I DO NOT OWN NARUTO OR ITS CHARACTERS ALL RIGHTS BELONG WITH KISHIMOTO, VIZ MEDIA, AND SHONEN JUMP. PLEASE SUPPORT THE ORIGINAL RELEASE

Welcome back. Honestly surprised I keep getting favorites and follows on the story, it's a great boost in my confidence. I hope you all had a pleasant week. And damn, February is just about finished. Time is certainly flying. Sorry for the Late chapter release. Anyways let's get into this week's chapter. Enjoy the Read!

Chapter 7: Team Seven Formation!

Last time on Naruto: The Darkness Within:

Hiruzen Sarutobi told Kakashi his team early so he can start to bond with them as a certain war hawk has eyes on its prey. Kakashi understands this and even meets up with Naruto later on to teach him the Shadow Clone Jutsu. The Kazekage had a meeting with an unknown man about the Leaf Village's destruction in the near future. Meanwhile the Akatsuki led by Madara is making its plans for the one tails and the traitor! Jiraiya tells the boys he will teach them the Rasengan. Jiraiya teaches Sasuke the tree walking and water walking to both Naruto and Sasuke. They manage to complete the task at hand and Jiraiya shows them to the Rasengan and how to complete the first step. Naruto and Sasuke start to do the first step. Meanwhile Danzo lurks in the shadows making plans to rid Kakashi and Jiraiya out of the picture. What will happen next? Find out now!

Konoha

it's been about a week since Naruto and Sasuke got started on the first step of the Rasengan. They both have finished it a few times but not enough to move on according to Jiraiya. The pair of soon to be genins have been trying to master it. Kakashi bumped into the two and gave them a hint. The two boys haven't got it quite yet though.

Meanwhile, because of this training they haven't been paying attention to review and their grades are suffering some. Hinata is now a shoe in for Rookie of the Year. She noticed Naruto and Sasuke haven't been paying attention and how one of the kids mention they were training with one of the Sannin. Hinata was happy for Naruto. And it seemed Sasuke was also lighting up for his interactions with Naruto and the Sannin.

"NARUTO! Pay attention. I'm glad you've improved over the year but that doesn't mean you can slack off!" Iruka shouted at Naruto who was lost in thought. He looked around the class.

"Why are you singling me out? Sasuke is just as much in thought as me and Shikamaru is literally sleeping." Naruto pointed out. "I'm busy trying to figure out a jutsu. Same as Sasuke probably." Naruto continued.

"A jutsu? What kind of Jutsu could you be practicing?" Kiba asked out loud in disbelief.

"Now is not the time to discuss that! Naruto just pay attention!" Iruka interrupted. The class went back to work for the time being. Iruka was going through the class' practice test for the exam coming up and Sakura, Hinata, Sasuke and Naruto had the highest grades in that order. Sakura got a perfect score of 20/20, Hinata got a great score of 19/20, Sasuke got himself a 17/20, and Naruto got a score of 16/20. The rest of the class averaged out from 9-13 correct. The Chunin was a little upset that his class couldn't get more than half of the questions right.

Naruto sat bored at his desk while filling out the assignment the class was given. 'How can I do the water balloon part in less than a second? Why does it matter if I can do it already within five seconds?' Naruto thought to himself.

Flashback (2 days ago)

"We did it Jiraiya-Sensei!" The blonde screamed out. He and Sasuke managed to do it two times each. They both demonstrated it to Jiraiya as well.

"Well, I guess you did now. It takes too long to perform. You both must get it under a second. Once you get that part down, we will move to the second phase." Jiraiya said to his newest students.

Sasuke gave the classic Uchiha grunt while Naruto started to get a little irritated. "Sensei! Why do we have to do it under a second?" He whined. Sasuke looked at him and started to say something to his blonde training partner.

"You know, I still don't get how you're this annoying. It's simple we didn't perfect it yet. Once we do Master Jiraiya won't have a problem showing us the second part. Besides we will probably get it within the next few days." Sasuke said.

