Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, or anything associated with the manga, or anime. I only own this story.
Hey all, thanks for reading. I can't believe how well this story has done after 5 chapters. Thanks for the support on the last chapter, you g s are awesome. Yay a quick update. 34 reviews, 64 favorites, 93 followers, and 3,478 views. Thanks for all of the support, it really means a lot to me.
Xinweng95: I understand what you mean, but instead of having a character who is a fan girl that does nothing for the improvement of a story, I'm going to have her be someone who can actually do something. I prefer to change and build a character up, then to bash them down.
Tsukoblue: I have a plan for the Uchiha Massacre, it will definitely be different than what happened in cannon.
Michu-92: There will be pairings later on, but it won't be the main plot of the story. The pairings will not be NaruSasu or any other yaoi.
Kasuma111: Thanks for your vote, I will add it in.
Jhonie: I am definitely considering it. It would raise to relationship between him and Yamato.
Thunder18: Thanks for the review, I'll continue to update as quickly as I can.
Philipindustry: Yamato will be used more, especially I upcoming chapters. I will do my best to build his character better as time goes on. He might fade in and out as the story goes on, but he will always be there.
The poll is doing well, So far there have been 30 voters. Here are the standings so far.
Yakumo 11
Shikamaru 11
Hinata 9
Sai 7
Ino 5
Shino 5
Sakura4
OC 4
Kiba 1
Choji 0
Other 0
If you don't like who is in the lead then please vote. All voters get 2 choices when they vote. The poll will close June 15th. Thank you for participating.
In this chapter we will see Naruto and Yamato as they each face a new challenges. Yamato is about to take his first mission on his new Anbu team, who are they, and how will he do. Naruto meets some new friends. How will we deal with the different people around him? I hope you like it. Please review.
A Hero's DNA
Chapter 5: A test of courage: Naruto's peers, and Yamato's fears.
Yamato was sitting alone in the middle of the forest meditating. It had been one month since his reintroduction into Konoha, and already rumors of his abilities were spread throughout the village. Tsunade had watched over him as he tried to rediscover his ninja abilities, and they all came back rather naturally for him, as if he had never forgotten them, or even stopped being a ninja. Most surprising was his subsequent control over the Wood release jutsu.
As he meditated in the woods he could feel the gentle call of nature and he began a daily exercise he had developed. He began to breathe at Natures pace and he attempted to see how far into the woods he could sense. He could almost feel the trees as they sway in the wind. He felt as if he had become rooted to the ground and intertwined with the delicate system in the dirt. Each blade of grass was a hair on his head and each branch an arm or leg. It all felt so peaceful, so surreal.
"Yamato?"
The connection broke as another person landed in the clearing next to him. He opened his eyes to see a masked shinobi with one sharingan eye staring at him. He looked around him and a few trees had begun to grow and circle around where he sat.
"Hello Kakashi sempai."
"Are you ready for our mission?"
"Yes, I was just centering myself. It is my first one after all."
Yamato's skills had been so impressive that the Third had asked him to join the Leaf Villages Anbu Black Ops. He agreed and was placed under the command of Kakashi Hatake. For the past two weeks Kakashi had been teaching him, and Yamato just soaked up the information. And today was an exceedingly special day for him as it would be his first mission alongside his Anbu squad. But it was also one of the most terrifying. He had not been I the line of duty as a shinobi as far as he could remember. Would he mess up, or get his team killed out there? Would he see his brother again? He didn't know the answer but he knew he needed to brave the challenge.
Kakashi had been given the command of his very own Anbu squad, which was made up of newer members, whom also happened to be extraordinarily talented. Yamato followed his captain, whom he had much respect for, to the teams meeting point. When he got there he took note of the other three members of the Anbu squad. All of them wore the same standard issue outfit. The first member was a purple haired woman who was named Yugao Uzuki, and he knew that she was one of Konoha's top kenjutsu wielders. The second was the youngest member of the group, Itachi Uchiha, who was a specialist in Genjustu, as well as being deadly with Taijutsu, and Ninjutsu, but his Sharingan eyes were his deadliest weapon. The final member of the team was a girl whom Yamato had heard of many times, but never actually met. She was the apprentice of his former kidnapper, Orochimaru. Anko Mitarashi who, like, her teacher, was proficient in the use of snake summoning, and snake related Ninjutsu. She was also highly adept at interrogation techniques.
