I Was Never Root

by NoElixir

Sai had become too much of a person. Shin had restored emotions before his death. Now Sai has been placed in the academy as a sleeper agent of sorts. How will this affect Konoha? (Sai : Main Character. Written from his perspective. No current ships. Enjoy and be sure to send any ideas through. [preferably as a review vs. a DM])

1. Chapter 1: My past

It had been 6 years living under Danzo-sama when Shin died. He was the closest thing to family to me, after all my parents had been slaughtered by the Kyuubi… at least that was what an unknown superior had informed me the one time I asked about my parents, that being when I had finally learnt basic speaking skills.

Shin and I had met when I was 6. He saw my drawing skills firsthand and clearly enjoyed getting me to draw more. He was a superior, you could say, but he was more like the older brother I never asked for, but had longed for years. After a few months of learning under him (that was when the teenager wasn't on missions), I had started drawing a book for him. A picture book so that he'd never forget me.

I was about 80% done with the book when Danzo-sama had found out about our relationship. Whilst on paper it was stated that he had perished from trying to capture a B rank missing ninja, I knew that Shin had been terminated.

2 Reasons:

1. He informed me that he was going to be in a progress meeting with Danzo-sama regarding myself, and that after that we would be training some more.

2. He never went on assassination missions. Only reconnaissance. I knew this due to him being in the recon division, his skillset not being perfect for assassination like Root required, and that he always told me about his missions.

Then again, this was Root we were talking about. Emotions were forbidden, and I had regained mine, much to Danzo-sama's dismay. At least I was still completely loyal.

The tongue seal made sure of that.

After that incident, Danzo-sama directly took me under his wing, teaching me how to put my newfound artistry skills to use in combat. While I was clearly matching his expectations, I was already a lost cause in being one of Danzo-sama's finest Root members. Then again, I was never promoted to genin status by Danzo-sama.

Instead, I was sent off to the shinobi academy at the age of 8, the year directly after the Uchiha Massacre. My mission: To observe and protect Uchiha Sasuke (the last loyal Uchiha) with my life, reporting to Danzo-sama every few months. I was also expected to act as a sleeper agent in case Danzo-sama needed a 'non-Root' ally within Konoha.

Then again, I was never Root. I never would be.