"...to … th me… sama … you" A distant voice said. Naruto couldn't tear his vision from the fire to even began to acknowledge someone was talking to him. Figuring whoever it was got tired of trying to gain his attention, Naruto felt a hand on his shoulder immediately followed by the sensation of a shunshin and then a hug. So disoriented it took him several moments to realize he was in the Hokage Tower and it was Tsunade hugging him. Finally regaining his awareness he managed to hear the end of her question.
"Yes, Tsunade-sama, I'm fine."
Looking at the boy Tsunade can tell he's anything but fine. She becomes concerned for the boy, his eyes looking like they did the night they spoke at that bar, 'Damnit and he was making progress' she thinks. Trying to come up with a tangible way to reassure Naruto she says, "Naruto we will launch a full investigation into the fire no matter where it leads, you have my word."
Taking some comfort that someone cares enough to do something Naruto thanks Tsunade for that and her concern.
"If that's all Tsunade-sama, I need to arrange for a place to stay for the night."
"Why not stay at the Senju compound with Shizune and I? We have plenty of room so you'd have privacy and it'd be good company."
"I truly appreciate the offer but I couldn't impose, you've done enough for me as is and I wouldn't want to take advantage of your generosity."
"Naruto, believe me it wouldn't be an imposition besides I could just always order you to do it." She said, narrowing her eyes.
Aware enough to know when he's lost, and to feel a bit of fear, Naruto accepts her offer and heads out to grab some essentials until he is allowed back into his apartment.
"Kakashi follow him to make sure nothing happens and escort him to the compound. We don't know if the fire was an attack but we can assume he thinks it is and with everything else he's likely to lash out at any perceived act of hostility."
"Hai, Hokage-sama."
As Kakashi exists via shunshin Tsunade hears the signature tapping of Danzo's cane as the elder enters her office.
"Evening Tsunade-sama, I understand my student has met with some misfortune."
Sighing, Tsunade can only nod at the statement.
"And what will you do?"
"I will have it investigated there isn't much I can do until we have the facts."
"Forgive me, I don't mean about the fire I am referring to my student. I cannot imagine he has taken it well, what will you do?"
"He'll be staying at the Senju compound for the time being but outside of that what can I do. He looked at his limit and I'm worried that if anything else happens he'll attack."
"So, why not let him?"
Seeing Tsunade go wide eyed, Danzo continues, "Not in the village, of course. Give him and Kakashi a mission that guarantees combat. Let him direct that energy at safe targets instead of sitting on it."
"I guess that's better than him going after Hiashi."
"That could be debated." Danzo says as he leaves her office.
After the initial shock, Tsunade can only laugh at Danzo's parting remark.
At the Hokage Monument
Sitting on top of his father's head Naruto looks out onto the village. So lost in his head he nearly didn't sense his visitor.
"I'd really rather be alone with my thoughts."
"Humor an old man, would you?"
"I thought my humoring you was one of the reasons you turned on me, Sandaime-sama." Naruto replied.
"Maybe you have a point."
"Maybe. What can I do for, Sandaime-sama."
"I heard about your apartment, I just wanted to see if you were alright."
"I am just great. Will that be all?"
"Naruto, it doesn't have to be like this. I know I've made mistakes, I tried to make up for past failures by saddling you with baggage you didn't deserve. You'll never know how much I regret it and its consequences."
"Great, just great. You regret the consequences? Well, I have to still live with them. Everyone so fucking sorry after the fact. What good is your sorry? Hiashi coerces Hinata to break off all ties with me because of your opinion of me. I lose the person I love but hey, at least you regret your actions. What a fair trade that is."
"Naruto, I didn't know. Let me speak with Hiashi, see if I can fix this."
"You can't. You know what kind of person he is, I'd have to hold a kunai to his throat before he'd ever admit he was wrong, nor would he pass up this chance to keep Hinata under his thumb. For all I know your irrational fear of me was only a pretense and he would have always had a reason to pull this."
"Naruto, I'm sorry. For everything, for not trying harder. I'm sorry."
"I believe you, I'm just not sure how much it matters." Naruto says before he departs, leaving Hiruzen alone.
'I will make this up to you, Naruto, I promise.'
The Next Day
"Naruto, do you understand the mission?"
"Yes, we're about to make some assholes have a really bad day and then no days after that."
"That's a way of putting it. The encampment should be within your sensory range, what can you tell me."
"About 30 chakra signatures, only two significant, so missing nin."
"So, how would you like to handle this?" Kakashi asks as he signals for his pupil to stop.
"I have an idea, it should handle most of them while driving the missing nin in a controlled direction if they get out."
"And how do you plan to drive them to my direction?"
To this, Naruto only smirks before creating 15 kage bushins. "You'll see, sensei. They should be in position in 15 minutes." Nodding to the blonde, Kakashi and Naruto continue onto the camp.
