Love is an illusion that hides the truth about the world... but sometimes it's the eye opener that everyone requires.
~Anonymous
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Kakashi and I were walking towards the academy. Thankfully he bought the act and didn't question me.
He wore a simple black jacket and a green scarf with a pattern that reminded me of a character from a video game and I wore a plain black hooded jacket, shorts with multiple pockets and my new goggles hung loosely around my neck.
As we walked along the hallway I bumped into someone, literally.
"Hey! Watch where you're going," he screamed. I shook my head then looked to see Obito on the ground in front of me.
"Hi, Obito-nii, long-time no see." I greeted nonchalantly.
"Eh? Obito-nii? Only one person calls me that," his eyes widened. "Whoa, it's you! Mikoto-san's little brother. Where have you been?"
"Uh... places?" I offered. He still thinks Mikoto and I are related. Do I really look like an Uchiha? Please, say no.
He scoffed "Liar, be honest though where have you been?"
"Don't you need to go to your class, dead last?" Kakashi asked annoyed.
Obito was about to shout at Kakashi but I stopped him. "Wait I just remembered, I promised to teach you chakra control... but you already joined the academy so I'm assuming that you already unlocked you chakra."
He grinned proudly and adjusted his goggles. "Sure did and get this, I can stick a leaf on my forehead and three on my fingertips at the same time."
"That's good then," I said unsure on how to react. Was that supposed to impress me?
"So, which class are you in?" He asked with a hopeful expression.
"I'm in the same class as Kaka-nii-san," I answered happily.
"Kaka-nii-san," he muttered confused then his eyes widened. "What?! But he's in the graduating class! How did you get in there?"
"I've trained?" I offered as an explanation and he seemed to buy it.
"Is that what you've done while you were gone?"
"Yes," Advantages of having an idiotic friend. You can get away with a lot of things.
He grinned at me then placed an arm around my shoulder. "Don't worry about helping me, continue that training of yours. Once I become Hokage you're going to be my right hand man."
"I'll be looking forward to that, Uchiha-san." I said truthfully. I am going to be his right hand man, just not as the Hokage.
"Hello Kakashi-kun, Obito," I heard a girl greet them happily. I looked at the person and saw Nohara Rin.
"Hello," I greeted as Kakashi sighed in annoyance but nodded his head as a greeting and Obito blushed.
"Y-yeah, hi, Rin-chan," He greeted as his blush deepened. He is head over heels for this girl.
"Hello, who are you?" She said tilting her head sideways.
"I'm Kinju Takeshi, you?"
"Nohara Rin," she smiled.
"Nice to meet you, 'Rin-nee-chan'," her eyes widened.
"Nee-chan?"
"Takeshi we need to go. I don't want to be late," Kakashi interjected. I pouted then sighed.
"Fine," I drawled out as he pulled me by the wrist.
Before we got inside the classroom door I saw a blushing Obito and a confused Rin murmuring "Kaka-nii-san?" Her face flushed after realizing who I was talking about.
"My name is Kinju Takeshi. Nice to meet you all." I said while smiling at the class. Numerous hands went up right after I introduced myself so I expected the worst.
"How old are you?" After that was asked all hands went down.
"5," I answered as I started to sweat.
All heads turned to Kakashi who was unfazed by the attention directed at him.
"All right Takeshi go sit at any empty seat," I nodded then went over to sit beside Kakashi as the teacher started the lesson.
"Today we are having a test on the Clone Technique. Everybody step up here and make a copy of me," Deja vu.
"Can I go first, sensei?" I asked. Better keep the image fresh in my mind.
Some of the kids sighed in relief while other raised their eyebrows at me and started to murmur among themselves.
"Fine then, just make sure to remember the hand seals," I nodded then proceeded to do the seals.
I finished then molded my chakra and concentrated on what Shikaku looked like.
Mesh shirt, jonin vest, sweat pants, open-toe shoes, tan skin, black hair tied in a ponytail that resembles a pineapple, and most importantly no scar and a younger face.
Smoke covered me then my form started to change. When the smoke cleared I was standing next to Shikaku, same height, same slouch, and the same outfit.
"Good. Next!" I released the jutsu then went back to my desk and waited for everybody to have their turn. Some kids called me a 'show-off', but I ignored them.
It's best not to waste my time with children. I need to meet up with Zetsu at lunch but how do I get rid of Kakashi... and his fan girls?
