I - The Root of the Issue
I was dead. There was denying that immediate feeling of weightlessness, that once in a lifetime moment where everything becomes clear. Some hold that death is merely the end, some believe it is the beginning. Our lives end & begin here, in this permanent blackness that encompasses all. As I closed my eyes, I readied myself and smiled.
Never did I expect to wake up. The first thing I saw was a wooden roof, tiled in an intricate fashion. I gingerly raised my arms, and moved to the side of the bed, only to feel one arm was irresponsive. My mouth yelped in surprise, but then they stuck. Those memories, memories that were not my own.
Memories of a life lived in service to Konohagakure, the Village Hidden in the Leaves. A life of deceit, death, and blood all in for the defense of my his homeland. Hiruzen, Koharu, Homura— my teammates. The story of one man, one shinobi— which up till now I had believed to be naught but a tale of fiction.
The Darkness of the Shinobi: Danzo Shimura. I took deep breaths and steeled my mind. Danzo's memories were essential to maintain control, to keep the facade of a true shinobi. Shinobi do not feel, they do not think. They follow orders, nothing but tools to their nation. It was disgusting, filthy and I wanted nothing to with it. I had seen Naruto, and knew how Danzo ended. Stabbed by Sasuke, UCHIHAUCHIHA and left to die. A man whose actions had caused nothing but evil, who was completely reviled by the fandom.
And I was him now, left with the chance to change everything. I sighed slowly as I inhaled the musty air of my new bedroom. The first thing to do was prioritize, to make contingencies and use my knowledge to the best of ability. Danzo was old— plain and simple. He could have never stood up to Madara, Tobi, Obito— but what he could do was train those he could. Based on my memories, two years had passed since the Kyuubi attack. Orochimaru had already fled the village, his secrets being exposed to the Sandaime.
My face flinched as I thought of Tenzo, who was currently in Root. The boy was talented with his Mokuton, and would be a perfect student for my new plan. I would rebuild ROOT into the strongest group of Nin— ones who could match any of Madara's pawns. I wouldn't be the old Danzo. I was not a monster, and any shinobi I thought would be loyal by choice.
My gaze shifts to my sealed arm, and I cringe in disgust. It is not my own, but rather a creation of the Snake. A parting gift, I suppose. Either way, I have no need of it now— it's purpose is to be a secret weapon, and I suppose that it will stay that way.
I approach my desk slowly, and pick up a pen and withdraw a piece of parchment. My handwriting is neat, the kanji floating across the page as I jot down names in a hurry, before disappearing in a quick Shunshin no Jutsu.
Kakashi gazes at the Memorial, as his fingers gently trace the names of his former teamnates. He is the only one left of Team 7, and it's all his fault. He had been to slow to help Minato-sensei and Kushina-san, and had failedfailedfailed—
He grits his teeth and shuts those thoughts away, returning his attention to distant memories, ones he hopes to never forget. His hand brushes against his headband, and he can feel Obito's eyes spinning. It is at this moment that he hears a rustle, and spins around. Reflexes drilled through years of combat return to him as a kunai is readied, his chakra tense and ready.
"To find you here is a disappointment, Hatake." Kakashi gazes at Elder Shimura, and wonders why he is here. His blood boils at the ancient shinobi's dismissal of his loss, and he can't help but lash out.
"What does it mean to you, Lord Shimura?" The "lord" is spoken with a tinge of sarcasm, and the Copy Ninja can see a hint of amusement in the single eye facing him.
"All you do is mope around this statue, and cry to those names. What use will it do you?" Kakashi is unsure how to answer. He is fully aware of how he sould have moved on, but he can't. How can he forget Obito, Rin, Minato-sensei, Kushina...
The list of who he failed was miles long. All those who were near him had died. At his silence, the elder continued. "Perhaps you would be interested in knowing who caused the Kyuubi attack, then?" His tone was teasing, and Kakashi knew it was a taunt. But he couldn't contain himself- Danzo was an elder, and he has to know something.
"What do you want?" Nothing was given for free. Such was the existence of the shinobi world.
"Why, I merely desire you to become my apprentice Kakashi. You shall join a unique team trained by me, and if you succeed then you shall have all the knowledge you so desperately seek." Kakashi was well aware of Danzo's reputation in the higher circles of Konaha; but the information was too tempting. If he knew who caused the attack, maybe, just maybe he could find something to fight for. It was a deal with the Devil, but Kakashi had nothing to lose anymore. What was the purpose of living?
"I accept your deal."
The elder's smile was sickening. "Good. Report to Training Ground Three at 7 in the morning tomorrow." With those final words, the man dissapeared in a puff of smoke. Kakashi sighed as he turned back home. Let's see how this goes.
Hiruzen frowned as he read the files on his desk. It was a request from Danzo to train a new team— not Genin, but rather a mix of Jonin and Chunin. The signatures and information were all correct, and nothing was falsified, but the Third Hokage could not fathom why his old freind had decided to teach now. It was true that there was a shortage of shinobi after the Kyuubi Attack, but there had to be something else here that the old ninja was not seeing.
"So old friend, what has opened your mind to teaching after all these long years?"
Danzo's face was emotionless as he responded. "The answer is simple— I am growing old, and my skills will die with me. I have no children, no family left. All I desire is to dedicate this final part of me to the Leaf. Is there something wrong with that?"
Hiruzen paused as he fingered his pipe. "The students you have chosen are quite unique— Hatake Kakashi, a 'Tenzo Yamato', and Maito Gai? I must admit, this is quite a large amount of talent."
"Tenzo is the last remaining of your precious pupil's experiments with the Mokuton. As for Gai, he is a talented Chunin who has all the potential to improve." It brought pain to the old leader's thoughts to be reminded of one of his many failures. Furthermore, Hiruzen knew the value of the Mokuton. If Danzo was able to train these three into a formidable A ranked team, then Konaha's would finally be able to get some breathing room after its demolition by the Bjuu.
He exhaled softly. "Very well then Danzo, but I will pay attention. Kakashi-kun is one of Minato's last students, and I don't want ROOT even near him." Danzo nodded slowly, and Hiruzen was surprised to see the excitement in his movements. Perhaps he has no hidden motives. "You have my approval."
I inhale sharply as I stretch my muscles. The memories of this body has shown that Danzo had almost zero teaching experience but I was quite confident in my own ability. The three students were milling about in the open field, stretching and warming up. They appeared friendly with each other, which was a good start.
"It is good that you are warming up. I would not have given you any time myself." It is quite easy to take in their expressions- Kakashi is chatting to Tenzo and Gai. Hatake and Tenzo had already met at this point during Orochimaru's escape, and it was clear that the older boy considered Tenzo a comrade. I had allowed the former ROOT agent to go by his chosen name as a reward.
Gai was cheering along with his "Eternal Rival" and I couldn't help but smile. That much enthusiasm was infectious and I knew I had made a good call in picking the final member of my "Genin" squad.
I chuckle slowly as I emerge from the shadows, using a low level Genjutsu on the ground to appear out of thin air. "You three have been chosen to be trained by me." I let those words sink in— the reputation of Danzo Shimura might be horrifying but there is no doubt that he is a formidable shinobi. They quiet down, but I can see Gai is trying not to ask a question.
"Your goal is simple: become the strongest shinobi in the world. This will not be like your Genin teams." I gaze at the forest around us, and empty my mind. "To be a shinobi is to endure. So allow me to test your strength!"