Getting the feedback from four of his clones, Naruto informs Kakashi that they are in position and he'll be back to help with the missing nin. Kakashi only has to wait two minutes longer when he feels a large, coordinated chakra spike.
"Fire Style: Dragon Flame Bullet"
"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough"
After that, all that was heard were screams as the white hot flames raged through the unsuspecting encampment. Naruto had predicted the two missing nins would make it out of the ambush but he had underestimated himself, only one did.
"Kakashi Hatake? What do I owe the pleasure?"
"Iwa's Diamond Dog?" 'Oh, Naruto was right, I am about to give this asshole the worst day of his life' Kakashi thought with a bit of glee. However, his fun was not to be. As the two were squaring ff, Iwa's Diamond Dog suddenly found himself with a slit throat courtesy one blue eyed Uzumaki.
"Naruto, what has Uncle Kakashi told you about ruining his fun?"
"Not to."
"Precisely."
"Although, Sensei that reminds me, we need to talk."
"Yes, I believe we do given all of this," Kakashi said pointing to the funeral pyre still burning.
"Oh, no that can wait. Sensei, you're a high A rank shinobi, yes?"
"Flatterer. Yes, yes I am."
"So, why is it every time we come across an enemy ninja none of them consider running from you. Zabuza I somewhat get but the rest of them? It can't just be pride."
"What are you getting at?"
"Sensei, are you some legendary dick? It's the only thing that makes sense."
Kakashi can only laugh. "Yes, Naruto, I am. I go out of my way to antagonize enemy ninja. I figure if they feel some type of way about it, they can fight me. It usually ends poorly for them when they do and I get a workout. Fun for everyone… until they end up dead, I suppose. Now wrap him up so we can head back"
"You're weird, sensei."
"I've seen you have full on debates with twenty copies of yourself, let's not judge."
"Fair enough." Naruto says as he finishes sealing the body
The mission report in itself is mildly disturbing. Maybe she's being hypocritical since the mission was wholesale slaughter but killing 29 people with three jutsu… that's not normally. The effortless killing of a B rank Iwa nin to top off the night and Tsunade doesn't know whether to be concerned, proud or relieved. Concerned because a 13 year old has shown the ability to bring a lot of death very quickly without much effort. Chakra, am I right? Proud, because he's only been serious trained for less than a year, counting the chunin exams and this kid can bring a lot of death quickly and without much effort. He's what a ninjutsu specialist should be. Not those idiots that exchange ninjutsu like it's a game but knowing what jutsu to use and when to end the fight. If they were on better terms, Sarutobi sensei would likely have an ideal apprentice in Naruto. Chakra for days and an intuitive grasp of ninjutsu. It's a shame really. Oh, and finally relief. Why would Tsunade be relieved? Because he didn't bring that death in the village, on say a certain clan of arrogant bastards. Yea, she's going to go with relief on this one. Bt what was truly disturbing was Danzo's giggle. He was giggling like a pervert reading porn, it was unsettling.
"If that's all, Naruto you are dismissed." And with a nod, her favorite blond leaves.
Turning to the jounin in the room, "Kakashi, I've asked you to keep me abreast of his progress. You never mentioned he was learning fire release."
"That's because I didn't know, Tsunade-sama. I just thought he'd throw a lot of those exploding kunai he's fond of."
"Danzo, do you have something to contribute?"
"I didn't know he knew any katon jutsu. I attempted to get him to complete the nature manipulation exercises but when he started them he said and I quote, "I don't like fire style. It feels like mindless destruction, no wonder it fit the teme so well." So, I assumed he had stopped developing it, apparently I was mistaken." Danzo said with a shrug.
"Ok, I need you both to impress upon him he can't keep his abilities a secret from us. We need to know what he can do so we can plan for the Akatsuki. Also, you really let him stop learning something because of that?"
"I never learned doton jutsu because I thought Hiruzen was a bit of a bastard so I could relate."
"I'm surrounded by weirdos" Tsunade said, more to herself than anything.
In AME
"Alright, gang, good to have you all here. I know these quarterly meetings can be a bit dry but they are important. So, I'm going to get the most pressing news out of the way. We've had a bit of a setback. It has been confirmed, the Sanbi is currently out of play, it'll take at least three years for it to form so we're going to be switching plans a little. We'll be taking more missions while Zetsu keeps tabs on the other containers. Now, I know this is disappointing but things happen and this is no one's fault. With that out of the way, Kakuzu how are we financially?"
"Good, Leader-sama. If we keep our current mission intake, we'll have some nice reserves when we start collecting containers again."
"Excellent. So, with the major things out of the way, does anyone have anything to say? Issues needing addressing?"
"I have one, Leader-sama, uhn!"
"Then Deidara-kun, you have the floor."
"I'm concerned. I feel like we've formed a bond here but that is threatened when one of us seems to not want to contribute."
"And by one of us you mean me?"
