Danzo Hokage

Welcome To Root, Naruto

Chapter 8: Welcome To Root, Naruto.

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AN: Just to remind everybody one last time everybody in this story is 16 or older. So while in the show Konohamaru Sarutobi isn't a ninja by the Chunin Exams he is here. Just a knock-on effect due to Danzo being Hokage. In the story, he is 14-15, not ten or whatever he was when he first shows up. He is replacing Neji Hyuga.

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Root Base: Holding Cell.
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Only a few minutes had passed since both Danzo and his mother had left that the door was once again opened. Only this time it revealed the masked face of team seven's own sensei, Kakashi. Naruto at once was on his feet more than ready to once again rejoin his teammates and watch the last of the fights beside them. However, the look his sensei bore made him feel a great sense of apprehension at what he was about to say.

"Where is my mother"? Naruto asked feeling the need to have her close to him and for the first time, Kakashi was once again reminded that while he was a highly skilled Genin in his own right he was still very much but a child. A child that would soon be undergoing the intensive training known only to Root agents.

"She was sent back home, Naruto-kun. I sent a clone with her. She wasn't in the best of moods when I found her outside this here room". Kakashi answered feeling not for the first time a great deal of anger at what he was being asked to do. But he was a ninja of the leaf and like it or not that meant he had to do as he was told. He, of course, hated having to do this in the first place but he would, in the end, do what he was tasked to do.

"Look Naruto you...you will not be rejoining Sasuke-kun and Sakura-chan. You're being reassigned to Root. I, of course, can't say anything more than that seeing as I'm not in Root. Now come with me, Naruto-kun I'll see you off". Kakashi said as Naruto slowly walked beside him. His face an emotionless mask. He knew of course what he was doing. He was masking his emotions until such a time permitted its release. When that time would be was sadly unknown to him but he doubted very much that it would be any time soon.
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Hokage Office.
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As Naruto was being taken to start his training in Root Danzo was busy having a heated discussion with the two village advisors. Both were nearly as old as he was and both were equally set in their ways. Homura Mitokado made sure his words were carefully chosen. It would be unwise to anger the man before him. His partner a woman by the name of Koharu Utatane also made sure to pick her words with care. The two had proved to be a perfect fit for Danzo as the pair seemed to agree on virtually everything. This had allowed the pair to last longer than the other five or so that had preceded them. Even so, Danzo cared little for what they were saying to him at the moment.

"I fail to see why Naruto-kun should be given to your brother Koharu-chan. His training methods are unorthodox, even for Root". Danzo said before she seemed to counter his objections seemingly without effort.

"He'll do the boy well Danzo-kun". Koharu said as she walked over to the sizeable desk and placed a folder atop it.

"He may be unorthodox, as you say but he is still one of the best. His loyalty is absolute and besides, he could use a new student seeing as his last one has been killed". Koharu said as she stepped back to stand beside Homura. The man not so much as moving an inch as she did so. Danzo at once took the folder in hand and opened it. Inside was the typical assortment of paperwork that came with all ninja aside from the more specialized ones.

Isao Utatane: Ninja Registration Number: 12761.

Completed Missions.

11-SS, 110-S, 227-A, 316-B, 718-C, 57-D.

Looking over the missions Danzo would be lying if he said he wasn't impressed by the man's mission statistics. Few had anything even close to what he had but still, he was unsure about giving Naruto to a man such as he. Sure he was a gifted shinobi. Anybody with eyes and a functioning brain could see that but he also had his fair share of oddities.

"Crow, you worked with him...have you not"? Danzo asked what appeared at first to be an empty corner of the room before the form of a male dropped down and answered.

"Yes my lord, I have". The crow faced ninja answered. His white and black porcelain mask never once meeting his gaze.

"What are your views on him"? Danzo asked having closed the folder and waited for the answer.

"He is...odd, sir. Gifted yes but very odd. I would think Bear or Deer would be better fits for him, sir". Crow replied before falling silent.

"Bear is away on a mission and Deer is...busy". Danzo answered.

Busy with what, sir". Crow asked seemingly taken aback at the news. She hadn't said anything about any upcoming missions as far as he knew.

"She requested a specialized assignment. One that I felt was better left off the official mission assignments. It'll pay well but she is unable to train the boy at this time". Danzo replied before sitting back and closing his eyes. After a few seconds, he spoke once again.

"I will think this over. I will call you with my answer tomorrow". Danzo said and with that, the two soon bowed and left while Crow was sent to do some insignificant task.

No sooner had Crow left did Deer pop her head up.

"Did you really need to ask Crow-kun"? Deer asked. Her brown eyes sparkling in the evening light.