"Actually, you won't make too much progress on the Rasengan yet. I have to leave the village for an important mission. I'll be gone roughly two to three months five or take." Jiraiya told his students.

"Wait, you're leaving?" Sasuke asked. He wasn't too attached to Jiraiya, but he was helping him get stronger each day.

"By the time you get back, we will already have graduated and been assigned teams for at least 2-3 weeks." Naruto said. Jiraiya smiled at the pair of boys.

"Listen, you both will do good. Besides I think I know who your teacher will be and just a hint, he knows the Rasengan too!" Jiraiya said. He snickered at what he would be putting Kakashi throw because these boys are a handful. "Anyways I'll be back soon brats. Do good in class, and I'll be able to help you out with the last part of the Rasengan, assuming you get the first and second part down." He stated.

Sasuke nodded and started to walk away. Naruto, however, didn't. He was a little upset. Jiraiya took note. He sighed at how his godson looked depressed somewhat. "Hey Naruto, to master any jutsu you need to know and practice the fundamentals first. That's what the Third told me anyways." He said it a lighthearted tone. Naruto looked up at his Sensei and nodded with a small smile.

Flashback end

'Know and practice the fundamentals first?' Naruto said to himself. The blonde started to think about how to master step one. 'Jiraiya-sensei said that chakra control was step zero. Do I take that a step further?' Naruto thinks to himself.

"Alright class, please pass up the work sheet I've given you. After that you may leave." Iruka said. The class starts to pass up the assignment and Naruto hands his in last. Iruka sees one quarter of the page is missing answers. "Naruto, you have to answer all the questions to get a good grade and become the Rookie of the Year." The man lectured Naruto. Naruto shrugged his shoulders.

"Hey Iruka?" He asked the man. The man looked down and wondered what Naruto wants. "What is it Naruto?" Iruka asked. Naruto asked him, "What's the best way to master a massive chakra pool?" Iruka looked at him stunned.

"Well, I heard the leaf exercise was a fantastic way to master chakra control to the next level. You have to take multiple leaves and use your chakra to keep the sticking. Once you go for half a day, you'll have become better at your chakra control." Iruka said. He remembers hearing about this from the Fourth Hokage when he spoke to a kid in Iruka's class about his chakra.

"Thanks a lot Iruka-Sensei!" Naruto said as he started to run out the classroom to perform the exercise. Naruto found a spot behind his house to practice the leaf exercise. Naruto grabbed a bunch of leaves to do the exercise. "I wonder how many I can hold?" Naruto asked himself out loud. He gathered roughly fifteen leaves and started to stick them around his body. He started with one first.

"Alright, here goes nothing." Naruto said as he slapped the first leaf on. Naruto thought it was super easy as it stuck on. "Nice. Now let's grab another and put it on." As Naruto went to grab the next one, the previous one fell off of him. "What?" Naruto asked himself in disbelief. "It was just on me! How could it fall off?" Naruto asked himself. Naruto pulled a storage scroll and sealed the leaves in there. "I guess I'll go to the library and read up on it." Naruto spoke. As he started to walk he felt his stomach grumble. He changed his desired course to that of Ichiraku Ramen.

When Naruto arrived, he found Hinata Hyuga eating a bowl there. "Hey Hinata! How are you?" Naruto asked as he sat down. The ramen chef and Hinata moved their heads to look at Naruto.

"Hey Naruto, I'll get the usual started up while you catch up!" Teuchi offered. Naruto thanked the man and Hinata answered Naruto's question.

"I-I'm doing w-we-well." Hinata stuttered out. Naruto smiled at her and she blushed. "How a-about you Na-Naruto-kun?" She asked him. She had gotten better at not fainting around the blonde boy but right now she was fighting off the impending doom of fainting.

"I'm doing great! I am about to start a new training program for chakra control but wanted to read up on it more." Naruto stated. Hinata was happy that the boy wasn't slacking in his training like he was at the academy.