"Ok listen up you four. From now on we will be known as Team Ro. When on duty your names no longer exist. You will wear your Anbu mask at all times. This is to protect yourself, and your loved ones. I am your captain and I have only one thing to say. Those who abandon their mission are trash, but those who abandon their comrades are worse than trash."
He walked over to each member and gave them their code name.
"Yugao, you will be Neko. Anko you will be Hebi. Itachi, your name is Karasu. And Yamato, you will be called Mori. Now you will call me captain Inu. Our first mission as a squad is the capture of a rogue ninja cell, they are to be interrogated if possible, and killed either after the interrogation, or on sight. Use good judgment on your targets. Here is a file on the shinobi you will most likely come up against."
Kakashi passed around the file to his team. Once the all had their look he continued.
"We have four days to complete this mission. Most of you are newer to Anbu, and for that reason our comrades in the Black Ops division don't think we can make that deadline. So I want to show them that they underestimate us. Let's get it done in two shall we."
The team smirked at Kakashi, excited for their challenge, and ready to prove themselves.
"Masks on, we leave now." And with that Team Ro began their first mission.
…
Naruto sat in his room reading a new book. He had been in Konoha with his new family for about a month now, and he was saddened by the fact that Yamato was on a mission. For the past few weeks he had been training almost nonstop so he couldn't spend much time with Naruto. As much as he hated to admit it Naruto was kind of afraid to branch out and meet new people. He had become friends with Sasuke but that seemed to be as far as he could push himself.
"Naruto?"
Tsunade walked into his room to see him sitting in the middle of the floor. She looked at the book and read the title. A beginner's guide to Fuinjutsu. Part of her was happy that he seemed to be so interested and dedicated to becoming a shinobi, but she also wanted him to have his childhood.
"Naruto Why don't you go out today?"
"I'm fine mom, I just started reading this new book Uncle Jiraiya sent me."
"Why don't you go see if Sasuke wants to play?
"I don't really want to go outside mom."
Tsunade took a deep breath. As much as she didn't want to force him, she knew it wasn't healthy for him ti be cooped up indoors all of the time.
"I'm not asking Naruto. Go outside, go to the park. Shizune will take you to Sasuke's to get him too. You need to get out of the house more."
She could see that Naruto was uncomfortable and it pained her. But she knew that it was the right thing to do. But a smile came to her face as she knew exactly how to get him going.
"If you go play and make at least one new friend today, I will take you and any friends you make to Ichiraku's for ramen."
Before she even finished the sentence Naruto dropped the book and ran to get his hoodie on. Naruto had fallen in love with what he called Kami's gift to Mankind when Tsunade stopped there one day after shopping with him. The old man who ran the little ramen stand was named Teuchi, and his younger daughter Ayame who was twelve, had given them a discount for the day as Kushina used to be one of his best customers and they had just loved Naruto. Tsunade found out the hard way though that Naruto could just about eat his weight in ramen.
"I'll be back later mom!" He yelled out.
Tsunade wasn't too concerned about letting him go off on his own. He may have been six but he was fairly self-sufficient for his age. That and the Third Hokage always had a member of Anbu watching over him in case Orochimaru tried to send someone after him.
Naruto walked down the street towards the Uchiha Compound. He noticed some people would smile at him as he walked by, and many other would glare at him. He didn't get upset by it because he understood why. When the announcement was made that he was indeed alive and had returned to Konoha most of the villagers were happy that the only child of their beloved Fourth Hokage was alive and well. The rest of them still saw the demon fox that took away their loved ones six years ago when they looked at him. HE would never condemn them for their ignorance on sealing, because he felt sorry for the pain that Kurama had caused them, intentionally or not.
When Naruto finally arrived at the compound he saw the two guards standing at the entrance. They were dressed in the Konoha ninja police uniform and he thought they looked cool.
"Hello officers." He said to them. They smirked at the nickname the boy had given them form the moment he realized what they did.
"Hello Naruto. You here for Captain Fugaku's kid again?"
"Yeah, can I go in?"
"No making trouble."
They let him pass and he ran up the street to his friend's house. Mikoto was outside working on a small garden when she saw the blonde approaching.
"Oh hello Naruto."
"Hi Lady Mikoto."
"Naruto how many times do I have to tell you not to call me that?" She said as she shook her head and put her hand to her forehead.
