The Point of Divergence

by EliadS

Sasuke died during the battle in the Land of the Waves and the Narutoverse is changed forever. But how radically will one divergence in fate effect the entire Shinobi world? Read and find out. AU, Slight NaruIno, Spoilers from the advanced mangaverse.

4. Chapter 3

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or gain or will gain any profit from using the franchise's chars, they belong to Kishimoto.

---

Italics - Thoughts
Italics underline – second personalities talking/thinking
Bold Italics - Demons/monsters talking
Bold Italics underline – demon/monsters thinking
Bold - Demon influenced/curse-sealed person talking

---

Glossary for Japanese Terms:

Baka - Idiot/Fool
Ne - Roots
Hebi - Snake
Dageki Kireji - Shock Cloth
Kumogakure - Hidden Cloud
Jinchuuriki - Power of Human Sacrifice - The Term the Ninja villages have dubbed for the containers of the legendary tailed beasts.
Nakama - A Japanese term that's loosely translated as 'precious people'. The term is considered bland as Nakama has a more profound meaning and is something akin to a friend that is like family and dearly precious to someone on a higher level than mere friendship.
Fuuinjutsu - Sealing technique/s
Teme - Bastard
Yondaime - The Fourth
Nuke-nin - Missing ninja (Ninjas that have betrayed their villages and have a bounty on their head)
Kikai - Destruction bug/s

---

Hatake Kakashi sighed softly as he waiting outside Sakura's house as he had been for the last ten minutes. He had set a meeting with Naruto for an hour ago, so he could go meet him now or give or take keep the blonde stewing for up to two more hours.

The Copy-nin had unfinished business with his former pupil; he needed to close their chapter together properly. He needed to make her understand the reason behind the disbanding of team seven and the dangers of Danzou's teachings and reference her to seek console on her mental state.

It would be in her and Konoha's interest that she didn't misinterpret the situation and think Kakashi gave up on her willingly and for the wrong reasons less she be swept and entangled into Danzou's web of lies.

The sharingan wielder looked up to the position of the sun, it was almost nine, Sakura was supposed to go buy the groceries for her mother as she always did on Tuesday. However, it was oddly quiet and he had yet to sense her presence within the house.

The silver haired Jounin leaped upwards and swung himself onto the roof, walking over to her window. He peering inside her bedroom and noticed her bed was already made. "I see…so Danzou is already several steps ahead of me…"

His eye narrowed as the chakra signature that had been tailing him for the last ten minutes moved. He sniffed the air, "I don't recognize that ANBU's scent…" Kakashi thought idly and turned his gaze half towards the location of his stalker. He lifted his hand, waving lightly, signaling that he knew he or she was there.

The ANBU stepped out of its vantage point, leaping to Kakashi's section of the roof easily. It was a woman in her early twenties from her stance, scent and what little skin he could see through the small gaps in her ANBU armor. The woman was wearing the mask of a tiger with two large blue stripes painted on each cheek.

"Ma, it's about time you showed yourself, ANBU-san" If the woman was surprised at being discovered she didn't show it, no ANBU would if he/she were worth their mettle. "Is she one of Sadaime-sama's ANBU or one of the rumored puppets Danzou incorporates within their ranks?"

"I apologize, Kakashi-san, I wasn't sure if It would be necessary to approach you or not. You should be aware that Haruno-san has already been escorted to her morning training session."

Kakashi quirked his brow curiously as the woman continued. "Furthermore, please understand that Haruno-san has filed a restraining order against you. So you are to refrain from approaching or contacting her in any manner," she narrated. Her dark green eyes were barely visible in her mask's eye slits but their gleam was as lifeless and emotionless as her voice.

"I'm pretty sure Hokage-sama did not sanction such a thing. I don't know what you're playing at but with all due to respect – step aside so I may find my former subordinate." Kakashi replied in equal indifference, but the undertone was clear – 'move or be removed'.

"Danzou-sama has already anticipated that you would be skeptical and therefore asked I show you the original document signed by both Haruno Azumi and Sakura-san herself," The ANBU stated simply. She handed him a slip of paper before bowing her head respectively.

The Yondaime's protégé eyed the document silently, skimming over it as a knot of rage tightened in his chest. Hiruzen's signature was on the document so there was no denying its authenticity and binding nature. He only wondered if Sakura's and Azumi's signatures were made in good faith and not under duress.

Kakashi had no choice but to obey, though he would have words with Hokage over this later. "I see. in that case please inform Danzou-san that I don't take kindly to protective surveillance and having my moves and reactions 'anticipated'."

He left the threat hanging in the air unspoken in a jovial, bored tone. He then made a single hand sign before exploding into a burst of speed; leaving a swirl of leaves in his wake.

With his destination already chosen, he reappeared in a puff of smoke outside the Ichiraku Ramen stand. "How to explain this to Naruto…?" he wondered before bending slightly to enter the stand, pushing the flaps with his forearm.

As expected Naruto was already there, but instead of the regular pile of empty ramen bowls around him, all Kakashi saw was the orange clad shinobi crossing his arms while pouting childishly at Teuchi.

"How much longer do I have to wait? And what do you mean I can't eat ramen in the morning anymore?!" the blonde genin complained angrily. He was glaring impatiently at the ramen chef, trying to figure his way out of this twilight zone, nightmare or practical joke.

"Ah! Kakashi-san, I didn't serve Naruto as you requested. It was hard, but a promise is a promise…" The man said with a chuckle and saluted to Kakashi with a small grin.

The copy-shinobi chuckled and waved at his charge, amused by blonde's murderous expression. It had but one word written all over it in bright neon red: 'Explain'.

"Good Morning, Naruto," Kakashi greeted and sat down on the stool next to his apprentice. His eye crinkled happily; revealing the obviously wide smile behind his mask. Before Naruto could explode into heated demands and complaints the copy nin nodded to Teuchi whom smiled and nodded as well before slipping into the side room of his stand.

Naruto's stormy disposition subsided temporarily as he read the seriousness in Kakashi's eye. "Naruto, in accordance with yesterday's council meeting and Hokage-sama's orders Team seven is no more," the Jounin declared flatly.

A pair of blue eyes widened and then a tremble passed through Naruto's body "So, I'm going to be alone again..."

"However, I decided I wasn't ready to give up on you just quite yet. I did promise to help you overcome your problems, didn't I? So as of today you are my apprentice," Kakashi reassured the blonde with a placating gesture.

Naruto's shoulders slackened and a shaky, uncertain smile trembled on thinly spread lips. Then his eyebrows narrowed questioningly as he remained seating calmly. He was surprisingly attentive for someone of his renowned lack of concentration; waiting for further information from his sensei. "What about Sakura-ch…Sakura…" Naruto asked in a subdued tone.

Invoked the honorific was the force of a habit and so he once more squelched the pain and anger that revisited him every time he reminisced over his former teammate's icy hate-reflecting eyes as she tried to kill him.

Kakashi's single eye narrowed for a moment and a pregnant pause settled between them. "Sakura has been reassigned and is now undergoing specialized training under the council member you met yesterday, Danzou," he revealed in a subdued tone.

Naruto held his tongue, inwardly relieved he wouldn't have to deal with Sakura anymore. The pain of her betrayal was too fresh and there was also the guilty pleasure of admitting he was happy to be the recipient of Kakashi's individual and undivided attention.

"But, let that be a lesson to you Naruto, in the world of shinobi often every victory is mired with sacrifice. Now before we can get on with the training there are several prerequisites I demand you fulfill. That word means 'prior conditions' by the way," Kakashi stated simply. He watched neutrally as shock and suspicion filtered through Naruto's eyes.

"I've sat down and analyzed what I think you need to work on; but before we train you as a shinobi, we need to train you as a person." He pointed at Teuchi that had just returned from the back room with two large trays with what was considered the traditional Konoha breakfast.

Naruto couldn't hold his tongue any longer and protested hotly. "I'm fine just the way I am, Kakashi-sensei! I've taken care of myself for years just fine. Nobody, not even Kami-sama is gonna change who I am!" he declared in a searing tone. His eyes reflected the pain attached to what was perceived as a grave personal insult against him.

Kakashi eyed him doubtfully, "Really? Just fine you say. Then why are your manners are atrocious? Let's not forget that your hygiene and diet leave little to be desired, your academic abilities are pitiful and worst of all your choice of clothing is an eye sore…" Kakashi counted out and lifted a finger for every category.

Naruto was about to tell him what to do with his criticism when Kakashi continued, cutting into his words without pause. "I understand you've been alone for so long that you've never had anyone teach you these things or raise you properly. Iruka, Teuchi, Ayame and I will help you. You've got a lot of lost time to make up for but we all want to help you and care about you. So the question is…are you in or not?"