"W-well why are you d-doing ch-chakra control exercises?" Hinata asked curiously.

"Well, I'm learning a Jutsu but in order to perfect it, my Sensei told me to utilize the fundamentals first." Naruto answered. "First I got to make this water balloon I have pop by using my chakra to move the water to do so. But I have to get it in 1 second which is proving to be very hard right now." Naruto added. "After that my Sensei will teach me the next part when he returns from his mission."

"Y-y-you have a Sen-sensei?" Hinata asked as Teuchi gave Naruto his bowl.

"Oh, yeah I do have a new Sensei. I can't tell you who it is though as I don't want people knowing." Naruto replied. Hinata nodded and the two ate their food. "How is your training coming along Hinata?" Naruto asked in between bites.

"I-it's been good. T-thank you for a-as-asking Na-Nar-Naruto-Kun." Hinata said.

After they ate, Naruto went his separate way. He went into the library and started to do his research on the leaf exercise.

Roughly a week later

"Beep! Beep! Beep!" The alarm screamed out. Naruto tries to hit the snooze but is facing the opposite way and cannot touch the button.

"Beep! Beep! Beep!" The alarm cries out again. Naruto gets up and smashes the alarm clock.

"Dammit! Now I have to buy a new one." Naruto said as he looks at the pieces of his old alarm clock. 'I wonder who is going to be on my team.' Naruto thought to himself. He and Sasuke both have gotten along well in the last few weeks. They even managed to finally pop the water balloon in one second.

Naruto finally got dressed in a set of all black clothing with orange stitching. He wore black cargo pants that were tapered at the end, he had black sandals, a mesh shirt and a black fitted t shirt to go over with the classic Uzumaki swirl on the back. Naruto looked himself in the mirror and was ready to go to the academy to find out his team. He made it to the academy as Iruka started calling out teams.

"...and Team Seven will be: Sakura Haruno, Sasuke Uchiha, and Naruto Namikaze." Iruka said. He did a double take at the name. Everyone looked at him. "Naruto, why is your last name Namikaze now?" Iruka asked. Sasuke smirked as he has been waiting for this for some time.

"Simple. It's my birth right to be called Namikaze. I am the son of the Fourth Hokage after all." Naruto said proudly to everyone. Although on the inside, Naruto was conflicted. He loved that his favorite Hokage was in fact his father. The thing that bugged him was the fact he sealed the Kyubi inside of him. He was still trying to sort his feelings on the matter.

The class looked up shocked at the statement Naruto said. "There's no way you're actually the son of the famous Yondaime!" Kiba yelled out. Naruto shrugged his shoulders.

"Yeah, I guess that would be crazy. To be related with the only other dirty blonde with blue eyes, huh. Imagine that?" Naruto sarcastically stated.

"Well, he kind of does look like the Yondaime, if he were a kid. See look!" Ino said as she pulled a page out the history book with the Yondaime's face on it. She ran up to Naruto with the page. "See he has a similar facial structure and he's got the blue eyes down." The class gasped at this.

"Well, if you are the son of the Fourth Hokage, why does everyone treat you the way they do? Why didn't you tell us sooner?" Sakura curiously asked.

"I just found out not too long ago and it wasn't that big of a deal for everyone to know." Naruto said as he shrugged. "It is what it is. Anyways are you going to finish the rest of the team setting Iruka?" Naruto asks.

"Oh, right my apologies everyone." Iruka said as he started to name off the rest of the teams. After that all the Senseis came besides team seven's. They waited and waited. After the third hour went by Naruto looked over at Sasuke.

"Yo Sasuke! Ramen or Barbecue?" Naruto asked. Sasuke smirked.

"Let's get some barbecue." Sasuke said as he got up. Sakura looked worried.

"What if our Sensei comes and you both aren't here?" She asked the duo.

"Hmm, I guess tell him where we went, unless you want to come with." Naruto said offering her the invitation. Sasuke looked away. Sakura started to have a debate.

