New Team Kakashi
On the day we were going back to the leaf village, the village received word from Gai.
"Minato we got word from Naruto for team Kakashi," Kushina said.
"What is it?" Minato asked figuring something happened with Kakashi for Naruto to send it.
"His team and team Kakashi has successfully rescued lord Kazekage, with no casualties. However the Shukaku was removed from Lord Kazekage but barely survived it. Kakashi is temporary in able to move without help," Kushina said, "Team Kakashi and Team Gai are heading home."
"That's good," Minato said thinking, "It's a relief that Gaara survived the removal dispite his odds."
"Minato, there's another problem," Kushina said.
"What is it?" Minato asked.
"It also said that Sakura has a request for a mission regardless in finding Sasuke," Kushina said.
"That is a problem, if Kakashi is unable to go on this mission, Sarutobi's advisor's will be breathing down my neck more about not sending Naruto to a mission outside the village," Minato said as the two did get on him a day after Team Gai left.
"To add to it, they still want to talk to you about an alternative about having a root member join team Kakashi is Sasuke's place," Kushina said.
Minato sighed hearing that.
"I know why, Danzo been wanting Naruto in the root ever since Naruto came here," Minato said, "Let's wait until Team Kakashi gets back and find out about Kakashi's condition, then I'll decide about who to join."
"Right," Kushina agreed.
Days later we arrived at the leaf and Kakashi was send to the hospital.
"Sorry Minato, Kakashi won't be going on another mission for a few more weeks," Tsunade said.
"I was afraid of that," Minato said, "Well I better go and talk to Naruto and Sakura about this mission they requested."
"Good idea," Tsunade said.
Minato disappear in a yellow flash and reappear in his office.
Soon after Sakura and I were let in.
Sakura explained to Minato about the Tenchi bridge.
"Well I don't know if it's a trap or not but either way I'll have to assign you two, new teammates," Minato said.
"Teammates, as in two?" I asked.
"Yeah Naruto, as in two, the elders been breathing down my neck since I send you three to rescue Gaara cause of the fact the Akatsuki were after you," Minato said, "Just think the second new teammate as a backup person until you can get Sasuke back."
"Well that's okay, but what was the arrangements?" I asked.
"Okay I'll tell you since it involves the two of you, but don't tell anyone," Minato said.
"Got it," Sakura responded.
"Roger," I responded as well.
"Have either of you heard of the root division?" Minato asked.
"No I haven't," Sakura said.
"Neither have I," I responded.
"Well the root division is an organization within the leaf of specialize Anbu trained in the ways similar to the mist village back when it was called the bloody mist," Minato said, "You can already get the idea from your experience with Zabuza what that means."
"Yeah," I responded.
"Well it's led by a man name Danzo who was runner up for the position of 3rd Hokage," Minato said.
"Let me guess the elders requested that a member of the root division be our 4th teammate," Sakura said.
"Yes, but this is why I want you to keep it as a secret," Minato said, "Only those of the council is suppose to know about the root. Even though I'm Hokage, Danzo doesn't reveal who are in his root unless necessary, like now."
"Okay, but what about Kakashi-sensei, are they going to send another root member to replace him?" I asked.
"It's unsure right now, but I can say this Naruto, even if they don't or allow me to pick one, I'm going to choose an Anbu as well," Minato said.
"I get it, by picking another Anbu, it still works under the elder's request, and Naruto will still be able to go on this mission," Sakura said.
"Exactly, I can't say who it is, but I can tell you this, I do have one in mind that is best replacement for Kakashi, especially since he has some experience working with Kakashi," Minato said.
"Sounds good to me," I responded.
"Good, now remember to keep what I told you about the root a secret, and when I get things arrange, you'll be able to know," Minato said, "Also Sakura, Tsunade wants to talk to you."
"Okay," Sakura responded.
Sakura and I headed our own ways after the briefing.
Minato ended up meeting with Koharu and Homaru.
"So you agree with our arrangements," Koharu asked.
"Yes but with one exception," Minato said, "Kakashi is unable to go on any missions for at least a week, so I request for his replacement, I pick an anbu member of my choosing."
"I don't see any objections since the original plan was to have an Anbu as Sasuke's replacement," Homaru said, "But get this Minato, if you're persistence of sending the Nine-tails on dangerous missions outside the village lead to the leaf village's downfall to the Akatsuki, you'll be held responsible."
"I understand, and its Naruto, not The nine-tails," Minato said.
"Fine then, we'll inform Dazo about the arrangements," Koharu said.
Somewhere in the village I was walking around thinking about what Minato said.
"How do I work with a guy who shows no emotion," I said out loudly to myself.
"It been a long time Naruto," someone said.