Lunch came and Kakashi and I were eating our lunches under a tree with a few of Kakashi's fan girls on sight.
At first I thought fan girls were rabid and obsessed creatures but now I think they're pretty cool. They gave me rice balls and one of them gave me dango.
They immediately found out that I was close to Kakashi and now they're all acting like a mom to me. It was annoying and enjoyable at the same time.
"Hey who wants to play ninja?" Someone shouted. Finally I was waiting for someone to ask that.
"Kaka-nii-san, can I play?" I asked hopefully.
"Sure just don't go too far," he said.
"Ok! Thank you," I said as I went over to the kids.
"Hi! Can I join?"
"Sure! You know the rules right?" I nodded.
"Ok let's get started. Masayuki you're it this time."
"All right! I'll find you all. 1 minute flat," he said confidently, which made me inwardly smirk. I'd like to see you try.
He started to count and every kid scrambled to different directions.
I went behind the school hid my chakra then ran straight into the forest. I stopped at a tree and climbed it to rest on the branch. It's relaxing... I can stay here all day.
"Comfortable?" I heard an old 'friend' say.
"Hi, Zetsu-nii. What did Uchiha-sama want me to do?" I asked hurriedly knowing that we don't have much time.
"He wanted me to give you these," he said as he gave me a scroll.
"These? Don't you mean this?" I asked raising a brow.
He grinned. "It's a storage scroll. It has everything that Madara-sama wants you to learn. He said that it would be better if you trained with all of your chakra with you than half of it in a clone."
"Oh... so, now I'm working as a full-on infiltrator?"
"Yes," he answered as his grin widened.
"How am I supposed to report to Uchiha-sama now?"
"He wants you to work on your own until we get Obito. For the time being you're staying here to train and gain everyone's trust."
"It's either he completely trusts me or he chipped me," I guessed sarcastically.
"Or it could be both," He said as he disappeared inside the tree.
Both, really? I sighed. I guess I'm on my own now... that's great, no more Madara, sudden death, creepy caves, and dark places! I inwardly cheered. Although, I don't mind the 'lessons' he gives me... maybe when I get back I should call him Madara-sensei.
"Hey Goldy! We give up you can come out now." I heard someone shout from a distance. Goldy? Couldn't they be more immature? I sarcastically thought.
I placed the scroll in one of my pockets then Body Flickered over to the tree Kakashi was resting at and saw everyone looking for me, even Kakashi was occasionally looking around.
I laughed at them. "How long have they been at it?"
"About 8 minutes, Masayuki actually found them all in less than 1 minute and if you weren't such a master at hiding then he would have found all of you, 1 minute flat like he claimed earlier." Kakashi answered.
I chuckled to myself. "Hey guys, I'm over here!"
Kids started to pool below and Kakashi jumped next to me, avoiding the crowd.
"Where were you?" Masayuki asked.
"It's a secret hiding place that I found. So I'm not telling."
"No fair Takeshi!" Obito shouted.
"Life isn't fair, Uchiha-san." I retorted lazily, trying to sound like Shikaku.
"That is irrelevant!" A girl with blonde hair said.
"Actually, if you really think about it, it's relevant in many ways," I said while looking up.
She pouted then huffed. "Whatever let's play again. This time you're it," she said with a smirk, which didn't look intimidating at all.
"Sure," I answered with a sigh as I thought: Kids will be kids.
I found all of them and gathered them in a circle and looked at my age group then realized something. I am very short.
Everyone was taller than me, even Kakashi. I suddenly felt his chakra next to me. Speak of the devil and the devil shall come, they said.
He patted my head. "Nice, you're pretty good at this."
"Thanks... hey, Kaka-nii-san let's play tag," I said as I poked him on the shoulder, "you're it," then jumped away landing on a tree branch and ran as he chased after me like we used to.
"Hey, I want to join!" I heard Obito shout from a distance. I laughed at him.
Shikaku and the teacher for the lower 'grade' thought it was idea to let the the two classes spend some time together. To learn how to work with people of different ages.
Every kid talked and laughed freely while the teachers were away. Unlike everyone else I scanned the room for familiar faces while holding up a book to my face.
Uchiha Obito... I narrowed my eyes and focused on the orange-obsessed Uchiha.
