It had been four months; four months since Naruto's startling change. He had visited the old man that day, and his theory had been confirmed-it hadn't been a dream, it was real. He was a favored of the god Inari who had charged him with tasks, given him power and a chance at his greatest dream-love.

After visiting the hokage, who had given him a large amount of money for clothing, Naruto had immediately gone to the nearest shinobi supply shop to search for clothes…only to find that nothing suited his tastes. The clothing was too harsh, rubbing painfully against his skin. Those that he did find that had mild comfort were tight and nearly impossible to move in or too loose to be an option.

This dilemma resulted in Naruto's discovery of 'shinobi silk'. 'Shinobi silk' was mainly for undercover missions or for those in very high positions that required robes of ceremony. It was only available as cloth, and had to be sewn by charka threads by hand. For Naruto's new found tastes, it was worth. The material felt like silk-soft and cool with designs that pleased him, but still tough enough that he didn't need to worry about snags or it easily ripping. It took him a week to sew his chosen design together- a long sleeved, black cheongsam with a blood red cherry blossoms embroidered into the fabric. He wore long pants underneath, which he tucked into black slippers that were flexible enough for him to have full mobility with his foot.

He found that the slit in the cheongsam allowed for a good distraction-he could throw it up into an attacking enemies' face to block their vision or if one grabbed a hold of it, use it to pull them to himself, or simply cut it to throw them off balance. Naruto had also sewn many pockets into the out-fit-most of which were hidden within the natural folds and cuts of the fabric.

The way it complemented and hugged his curved body also pleased Naruto. Something deep down within himself purred at the feeling of the silk caressing his skin and at richness of its appearance. He was becoming rather materialistic, but couldn't find it in himself to care. He was changing, and had accepted that fact.

He found himself seeking out mirrors as of late. His whisker marks were still visible, but most people seemed to ignore them now. He looked more adult then his peers and felt more mature as well. His juvenile crush on Sakura had completely been eradicated upon his return to the academy-her treatment of others left something to be desired, in fact, her whole attitude left something to be desired.

Both himself and the hokage had agreed that it was best that he henge himself until at least the chunin exams. He found the metamorphosis to be easier if not fun. Indeed, a thrill of anticipation had run down his spine when he had preformed the change-back to the Naruto everyone knew, clothes and all. It hadn't felt or looked like a henge, instead of smoke, just a quick blink and he was changed. It was not even taxing to keep up.

The hokage had also taken Naruto quickly and quietly under his wing. He had begun to teach the boy and give him even more materials to work on during times he could not devote to physically training Naruto. History, philosophy, politics, law, meditation, health, self-awareness, psychology and culture were just a few of the subjects Naruto was expected to study in his off time and have committed to memory. The Professor encouraged him to practice his studies by taking on his new appearance and interacting with others. In this way, Naruto began to build bonds and relationships to others who never would have looked at him twice. But that is for another time.

Currently Naruto was partaking in his first mission. He was nervous, palms sweating and shaking with adrenalin and he shifted his weight from foot to foot in impatience. The hokage himself had gifted him with this assignment, and he would not fail.

Mizuki had been acting strange for the last few weeks that were leading up to the genin exams. He had been seen spending more time than necessary around the hokage tower, and was found more than once trying to enter the record's room. It was more than suspicious. Naruto's job was to force Mizuki's hand. He had, for the last few days, been pushing Mizuki's buttons in attempt to get him to say something in anger. That angle had failed. He didn't know Mizuki's plans, so he couldn't force him to push them forward. Which leads us to today and to his last option: reconnaissance.

Naruto had been following Mizuki around town for what seemed like weeks. His use of shadow clones (jiji had taught those to him first to help him with his studies and training) cut down the time and suspiciousness of shadowing Mizuki (he did live in a shinobi village after all) but it was still bothersome and boring.

It wasn't until the day before the genin exams that he finally found something of significance. In his last sweep of Mizuki's apartment, he had found the edge piece of singed parchment, only four words were readable. It was obvious that Mizuki had destroyed that paper and like deadly mistakes that ninjas make, it was this small clue that gave away everything.

Clutching the scarps tightly in his fist, he made his way for the hokage with information literally in hand. The damning words nearly burning into his flesh: failure steal, forbidden scroll.

0o0o0o0o0o0o

The hokage had requested that Naruto see his first mission out to the very end, which is why he was in his now natural form, donning a blank ANBU mask. The mask fit unnaturally on his face, and the ever emerging other-self inside of him nearly hissed at having to cover his face. It was an unfortunate necessity and he calmed himself down by thinking it was there to protect his face more than hide it.

O0o0o0o0o0o

(A/N: I hate to do this mid-story, but so many of you seemed concerned that Sarutobi was going to be a 'villain' in this story. As I told many of you when I replied to your reviews, I found Sarutobi to be such a weak character in the series, and it just didn't make a lot of sense to me-this guy it suppose to be the leader of a shinobi village-shinobi aren't weak and frail in mind or body. Now, he proved he had some physical capabilities with his fight in the chunin exams, but mentally…he always came off weak to me. Here, I'm trying to show that he isn't going to be a 'bad guy' but he isn't all good either-just like a shinobi. I hope this helps with the character development I've been trying to do with him. If not, please tell me and I'll try to further explain it-either with more blurbs like this one, or something else if that isn't working. Thanks, and sorry again for the interruption!)