I turned to a male my age, taller than me, wearing an open trench coat like jacket with s shirt that the neck that covered his mouth, the hood of the jacket over his head, and wearing goggles.
I sniff the air and recognize his smell immedietly.
"Oh Shino, it been a long time," I responded.
"You had to use my sense of smell to recognize me?" Shino responded.
"Sorry," I responded.
"Shino you're early," another familiar voice said.
A large dog jumped down with Kiba on it.
Kiba was now the same height as me, wearing a black cloth headband, wearing a black shirt like jacket with black pants.
"Hey Kiba," I responded.
"No way Naruto," Kiba responded, "I thought I recognize your scent."
The dog barked loudly in agreement.
That was when I recognize the dog.
"Akamaru?" I responded pointing at the dog.
"Yeah who else would it be," Kiba said.
"How about the fact the last time I saw him he was small enough he could ride on your head," I responded.
"Really, I guess we been together so much, I didn't even noticed," Kiba said.
"You noticed didn't you Shino?" I asked.
"You recognize Kiba without his scent," Shino said.
"What just happened?" I asked.
"Don't mind Shino," Kiba responded, "Hinata sure will be happy to see you back."
Just as Kiba said that I heard a gasp and caught onto Hinata's scent.
Hinata was hiding behind the fence, surprise to see me.
Hinata was wearing a purple jacket with light purple sleeves, dark color pants, a black cloth headband around her neck, and her hair was longer than before.
I use the teleportation jutsu to teleport onto the fence above her.
"Hi Hinata," I greeted.
Hinata fainted seeing me leaving me in confusion.
"Hinata, what's wrong?" I asked.
"Naruto what did you do?" Kiba asked coming over.
"I did nothing," I responded.
After a bit Hinata woke up.
"Sorry about surprising you Hinata," I told her when she woke up.
"Oh uh, it's okay," Hinata responded.
"So Naruto, are the rumors true?" Kiba asked.
"Rumors?" I asked.
"About you being promoted to specialize Jonin," Kiba said.
"Oh yeah," I responded, "I was promoted."
"To bad, I was hoping you were still Chuunin," Kiba said.
"Congratuation Naruto," Hinata responded.
"Thanks Hinata," I responded.
After a bit, I decided to check on Shikamaru.
"Sorry Naruto, I can't stay to talk long," Shikamaru said, "Lord Hokage wants me to help out with the Chuunin exam."
"What about Choji?" I asked.
"Choji and Ino will be heading off on a mission with Asuma-sensei, soon," Shikamaru said.
"I don't mind hanging out with Naruto," someone said.
I turned to Choji who was almost as tall as me, wearing a red suit, armor and red cloth headband, and his hair had grew out as well.
"Here Shikamaru, your mother asked me to drop your lunch off," Choji said, "Anyways, I wouldn't mind hanging out with Naruto."
"Come on Choji, you know Asuma-sensei is expecting you on time for the mission," Shikamaru responded.
"He'll understand why I'm late considering I haven't seen Naruto in 2 ½ years," Choji said.
"It's okay Choji, I don't want to cause you any trouble," I said.
"No its okay Naruto," Choji said.
"Choji that maybe true if you informed him before hand, but not right after the meeting time," Shikamaru said.
Suddenly I sense trouble coming as the smell of ink filled my nose.
"Choji Shikamaru, we got trouble," I said.
Just then a beast that look as if it was drawn came at us.
Choji use the partial expansion jutsu on his arm and hit it.
When he hit it, ink splattered everywhere.
Another ink beast came at us from above.
I summoned my tail and hit it, and again it turned into ink and splattered everywhere.
"Over there," Shikamaru said pointing at a roof far from us.
Sure enough there was a leaf ninja our age with black hair, black eyes, wearing grey and black shirt that only covered the top half of his body, and black pants.
"I haven't seen him before, but he's wearing a leaf headband," I thought, "So why is he attacking us fellow leaf ninjas?"
The guy drawed more beast on his scroll
"Shikamaru, I'll get him, you cover me," I said.
"Got it," Shikamaru responded.
I headed toward the guy full speed.
The guy use some kind of Jutsu and brought his drawings to life.
Shikamaru's use the shadow striking jutsu to hit the beast causing them to turn into ink.
I look into the guy's eyes and sense no emotion.
I quickly use the teleportation jutsu as I took out a kunai.
When I reappeared close to the guy he stopped my attack with his own sword.
"He was able to sense where was I was coming at," I thought.
"Well aren't you cleaver in your own way," The guy said.
"Who are you?" I asked.
The guy noticed Shikamaru's shadow possession jutsu was coming at him and jumped out of the way.