Naruto paused and thought over it for only a moment; he had always watched the other children in envy. He remembered craving for someone to explain things, to teach him patiently and take care of him. This was his chance, there was nothing for him to even consider.

"Say yes before he changes his mind, Baka!" he chided himself angrily and moved to nod vigorously. "Well...if you put it like that, then I guess it's alright. But you just watch, Kakashi-sensei! I'll learn everything in no time!" he promised with a cocky grin.

Kakashi smiled faintly under his mask "I have no doubt, Naruto". With his thoughts preoccupied Naruto had forgotten to eat and his stomach protested loudly to the atrocious sin against it. He blushed faintly, laughing sheepishly and rubbed the back of his head as everyone laughed merrily as Teuchi placed the tray before him.

He looked down at his tray and scanned its contents suspiciously. It had a large bowl of white rice, a large slab of a grilled fish fillet with a side pickles, a bowl of miso soup, some seasoned sheets of seaweed to wrap the fish and rice into and a small bowl of fermented soy beans. This neatly arranged ensemble was served along with some green tea and a single rice dumpling.

"This will be your breakfast every single morning, Naruto" Teuchi mused with a smile as he placed an identical tray before Kakashi as well. Those words rang in Naruto's ears over and over "Every single morning…"

It was hard for him to accept the new diet as he had been alone for so long and was unaccustomed to such food. He had persevering by scavenging for food from trash cans when he was kicked out the orphanage. He had been managing his finances on his own since he was eight and Ramen was his discovery. It was his breakthrough that allowed him to eat enough and save money for his shinobi equipment, his clothes and bills at the same time.

To have his ingrained symbol of inner strength and ingenuity sold so short hurt. The dismissal was equal to his independence being dismissed. His eyes flickered crimson for a split second as he tried to bring himself to eat the food in vain. "I-I don't want to! I've eaten ramen for years and I've done fine. Why do I need to eat this stuff?"

"Kakashi-san has already paid for two months of meals in advance, Naruto. Don't be rude!" Teuchi's eyed his favorite customer with slight disdain, displeased with his rudeness.

Naruto protested stubbornly, "B-but it's the only food I can afford on my own and it's my favorite. I won't…I'm nobody's burden!" he finally revealed the true crux of his objection in his grating, audible voice.

Kakashi's eye widened slightly, he was unaware Naruto's situation was so grave and his respect for the third, himself as a sensei and his village as whole took a serious blow. "Naruto, I didn't say you couldn't eat ramen at all. I know it's your favorite and I don't want you to suffer under my tutelage. But you've got to cut down on the ramen and eat more varied foods if you want to grow tall and be , nobody pities you. Teuchi-san is going to experiment new forms of cooking and perhaps consider varying his menu if it's good enough, right Teuchi-san?" Kakashi reassured and the ramen chef smiled and nodded.

"How about you pay me back when you're Hokage? Just remember to give me some high ranked missions that can challenge me and we'll be even, alright?" Kakashi asked kindly, winking at the blonde.

Naruto's eyes stung and he shut them briefly, gritting his teeth to quench the emotional maelstrom he felt within. He begrudgingly nodded his acquiescence as he understood what they were doing and accepted it.

"Don't be so sour, Naruto. This is a healthy, balanced breakfast that I'm sure you'll like it. Besides it won't become repetitive as Teuchi-san will most likely vary the kinds of fish you eat and perhaps exchange the rice with noodles from time to time." Kakashi squeezed his apprentice's shoulder.

"At lunch you'll be allowed two bowls of ramen alongside a normal traditional meal of Teuchi's choosing. The same applies for dinner only it will be one bowl instead of two as dinner is a lighter meal." Kakashi instructed.

Naruto only listened half heartedly as he was touched at the amount of thought Kakashi and Teuchi put into all of this. He nodded in absentminded indifference, not really minding the process of trying any new foods. He reckoned it might actually be fun as long as he was reassured he wasn't quitting on ramen entirely.

"Once you're done eating we're going to get you several new sets of shinobi attire, no apprentice of mine is going to look a walking bull's-eye, you're better than this…" Kakashi stated bluntly and eyed his student in dismay.

He watched as some small shreds of rebellion welled in the young teen's blue eyes and spoke up calmly. "I think I understand why you originally chose the color orange. It was so you could stand out when everyone ignored you in your childhood. But you need to realize that as a shinobi you need to be stealthy. Also, bear in mind that if you change attires you'll seem more respectable and mature. We both know nobody is going to take you seriously until you start acting more like a shinobi. Let's face it, Naruto, the mixture of orange and blue isn't remotely inspirational and professional," Kakashi criticized quietly.

His eye crinkled happily as Naruto seemed reserved but accepting of his opinion, though there was a begrudging quality to his expression; it was a start. "You don't have to crave attention anymore, Naruto. Everyone that cares about you has already seen you and accepted you; we're here to help you now. I and all the other tutors I'm going to introduce to you in the following days are all on your side, Naruto."

Naruto nodded with a frown. He had gotten used to his jumpsuit but, if he was honest with himself things were not the same anymore. In light of Sasuke's death he knew he needed to grow out of being an annoying idiot as Sasuke so eloquently put it when he was still alive. "Can I still wear some orange? It is my favorite color and all…"

Kakashi rubbed his chin and looked thoughtful, "We'll see about that, but in the meantime..." Kakashi took out a scroll and handed it to his protégé. "Give this to Iruka; he'll be waiting for you at the academy. He's going to be tutoring you every other day from noon to six on all the basic studies you neglected during the academy. I'm expect you to relearn shinobi history, psychological warfare, analyzing and reading body language, proper etiquette and improving your grammar, vocabulary and writing in general," Kakashi hit him with another bomb shell.

Naruto whined and looked miserable; he absolutely hated trying to memorize anything with an abundance of little details.

"This is serious, Naruto. If you want to be Hokage, you must know that a Hokage is as much an administrator as he is a warrior. And you're going to need these skills not only when you require diplomacy and knowledge to negotiate as a Kage but also as a Chuunin and Jounin. After all you'll be expected to file in mission reports, attend diplomatic missions on occasion and more. If you're not prepared you might embarrass of endanger our village or get yourself killed. You need to blend might and mind if you really want to become Hokage, do you understand?"

Naruto's lips pursed and his eyebrows furrowed. He shut his eyes briefly before clenching his right fist. When his eyes snapped open once more they burned with resolve and understanding. Nobody had explained what the title of Hokage entailed and with these obstacles set before him before.

Curiously enough he didn't feel any despair or fear. He only saw those requirements as another barrier he'd pass without fail like all those set against him in the past. "You got it, Kakashi-sensei! I'll make you. No, I'll make everyone proud," he declared boldly and grinned happily at his sensei.

He was ecstatic that Kakashi was thinking so far ahead, putting real effort and thought into this training unlike before. It showed by the in depth analysis of his flaws and clarity of his explanations – he really did care.

"Good, on every odd numbered day of the week we'll meet at six am for Taijutsu lessons, I won't be late – don't worry. Then at nine you'll have chakra control lessons until noon which is when you'll eat lunch before meeting with Iruka for your remedial lessons until six. After you've eaten dinner you'll have additional training until nine that will vary according to what I feel is necessary. On the days I have individual Jounin missions I'll make arrangements for you to receive alternative training;" He said while Naruto moved to eat slowly and distractedly.

"On even numbered days you'll be performing missions and receiving team training with one of your graduating class' genin cells: team ten on Mondays, team eight on Wednesdays and alternate between the two on Fridays…" Kakashi explained and Naruto seemed a bit overwhelmed but eager none the less.

A new chapter in Naruto's life was about to begin, and he couldn't wait for it to start. Though on second thought the academic portion was going kill him…oh this was going to be so boring

---

(Meanwhile, elsewhere in Konoha)

Sakura groaned lightly as she woke up' yawning audibly. Her yawn was short-lived and quickly replaced by desperate sputtering when icy cold water was spilled all over her face and upper body.

Her eyes snapped open, harsh, frantic coughs bursting from her water clogged lungs as she sat up. "What? Where? Who?" her sleepy mind fought to wake up before something slammed into her cheek forcefully.

Sakura grunted achingly as she hit the ground, her bleary vision telling her that what had collided with her face was a Leopard mask wearing ANBU's foot. "Your awareness and cognitive perception are abysmal," the familiar voice of her new master filtered through her pounding head.

She looked around and noticed she wasn't underground, but rather in an abandoned looking auditorium. She then looked at her master, "Danzou-sama…" Sakura murmured quietly, turning to face the elder shinobi.