Sarutobi was not necessarily a cruel man. He was a ninja, a human bred, hired and trained for deception, power, murder, theft and manipulation. A tool first, a human second. To become hokage, one had to embody these characteristics to an extreme and push them onto others. His job was not an easy one. Every day he sent men, women, children, the strong, the weak, the sick, he unable, the smart, the ignorant, the good, the bad, the weapon and the human out to kill or be killed. Every day, he killed someone indirectly-be it through orders or by accident. Be it his own, or a stranger.

Sarutobi was not evil, but many forgotten that to gain a position of power in a nation based on war and murder was not through being a kind old man. He was tired of being pushed around. He had given individuals too much power, and it was becoming a problem.

Sarutobi was not a cruel man, but for too long had he let the roots of Konoha blacken with rot.

His actions would not only create a legend, but a new era.

For better, or for worse.

O0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Mizuki was in a dilemma. No one had failed the genin exams, not even the kyuubi jinchuuriki. His mission had to commence tonight, he was already behind schedule and any further delay would lead to…repercussions. He was desperate, and desperate people made mistakes.

He had decided to do the job himself. Tonight he would sneak into the Hokage's private library and steal the Forbidden Scroll. What was in it that was so important to his master, he didn't know or care. The Hokage's tower was heavily guarded, but he was a trusted member of the school's staff, and as such, would not be looked at twice if he stated he needed some reference material for lesson plans. Iruka had done it before, so he should have just as much access.

Too bad he didn't know that Iruka was also the Hokage's secretary of sorts, and as such often access the more…sensitive material.

Ignorance always was Mizuki's weakness.

O0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o00o

Mizuki had blundered his way into the Hokage's library, alerting nearly every ANBU in the area. The ANU however, had been informed that they were not to interfere and had been told that it was the new recruit's rite of passage-a common occurrence in the ANBU world. So they stayed back and watched, wanting to see the new potential that had been added to their folds.

They watched as Naruto stalked his query, his body movements feline and smooth. The blank mask caught the light, symbolizing he had yet to be given his ANBU alias as he had yet to pass his final task. They followed as Naruto followed, eager to witness a new member to their pack. They watched anxiously as he caught up with his prey, as he caught Mizuki and knocked him out so he could later be interrogated. They would not be allowed to witness his first interrogation, and few would be there for his first kill, but many had watched on for his first mission. It was neither remarkable nor flashy, and that suited the ANBU perfectly.

The ANBU were the shadows of Konoha, and as such, were not noticeable unless they needed to be. A flashy ninja was a dead ninja-it gave away your location and usually the flashier the jutsu, the more chakra it wasted without purpose. It made for a good distraction and show, but little else.

As Naruto dragged Mizuki's unconscious body to ANBU headquarters, he prepared himself for the task ahead. He would have to torture and interrogate his once comrade and teacher. He had never been fond of Mizuki, but he still was a fellow comrade and it hurt to think of his betrayal. He especially felt bad for Iruka, who would no doubt take the news doubly hard.

He felt a small flicker of chakra as another ANBU dropped in front of him. The mask resembled a bird with a long, curved beak and the eyes were round and dark. He didn't know what bird it was, but it was a disconcerting image, especially as the mask tilted a little as the ANBU stared at Naruto. Finally the bird gave him a little nod, and presented his hand in offer to help.

Naruto shook his head once in negative. He appreciated the offer, but it was his first mission, and he wanted to see it out through the end. The other ANBU nodded his head in understanding, and many more dropped from the skies, surrounding Naruto on all sides. A brief pause, just enough to inhale, and then they all moved as one, moving towards headquarters.

It was as awe inspiring, seeing a sea of black and white masks, silent has the grave.

O0o00o0o0o0o0ooo00

Naruto sat across from Mizuki, staring at the man who stared at the table. Mizuki hadn't even tried protesting his guilt. In fact, he hadn't bothered trying anything. He just sat there, staring at nothing, saying nothing and responding to nothing. Finally Naruto had enough. He would make the man talk; he would not fail his Hokage.

He pulled deep within himself, the new power that he held within himself. He wasn't sure how to use it, just letted the power guide him. Catching Mizuki's eyes he whispered the words that flowed onto his lips.

::Kistune Intrapment::

Naruto watched in morbid facination and Mizuki at first seemed uneffected, then he slowly but surely seemed to loose his touch with reality. He began scratching at his face, arms and even the air around him, screaming for whatever was torturing him to stop.

"Just tell me what I want to know and they'll go away", Naruto cooed. "Just a few secrets and you'll be safe."

"No! No! N-nno! I can't! Get them off! Get them off!"

"Come now love, just tell me and they'll go away. Let me take your pain away" Naruto's eye lit up an eerie blue, cold and beautiful. Naruto took Mizuki's face between his hands, caressing it lovingly, cooing sweet promises into his ear as the maddness and horror increased.

It only took two more minutes for Mizuki to spill all he knew between giant sobs.

Looking to the window, Ibiki gave Naruto a nod of go ahead. Naruto was far too submerged into his new self to feel anything but excitement. Keeping his promise, Naruto changed the illusion surround Mizuki to something more pleasant before snapping his neck.

Dieing with a peaceful smile was more then the man deserved.