Sarutobi looked at what he was about to do. Naruto had the darkness of Anbu as shown by the fact that he would have most likely have killed Mizuki when the man had hurt one of the few people Naruto cared about, Iruka but that wasn't the problem but rather the facts that Naruto couldn't kill and his personality doesn't match Anbu and Naruto's skill level had only improved in short gaps in the 6 months.
But now Sarutobi had no choice, if he didn't do this Sarutobi was sure Danzo would take the boy and turn him into an emotionless puppet or worse, Naruto might die on a mission. Kakashi had proved himself unable to teach the blonde, as shown by the multiple facts over the month: one Naruto only knew tree walking when he entered the exam, two Kakashi abandoned Naruto for the month only to train Sasuke even though Kakashi clearly knows the shadow clone technique and finally all of Naruto's skills that had improved was Naruto's own work.
Sarutobi was watching Team 7's training through the crystal ball. Now that the invasion is over and Orochimaru is defeated, he has made the terrifying call, he prayed that Kakashi, Jiriaya and the blonde's parents could forgive him for what he was about to do.
"I had hoped that it wouldn't come to this," said Sarutobi. He was sat in the Hokage Office. Directly infront of him was an anbu dressed in a white cloak and black trousers with bandages tied around his right leg, arm-guards, gloves and black sandals. He has brown spiky hair and wears porcelain mask resembling a dog with pointed ears, detailed eyebrows, and three thick stipes two on either side of his mask with one on the top. This was the Anbu Commander. There was also two Anbu captains dressed similar to the captain except they wore a mask resembling a cat who was known as Zo and bird masked captain.
"Sir, we must do what is needed to protect Konoha," said the Commander.
"I fear that this would change him," said Sarutobi.
"Being a shinobi will change him," replied the Commander.
"he will need private tutoring," said Sarutobi. The Anbu were confused about who the Commander and their lord Hokage was talking about.
"Indeed but he will grow exponentially in Anbu, with his shadow clones and hard working attitude, he will grow as a shinobi," said the Anbu Commander.
"What can Anbu teach him that Kakashi can't?" asked Sarutobi still doubting the man in front of him.
"Better chakra control, elemental manipulation, how to properly utilize his surroundings and cunning, high ranking ninjutsu, proper use of plans, Kenjutsu, silence and will break him out of his worse habits, such as ramen addiction."
The Anbu couldn't believe what their Commander and Hokage were going to put into Anbu, there was only one person in all of Konoha with a ramen addiction and hoped that a captain would be against this.
"Why not the Uchiha?"
"The Uchiha is skilled but he lacks one of the most fundamental traits of Anbu, a loyalty to Konoha."
"What makes you think that?"
"I have read the reports that boy is power hungry, he seeks to bring glory and honor back to his clan by killing his brother and will most likely betray Konoha if else where could offer him more power."
"Any suggestions?"
"It is a bad idea to have one of the most important military target in Konoha form bonds with a potential traitor and we should have Anbu watch the Uchiha in case he goes rogue."
"Commander-sama, Hokage-sama, are you sure about this?" asked the bird masked Captain as Zo looked at the bird masked Captain "I will follow these orders but the boy is a bit young and ill-suited."
"It is extremely important that Uzumaki become skilled as our Jinchuriki represents a fraction of our military power and if our Jinchuriki appears weak, we appear weak and our enemy could attack us."
"But his skills?"
"With private tutoring, I believe in 6 weeks his skills could be good enough,"
"what gives you that idea?"
"The boy does not give up, even in the face of dire adversary, he was able to beat a Chunin level Hyuga, he was able to tap into his host's chakra without suffering ill effects, he then defeated the ichibi jinchuriki and summoned a boss level summon, he also can make hundreds of shadow clones without feeling exhaustion."
"Who will take responsibility for the boy's training?" asked the bird masked Anbu and was s/hocked by the idea that the boy could do all that. He understood the potential of the boy
"I believe it best that Zo take his training, he is skilled, professional, all things that could rub off on the boy," said Sarutobi while Zo was shocked at the compliment but Sarutobi suddenly felt sad again.