How long is this going to take? I thought glancing at the slow moving clock. Shaking it off I began to refresh my memory.
Madara's expression remained blank. "Show me your dream, boy." His sharingan spun, in a second they are trapped in a genjutsu; inside a white room. Looking around I saw a younger version of Madara, which I easily recognized. "Show me this dream." He repeated.
I gave him a quizzical look. "How?"
"Think about it." Madara answered flatly.
"O-okay?" I stuttered, sensing something off with the Uchiha.
Senju Hashirama. Uchiha Madara. Nine-tails. Uzumaki Mito. Madara with a Zetsu clone and the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. A blurred version of the Akatsuki. Naruto. A red moon with the Rinnengan markings and 7 Sharingan comma marks.
After seeing this Madara's face held no expression, obviously in deep thought. I fidgeted because of the silence.
"You know too much." Madara finally stated, walking closer me.
My lack of motor-control made me back away from Madara. Though my efforts were deemed useless when my back connected with an invisible wall.
Madara stopped inches away from me and went down to my level. "Join me or die," He said plain and simple then added, "Although... It would be such a shame to dispose of someone with a gift such as yours."
Feeling hopeless and slightly stupid I asked. "W-why?"
"You owe me." Madara claimed.
"I owe you? I don't understand."
"Takeshi." I flinched when a voice called my name.
I smiled brightly as I turned to face my silver-haired friend. "What is it, Kaka-nii-san?"
"Nara-sensei, just came in and said we can go." Kakashi answered.
"Ok, let me just gather my things; I'll follow you outside."
Kakashi smiled under his mask and nodded. "Don't take too long."
"Your clan originated from Uzushiogakure. Kinju and Uzumaki, being the only two clans in the village, were allies. They protected the village with everything that they can give, no matter how small." Madara started.
"You know about my clan?" I asked skeptically.
"Kinju Ena, the heiress of the Kinju clan, was a close friend of Uzumaki Mito. Ena had strong feelings for that man. When she found out about their engagement, she grew hatred for the Uzumaki."
"E-na?" I said, thinking. This is not a part of the timeline.
Madara eyed me before continuing. "She made up a lie about the Senju and Uzumaki. She tried to convince the Kinju to rebel agaisnt them. Being the heiress does not automatically mean everyone will listen to her. She is just the heiress not the leader. The clan didn't believe her claiming, she had no solid evidence. In anger and disappointment she ran away and trained in the forest where I met her. At first I was reluctant about joining forces with a female, but she proved herself worthy of our time. We accepted and the three of us went off to battle that man and his brother we almost won..." He paused for a long time.
"When I accepted the truce, Ena was furious. She said, I would never achieve peace and everything will happen over and over... That the world will never gain peace. She said everything in this world is in a never-ending loop... It took one look at a rock to finally realize, that she's right." He paused again.
"During my battle with that man she secretly aided me. After I escaped she found me, she never explained how. All she said is, it's a clan ability. While she helped me recover she wasn't able to take care of herself. She died due to exhaustion and an incurable disease she never told me about." He paused yet again.
"Before she died she made me promise to create the perfect world I always talked about, where every living being's dream would come true..."
The surroundings changed back to a dark cave.
As I listened to Madara's story only one thing ran through my mind.
I narrowed my eyes and scowled. This is ridiculous... and yet it is happening. I don't think Madara was completely honest during that time with all the pauses, or was it for effect? And what does he mean I owe him? He hasn't cleared that up yet.
I turned to glare at the clock. Oh, dang! It's been 5 minutes.
At some point after my return I was summoned to the Hokage building with Kakashi to meet Mikoto, Kushina, Fugaku, and Minato.
They all greeted me happily, Kushina with a bone crushing-er I mean affectionate hug, Mikoto with a slightly less affectionate hug, and a pat on the head from Minato.
I don't know about Fugaku but I thought him nodding his head as a greeting was enough to make me latch to his leg and say, "You do care after all, Fugaku-nii-san!". This made him uneasy like the last time, which was a pretty long time ago.
After our mini reunion the Hokage informed me that if I was able to graduate early someone was waiting to take me under their tutelage. I was cautious at first, but the Hokage assured me that the person was a good friend of his.
Although that might sound reassuring to some, it made me worry even more. I'm not familiar with the Hokage's friends during this time period so I didn't know what to expect.