He was sitting calmly on a tatami mat, sipping from a cup of tea as he regarded her indifferently. The kunoichi ran a hand through her hair and noticed it felt strange, its texture was different. She looked at Danzou questioningly as soon as she knelt before him; biting down another yawn.

"I said first light…" Danzou reminded her of his earlier command. "In the future you will be dressed and prepared by five am. One of my shinobi will escort you to make sure you aren't followed and don't get lost." He commanded.

"Should you fail to comply, you will be whipped once for every minute past the hour five thirty five, that is when I eat breakfast, therefore it's when you eat breakfast," the war hawk informed Sakura blandly.

"As you've felt and noticed, your hair is shorter and different. I took the liberty of ordering my subordinates to dye your atrociously bright pink hair in crimson. It's more intimidating and attracts less attention. I also had them cut your hair to shoulder length and shorten your bangs for practical reasons." Danzou elaborated his rationale coolly and ignored the outraged look on his new charge's face.

"Before you open your mouth, do not forget your place or who you are talking to," The one-eyed council member reminded her as he lifted a hand. One of his ANBU materialized in a swirl of leaves and knelt beside them, placing a tray before Danzou and a small bowl in front of Sakura.

Sakura eyed the bowl in confusion, scanning its contents and finding there were four odd looking sphere-shaped chunks of matter. Whatever it was, it smelled horribly as it seemed to look back at her tauntingly. "Wh-What is this, Danzou-sama?" she asked, looking somewhat queasy at the questionable thing that someone dared call food.

Danzou shut his visible eye and sipped his tea silently "These are special food supplements that will supply your body with five times the normal nutritional value someone of your size requires per day." The elder ninja sported a calm expression through the look of shock and disgust that spread over the kunoichi's face.

"By the time the chuunin exams begin in four months, you will be eating three or four bowls every morning" Danzou stated in a tone that left no place for argument and tossed her a bottle of pills which the kunoichi clumsily caught much to his disdain.

"So your reflexes sub-par as well; it seems your situation is worse than I initially assumed…" he remarked bluntly as Sakura winced through her examination of the pill bottle.

"The bottle contains my very own variation of Tsunade's special medical pills. They will greatly accelerate your body's metabolism and cell reconstruction…" Danzou explained and watched as Sakura's eyes gleamed with recognition and understanding.

"Are there any side-effects?" Sakura asked hesitantly.

Danzou shot her an indifferent glare "Does it matter?"

The red haired girl had no answer that wouldn't earn her a beating or worse so she bowed her head in silence. She held back her angry retort that was mirrored by her alter-ego's furious scream "Of course it matters, asshole!"

Danzou's lips twitched as he instructed her to take two pills, an order the red haired kunoichi assented to unwillingly.

She cautiously placed two of the large pills in her palm before swallowing them with difficulty. Once she was done coughing and gagging at the extremely spicy peppermint taste.

Danzou lifted his hand and two shinobi landed beside him. They were clad in ANBU uniforms, one clad in a monkey mask and the other in a weasel mask. Danzou used to allow his operatives to wear distinctive and specialized equipment, but Sarutobi would not tolerate him having his own private force publicly, so he compromised and had his operatives blend in with their counterpart ANBU.

Monkey was carrying a large bundle of cloth while Weasel held a large duffle bag in his hands. The manipulative elder nodded in Sakura's direction and the two shinobi placed their bundles in front of Sakura before vanishing into puffs of smoke.

"There are clothes in the left bundle, you will wear them – now" Danzou commanded simply and moved to lift a pair of chopsticks. He ate the rice in the bowl nonchalantly through the reddening of Sakura's cheeks.

She sputtered in shock and surprise "You fucking pervert, I'm not changing in front of you!"

Danzou sighed as his new subordinate continued to be difficult and dropped his bowl on the tray with clattering sound before aiming his killer intent on the young girl. Its power brought her to her knees. His voice struck her like an icy spear of indifference; breaking through Sakura's inner rant/tantrum.

"You are a kunoichi; your body is a weapon so act the part. There will be times when you need to seduce or even sexually interact with a target in order to get close enough for the kill or milk information out of them; especially during long term espionage assignments. You know that from the academy…don't you?"

With that said he picked up his bowl. "Know that if I conclude that trivial things such as shame and fear are still holding you back then I will force you either stand naked publicly or force you to sexually interact with my ANBU until you have effectively forced such nonsense out of your system;" he promised calmly before he resumed eating.

She knew it wasn't a threat because this was Danzou and he wasn't one to waste words. The Kunoichi bit her lips and quickly moved to remove the straps of her of dress, letting the piece of cloth fall at her feet. The Haruno left clad only in her undergarments, standing awkwardly before her new master.

The man's unnervingly calm glance caused her face to erupt into a deeper shade of red as her mind screamed obscenities against this injustice and his perverted nature. She mustered her will before moving to dress in her new clothes but was stopped by a tap of his cane on the ground.

"There are undergarments that are more suitable than the frilly trash you're wearing now. Undress fully and wear all the articles of the attire before you."

Sakura's face paled but she nodded meekly and with trembling hands unclasped her bra and let it fall down before her. She felt nauseous at how Danzou calmly ate while she suffered so greatly. The sense of violation and shame was unbearable. But, she knew the apparently one-armed shinobi would only make things worst if she kept on stalling so she slowly slipped out of her underwear as well.

She stood their naked, shivering in the cold of the room. Danzou's piercing, dark eye roamed over the pinkish skin of her slim, bony body with unnerving intensity. "You have no scar tissue on your body; your muscle tone is non-existent and your weight is sub-par for a kunoichi; but that will change."

Sakura nodded meekly before she knelt beside the bundle. She rummaged through it nervously found a skin colored pair of brief-like underwear that she slipped into quickly. The Kunoichi then looked for the bra amongst the many items in the bundle in vain and glared at Danzou heatedly.

The secret sharingan wielder regarded her neutrally "Do I need to teach you how to dress as well, Haruno?" He pointed with his cane to the spool of black bandages. "Bind your breasts, forearms and shins"

The young girl grit her teeth but obeyed silently, avoiding the crippled man's piercing gaze for the few clumsy minutes it took her to finish his designated command before Danzou shut his eye and made a single one-handed seal.

The bandages ignited in a flare of blue and white, seal diagrams glowed briefly before the construct exploded into blinding light. Sakura cried out in surprise and agony as currents of electricity shocked her body, forcing her to her knees in a quivering, shuddering mess.

She barely managed to hold her weight on her feet, the bandages having suddenly become far heavier than they were earlier, applying hindering weight on her body.

"These bandages are a training tool I acquired from Kumogakure. They are known as 'Dageki Kireji' and they trick the nerves under your skin to think that a much greater pressure is being applied on your body. Thus the body defends itself by creating additional muscle tone to compensate the potential damage to the limbs," Danzou explained in monotone.

The crimson haired kunoichi glared daggers at the leader of roots. He ignored her ire and proceeded with his analysis. "Your physical weakness is easy to rectify, I will see to it promptly. However, your main weakness amongst your numerous deficiencies is that you allow your emotions to govern your mind. Emotions are a shinobi's worst enemy and must be discarded completely to avoid death and failure. This is the true way of the shinobi and I will engrave it into your mind by words and force alike until I deem you competent," he declared with finality before standing up slowly.

"Get dressed and wear the gear I have supplied you, Sakura. In several minutes you will be introduced to the first of your instructors," Danzou commanded and slipped into the shadows, his cane taps signaling his departure.

He left the mortified and humiliated kunoichi to stew in the shame, rage and indignation. Sakura assumed by his age that the elder ninja would be cold and detached but she never thought he would treat her quite like this. The indiscretions only solidified her hatred for Naruto, the catalyst and author of her downfall and enslavement.

She rummaged through the clothes she was given with widening eyes as the quality of the cloth and the weapons the council member had supplied her with were superb. She never imagined herself seeing, more so touching such equipment until she was at the very least a seasoned chuunin.

The red-haired kunoichi slipped into a pair of baggy black hakama pants that were surprisingly comfortable and moved a bit to test the material to discover that they made almost no sound at all - perfect for stealth. She moved to the next articles of clothing she tied a pair of chrome colored reinforced arm guards and shin guards on her person that upon careful inspection had some seal constructs engraved upon them.

The next piece was a metallic, reinforced fishnet shirt that she carefully slid over her upper body before tying a tight, black kimono top over it. The black cloth successfully concealed all patches of visible skin and Sakura marveled at how she looked. She finished the ensemble by tying the upper part of her attire with a chrome-coated metallic belt with a black rectangular equipment pouch sitting against her left thigh.

