covered the whole area. He scowled at this but moved away. But he was not careful enough to see a ray of kunai and shuriken flying through the forest, hitting him in several places. He winced at pain but ignored it. He rushed away hiding from the enemy.

Covered by dark smoke, Anko saw faintly Narutos figure moving in the open and used this as a chance to throw a raid of projectiles. She wasn't going to wait and see if it had worked but run away with full speed. "Damn that brat." She muttered while jumping from branch to branch while treating her forearm. Senbon was still stuck in it and her whole left arm was numb. She didn't want to risk it by pulling it out so she rushed to the side of the forest where a medic team was standing by.

In Hokages office he, Danzo and Hana watched as Naruto limbed to cover pulling out the projectiles out of his body. Red haired woman flinched every time the boy did this. She didn't want anything but to run there and treat every wound the boy had.

"He did better than I thought." Hokage nodded impressed. "Fighting in equal grounds with Anko. That's something."

"Let's not forget that he had advantage in field while she underestimated her opponent and couldn't risk her identity revealed." Danzo pointed out sitting back to his chair. "But I have to admit, it was smart tactic to use Tsuki bushins to first keep her distracted while he himself used several jutsus and cover of the forest to his advantage. He had very few openings she could use while he created his openings nicely. Expect he wasted too much chakra. I wonder if he will survive these last two days."

"You're not serious!" Hana stated angrily. "He is full of kunai holes, exhausted, cold, hungry and you want him to continue?"

"Its not that different what our troops often have to face every so often." Danzo pointed out. "And he doesn't look like he's going to give up." He pointed to the crystal ball.

Naruto had finished cleaning his wounds and tied them with bandages best he could. He was sitting in a branch and looked around. There was no sing of his opponent. Must have fled for now. Now mans behaviour was explained. He couldn't attack in risk of henge dropping and revealing his true name. There was still something fishy about that. Everything was just so confusing! He took a deep breath and decided to try to take some sleep. It was obvious that his opponent was coming back. And possibly with even bigger numbers.

Next two days went by him avoiding Ankos attacks best he could. They came round the clock and he hadn't won single time after his first time, if you could call that a victory.

Naruto was panting hard. His opponent was in that same henge as last time was grinning maliciously. "Ready to die, twerp?" He asked holding out a kunai.

Naruto glanced around. They were in a secluded clearing. Hundreds of kunais were punctured the branches and trees. One of the trees was burning. Several black marks surrounded them made by explosion tags. Narutos gusaris were both broken from the middle. His right side of the body didn't obey his commands, he was weak from blood loss and his vision was shaking. All and all, he had little or no chances of survival. But like always, he pulled out a kunai with his left hand and raised it. "Im not going to die, bitch." He muttered without ever realizing what he had said.

"Ooh…" Ankos grin disappeared and it was replaced with an angry scowl. "Now you die, brat! I'll rip that useless arm of yours and feed it to you from your ass!"

Then it hit him. "Of course." He smirked and lowered his guard. "Why didn't I realize it sooner? Im a total idiot." He suddenly started laughing like a maniac. "Did I pass?" He smirked tiredly.

"What you mean? Have you lost your mind?" Anko asked trying to act intimidating. "Im going to kill you!"

"No your not." Naruto shook his head tiredly. "Because then you would need to find another helper for your interrogations. Right, Anko?"

"W-what you mean?"

"Don't try to hide it. It's so obvious. Your stance, way of speaking, that grin on your face, everything. Just drop the henge and tell me, if I passed?"

Anko sighed and dropped the henge. "I lost the bet with Ibiki. He said you would recognize me eventually but I didn't believe him. I guess I owe him now." Then she smirked. "You pass. With flying colours."

Suddenly the clearing was filled with ANBUs. Everyone had come to congratulate him personally. Hana and the medic team rushed to his side starting to treat him. Tanta, Chadao and Tenzo praised him for his work. Itachi and Hakena nodded approvingly. Shiyaku smirked and said something that sounded 'wonderful'. Everyone there praised him and congratulated him. Everything became a blur to him.

After a while he asked few questions that had bothered him. What was he supposed to protect? Hana had answered that it had been the small box which had all the pills. He had completely forgotten that. It had been 'new and experimental pill type' from neighbouring village and his team had 'stolen' it. If he had used the pills, his score would have been lowered significantly.

The second question was about the last scroll. The one he hadn't opened and was to be opened only as a last resort. Others had found it surprising that he hadn't opened it yet. He only shrugged tiredly and said; "Using my last resort would mean I would admit Im loosing." He smirked slightly. "And Im not about to." Others laughed at this. "So… what's in that scroll?"

Others silenced and smirked silently. Hana placed her hand to his vest and pulled it out. "Open it." She whispered. Naruto could have sworn he heard sadness in her voice. Again behind that smile. It was so confusing. He shrugged in his head and unsealed the scroll.

His eyes grew wide as he realized what it was. "T-t-this is…"

"Welcome to the family, Fox." Itachi spoke up.

Naruto raised the mask to his face and studied it painting. "A Fox." He whispered and placed the mask to his face. "Reporting to duty."

Chapter END

A/N: Wow... 10 k words. Thats not bad. Sorry for the long wait. This chapter was HARD to write.

A/N:Sorry for the lack of fight scenes, Im not that good with them just yet. See you soon again! Rememer to vote.

Votes are currently 8 people wants me to write and ANBU arc which will be approx five chapters long. It will begin after Uchiha massacare and end when Naruto will join the Academy. I will also create another poll in my forums; Will Sai enter the academy also? Remember to vote!