'If I go, I'll be able to spend time with Sasuke. BUT if I stay, I'll meet our Sensei and Naruto and Sasuke will get in trouble.' She kept thinking until Naruto's wave broke her out of it.

"Well, we are leaving. Join us or don't." Naruto said as he and Sasuke walked out. Sakura decided to join them, and the trio went to Yakiniku Q to eat. About five minutes after they left, a silver haired Jonin enter the classroom.

"Huh, I could've sworn Asuma and Kurenai said that my team was here." The man said. "I guess I'll have no choice. SUMMONING JUTSU!" The man called out as a small dog appeared.

"What's up Kakashi?" The dog asked.

"Pakun, I need a favor. You remember the Scent of that boy I had you watch over about two years ago?" Kakashi asked his summon.

"Sort of, his smell has changed some. I can follow it though." The small dog said as he started to sniff around to find Team Seven.

Back with Team Seven

Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke all sat a table eating their food. Each telling a story about their time in the academy. Naruto told them when he found out about his dad. Sasuke told them, really sakura, how he started training with Naruto. Sakura told them how she learnt everything, and the two boys found out she had photographic memory. The kept talking as someone interrupted them.

"Naruto, congratulations on becoming a ninja." A man said. Team Seven turned to look at the man and Naruto waved.

"Lord Danzo, how are you today?" Naruto asked. Sasuke felt off once this man came nearby and Sakura wondered who this was.

"I'm doing well, I believe your Jonin Sensei will be here within the next three minutes. When you're done meeting with him," Danzo passed the boy a piece of paper. "Use your chakra to make the writing appear and meet me where it says." Danzo said. Naruto nodded and the Danzo talking poof away.

"Naruto, who was that?" Sakura asked. Sasuke answered her as Naruto put the piece of paper away.

"That was Danzo Shimura. He helped trained elite shinobi such as Kakashi Hatake. He was taught under the Second Hokage like Lord Third." Sasuke stated.

"Not only that, but he is also the reason I know who my father is. It was through this book he provided me that showed a diary entry from my father." Naruto added as he ate a piece of meat.

"What does he want with you Naruto?" Sakura asked. Sasuke and Naruto looked back at each other.

"Well, no one is sure. But I remember a conversation with Jiraiya-Sensei where he warned me to be cautious around any of the elderly ninja. So far he just wants me strong." Naruto answered.

"I don't think you should meet up with him." Sakura warned Naruto, "He gives off a really weird aura."

"Yeah, well I have to meet up with him. If I don't, we won't know much of his plans." Naruto explained. It was then Kakashi finally caught up to where Team Seven was.

"Meet up with who?" The man asked from behind them. The three kids turned to see Kakashi.

"Oh, what's up Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto asked leaving the other two team members wondering who this is.

"Oh, nothing much Naruto. Just went to the academy to gather my team, and they weren't there. Instead, I find them eating Barbeque without me." He spoke. The three fresh Genin knew now that this was their sensei. "Anyways, let's get to know each other first. We will start with you pinkie." Kakashi said as he pointed at her.

"Why don't you go first to show us sensei?" She asked him. Kakashi sighed.

"My name is Kakashi Hatake. My likes are none of your business, my dislikes are also none of your business, I have many hobbies, and for my dream, I guess I don't really know yet." Kakashi said. "Now go Pinkie, we don't have all day." He spoke.

"My name is Sakura Haruno. My likes are," She looks at Sasuke and squeals some, "My dislikes are Ino-pig and Naruto when he is being annoying, my hobbies would include helping my mother out, studying, and gaining the perfect figure for someone," she says while still looking at Sasuke. "My dream would be to become the best wife for a certain man." She says blushing.

'Great, a fangirl who is obsessed with another one of my students.' Kakashi thought to himself. "Alright, you now emo." He said as he pointed at the brooding Sasuke.