The green-eyed femme used a small strap with a button on it to steady the pouch by tying it around her leg before moving to tie her kunai holster around her right leg. She then picked up the last gift Danzou granted her and slipping a pair of beautifully crafted ninjato into a pair of sheathes that fit into rings on the back of her belt, carefully strapping the weapons to her lower back. "This is bad-ass! Maybe this won't be so bad after all…" Sakura thought before a massive killer intent effectively froze her thoughts and brought amounting panic and fear into her mind.

"About time you got your sorry ass ready, ass-wipe" a loud, boisterous feminine voice boomed audibly with obvious impatience. It came from right behind her, someone's body brushing against her back. The whisper startled her far more than the murderous intent that flooded over.

The physical contact caused the red haired kunoichi to start, spinning around and sending a backhand blow at the intruder. The blow sliced through nothing but air, the blurry form of her 'assailant' slipping away easily.

"Oh? You want to spar, already?" the taunting voice cooed bemusedly. "I'm game…" the voice whispered in a sugary, seductive tone and the next thing Sakura knew two fingers jabbed into her solar plexus, sending a ripple of pain through her entire body.

The young teen collapsed in a heap on the ground, clutching her stomach desperately. "Tch, Danzou wasn't joking when he said you need work…" the woman commented condescendingly and rolled Sakura on her back by pushing her with the heel of her shinobi sandal."Look at me when I'm talking to you, ass-wipe!"

Sakura quickly obeyed with fear for her life, looking up at a very odd looking kunoichi. The woman was wearing a fish-net shirt much like her own, only her bust was considerably larger than Sakura's and it showed through the skin tight mesh material. She also wore a very short skirt that left nearly nothing to imagination and an open beige trench coat over her upper body.

"My name is Mitarashi Anko, and I'll be the one teaching you the basic stances and the chakra control exercises required for practicing the Hebi style of taijutsu." The woman introduced herself and dragged Sakura to her feet rather violently.

She then shoved Sakura backwards by lightly hitting her shoulders with her palms. "Before we begin today's torture let's make two things clear, Maggot." The violet haired woman stated coldly and lifted her index finger. "One, I don't give a shit about you and I hate Danzou with passion. I'm only doing this because that old bastard swindled me into this which brings us to number two…"

Anko light brown eyes seemed to burn with murderous flames as she lifted another finger. "If you fuck with me, disobey me or piss me off in general I'll beat the crap out of you and then I'll kill you - slowly" the woman said sadistically. She grinned in a predatory, somewhat psychotic manner that was nothing less than nightmarish.

The snake mistress was beyond pissed off by the whole situation and this little brat was going to suffer for her master's foul play. The old bastard had sent his lackeys to her apartment to 'inform' her that if she refused to cooperate they would reveal the classified information on just how she got injured and almost botched her A-Class mission two years ago.

Anko was a prideful woman and refused to verbally divulge the true details of how she got caught in that ambush several kiri-nin laid for her. She had painted a quite different story than the truth. She was convinced at the time that she caught wind of Orochimaru's whereabouts and she simply saw red and forsook everything in hopes of pursuing and neutralizing her bastard of a former teacher.

What Danzou didn't know was that Sarutobi had already gleaned the full details of her botch up on his own accord and had reprimanded her severely for withholding information and for her obvious lapse of judgment. Due to the sensitivity of the mission and the cost Konoha suffered due to her failure all details were classified as an A-rank secret.

Her punishment was severe and she still winced every time she thought about it. The old man had revoked her Jounin license and demoted her to a Special-Jounin. Additionally he had kept her confined in the village as an interrogator and black ops security detail for high profile clients.

Her probation period wouldn't expire for at least another three years or whenever Sarutobi was convinced she had overcome her demons enough so she could control herself whenever Orochimaru was involved or mentioned in passing.

The violet haired Special Jounin smirked in a predatory manner as the red haired little morsel eyed her fearfully – maybe this would offer her some margin of entertainment after all. Anko understood the unspoken rules of conduct and as a loyal kunoichi of the leaf knew it was her duty and responsibility to see this one through – rarely did any shinobi not associated with Danzou ever get a chance to get this close.

She knew where her loyalties lay; she would not fail again. Even if her current predicament wasn't officially sanctioned by the old man and was an impromptu mission she had undertaken on her own accord; she was positive it would be beneficial in the end.

So for now she would humor Danzou and play his little game. She would assess his intentions and weaknesses like her serpentine familiars and use it against him. The prick would rue the day he fucked with Mitarashi Anko.

She planned on paying him back with interest for this crap; that much she vowed to herself. When that time came, she would go wild and there would be hell to pay – Mitarashi style.

---

(Several Hours later, Konohagakure Academy)

"What?! You've got to be kidding me, Iruka-sensei!" Naruto cried in horror as Iruka dropped his selected reading material on the desk in front of Naruto. The pile landed with an audible thud and dust flew in all directions.

There, standing tauntingly in front of the blonde was a huge, towering pile of thick books and tomes that unsteadily slanted at its two and half feet of height. That wasn't counting the massive scrolls Iruka had left on the floor beside Naruto.

"How am I supposed to learn all of this on my own?" Naruto complained audibly and Iruka snickered faintly, crossing his arms and eying the blonde's antics with an exasperated shake of his head.

"I thought you were going to be Hokage, are you backing down already?" his sensei taunted him. The Jinchuuriki scowled and glared at Iruka with outrage over his accusation.

"Of course not! But…but what if I don't understand all of the words…?" Naruto asked, looking miserable, yet reserved towards his fate. He jutted out his lips and slammed his head repeatedly against the table in exasperation mingled with desperation.

"Here," Iruka placed several additional thick books on the other side of the desk "These are the dictionary and shinobi term thesaurus; they are your new best friends. Oh and you'll have to memorize most of the words by next week…" Iruka revealed with an evil grin, smirking at Naruto's horrified expression. This was his sweet payback for years of pranks and humiliation; at least for a little while and he planned on savoring every delicious moment.

"By the way, as part of your etiquette lessons let me remind you not to shout or use faulty grammar when addressing your superiors" Iruka taunted in a singsong tone and before Naruto could explode he slapped his hand on the desk and winced slightly as the pile of books tilted over and buried his blonde charge. "Hehehe, you're the one that wants to be Hokage; you can't make an omelet without breaking the eggs, Naruto!"

"What's fried eggs got to, err...I've got it...umm…what does an omelet have anything to do with this...err…any of this, Iruka-sensei?" Naruto mumbled miserably as he sat up, his face twisted into a flat and displeased expression before he sighed and resumed banging his head repeatedly against the desk as he struggled with the proper grammar, hating this with passion.

"Read the dictionary and you'll understand the saying, Naruto" The chuunin reassured his pupil fondly and ruffled his hair affectionately, stopping his self destructive act of bashing his skull in via wooden desk. "I'm going to help Keiko-san's with her class; she's a new chuunin and needs some help controlling the kids. I'll be back in an hour or so to help you with your studies. If you have any questions write them down and we'll review them when I get back."

The Hokage aspirant nodded wearily and opened the first thin booklet titled 'Shinobi codex' and started rummaging over the text, frowning at it as it seemed so basic it was almost laughable to him until he noticed the amount of shinobi basics he had been directly ignoring or unwittingly breaking for the last three years.

While most were simple enough there were some codes that he found horribly vague and decided to try and implement each code on a situation from the past or real-life. That way if he associated the information with an example he could actually understand it as in Naruto's case simple memorization was absolutely useless.

"A shinobi must always be patient and strike at the right moment, victory is victory regardless to the path chosen- the true shinobi does not waste his resources when he can avoid it…" he murmured and thought back to the battle of the bridge.

Things might've turned out differently if he had just shut his big trap and aimed a bit better at Haku, perhaps the tragedy of team seven could've been averted. His mind strayed to the memories of that day, they weren't as clear or sharp as they were five days ago but had he just treated the battle more seriously and stopped to think – Sasuke would most likely be alive today.

"A shinobi must always expect the unexpected, deception is the most powerful weapon in a shinobi's arsenal" Naruto narrowed his eyes and tried to think of how that applied to real life. His eyes widened slightly in realization as he recalled how Zabuza had trapped and nearly defeated Kakashi by tricking him with his mizu bushin.

Naruto grinned faintly, finding that analyzing the situations and trying to find better solutions was actually kind of fun so he moved on to the next one, enjoying his studies so far.

"Preparation is the paramount to gaining tactical advantage in battle. A well executed plan is already fifty percent of any victory" the blonde Jinchuuriki smirked faintly as he remembered how he and Sasuke had duped Zabuza and nodded, there was definitely more place for planning in his fighting style he concluded gleefully.