"You are the wife of the Noble Uchiha clans head. It is respectful." He stated officially.
"Yes but I also consider you family, so no more Lady Mikoto ok."
"Yes mam. Can Sasuke come play? Mom wants me to go to the park, and I don't really want to go alone."
She smiled at Naruto. She thought his shyness was adorable.
"How about I take both of you there, would you like that Naruto?"
"Yes please!"
"Ok then let me go get Sasuke."
…
Team Ro had maintained a fast pace and within ten hours they were able to find the town in the Land of fire where the missing ninja had been spotted. They stopped about a mile outside to keep their distance. Kakashi took point and the rest sat to rest for a moment. Kakashi bit his thump and made a few hand signs.
"Summoning Jutsu!" He slammed his hand on the tree trunk he stood on and in a puff of smoke a small brown dog with goggles and a cape sat looking up to him.
"Hey there Pakkun I need your help."
"Hey Captain Inu, who's the dog?" Anko asked.
"Who are calling a cute little puppy, huh?" Pakkun asked with a glare.
"I didn't say anything about a cute puppy." She responded confused.
Yamato had to stop himself from laughing at Anko's confusion. He remembered what he had been told about the seriousness of missions and he wanted to be completely professional while on a mission.
"This is Pakkun and he is one of my summoned ninja hounds. He will be tracking our missing ninja."
"Ok Kakashi do you have their scent?"
Kakashi handed the dog a piece of cloth. Pakkun smelled it and picked up a trail nearby.
"Pakkun, report back when you find them, or in three hours, whichever comes first ok."
"You got it Kakashi. Keep snake girl in line will ya." Pakkun took off running after insulting Anko.
"Stupid mutt."
Yamato decided to try meditating again to keep his mind clear for the mission. He crossed his legs and balanced on the branch as he meditated. He could feel the energy of the tree as it coursed from the nutrients in the soil, into the root system of the trunk, and throughout the trees branches and leaves. Yamato wasn't sure how long he was connected to the tree for but a nearby presence stopped his concentration.
"Mori, you ok over here?"
Yamato looked to see Itachi standing nearby him.
"Yeah Karasu, why do you ask?"
"Well your branch is covered in flowers and the wood warped around you a bit."
Yamato looked around him and saw that the tree branch grew around him creating a sort of chair that molded to his body as he meditated and indeed it was covered with flowers.
"Wow good going nature boy." Anko said with a slight amount of venom in her voice.
"You really do have the Wood Release of the First Hokage!" Yugao said slightly amazed.
Kakashi walked over to Yamato and looked him in the eyes.
"You need to keep your chakra under control. We don't need anyone noticing us because you morph the trees out here."
"Yes Captain Inu."
As Kakashi walked away, Itachi sat next to Yamato.
"How are you feeling about Anbu Yamato?"
"The training was intense, and I do enjoy being part of the team. But I know that Naruto misses me."
"Sasuke is the same. But at least they have each other as friends to keep them busy. I was afraid that Sasuke wouldn't make friends as he can be a little big headed about our clan. I hope Naruto can help get him out of that mindset."
"If anyone can its Naruto."
"Gather around guys!" Kakashi said just loud enough for everyone to hear him. Pakkun sat next to him on the bench. Everyone quickly formed up with him awaiting their orders.
"Ok Pakkun, go ahead."
"The base is about ten miles northwest of here. I smelled roughly ten ninja in there with most being around Chunin level if their chakra is correct. Two of them are most likely Jonin."
"Thanks Pakkun, you did well."
"See ya later Kakashi." Pakkun disappeared in a puff of smoke.
"Ok you guys here's the plan."
…
Naruto and Sasuke laughed as they spoke to each other. They had both been reading up on shinobi arts, so they felt like they were going to become better ninja. Mikoto listened to the boy's conversation and smiled at their child like views.
"So Naruto how are you holding up with Yamato being gone on missions?"
"Well I do miss him, but I'm glad that he made Anbu. I am afraid that Orochimaru is going to come for him though."
Naruto had told Sasuke all about his time with the Snake Sannin. He felt like he could trust his friend.
"Yeah I miss Itachi too. He doesn't have time to help me train or anything anymore. But I'm proud that I have such a strong brother."
"You know what this means right Sasuke?"
"What?"
"We just need to be better ninja than they are then. That will show them don't you think." Naruto said with a large grin on his face.