"My name is Sasuke Uchiha. I like very few things. I despise a lot of other things too. My hobby would be training to get stronger, and my dream is to rebuild my clan after I kill a certain man." Sasuke said. Sakura stared at him in awe. Kakashi sighed again.

'Okay, so a fangirl and a revenge crazed teen. Things are looking great for me.' Kakashi thought to himself sarcastically. "Okay, Naruto your turn."

"My name is Naruto Namikaze-Uzumaki. I like training with Jiraiya-sensei and Sasuke and ramen. I dislike bullies and ignorant people. My hobbies are training and learning Fuinjutsu. My dream is to figure out my conflicting feelings towards some things." Naruto said.

'Definitely not what I was expecting. To find out he was the village's hero's son, and to be hated must've done something to him psychologically.' Kakashi thought to himself one last time. "Tomorrow morning, I expect all of you at training ground seven. I advise you to not eat breakfast or you'll throw up. It will be a test to see if you three become Genin for real or not," Kakashi seen Sakura about to interrupt; so, he stopped her to continue, "If we let every kid that pass the academy into the real ninja world, we would have lots of blood on our hands. This is why you were not permitted to graduate early if you tried to. Anyways, only 33% of the graduates actually make Genin. Remember, 7am tomorrow morning, breakfast is highly advised against." Kakashi said before he body flickered away.

The three Genin looked at each other and wondered what he meant. Naruto decided to speak up. "Well, I don't know about you two, but I'm eating breakfast." Naruto started to walk away leaving Sasuke and Sakura. The boy kept walking until he reached his apartment.

Naruto remember what Danzo said to do earlier. He pulled the paper out and he applied his chakra. An address appeared and Naruto read it, "91 S Tobirama Ln." Naruto started to walk in the direction of the address. When he arrived at the address, he saw nothing. He walked around until he saw a slight movement. "Genjutsu? I wonder what Danzo would be hiding.' Naruto released the genjustu and saw a bunker hatch. "This so sucks." He said before going down and walking in.

"So, you arrived." Danzo said. Danzo was seated in a chair. Naruto looked around the room wondering what this place was. "This is my headquarters. I raise elite shinobi here." Danzo said as if he was reading Naruto's mind.

"So, why have me come here?" Naruto asked. Danzo stood up and walked up to Naruto.

"Like I told Sasuke Uchiha, I see potential in you that no one will help bring out because we are surround by fools. You must become a true Genin and then train until you cannot anymore. You will do this every day until you enter the Chunin Exams. If you follow my instructions, Kakashi Hatake will recommend your squad. I will endorsor your promotion during the council meeting and you'll become Chunin. Afterwards we will train together as there are threats that the old fool doesn't see." Danzo explained. He kept back some information he didn't want Naruto knowing yet.

"Why the general interest in me over Sasuke though?" Naruto wisely asked. Danzo smirked.

"That's why! You're a genius in disguise Namikaze. Any other boy your agr would've accepted this offer. You on the other hand want more information. I normally don't give information out like this but this is a special time to earn your trust more. You are not to repeat this information for the sake of the village do you understand?" Danzo asked Naruto. Naruto nodded. "Good, Itachi Uchiha is going to comeback for Sasuke. He also warned me to stay away from Sasuke Uchiha as well or he would destroy the Leaf Village. You are the only capable shinobi who can stop Itachi Uchiha. There isn't another ninja with the 'special' capabilities you possess. He will try to come for Sasuke's eyes. We are not allowed to let this happen. So this is why I must have train you once you become Chunin." Danzo told him.

Naruto took all this information in. He read on the Third Shinobi War when he was researching his father. Itachi would've been but a little kid then. 'Itachi must have been driven mad. He was hailed as the prodigy of the Uchiha. The youngest Anbu Black Ops member in history. Became Chunin at an early age. This had to drive him mad and he slaughtered his clan. Now Danzo is telling me that he will return to kill Sasuke?!' Naruto thinks to himself. "Okay Lord Danzo, I will accept this offer you've given me. To protect the Leaf Village." Naruto said.