"The path of the shinobi is that of invisibility, a shinobi must blend in his surroundings with stealth, cunning and preparation – a surprise attack is always the most successful attack" Naruto had mulled over this particular issue all morning while the Copy ninja had taken him to the various shops in Konoha to purchase better equipment and a proper Shinobi still shuddered as he recalled the gleam Kakashi's eye reflected when one of the civilians tried to deny them service.

He never wanted to be on the receiving side of such an icy glare, the compacted killer intent in his usually aloof sensei's brown iris was bone-chilling to say at least. Their transactions were smooth after that small debacle and despite Naruto's earlier reservations regarding the change in his attire he had to admit his new attire was awesome.

He was so eager to wear his new clothes but Kakashi-sensei had stated he needed to do something with them first and that he would bring them with him to their afternoon training session. Maybe if he read more than Iruka-sensei expected he could convince him to teach him some shuriken and kunai throwing techniques.

"Hmm…there are a lot of books I need to read, too many for one person…but whoever said I was just one person, hehe, piece of cake!" Naruto thought and crossed his fingers and channeled his chakra "Kage bushin no jutsu!"

The blonde summoning two dozen clones and they immediately spread out, each grabbing a piece of reading material and started to slowly read and ponder each subject. Twenty minutes later one of the clones started getting antsy and yawn audibly.

A nearby clone paused its reading and was about to yell at the clone for interrupting its trail of thought when it looked outside the window and blinked "Is that…Hinata?" the clone thought as it saw the said kunoichi walking towards the academy with Kiba and Shino in flank, her eyes oddly white with massive veins protruding from her skin.

The clone dropped its book and caused one of the sleeping clones to wake up with a start, its hand whipping out in surprise, slamming into the spying clone's face, dispersing it. The original Naruto was still analyzing the ninja codex when a thought filtered into his consciousness and his eyes widened in confusion and shock. "Team 8 is here, but…I never looked outside the window…" he pondered as he frowned thoughtfully.

He turned towards a nearby clone and looking slightly curious, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Could it be?" He wondered as he commenced an experiment and dispersed the said clone with a punch to the temple.

As the puff of smoke stung in his eyes his mind was flooded with information "The five elemental chakra types are: wind, water, fire, earth and lightning. Each ninja has at the very least a single affinity whereas Jounin ninja are known to have at least two preferred elements…" he repeated the last thought that engraved itself into his brain and a very wide and foxy grin spread over his lips "Awesome!"

He was so eager to test out his new theory that he dispelled all the clones at once with a single hand seal. He once more allowed his recklessness to steer his actions and paid for it gravely as he felt as if his skull imploded violently. He gasped in pain and clutched his temples desperately. He grit his teeth hard as a maelstrom of information flushed his brain all at once.

The blonde keeled backwards and took his pain as another harsh lesson of life about acting before thinking – of course the shadow clone technique was forbidden for more reasons than the chakra demands; apparently the mental stress it placed on one's brain was also dangerous. "Baka Baka Baka!" Naruto chided himself as he tried to alleviate the pounding spikes of agony that pulsed through his temples.

"Naruto-kun…" he heard a soft voice gasp in shock and slight fear and groaned audibly, recognizing the voice but unable to put his finger on it's bearer as phantom Iron-like rods still seemed to be piercing his brain from all direction.

"Hey! Don't go pulling a Hinata on us now, Naruto. We've been looking for you all day!" the unmistakable brash and loud voice belonged to a jesting Kiba. The dog-nin chuckled before grinning widely at the mortified and slightly affronted look the Hyuuga heiress shot him regarding her supposed 'Hinata act'.

Naruto groaned, his eyes shut as he rubbed his aching head idly "Sorry guys, I just have a splitting headache..." He brushed off their concern softly with a sheepish smile and sat up slowly, eying his former classmates curiously. "So what can I help you guys with…?" the blue-eyed genin asked cheerfully and tried to implement Iruka's instruction by keeping the decibels of his exclaim in the safety zone between pleasant and not too loud.

Kiba looked conflicted and looked away from Naruto as he hesitantly started talking. "Well, we...I...look! Even though Sasuke was an asshole and a prick most of the time, we're all sorry that he's dead n' all," he mumbled uncomfortable and rubbed the back of his head. The dog-nin tried to continue in vain, tongue-tied with his voice barely audible to anyone but himself

Shino came to the rescue, "What Kiba is trying to say is that we have come to offer our condolences and support, Naruto," Shino offered and pushed the glasses on the bridge of his nose. Akamaru barked in approval and wagged his tail and leaped off Kiba's head, landing beside Naruto and licking his hand.

The blonde genin's eyes widened a fraction as he eyed them cautiously, hazarding a faint smile "Thanks, guys. It's still hard to believe he's dead, you know? More so when I feel like it's my fault…" Naruto lamented and bowed his head shamefully.

Hinata tapped her fingers together and blushed faintly. She hated seeing the look of pain and despair on her idol's face and despite her initial reservations against coming in person to console Naruto she felt a twitch of need in her chest. She had to help erase his forlorn expression, somehow, "B-But Naruto-kun…K-Kurenai-sensei told us that y-you and Sasuke w-were fighting a chuunin level ninja…" she protested softly. She averted her gaze when his blue eyes rose to look into her own, her blush intensifying.

"Hinata is correct, Naruto. Blaming yourself for failing to overcome a superior foe is highly illogical. The probability for your own and Sasuke's survival if you calculate your joint skill mathematically stacked against a trained chuunin-level battle-bloodline ninja were not high…" Shino replied in the tell-tale Aburame monotone; though Naruto could've sworn he heard a timbre of concern behind the Shino's voice.

Naruto grinned slightly at team eight's antics before Kiba punched his shoulder, effectively cutting his reprieve and replacing it with ire. The Jinchuuriki sat up and pointed at Kiba angrily, "Hey! What was that for, dog breath?"

Naruto was about to chew Kiba out before he noticed the very brief, awkward and slightly lost look on the Inuzuka's face. Before he could even open his lips Hinata had already reacted to Kiba's actions. "Kiba-kun!" she chided.

She mumbled an apology in Kiba's name that caused Naruto to smile at her even more. Before Hinata could bask in the moment the feral ninja scoffed and shook his head. "Baka! I thought you boasted that you wouldn't let anyone put you down! What's with the moody attitude? Don't tell me you're pulling an emo act on us." Kiba asked and eyed Naruto with slight impatience and annoyance.

Naruto should've been upset at Kiba's brash and blunt exclaim but he understood his peer's awkwardness for he, just like Kiba, didn't know how to console someone in distress and was always frustrated when he failed to succeed.

Naruto's eyes narrowed briefly none the less. He was about to remark and put the Inuzuka heir in his place but Shino beat him to the punch as Hinata had before and bopped his teammate's head hard with his fist right fist and at the same time Hyuuga-heiress chided Kiba with a murmur of "Be nice to Naruto-kun, Kiba-kun!"

Naruto watched with a slight smirk as she grabbed onto the Inuzuka' hand so he couldn't start a fight with Shino even though said ninja was rubbing his noggin, murmuring obscenities.

Hinata's uncharacteristically stern voice caused the Inuzuka to wince slightly and smile sheepishly, muttering an apology that really wasn't necessary, his concern and the conflicted, anguished look in his eyes had already been enough of an apology to the Uzumaki.

However, Shino obviously would not let it end with that "I apologize for my teammate's inconsiderate remarks, he often talks before his brain catches up with what he says" Shino apologized calmly.

Naruto and Hinata blinked in surprise and the girl surprised Naruto as she fought to stifle a soft, tinkling giggle as Kiba nodded in agreement; feeling important and trying to look serious before he fully processed the bug-ninja's words and his face twisted into an affronted one and he shouted in protest, easily confirming Shino's claim.

Naruto chuckled lightly and felt a calm wash over him, a sense of peace and serenity. The Jinchuuriki wasn't quite sure how to translate the sensation as it seemed so foreign to him but if he had to guess he would describe it as the feeling of joy of being around friends; something the young blonde had not had the fortune of sharing with anyone for the larger part of his life.

"Precious people, was it? I guess Haku was right after all. Even if he killed Sasuke I can't deny that he was right. To protect this feeling, this feeling of acceptance and belonging I would do anything…" Naruto pondered and looked down, his eyes distant and slightly sad as realization struck him on a completely unrelated subject.

"I think I understand what you did a bit more clearly now, Yondaime-sama. Though I still wonder if there was more to choosing me then just my coincidental birth…" he mentally reflected over the words Haku had spoken to him hours before the sordid fate that had befallen him and Sasuke.