"Naruto you're such a loser sometimes." Sasuke said as he laughed.
"Shut up Sasuke, you jerk." Naruto laughed back.
Mikoto just rolled her eyes at the boy's antics. Up ahead was the park so Naruto and Sasuke ran off ahead to play. They saw a bunch of other kids, but the one who really peaked their curiosity was a boy who was laying down and looking up into the sky. Naruto walked up to him and looked down at the kids face. He had a haircut that looked like a pineapple on his head.
"What are you doing?" Naruto asked.
"I'm watching the clouds."
"Why?" Sasuke asked as he walked up.
"It's relaxing. There are so many troublesome things around here, so I like to watch clouds."
"Doesn't it get boring?" asked Naruto.
"Nope."
The boy looked at Naruto and Sasuke's confused faces.
"Just lay down and join me, you will see what I mean."
So Naruto, and Sasuke laid down on the grass and just watched clouds. Naruto felt that it was odd how relaxed he really did feel. There were no troubles going on anymore, just him and the clouds.
"Wow your smart for doing this."
"Shikamaru."
What?"
"My name is Shikamaru Nara."
"I'm Sasuke Uchiha."
"And I'm Naruto Senju-Namikaze."
Shikamaru sat up and looked at the two newcomers.
"So you're the son of Fugaku, and you're the Fourth Hokage's son. Well today just got more eventful. What a drag."
"And you are from the Nara clan." Sasuke pointed out. "Your dad is the greatest strategist in the village."
"Yeah, that's my dad. So what are you two doing?"
"Well we were just looking for people to play with."
"As it seems my cloud watching is over for the day, you two should follow me I guess. I have some friends you can meet."
"Ok." Naruto said a little more excitedly.
Shikamaru led the two kids over to another area of the park. They saw three kids sitting there. One was slightly chubby and had a bag of potato chips in his hands. The second was wearing a pair of sunglasses and had on a white shirt, he seemed to be watching a colony of ants at work. The third was standing around with a smug look on his face as if he was the man in charge. He also had red triangle marks on his cheeks.
"Hey Shikamaru whose that with you?" The chubby kid asked.
"Choji, this is Naruto and Sasuke."
"Choji Akimichi." The chubby kid said as he stood up and offered his hand.
"Sasuke Uchiha."
"Naruto Senju-Namikaze."
The three kids looked up in shock at Naruto's name. They stood up and hurried over to him.
"You're Naruto Namikaze!" Choji asked.
"Naruto Senju-Namikaze." He corrected
"You are the Fourth Hokage's child," The one with glasses stoically said.
"Yeah that's him." Shikamaru answered.
"He doesn't look so strong." The third kid said with a scoff.
"And you are?" Sasuke asked.
"Kiba Inuzuka. I'm the next head on my clan." He said with a big head.
"That's awesome." Naruto said trying to be friendly. "And what's your name?" He asked the kid with glasses.
"I am Shino Aburame."
"Well Choji, Shino, Kiba, you guys want to play with us?" Naruto asked.
They all agreed and the six of them played various games for the next few hours. Mikoto caught up with the other boy's mothers while their kids all played.
…
Kaizen Yonoma was at his post watching out for any intruders. He had been at it for the past six hours and was staring to get tired. He heard a rustling in the trees. He jumped to attention ready to alert the rest of the camp. But it was just a crow flying out of the forest. He put his kunai away and looked at the bird. As he saw the birds red eye it was all over. Kaizen threw himself off of the watchtower and he fell fifty feet to his death.
"Good job Karasu, now for step 2, Neko, Hebi, infiltrate and take out any other guards."
Anko ran up to the wooden wall of the camp site. She channeled chakra into her feet and began to run up the side and jumped over the rest of the way. As she landed she saw two shinobi sitting at a fire laughing and drinking. Looking to her left she saw Yugao as well and after signing that she was ready the two struck. Anko summoned a small snake, which slithered its way to the first man and bit his ankle injected him with a paralysis poison, and knocking him out. The second man stood up afraid as he saw the snake. As he tried to run he stepped on a wire and found himself caught in a trap. He became wrapped up in ninja wire and felt a hard blow to the back of his head, knocking him unconscious.
"Guards are incapacitated." Yugao said into her radio.
"Good job you two." Kakashi said. He, Yamato, and Itachi entered the camp and all five approached five different tents.