He drawed a bird on his scroll and summon it.
"I'll see you later, Naruto," the guy said and use a teleportation jutsu to get away.
"He knew my name, and said he would see me later. Not to mention those eyes, they seem as if they were filled with hardly any emotion," I thought then remembered what Lord Hokage told Sakura and me, "Could he be from the root."
"He got away," Shikamaru said.
"Yeah," Choji responded.
"Hey Choji, did you forgot about the mission," someone said.
They turned to see it was Ino standing there.
She was about Sakura's height, she let her hair grown out some more, was wearing a purple top and matching skirt.
"Asuma-sensei was mad when you didn't show up," Ino said.
"Sorry Ino, I was talking with Shikamaru and Naruto when a weird guy showed up and attack us," Choji said.
"Naruto, he's here where is he," Ino responded as she stopped listening after hearing my name.
She saw me on the roof where I was still at.
"Hey Naruto long time no seek," Ino shouted.
"Great now Ino would want to talk to Naruto, I hope Asuma-sensei is understandable," Shikamaru responded.
At the office Minato finish discussing to Danzo about the root member, and gained little information about him that Danzo would allow.
(Normal POV (A/N: Since This has to do with Tenzo's appearance and gaining the code name Yamato))
Now Minato was waiting for the Anbu of his choosing.
An Anbu appeared with a cat like mask wearing Anbu armor.
"You called me Lord Hokage," he said.
"Yes Tenzo, I have a mission for you," Minato said, "It's a Jonin rank mission, so you don't need a mask Tenzo."
The Anbu took off his mask showing his face as he had brown hair dark eyes and his forehead protector for his headband as a plate that goes down on the sides to his chin.
"You'll be replacing Kakashi Hatake as team leader of his squad, for their mission," Minato said, "During the time you'll be going by the code name Yamato."
"It be my honor to replace Kakashi's place," Tenzo responded.
"Good, now the squad includes, Naruto Uzumaki who is currently ranked: Specialize Jonin, and Sakura Haruno who currently ranked Chuunin and is also the squad's medical ninja who was trained under the medical training program under Tsunade," Minato said.
"The Nine-tail Fox's son." Tenzo thought as he heard about my reputation.
"Also you'll have a member of the root division as a 3rd Teammate," Minato explained.
"The root huh," Tenzo said.
"Keep an eye on him, Danzo wouldn't allow his own root member go without a cause, and I don't know if the cause has to do with Naruto or not," Minato said, "I promise the chief of Mt Oinari that Naruto will be okay in the leaf and won't be use for evil or as a tool, but I doubt Danzo sees it the same way."
"Understood," Tenzo said.
"Now go introduce yourself to the team," Minato said.
"Right," Tenzo said.
(Back to Naruto's POV)
I met up with Sakura at the meeting place.
"So Sakura what did Lady Tsunade wanted to talk to you about?" I asked.
"She was wandering about the type of poison Sasori used, just incase it comes up again," Sakura said, "After all we don't know if Sasori was the only one who had access to it."
"Good point," I responded.
"Hello there," someone said.
I turned to see the guy who attack Choji Shikamaru and I before.
"You!" I responded.
"Naruto you know him?" Sakura asked.
"Yeah he attack Shikamaru Choji and me while we were talking," I responded.
"Sorry about that, it's just I heard about your reputation Naruto, and I wanted to test your ability so I can see for myself," the guy responded, "Although if you ask me, Chuunin is more fitted for you, not specialize Jonin."
"Say that again," I responded.
Sakura figured out that the guy was from the root.
"Hey calm down," a man with brown hair and jonin outfit said said arriving, "My name is Yamato, and I'll be replacing Kakashi for this mission."
"Sorry it seem's Naruto had trouble with our other new teammate," Sakura said.
"You can say that for sure ugly," the guy said.
That ticks Sakura off as she tried to attack the guy.
I held Sakura back as she tried to fight the guy.
True the guy made me mad, but it wasn't like I was going to go full strength at him, but Sakura was another story.
Once Sakura calmed down I let go of her.
"Listen, you're new to team Kakashi, so let me warn you about something," I said, "I dealt with a lot growing up, and even though your attitude makes me mad as well, I can hold back if I wanted to, but if you make Sakura mad, or both of us mad, you're asking for trouble."
"Nice to know," the guy said.
"Okay now that we got that out of the way, why don't you tell me your names, since you already know mine," Yamato said.
"Naruto Uzumaki," I started.
"Sakura Haruno," Sakura continued while giving the guy a look.
"I'm called Sai," the guy known as Sai said ignoring Sakura.