In the end I accepted the offer thinking: Any help would be good enough as long as it's not Orochimaru, or Danzo.
4 months passed and now I was about to find out, Kakashi was already with Minato as I was now sitting impatiently on the floor of the Hokage's office.
The genin exam in this time period is different from the canon one, they have higher standards.
The requirements were within the 10 minute time limit we should be able to use the Substitution Technique, Clone Technique, and be able to hit three targets while sparing with a slightly experienced genin.
Villages sure do have higher standards during war-time. But no worries, all I had to do was hit a pressure point in the end to make him faint so I would have enough time to throw my kunai at the targets. 8 minutes flat... well, flat-ish.
The sound of the door opening pulled me out of my thoughts. I turned my head to see Shimura Danzo.
"Takeshi, this is Shimura Danzo. He is the person that requested to train you," The Hokage informed me.
Danzo, of all the people...? Why him? Did I leave a good impression on him when we first met?
A good impression is better than a bad one.
"My name is Kinju Takeshi. It's nice to meet you again, Shimura-san. Although our first meeting wasn't one to remember I hope I left a decent impression." I said careful with the words that I use.
"All I am asking for is permission to train you. I would like an answer as soon as possible, Takeshi." He said with an uncaring tone. Well that was very straight forward. I stood there thinking about the offer.
If he wants to train me then it's probably because he wants to have my kekkei genkai on his side. This could either be a chance to infiltrate the inner security of Konoha or really bad luck. I don't even know what his plans are at the moment. I'm not sure what he's going to do during the non-canon parts of the story... rgodWait, maybe training with him would give me some insight on what goes on... it might also give me the chance to meet Yamato. If I remember correctly he used to be part of Root.
"Um, I think, I'm going to accept your offer, Shimura-san. But aren't you controlling the ANBU unit? Wouldn't training a child be a hindrance to your schedule?" His face stayed emotionless but a hint of amusement could be faintly seen.
"Since you accepted my offer I think I can answer a few of your questions once we find a more secluded place," he turned to the Hokage. "Hiruzen I will be taking the child with me."
"Very well," the Hokage answered unsure on how to react to the situation. He gave me a worried look which I returned with a wide grin.
"Please tell Kakashi that I might be home late. He would freak out if you don't."
"Of course, good luck," he said with a faint smile.
We were walking across a cold and empty hallway. All doors were shut and not a noise was heard; the silence is making me uncomfortable.
We stopped in front of a door that looked identical to the others I've seen before. I waited for him to open it and followed him as he went inside.
The room had cold stone walls, a desk in the middle with two chairs on either side. The only light provided was coming from an oil lamp that was placed in the middle of the table.
He sat down on one of the chairs and motioned for me to sit. I calmly walked over then sat down.
"First of all, I do not control ANBU. I am the founder and leader of a slightly different branch called Root. We work to protect the village no matter what the costs may be."
So, that means Root is a branch of ANBU that works differently and it has different priorities and requirements when it comes to candidates.
"Why did you choose me to be part of this organization?"
"The 'scene' you made in Hiruzen's office caught my attention. I have noticed that you kept your emotions intact even as you were ranting. You simply know how to act in different situations and hide your true emotion." He said without missing a beat.
Has he been spying on me? What a stalker... wait a second, that's my job.
I decided to voice out my thoughts. "For how long have you been gathering information about me, Shimura-san?"
He kept his face blank. "3 days after meeting you. I still had to consider some things before I fully made my choice and placed you in a category in my division."
3 days? That's good that means he doesn't know about Zetsu. But what about Jiraiya?
"Root is a new division and you are one of its first members. About your category I have decided that you would be put in the Infiltration and Information Gathering team." He hit the target dead center. That's exactly what I'm doing now.
"As a member of Root you must follow certain rules. Never show emotion, never trust anyone outside the organization, always listen to your superiors, never mention the organization in any way, always complete a mission, and protect the village at any costs. If you are certain that you would be able to follow these rules then I shall welcome you into the organization if not, you must give your word and never speak of this meeting to any living being... so, what is your choice?"
Living like a robot sure sounds boring. But if it helps get me Intel then I guess I wouldn't mind. My life is already messed up anyway so why bother trying to live a normal one. But, this protect the village at any costs thing is something that I have no opinion on.
"I will join," I decided.
I can already see it, mission after mission, bloodshed and sleep deprivation. That's the life planned for me. Live life to the fullest!