He looked up and watched Kiba shake Shino angrily, grabbing the Aburame around the shoulders while Hinata scrambled awkwardly, trying to break the duo apart. The Uzumaki couldn't fight back his lips splitting into a small smile as he watched Shino's eyebrow twitch faintly in annoyance the older boy simply smashing his fist into the shorter boy's head once more. Kiba snarled as he rubbed his head and only Hinata's bodily intervention stopped him from charging his enigmatic teammate.

The Jinchuuriki grinned widely at their antics and interjected bemusedly. "Hey! Save all of that energy for missions and getting your…" he was about to speak quite coarsely when he remembered that Hinata was there and he was trying to learn to be more polite. "...before…losing in our future spars, Kiba!" Naruto taunted, though his tone fell to a slightly softer tone; though the confidence and taunting quality were not lost to the Inuzuka despite the more reserved tone.

He effectively broke Kiba's tantrum, shifting the dog ninja's attention and ire upon himself. Shino and Hinata were surprised at Naruto's choice of wording and tone in comparison to the oblivious Kiba that simply snarled at him angrily "As if a dead-last like you could beat me!" Kiba boasted and puffed up his chest.

Naruto smirked faintly and locked eyes with Kiba "We'll just have to see about that, won't we? Don't worry; we'll have enough training and missions together in the coming months for you to see just how much I've gotten better, Kiba!" Naruto promised and pointed at himself with a thumb before he crossed his arms under his chest confidently.

"N-Naruto-kun? Wh-what do you mean?" The Hyuuga indulged herself and hazarded to hope that somehow her silent wish to be around the blonde ninja more often would finally be fulfilled. Her teammates, while certainly less enthusiastic as the star-struck teen, seemed curious at his remark as well.

"Well…with Sasuke dead, team seven is no more…" Naruto murmured and averted his gaze faintly before sighing "Sakura…well me and her can't work together anymore. The whole trying to kill me for killing her precious Sasuke-kun n' all…." He spat out in a tight, trembling tone, his cold blue eyes flickering with fury.

Kiba's eyes widened and his mouth was left gaping at the blonde, unable to believe his ears. To an Inuzuka betraying part of the pack was blasphemy, it was unheard of and something you simply didn't do. To think that pink haired banshee that he never had liked anyway would do that to Naruto made the Inuzuka find only one appropriate word to describe her.

"That bitch!" Hinata exploded despite herself and then brought her hands to her mouth, her face flushing deeply at her own profane comment and the gaping, shocked looks all three male genin shot her.

Kiba whistled and grinned widely, "You go Hinata! I couldn't have said it better myself!" He cat called and hugged her with one arm while lifted his free hand in a 'victory sign' as Hinata miserably whispered "Kiba-kun!"

The lavender eyed genin was mortified at her reaction, as it was unbecoming of a kunoichi, more so the heiress of the venerable Hyuuga clan of renown calm and indifference. But Hinata couldn't help herself. How could Sakura do that to Naruto? The same kindred spirit that was so devoted to her and doted on her on every occasion. Attacking the good natured genin, that Hinata would give anything for just a sliver of his attention made Hinata so furious that her Byakugan nearly activated on its own accord.

Several seconds of light laughter later Shino's eyebrows finally returned to their normal height and behind his collar his lips twisted into a small frown. While he knew Naruto as a goofy, but dependable and loyal guy and supported him in general; something was amiss.

"While it's true that Haruno's rationale in attacking a teammate on a mission leaves little to be desired, I wonder what could drive her to attempted murder. While I have always disliked her attitude it's strange that she reacted so violently, even for her."

Naruto was initially certain they would side with Sakura and question him heatedly about his part in the Uchiha's death. After all, he was the fox brat that everyone loved to hate. He was delightfully surprised and gulped while shutting his eyes to control the warring emotions that spiraled within him, "Thank you...you guys..." he said in a bright tone, his eyes shining with what could only be gratitude and joy as his grin exploded in full force across his lips.

"As I was saying…Kakashi-sensei said he was taking me on as his apprentice instead of having me wait for another graduating class or for someone to get injured. He said that in if I want to become a chuunin, I need a team so I can learn about teamwork and leadership. So starting tomorrow I'm going to rotate between you and team ten as a part-time teammate once or twice a week" Naruto explained.

Kiba whooped and grinned "Alright, an extra hand during those freaking D-rank missions means less work for us!" Kiba cheered and then wilted slightly at the looks of disapproval Shino and Hinata threw him before sheepishly laughing. "And you're a great guy and all that of course!" Kiba murmured hurriedly and Naruto smirked faintly at his soon to be part-time teammate's predicament.

The blonde envied their camaraderie, wondering if the original team arrangements were doomed for him from the moment they were chosen. He quickly quenched the thought and he was the first person to acknowledge that the past must be laid to rest. Had he not learned that hard lesson he would've committed suicide or turned homicidal during the hardships of his isolated childhood.

He spoke with team eight briefly over the unclassified details of his mission, though if someone asked him it was more like talking to Kiba with an occasional remark from Shino and stammered remark from Hinata, who oddly seemed nervous and flushed in his presence. He would have to investigate what that meant in the book his clone had started reading "Psychological warfare, breaking down liars and reading body language by Morino Ibiki"

He then kindly asked them to leave for the moment so he could resume his studies or Iruka sensei would get on his case. Team 8 still remembered the chuunin's harsh lectures and agreed without reservations and the four genin parted in a pleasant manner.

They agreed to talk more, get to know one another and exchange battle tips on a later occasion before his future teammates and perhaps friends left the academy quietly; leaving a quiet and thoughtful Uzumaki in the wake of their departure.

A fragile feeling of hope and security flowed through his veins and he couldn't rein his urge to smile constantly as the foreign warmth spread through every fiber of his body. Perhaps there was truth to what Iruka had once told him that for every change; even the most horrible or painful of changes was like cloud with silver lining if one looked closely enough.

If team 8 had accepted him so readily, perhaps there was hope after all, for becoming Hokage and gaining some friends for life on his path to the tower.

---

(Later that evening, Hokage Office)

"Kakashi, you're on time…" Sarutobi murmured. His dark brown eyes gleaming with thoughtful surprise as the silver haired ninja stepped into his office.

The dog summoner shut the door behind him and bowed slightly. He sensed another presence in the room and shifted sideways while lifting his hand in greeting.

"Yare yare, if I didn't know better I'd think the world is coming to an end, Sarutobi-sensei," a sarcastic reply escaped the other room's occupant as he stepped away from the wall. The toad sannin crossed his massive arms and eyed his prized student's protégé with a bemused expression.

"I'm not always late," Kakashi protested flatly at the toad sannin's remark and much to the silver haired nin's chagrin the toad summoner seemed quite unconvinced and openly doubted his claim with a chuckle. The silver haired ninja ignored the identical doubtful glare from the Hokage as he reached over and unbuttoned one of the pockets of his flak jacket.

He removed a large white scroll and tossing it towards the toad san-nin. The legendary ninja smirked faintly as caught it easily before he unrolling the sealing scroll. He inspected it with a grin "You've gotten pretty good with these intermediate sealing techniques, Kakashi. You should consider studying advanced fuuinjutsu; it might benefit you in the long run…"

Kakashi shrugged his shoulders "I don't think I'll have the time considering I'm a full time sensei and part time Jounin operative nowadays," the Copy ninja replied conversationally. "Back on subject, if you could finish working on these as we agreed I'm sure my apprentice would be very thankful."

The toad hermit laughed and pocketed the scroll "Don't worry, squirt. I'll drop it by your house in a couple of hours. You know, I still remember when Minato asked me to help him tweak your old ANBU armor," Jiraiya reminisced fondly. "Even though the kid knew fuuinjutsu better than I ever would by then, he always knew how to make his old teacher feel needed…"

Sarutobi blew his pipe and coughed politely, ripping the two men from their trip down memory lane. "Kakashi, I would like to discuss your plans for training Naruto. How long do you plan on working with him? You do know Naruto will have a problem to participate in the chuunin exams, do you not?" the old ninja questioned.

The copy ninja nodded in response "Hokage-sama, I'm hoping to train him as long as you'll allow it. As for his participation such details usually sort themselves out. Even if they don't, by the time the chuunin exams arrive I know Naruto will be at high-chuunin level if not low special-jounin level if my training regime is successful. He'll easily be able to join any one of the other teams for following exams," the silver haired ninja concluded logically and eyed his superior for affirmation.

"I'm afraid time isn't on our side…" Jiraiya interjected and his grave tone silenced the conversational and calm atmosphere in the room. "I was going to investigate further into this before I reported it, but seeing as I'm already here and you are his sensei you have the right to know," The toad sage stated in a serious, foreboding tone.