"Okay then, I'll explain the mission," Yamato said, "We are to go to the Tenchi bridge. Once there we intercept and capture the spy. Once we have him captured we might be able to gather information on Orochimaru, and come up with a way to bring Sasuke Uchiha back. We will meet at the gate in one hour, you got that time to prepare."
We headed out our way.
"Man that Sai is a pain in a neck," I said, "If it wasn't for the you know what, I would request a change in teammates."
"Yeah, but at least our new captain seems to be good," Sakura said, "Although I bet the name is just a code name, unless he allow himself to demoted."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Naruto, an Anbu's identity is suppose to be a secret as well," Sakura explained, "Even after demotion not many are suppose to know they were a member of the Anbu. Only close family and other anbu members know their true identity."
"That makes sense," I said.
At Sai's apartment the walls had paintings with no name.
Sai was packing up including his picture book.
Sai felt a present and block an attack from a mask root member.
"Danzo told me to give you this," the man said handing a huge envelope.
Sai opened it and look at the man after seeing it.
"You were assign a top secret mission from Danzo, don't let us down," the man said, "Failure is not an option."
He went to alert and threw a kunai out the window.
It hit a branch where a cat was at.
Once it was clear the man was about to leave when he noticed the picture book.
"You still carrying that with you?" the man asked.
"This is…" Sai stopped unable to finish.
"In the root we have no names, no feelings…" The man said.
"No past, no future, all that exist is missions," Sai finished knowing it.
"We are the roots that keep the leaf tall, don't forget it," the man said before disappearing.
Minato hearing Sakura's word about meeting Sai, as he was curious of how it went.
"I see, that much trouble already," Minato said.
"Yes," Sakura said.
"Well, you and Naruto will just have to learn to look pass it," Minato said.
"Huh?" Sakura responded.
"Don't be surprise Sakura, I knew if that boy was able to annoy Naruto, he would definitely be able to annoy you," Minato said, "Just make sure he doesn't find out you know he's from the root unless necessary."
"Yes sir," Sakura responded.
There was a knock on the door.
"Come in," Minato said.
A man wearing a white robe and a black part that cover one of his arms with bandages covering one of his eyes, and a cane to use to walk came in.
"Hello Danzo," Minato said.
"I trust you have assign a squad leader for Sai's new team?" Danzo asked.
"Yes, and he's at the rank we agreed on as promised," Minato said, "He's the best choice considering his records back before I became Hokage and the 3rd was alive."
"That's good, I just hope he didn't take the foolish 3rd's teachings to the heart as your sensei did, who taught it to you," Danzo said.
"Danzo, don't forget our deal," Minato said, "You know what will happen if you break it."
Danzo stare at Minato and understood.
"Right, well at least I can enjoy my tea at peace," Danzo said leaving.
The door shut and Sakura turned to Minato.
"So that's…" Sakura said.
"Yep Danzo, head of the root," Minato said.
"Lord Hokage what deal were you talking about?" Sakura asked.
Minato sighed as he knew it would be reveal eventually.
"Don't tell Naruto, but when I told the council my plans for him to become ninja, Danzo requested that Naruto skip the academy joined the root," Minato said, "He said Naruto was to unstable to keep out in the public."
"Naruto dangerous, only to those who threatened him," Sakura said, "Other than that he's loyal."
"I know, but not many believe that considering Naruto's heritage," Minato said, "But I promised the chief that Naruto would be treated like a normal person and make more human friends. If he had join the root, it would destroy the beliefs Naruto was taught and believe in."
"Breaking your promise to the chief," Sakura said.
"Exactly, so instead I made a deal with Danzo, I would allow him build up the root division in his teachings again after being defeated, in return Naruto would start the academy and rise in ranks, and if he choose or not choose to join the root when he reaches Anbu, is up to him, and for the first few weeks Naruto would be watch on to make sure he doesn't cause troubles," Minato said, "However, even with the deal I doubt Danzo would back down on the chance to use his power, or anything to spread his teachings across the leaf village. That's why I want you to watch on Sai."
"Yes sir," Sakura understood.
Sakura headed out as Minato sat back.
"Sakura you only understand, if his teaching continues to spread, there will be rebellions and civil wars break out in the leaf, that's why it was ended in the first place," Minato thought.
A/N: Its drawing close to July fourth and there's still a poll on my Biol of what Anime/manga you want to crossover with The Nine-Tail Fox's Son.
Inuyasha
Yu Yu Hakusho
Kekkaishi
Next Time: We go off on our mission and Sai continues to cause trouble. However Yamato reveals a style of jutsu that hasn't been seen since the 1st Hokage. Sakura and I must work with Sai and keep on Yamato's good side. Will we be able to pull together before we get to Tenchi Bridge? Read To Find Out...