"This is truly the best solution?" asked Sarutobi glumly. His face low and sad.
"Every other possibility would result in the boy only growing shortly, Kakashi is going to constantly blow off Naruto in favor of the Uchiha and if we give him to Jiriaya, Jiriaya will try to create another Lord Fourth and might not give the boy the necessary attention."
"Fine then, bring Uzumaki Naruto and Nara Shikamaru to my office," ordered Sarutobi as one of the Anbus rushed off.
"May we be forgiven for what we are about to do," said Sarutobi.
-With Naruto-
Team 7 had gathered at Ichiraku Ramen to talk about their recent achievements. This is where the Anbu found Naruto.
"Can you believe the nonsense that Gaara kept saying 'oh mother wants your blood'," laughed at the ridiculous statement made by his fellow jinchuriki. The others just shuddered at the idea that they could have died.
"Now Naruto, it isn't that funny as your teammates almost died to him," scolded Kaka-sensei. Naruto got embarrassed at the request he was about to ask.
"Sensei, can you help me with my taijutsu and chakra control?"
"Maybe later, Naruto" said Kakashi as he didn't notice his student's face sadden at this until the ramen arrived seconds later, however Naruto only got to eat a single bowl before an Anbu arrived.
"Uzumaki Naruto, you have been ordered to come with me," said the Anbu to which the rest of the team looked confused.
"Alright but can I have some more ramen first?" asked Naruto.
"No Uzumaki, you have to come with me right now, by orders of the Lord Hokage," ordered the Anbu.
"Fine," said Uzumaki.
"What did you do, Naruto?" asked Sakura.
"Nothing!" shouted Naruto.
"Then why is Lord Hokage after you?" asked Sakura.
"I don't know," said Naruto. The Anbu just grabbed Naruto and shunshined him to Sarutobi's office. He noticed Shikamaru and gave him a questioning look, but recieved a shrug so Naruto turned to the Lord Hokage.
"Old man, why are we here?"
"You see Naruto, we are here to promote you to Chunin," said Sarutobi.
"Oh my god, thank you, I knew I deserved it..." shouted Naruto among many things while Shikamaru's face went lower.
"troublesome," said Shikamaru as he knew the duties of a Chunin. Naruto was excited as he and shikamaru were handed a green flak jacket with a red spiral on the back.
"Why?" asked Shikamaru, comically depressed.
"Enjoyment," said Sarutobi as he allowed Shikamaru to leave, knowing full well about the boy's mother and what she would do about this.
"Now Naruto there is something important I have to tell you," said Hiruzen Sarutobi, with a serious expression on his face.
"W-what is it old man?" asked Naruto.
"I am asking to join Anbu," said Sarutobi.
"W-what, old man, I know I am skilled but no way am I that skilled and also when anyone talks about Anbu, they always mention sometype of 'darkness', I don't think I have, also I don't want to leave Team 7," said Naurto.
"I know but Naruto it is for best, plus you won't go through the extensive training normal Anbu will go through as of your lack of skills, instead you will have a tutor that will improve your skills, Kakashi hasn't been training you right and Jiriaya is a massive pervert, this could result in your death from facing an opponent but not getting the right training, in Anbu you will be protected from certain people who want to turn you into a weapon and Anbu do often protect the Hokage so you can see me at work, don't you want to become Hokage?" asked Sarutobi.
"How will this work?" asked Naruto.
"You must leave Team 7, then for 6 weeks you will train with an Anbu Captain named Zo who will help you improve your skills after this if your skills are good enough will join Anbu and a team of my choice," said the old Sarutobi Hokage.
"I agree, but who will take my place?" said Naruto.
"Don't worry about that," said Sarutobi already having Naruto's replacement in mind.
"Alright, Zo you can come out," ordered Sarutobi as the Anbu member revealed himself. Naruto was sad at the idea of no longer being with his team
"Old Man, can we go train now?" asked Naruto excited.
"sure," said Sarutobi as Zo bowed to the Hokage before grabbing Naruto by the shoulder.