He pinched the bridge of his nose, thinking deeply on how to explain what he had discovered. He sighed and bit his lower lip for a second, his normally jovial and slightly smiling face sporting a grim and uncommonly somber expression.

"During my investigations into Orochimaru's activities I learned that ten years ago he joined and participated in unknown activities for an organization called 'Akatsuki'. He was sighted working with Akasuna no Sasori before mysteriously defecting and vanishing off the radar five years ago. Orochimaru is dangerous as it is, but this organization is apparently composed entirely of S-Class nuke-nin of the worst kind…"

The dog summoner listened raptly; having a feeling whatever would come next would not be to his liking/ "While their primary goals are unknown I do know this: they require the nine tailed beasts to fulfill their goals and that at some point they will begin collecting them one by one…" the toad summoner revealed the crux of the danger to Naruto and his dark eyes locked with Kakashi's visible eye.

Sarutobi puffed a ring of smoke and leaned forward, pressing his weight against his desk as he was assaulted by a long, dry and fit of audible coughing. He covered his mouth and ignored the obvious concern in Jiraiya's eyes and unease in Kakashi's. "I trust you to take care of Naruto, Kakashi," the Hokage wheezed out quietly as soon as he regained his breathe and Kakashi nodded, the grave news having achieved their desired impact of making him take things even more seriously than before.

"I'll be coming back in several months to oversee his training…" Jiraiya piped in/ "I expect him to be as close to Jounin level as possible by the time I return. He will need it if he wants to survive what I have planned for him …" Jiraiya stated, his face the mask of determination and seriousness. He grinned happily, excited about the prospect of teaching Minato's son.

"Y-You! B-But I thought after Minato-sensei you'd never…" Kakashi stammered and even Sarutobi looked shocked by Jiraiya's statement. The toad sage smirked and cut them off by sweeping his arm across his body.

"He's my godson; it's my responsibility to protect him and make him strong! I'd have taken him under my wing right now but there are some very strange things happening that I have look into first so it'll have to wait for now." Jiraiya concluded heatedly and crossed his arms, daring one of the two men to contest his words.

Kakashi had not seen Jiraiya this serious since the day after the Kyuubi's rampage when the toad sannin had publicly threatened to kill anyone that touched a single hair on infant Naruto's head. The same Naruto that was supposedly his godson "His godson…? Wait a minute…it couldn't be…could it?"

The elite jounin's eye shifted from aloof impassivity into an outraged and furious gleam as he began linking things that had happened in the last couple of years that he had previously ignored. "B-but I was told that…" Kakashi was cut by Sarutobi slamming his fist forcefully against the table, the wood splintering under his ire.

Kakashi was startled by the grim and threatening look in the old man's eyes and venomous quality his tone took. "Jiraiya! We had an agreement about this! What is the meaning of this!?" the professor hissed in a furious tone, his killer intent spiking threateningly.

Jiraiya eyed his sensei calmly, unimpressed by his anger and replied coldly. "With all due respect, sensei, Kakashi should know the full gravity of the situation so he'll work harder on protecting and teaching Naruto. Besides I told you he of all people should've been told that very day!" Jiraiya argued.

The two men were locked in a heated glare before Sarutobi sighed tiredly and relented, taking a long puff out of his pipe as he looked away.

"I had my suspicions, but Sarutobi-sama said the child had died along with Kushina. This only confirms my doubts…" the copy-ninja concluded and though he understood why the third had lied to him; it didn't make him feel any better about it.

The jounin brushed aside the hurt; it was not his place to question the venerable old kage's decision. What was important was the he knew now and if he was serious about training Naruto, his resolve had now reached a whole different level. He would do everything to prepare his sensei's son for the dangers that Naruto would be facing in the immediate future under the very limited time frame had had considering Jiraiya's intention to train the boy as well.

"We will have words over this later, Jiraiya…" Sarutobi said simply, his tone promising grave consequences and the toad sannin shrugged indifferently as his sensei's threat. The days in which the old man could truly intimidate him had long since passed and it was only the kindness of his heart, the love he held for the old man and his pupil's memory that stopped Jiraiya from mimicking his teammates' path of desertion.

"Hokage-sama!" the voice of his chuunin secretary burst from behind the door "I tried to stop her but…" the female's voice cried angrily from behind the door before Sarutobi heard her cry out in pain and the door was ripped open by none other than Mitarashi Anko. The woman nonchalantly slammed it shut behind her; right in the young woman's face and looked around the occupants of the room.

"Anko, what is the meaning of this?" Sarutobi demanded harshly, while Jiraiya and Kakashi eyed the Special Jounin with cool suspicion mingled with curiosity.

The snake mistress' face was twisted in a grim and serious expression that was foreign on her usual emotional face. "Good, I caught you all at once; we've got a lot to talk about and very little time…" The purple haired snake summoner spoke in an oddly foreboding manner that immediately garnered the attention of all three men as she wove the tale of being approached by Danzou.

---

(Elsewhere, Streets of Konoha)

Sakura groaned pitifully as she choked down another wave of nausea and dry gags. The side effects of Danzou pills had started kicking in an hour ago and she had started vomiting and losing control of her gastronomic functions. Eventually her disgusted torturer/sensei Anko had knocked her out with a chop to the back of the head, unable to take the girl's onslaught of bodily fluids anymore.

Before that repulsive and awkward incident Anko had started tutoring her, if one could call her requests teaching. The first thing she had ordered Sakura to do was thrust her fingers into a deep bowl of small stones for a total of two hours, leaving her fingers bleeding, her skin torn and fingernails shattered from the repetitive damage. "That psycho bitch is going to pay! She's on the list!"

The 'Shock Cloth' still weighed down on her limbs, adding further abuse to the many bruises, scrapes and slashing marks that the snake mistress had inflicted on Sakura during the next two hours of her training; a thing the special jounin had nicknamed fondly as 'conditioning training'.

It was more like 'torture the genin' Sakura thought bitterly as Anko had ordered the genin to attack her and had simply stood still as she countered every blow Sakura attempted quite viciously and with zero tolerance.

The Snake mistress had the audacity to bluntly reply to Sakura's inquiry on why she was abusing her with an impassive, "Because I can." That didn't sit well with Sakura that had screamed profanities at the violet haired kunoichi that calmly proceeded to beat the red haired kunoichi to a bleeding, sobbing mass of bruises, welts and scratches before she got bored and allowed Sakura some time to recover.

Then the serpentine Jounin had forced her to start running laps around Konoha. Every time the genin had started slowing down the Jounin had started shouting obscenities about her, her family, her ancestors and Danzou. Insults would've been fine if they weren't accompanied with the package deal of shruiken and kunai that had forced Sakura to adapt and learn instinctively to channel chakra into her muscles to augment her speed and prevent tearing and spraining damage.

"Damn…that sadistic bitch…" Sakura muttered and refrained from moving her fingers as every motion was molten agony. She could barely move as well, every step she took through the streets was a filtered touch of hell.

She dragged herself through the silent Konoha streets a bit more; her new battle garment was torn, covered in dirt and stains of blood. Much to Sakura's relief her 'benevolent' master had informed her she would have several more suits waiting for her at home.

The ebony clad ninja finally reached her limit and shifted to lean against the wall of a shop before slowly sliding down its length until she hit the ground. She folded her legs against her chest, unable to walk another step, her muscles protesting angrily to the torture she wrought upon them. "Maybe just…a little nap…" the formally pink, now red haired kunoichi thought wearily and shut her eyes.

"Sa-Sakura?" a familiar high pitched tone ripped the kunoichi from her short respite and bleary green eyes shot open, gazing wildly around her as she groaned in pain. When her pupils filtered the light properly and her vision focused Sakura saw Ino kneeling beside her with Chouji and Shikamaru flanking her. They all eyed Sakura with varying degrees of concern though they didn't approach to assist her directly - allowing Ino to do so.

"Are you alright?" Ino whispered urgently and very cautiously moved to help the red haired kunoichi only to have Sakura lift her hand in protest "No! don't touch me! I-it's alright, I'm just resting for a few moments…" Sakura tried to regain her bearings hurriedly and Ino shot Shikamaru a pleading look, hoping the lazy genius could talk some sense into the girl as his calm logic was always blunt and astute enough to convince even the most stubborn of people to listen.

"How troublesome…" Shikamaru complained and rubbed his head awkwardly "Hey, Sakura, you should go see a medic nin, it looks like you might have cracked a rib or two. You don't look so good…" The Nara stated, though his eyes narrowed as he took in her attire and the weapons.