"Yes, Itachi, I mean you. And what hurts the most is you're the one that recruited me. I thought we had such a good time but after that you just can't be bothered."
"He's right, Itachi. When I try to discuss Jashin with you, I can tell you aren't even listening. Being a criminal is one thing but no need to be a dick."
"Hn."
"Use your words, Tachi-kun."
"I hate you so much, Kisame. So, very much."
"Love you too, Tachi-kun."
"Look, guys, I know I'm not the warmest person. I tend to keep my own council. I don't know why, it's just my inclination but I understand how that can be disharmonious to the group and our aims. I can't promise to change overnight but I can try."
"So, why not start now? Tell us something about yourself."
"Let's see; my name is Itachi Uchiha. I like pocky, genjutsu. I loved my little brother. I hate war and arrogance. My hobbies are training, people watching and breakdancing. I seek peace."
"You breakdance?" Kisame asked
"Yes, we need proof!" the rest of the group chorused
What followed was Itachi pulling off an impressive series of moves.
"Alright, well that was entertaining. Thanks Itachi. Now if there is nothing more why don't be bring it?"
"Group hug!" shouts Hidan.
The training period had come to an end. Now was the time to see if he would be accepted to the elite of the village's shinobi forces. If he succeeds there will be no more saving princesses, which he's done twice since becoming a chunin, but embracing the darkness of his chosen profession. The darkness that molded Itachi and in some respect broke Danzo. He had been concerned if he could really do it, keep up with the ANBU forces but like so much of his life, the decided lack of choice makes the concern moot. Right now that lack of choice is represented by four ANBU agents attempting to take his head in the middle of this forest at night.
'I need to create some space and regroup.' Naruto thought as he dodged a series of kunai barely perceivable in the darkness of the night. Knowing the goal of the kunai was to herd him into a trap, Naruto instead darts to the source, immediately creating two kage bunshin and having them disperse to blind his assailant. Using the temporary distraction, Naruto hurriedly runs deeper into the forest.
"Same, report." commanded Tora
"He distracted me with chakra smoke, taicho and is currently running deep into the forest."
"He's likely setting up traps, we've lost the element of surprise."
"Damn it, how did we let a recruit slip past us?"
"You underestimated him, Tori. We all did. How do we proceed?"
"Carefully" said Tora.
Four shadowy figures give pursuit in a diamond formation, looking for the potential new recruit. In their haste they miss the kunai positioned in a triangular fashion until it was too late.
"Uzumaki style: Tri flame formation barrier fuin" Naruto calls out, ensnaring the four ANBU in his trap.
Naruto emerges from the tree, breathing a visible sigh of relief that his trap worked, until he sees one of the figures disperse into mud and is immediately on guard, narrowly ducking the odachi aimed for his head.
Steadying himself, Naruto puts his hands on the kodachi sharing a scabbard on his lower back, awaiting the charge. The two shinobi don't move, waiting for the other to give them the smallest of openings, and feeling confident he found one Raion attacks. Quickly closing the distance, Raion performs a vertical slash on Naruto, who blocks the attack with one of his kodachi while taking a swipe at Raion's neck with the other. Tilting backward, Raion avoids the attack and creates space between the two. Seeing the first light of dawn, Naruto knows the test is almost coming to a close and fights back a grin with the utmost effort. Seeing time is almost up, Raion dashes toward Naruto, hoping to subdue the potential recruit and begins a relentless assault. While practiced, Naruto is not as skilled with his blades as his attacker is and is being overwhelmed by the superior kenjutsu artist. Soon enough Raion has his blade to Naruto's neck, forcing him to drop his weapons.
"Do you yield?"
"Why would I do that?"
"You're good kid but don't get cocky, yield before I hurt you to prove a point."
"Do what you must but you should be more mindful of your surroundings" Naruto says as he disperses into a cloud of smoke.
"Earth Style: Swamp of the Underworld" is all Raion hears before he sinks into the ground.
Clapping was the first sign someone else was there, someone capable to slip past his sensory ability. When he looks up to see where the sound is coming from, he sees the ANBU commander, Dragon.
"You did very well, Naruto and I would like to personally welcome you into ANBU. We take the most dangerous missions, often unseen and unheard. This is not the place for personal glory but service to your village and the Hokage. From henceforth you will be known as Gama. Congratulations. Be at ANBU HQ in one hour." Dragon said immediately leaving by shunshin afterward.
As the shadow clone maintaining the barrier dispersed and Gama helped up Raion he can't help but wonder what the next three years of his life will entail.
"Hokage-sama"
"Dragon, how'd he do?"
"Better than expected. We always tell recruits they must make it to dawn but truthfully they rarely do. He accomplished all he needed to hours within to the test."
Allowing herself a small smile Tsunade speaks, "Who were the recruits that managed to last the entire night?"
"Beside Uzumaki-san, only Anko Mitarashi and Itachi Uchiha."