"I am glad to have you in here," he said not sounding glad at all but rather stoic. "Your training will begin tomorrow. The first mission that will be assigned to you will depend on how well you do in training... may I ask if you know what element you have an affinity over?"
I debated on whether I should tell him but quickly dismissed the mental argument and just decided on informing him and not mess up my head.
"I have an affinity over water and my other elements are wind and lightning."
"Water, I have heard that you were personally taught some techniques by one of the Hiruzen's students, Jiraiya, is that true?" He asked eager to get more information from me.
"Yes."
He closed his eyes thinking. I took this opportunity to look around.
Escape routes: Door. Possible weapons: Lamp, Table, Chairs. Is that a mouse-hole? I wonder where it goes to?
"Tomorrow we will meet at the Hokage's office, 6am sharp. It will become part of your routine. Bring scrolls if you want to. Inform your brother beforehand that you will most likely won't be at home most of the time."
"Yes, Shimura-san," I said with a bow.
He gave a slight nod. "You are dismissed."
I knew it was a bad idea to get close to Danzo, but I need information from him. It might take a while but I'll get what I want.
Wake up, eat, train, eat, and sleep.
That's how my day goes ever since I started my training. Lately Kakashi has been worried about me, he said I looked like a ghost the first few weeks, and how can I not?
Every day I wake up at 5 in the morning, I meet Danzo then he makes me spar with another member every day; sometimes I win, sometimes I lose. After the spar he makes me practice my accuracy and weapon skills. Meditation for 2 hours, which means sitting cross-legged on the ground for 2 hours doing nothing but breathing then dealing with a sleeping leg after. For the rest of the day it was ninjutsu, perfecting my water techniques and learning the Shadow Clone Technique. By the time I return home it's already 9 in the evening.
My enemy was slowing down his punches and kicks weren't as powerful and coordinated like they used to. He kept on attacking me with kunai and many fire jutsu. He was out of breath, weapons and chakra while I was about to fall asleep any minute.
I'm in the middle of fighting a chunin and this was supposedly my chunin exam. Due to the starting war we weren't able to properly do the exams. So instead we had to battle a chunin. To get promoted you have to win the fight by either making the other forfeit, knocking him out or killing him, simple as that.
I was debating on whether to kill or knock him out, but in the end I decided to do both; with the exception of really killing him. I don't want my first kill to be a ninja from Konoha.
I jumped away then created a shadow clone to deal with him as I hid by the lone tree in the stadium. Unsurprisingly, he was too tired to see through my plan so he battled my clone believing it was me while I sat on the tree rummaging through my pouch for senbon.
He punched and kicked my clone several times before it disappeared with a cloud of smoke. He was surprised and before he knew it I had already thrown my senbon with deadly accuracy. It planted itself on his neck where there was a vein that if pierced would temporarily kill him for 1 hour. He dropped dead on the ground after a second of silence.
I jumped down from the tree and went over to his side to take the senbon out of his neck, careful not to accidentally kill him for real. The referee went to my side and asked if he was still alive.
"No, but he will be in an hour just bring him to the hospital to rest." I answered with a monotone.
He nodded his head uneasily as he eyed me skeptically.
Danzo who was watching the fight talked to me afterwards and told me that I needed to focus on the battle. I replied with a nod and accidentally said, "See you tomorrow." But I didn't care I had bigger problems.
"Takeshi, you need to take a break from training. You almost got hit by a kunai earlier." Kakashi pinched his thumb and forefinger and made a small gap. "You were this close to losing. If you're not going to listen then I'm going to talk to the Hokage about this."
"Kakashi, you worry too much. I'm fine, I can handle this," I drawled out. My vision was blurred I was slowly falling asleep as Kakashi carried me on his back on the way home.
He didn't say anything he just winced as if I punched him.
"Kakashi, you ok?" No reply. I sighed then just ignored him and tried my best not to fall asleep.
When we finally reached the house he placed me back on the ground. I stumbled a little but managed to have enough control to keep myself up and not sleep by the door. Once inside I headed straight for the bedroom and changed into a shirt and a pair of shorts before literally falling on the futon, which hurt a bit.
Before falling asleep Kakashi asked me a question. "Why do you do this to yourself?"
"I just don't want to feel helpless again," was my half-honest answer before I fell asleep.