"Why would Kakashi purchase such an attire for one of his students? This is strange, there's now why he'd buy her such expensive weaponry and I know Sakura wasn't born into money…" the genius genin analyzed the downed genin and suspicion grew within him. "What the hell is going on?"

"I said I'm alright!" Sakura hissed angrily, ignoring his observation as her green eyes flickering with slivers of intense violence. She then shoved Ino back when she ignored her earlier request and grabbed her aching arm. Sakura grunted and shakily climbed to her feet while Chouji caught the stumbling Ino gently.

"What the hell's your problem? I'm trying to help you, forehead!" Ino shouted angrily, not understanding Sakura's stubborn reluctance to receive her assistance. The pink haired kunoichi grasped her stomach and trembled slightly, she felt so strange; her body alternating between waves of heat and cold, it must be the effects of the drugs on her hormones and body's chemical design.

"I'm sorry, Ino. I'm just…I-I don't feel too well, I just want to get home and rest, I've had a long day…" Sakura apologized meekly and Ino hmphed but nodded in acquiescence anyway.

"Speaking of long days, it looks like Kakashi really tore you a new one. Is he that upset over Sasuke that he's beating you and Naruto into the ground now?" Ino asked in concern, having half a mind to complain to Asuma-sensei so he would talk to the copy ninja and have him lay off her best friend.

Sakura snorted in disgust "Kakashi can go screw himself for all I care…" she hissed in a poisonous tone iced with hatred. All the three members of team ten eyed their former classmate in surprise and wariness; her somewhat wild tone quite unsettling.

"Why would you say that, Sakura? My father says Kakashi is one of Konoha's finest and is one of the fairer Jounin around…" Chouji contested her words quietly. His face reflected his disapproval at her criticism, eying the ill and unbalanced looking genin with critical eyes.

"That's bullshit! Kakashi is hardly fair or good natured. He sided with that mon...with that Naruto. He chose him over me! He apprenticed him and threw me to the dogs," Sakura murmured bitterly before moving away from the wall and steadying herself.

"What do you mean, Sakura?" Shikamaru asked in confusion, his dark eyes showing his curiosity and concern over the whole matter. He wasn't the hardest working of Shinobi but he was one of the most perceptive. He kept his ear pealed whenever his father and his drinking buddies Chouza and Inoichi were talking in the living room but this was news to him.

"With Sasuke-kun dead; team seven has been disbanded. Naruto and I have each been apprenticed, Kakashi discarded me and chose Naruto. I on the other hand was left to scavenge for someone to help me in his stead and these are the results of my psycho-sensei's light training?!" Sakura hissed out bitterly, reciting the story Danzou had instructed her to tell if someone asked her about her future training arrangements.

The Ino-Shika-Chou team looked at each other, clueless to which Jounin would do this to a genin and Sakura answered their unspoken question "That psycho-bitch Mitarashi Anko is fucking crazy! I don't know what Orochimaru did to her, but it's no wonder everyone fears and hates her; she's insane?!" Sakura ranted. She bit down on her lips as vertigo swept over her and leaned against the wall again with her abused fingers.

"Oh! I've heard about her! She's called 'Snake Mistress' Anko. Only the villagers are really scared of her, she's not that bad. She's actually one of the youngest and strongest Jounin in Konona. They say Orochimaru really messed with her head so who are we to judge her? Besides, you should be thankful you're getting such a kick-ass sensei! I'm sure she'll make you super-strong, forehead!" Ino disagreed and excitedly tried to lift Sakura's spirits and show her the positive side of being under Anko's tutelage.

Sakura eyed her flatly "Are you always this loud? Is this what Sasuke-kun saw every time we were together? No wonder he called me annoying...If I'm half of the bother Ino is than I really am a waste of space and time…but not for long!" Sakura concluded and screened out Ino's babble about how Asuma could be so aloof and lazy at times and she really needed something to motivate him.

"Well, I don't know what happened between you and Kakashi but I bet you're kind of sad. Even though Shikamaru's a lazy ass and Chouji's chips addiction can get annoying I'd be broken If something ever happened to my team…" Ino whispered honestly and her teammates eyed her with slight disdain at how poorly she portrayed them; though the meaning was not lost to them.

"I don't give a shit about Naruto or Kakashi. The only thing I'm sorry about is that Sasuke-kun is dead! I was too weak to protect him myself and then Kakashi stopped me from avenging Sasuke-kun's death by killing Naruto, the one that got him killed in the first place!" Sakura spat out hatefully.

Team ten eyed the red-haired kunoichi with varying degrees of surprise, shock and disgust. "Wh-what? How could you blame Naruto for Sasuke-kun's death? He's the dead last, he could never hurt him" Ino sputtered in shock and eyed Sakura worriedly "Naruto's never done anything but…"

"You're just like the rest, duped by masks and illusions! Don't be a fool, Ino! He's dangerous I swear to Kami," Sakura murmured hurriedly and her eyes widened and hands trembled. The obsessive, wild look in her eyes caused Ino to take a hesitant step back "I'm…" Sakura murmured to herself, the unstable look in her eye belying tell-tale signs of mental duress and perhaps insanity.

Chouji gaped at her and his usually kind eyes turned cold and angry. "You tried to kill Naruto? After he fought so hard to fulfill his mission! I don't believe you! I don't care who you are or what's your problem is. But if you come anywhere near me again, I won't be responsible for my actions!" the big-boned Akimichi spat out furiously. He was too angry to think straight or try and reason with Sakura so he stomped at a rapid pace before he did something he regretted.

"Ma, Ino. Naruto's one of my friends, I don't know why but for some reason Sakura's your friend – good luck with that by the way. But mark my words, I'm sure as hell not going to have anything to do with someone I can't trust to watch my back, so I'm outta here…" Shikamaru snapped in a sharp, baleful tone and slipped his hands in his pockets as he walked away.

Sakura eyed the disappearing figures and twisted her face into a dark scowl before she remembered Danzou's designated assignment for her. If she alienated all the rookie generation then she wouldn't be needed anymore, then he would kill her and her mother and everything would be ruined!

She couldn't let that happen, she couldn't die before the debt was settled and all was as it should be: Sasuke avenged, Naruto dead and then she would be free to live her life in whatever manner she chose.

"A ninja's paramount weapon is deception…" her inner self reminded Sakura and her face suddenly shifted to a sad, heartbroken expression as she hugged Ino tightly "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!" she wailed and Ino seemed to gaze at her with a mix of confusion, pity and uncertainty.

"Perfect…you are, you were our friend; but you too believe in that monster. It hurts, but we can't trust you anymore, Ino-chan. But, we don't need to trust in you to care for you, Ino-chan. We owe you our childhood and so we'll save you from the monster, one way or another. Your assistance as the greatest gossip will be invaluable. We'll make sure it is will not be forgotten once crimson-eyes is dead" Inner Sakura thought in a mixture of remorse and acceptance.

"This is wrong! I'm not like this! I don't use people, I don't lie to people!" Sakura shouted in her mind only to find her mental projection accosted by her alter ego "We don't have a choice, remember? We vowed to make things right! We have to protect everyone, no matter the cost!"

"But I don't want to…" Sakura whined softly and looked pained and ashamed before her inner ego slapped her. "Shut up! This is why we were too weak to help Sasuke-kun in the first place! This why the blonde haired monster managed to fool us! We cannot hesitate, you remember the code – Sometimes in order to deceive one's enemy one must deceive his allies as wel!

Sakura bowed her head and mentally cursed her fate that had pitted her into this damned situation, submitting to survival instincts over loyalty and bonds between friends as she turned on the water works and start sobbing, clutching her childhood desperately. "Please don't leave me too, Ino-chan, please. I'm all alone now and these meds they've been giving me are making me....feel weird because I'm still not adjusted to them yet! I'm sorry, please don't hate me! Don't leave me. Sasuke-kun's gone and I-I'm scared! I don't know what to do?!"

Ino felt pity and empathy towards her old friend; after all she lost her teammate, watched him die before her eyes and then lost her sensei. The trauma must've really shaken Sakura up from what Ino could see. "I'll help you Sakura, I won't leave you alone in the darkness..." Ino vowed as she moved to help Sakura home; letting her friend lean her weight against her, unaware of Sakura's alter-ego's laughter and the snare she had just been caught in.

---

Jutsu List:

Mizu Bushin - Water Clone - A low level water elemental technique that creates solid clones of the user from surrounding moisture or water. The summoned clone only contains a tenth of the original's strength and so this technique's use is limited and mostly useless to all by very high level ninjas or skillfull assassins.
Kage Bushin no Jutsu - Shadow Clone Technique - Enough said