Kakashi entered the first tent and tied up the sleeping ninja after identifying him as Ryo Nakamara Chunin missing ninja from the Hidden Grass village. Anko again had her snake make sure that the guy in her tenet didn't wake up. Yugao followed Kakashi's lead and bound her prisoner. Itachi cast a Genjustu on his target so that he wouldn't awaken.
Yamato entered his targets tent and found the man asleep as well. We waved through hand signs.
"Wood Style: Entrapping Roots Jutsu!" Tree root began to entangle his target, and as the man woke up and tried to speak they gagged him.
"Target is secure." He said into his radio.
"That leaves only two more. Let's go to the last tent."
As the group approached the last tent a large fire ball shot out at them.
"Move now." Kakashi yelled out.
The group dodged as two shinobi jumped out from inside the tent. Both were wearing similar red shinobi clothing and both had forehead protectors with the insignia of the Hidden Rock Village scratched out.
"These are the Odaki brothers. They were rare users of fire and earth style jutsu. They are Jonin level so be careful." Kakashi said to the group.
The first brother flashed through hand signs and shot a flurry of fire balls at the group.
"Water Style: Water wall Jutsu!" Yamato created a large wall of water that turned the fire into steam.
The second brother ran around the wall of water and as he did Yugao engaged him with her sword. He was on the defensive diving out of the way of her strikes and then he burrowed under the ground.
"Neko off the ground now!" Itachi yelled out and she jumped right as he tried to pull her under.
"Ninja Art: Striking Shadow Snakes!" Anko shot a swarm of snakes from her arm that impacted with the ninja in the ground forcing him out and as he was in the air Yugao came down upon him.
"Sword Art: Moonlit Night Slash." The man looked on in shock as her sword seemed to multiply as it came down on him. Not knowing which way to dodge he didn't move and Yugao delivered a non-lethal, but immobilizing blow to him and h felt to the ground bloodied.
The other brother continues to fire jutsu after jutsu at Kakashi, Yamato, and Itachi. Unable to keep it up he started to grow tired and Kakashi made the most of his opponents' weakness.
"Ninja art: Fanged Pursuit Jutsu." A swarm of his summoned dogs burst from the ground around the enemy shinobi and they bit down all over his body keeping him in place and in pain.
"Great job team. Now Anko, Itachi if you would please."
Anko smiled sadistically as she approached her first victim, ready to make him spill his guts. As Kakashi heard the screams, he smiled and considered the mission to be his team's first success. He walked over to Yamato who was sitting down after using so much chakra to build his walls.
"Good work Mori. I was impressed today. Sorry for giving you trouble before but I had to make sure that you learned from potential mistakes."
"Thank you Captain Inu. It was a pleasure working under you."
"Just wait Mori, just wait."
…
Tsunade arrived at the park and she smiled at what she saw. Naruto was playing with five other boys, including Sasuke, and they all seemed to be from major shinobi clans too. Naruto saw his mom and ran over to her with a smile on his face and she hoped that his fear and nervousness would be going away.
"Hey mom I made four friends today."
"I can see that. I'm happy for you."
"You know what that means right?"
"What?" Then it dawned on her that she had forgotten her promise.
"We all get Ichiraku's!" He yelled out to his five friends.
"I have to buy ramen for six young boys, one of which is my son who eats his weight in ramen, and anther looks like an Akimichi. My wallet is doomed."
…
Thank you all for reading. Please continue voting on the poll. I was happy with the results so far but I want to know everyone's opinions on the matter. Please review, I love hearing from you guys, and it makes me want to update faster. Until next time.
Next Chapter: Academy Days: A problem Rooted.
Naruto Senju-Namikaze: 6 civilian
Sasuke Uchiha: 6 civilian
Shikamaru Nara: 6 civilian
Choji Akimichi: 6 civilian
Kiba Inuzuka: 6 civilian
Shino Aburame: 6 civilian
Tsunade Senju: 45 Sannin
Yamato Senju (Mori): 13 Anbu (Jonin)
Kakashi Hatake (Inu): 20 Anbu Captain (Jonin)
Itachi Uchiha (Karasu): 11 Anbu (Chunin)
Yugao Uzuki (Neko): 16 Anbu (Chunin)
Anko Mitarashi (Hebi): 14 Anbu (Chunin)