"Excellent. Now I'll need you to stick your tongue out. This will be a seal that will not allow you to speak on internal affairs in the Leaf. This will be a protection to the Leaf should you ever get captured young Namikaze." Danzo stated with a sinister smile. Naruto allowed Danzo to place the seal on his tongue. 'Finally. It's all coming together. Soon Hiruzen I'll be The Hokage. Soon Orochimaru will be dealt with. Soon Itachi will die and I will have his eyes.' Danzo monologued in his head.

Naruto seen the man's smile. 'There's more than what he's currently telling me. This seal he is placing looks like a slave seal. From the design it's the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal. The only way it can be lifted is when the caster dies. I believe there may be away around this. But that's an experiment for another time.' Naruto thought.

"You're doing the Leaf, your Father, and the world proud Namikaze." Danzo stated. "Now you must leave and prepare for you Genin test from Kakashi. Remember to use your teammates to your advantage." Danzo vaguely Said. Naruto bowed and left.

Naruto took a book out once he got home. He started to write.

The Mummy Man gave me a seal, what his intentions are, is still unclear to me. I do know that he wants Itachi Uchiha dead for the benefit of Sasuke. However, there must be something else I'm missing on this. He doesn't look like the kind to care about anyone but himself. The Mummy Man also knows too much about everything. Finding out if he is a true ally will be difficult. I don't trust him one bit. There must be something I'm missing and I'll find it.

Naruto felt his body tense up everytime he wrote Mummy down. 'So this seal stops me from talking or writing about him. I must be cautious about what I do from here on out.' Naruto thought to himself as he laid down and went to sleep.

Iwagakure(1 month ago)

"...even if you do have another ally why would I want to help you of all people?! You killed my men in the Third Shinobi War!" The man yelled.

"Lissten Onoki, I didn't sssstart that war. That wasss you. I'm offering you a sssilver platter to dessstroy Konoha." The man said to the Tsuchikage.

"Hmm. No, I just came out of a losing war less than 16 years ago. I wish to stay neutral in your affairs Orochimaru." Onoki told his visitor.

"Ah, I sssee. I'll be back two months before the Chunin Exams Lord Tsssuchikage. Perhapsss I'll find sssome new information that'll make you help me." Orochimaru said as he started to leave. Onoki watched the man leave and signaled his guards to watch him leave.

'Dammit! Ssstubborn old man! If you don't help me, I'll force you. Kabuto you better have some good intel when I see you!' Orochimaru thought to himself.

Thank you to the reviewer that had pointed out my use of the Reaper Death Seal over the Eight Trigrams Seal. However, The Reaper Death Seal is the Eight Trigram Seal. If you go back and watch Hiruzen Vs Orochimaru and the Previous Hokage, you will see him use the jutsu and have the SAME seal on his stomach like Naruto does. BUT I will refer to the seal on Naruto's belly as the Eight Trigrams Seal for now on to satisfy you. I always appreciate reviews that help me get better at this as I am only an amateur writer in college. Also the fire ball justu stuff is dead on correct. I would go back and fix it but 1 I am lazy and 2 It will show growth as a writer later on when I do correct it in the Next Chapter. Anyways, I have a few ships for naruto voted already, I'll be collecting votes until the end of the Waves Arc. You can vote for the following in either reviews or PMs:

Naruto x Tayuya-2

Naruto x Temari-1

Naruto x Sakura-1

Naruto x Hinata-2

Naruto x Haku(female)-1

Naruto x Karin-0

Naruto x Ino-3

Naruto x Shion-1

Naruto x Kurotsuchi-1

Naruto x Tenten-0

The reason I'll be cutting off the voting after Land Of Waves will be due to building the ship but still maintaining the story. Each one of these ships is very doable, some more than others, but I'm leaving it in your hands people. Well, I'll see you Sunday for the next chapter.