"No, I didn't need to my deer-chan. It was just more fun". Danzo said before she stopped in her actions. Something he was immediately unhappy with and something he made most clear to her soon thereafter.

For that, Danzo-kun I want twice the pay for this....specialized assignment of mine". She shot back.

"Fine but next time I want a go at that ass of yours.

"You wouldn't dare". Deer replied taken aback at the man's straightforwardness. Her Crow-kun would never be so open about his wants or desires. But that was something she liked about him. He knew what he wanted and damn anybody who stood in the way of him getting it.

"I would. I'm the Hokage I can do whatever the hell I want. Danzo replied before taking her hand into his own and lifting her up.

You should get yourself cleaned up. Crow shouldn't be much longer and unless you like hiding under my desk you should get going before he returns". Danzo said before Deer made her way to the door. However just as she was about to close the door she stopped. Her face was unreadable but he knew better.

"Sir why do you allow me to do that"? She asked. Danzo at once crossed the room and held her close.

"Because you need me to. Crow is busy and you deserve some love. I have no wife and we seem to enjoy ourselves". Danzo answered before she hit him lightly. The blow itself was so weak he didn't feel any pain from the attack. But he liked that about her. She didn't care about his rank. As the Hokage that had a bad tendency to get in the way at times.

"Do you think he'll ask me soon"? She asked and he knew all too well what it was she was asking. It would mean an end to this but he didn't at all mind that. He enjoyed what time he had with the beautiful kunoichi. Crow was a lucky man to have her and he, in turn, was lucky to have had a few rounds of his own with her mouth.

"He will if he has any sense at all my Deer-chan. You would be great for him. The Uchiha could use a more laidback mindset". Danzo said before sending her on her way. As he walked back to his desk he could only mutter one word.

"Troublesome".
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Chunin Exams: Arena.
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Meanwhile back inside the arena both Sasuke and Sakura were beginning to grow concerned for their missing teammate. If he didn't return soon he would miss the last of the fights. It wouldn't matter all that much anyway seeing as besides a few none of the fights were anything more than one-sided fights with little entertainment value. Shino Aburame won his fight in less than two minutes with the use of his bugs. Lee won his fight effortlessly even with his 50-pound weights on. Even so, he was but a greenish blur to the eye. All in all the second day was less enjoyable compared to the first. It was midway through another bout that Kakashi returned. The fact Naruto wasn't with him made the pair upset.

"Where is Naruto-kun"? Sakura asked. Sasuke wordlessly voiced the same question to the masked ninja.

"He is on an assignment, Sakura-chan. One that I can't say more about. He is fine, however. Lord Danzo has seen to it he'll be in the last phase of the exams in a few weeks so you'll be able to see him soon enough. Until then work on training and eating well". Kakashi said before eyeing the battle down below. Kankuro was clearly a master in puppetry as he masterly moved and attacked. His opponent was equally skilled but it was clear he would tire far sooner then Kankuro. It was an honorable trait to have and should he survive someone who he would very much like to meet.

"Who is that boy"? Kakashi asked as he watched as the boy dodged yet another attack from the massive puppet.

"He is Konohamaru, Konohamaru Sarutobi. We saved him a few days ago. He shows promise. Perhaps he can regain some of that lost honor his clan lost due to that traitor's actions.

"But isn't he a bit young"? Kakashi asked amazed that a boy so young was even in the Chunin Exams.

"Don't know nor care. He at least is giving a better showing so he has that going for him". Sakura said seemingly enjoying the fight. Looking around he saw most were also enjoying the fight. So sitting back he partook in the enjoyment as well. The fight was truly a sight to see.
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Root Base.
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Almost as soon as Kakashi and himself had entered the base a group of masked ninja walked up and escorted him ever deeper into the facility. The last he saw of Kakashi he was talking with a ninja wearing a raven mask. It wasn't long after that that he stood before an iron door cut into the rockface.

"Get in, initiate. The man said upon opening it. Naruto at once entered and with that, the door closed behind him and locked telling him that he wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. Looking around he saw it was fairly spartan in its accommodations. A bed with a thin mattress sat on one side and a hole lay on its opposite. Privacy it seemed didn't exist in Root. Everything was seen and nothing was hidden. The door had a small opening that he guessed was how the food was handed out.

"Here, initiate". The man said before sliding a schedule into the room. Looking at it he saw that aside from training he would more or less live inside this room. With that done he was left alone. seeing no point he decided to rest. He had no doubt he would need every ounce of strength he had for the trials and tribulations that lay ahead. He wouldn't be too far off from that assessment.