AN: I just couldn't help myself. Remember that Dark!Naruto story I was talking about? Well, this is it! Short-ish chapter, I know, but this was mainly an introduction chapter, to set the stage for things to come. Expect Foxes and Rose Petals to be updated more frequently than this, as it has most of my attention for now, but I'm not abandoning this story with only one chapter and I'm not putting it on hiatus. The thought of a dark chessmaster-type Naruto just wouldn't leave me alone and it led to this. Hope you all enjoy and as always, no flames please!

So, you wanna know my story, huh? You're not the first and you won't be the last. My legend is one that many have heard but not believed, so I wonder how you will take this? Where to start off… oh yeah! I'm not from this dimension. Surprising, I know, but it's the honest truth. My life has been filled with a myriad of tragedies, some out of my control… and some I caused with my own hands. That's what makes me special, I guess. I can either be your best friend or your worst nightmare. One thing's for sure, though… being the good guy is just boring as hell! I didn't want to be the good guy. I might have started off with dreams of grandeur stuck in my head, but the real world soon smacked some sense into me… or it smacked a bit of madness into me, either or. Oh? You want to hear the whole story? Of me? I'm flattered! Well, what better place to start than the beginning? You see, I had just saved my village from a man by the name of Nagato Uzumaki, or "Pain" as everyone knew him as. I was regarded as a hero, but there was just one problem. You see…

Why was it like this? Why did it have to be like this? He saved them all, dammit! He thought they were his friends! It just wasn't fair!

Ever since the Pain Invasion, Konoha as a whole was thankful to Naruto for saving them, they even declared him a hero for his actions. But his so called friends, however, were less than pleased. They saw him at his worst, in a form that he didn't want them to see. They all had seen him go into his Six Tailed State and eventually into his Eight Tailed State against Pain, and if that wasn't bad enough, they blamed him for Hinata being mortally wounded. They all blamed him, they all despised him now… everyone except a certain pinkette by the name of Haruno Sakura and Sai.

"Just ignore them, Naruto." Sakura softly said to him while gently pulling him away. "They're just biased assholes."

"Why did it come to this?" Naruto asked while leveling a glare at Shikamaru, who seemed to recoil a bit.

"We all saw what you turned into." Shikamaru responded calmly. "All our lives we were taught that the Kyuubi was an evil thing to be feared and reviled. Little did we know that its Jinchuuriki was sitting right under our noses."

"Just because Naruto-kun is a Jinchuuriki doesn't mean he is the Kyuubi itself." Sai came to the aid of his only friend. "Do keep in mind that he saved Konoha from the Akatsuki Leader himself and regained control from the beast."

"That doesn't mean shit!" Kiba snarled. "What he holds inside of him destroyed our village once and killed our Yondaime (Fourth) Hokage. The Akatsuki targeted us because we refused to give him up and as a result, we were attacked, our village was destroyed again and Hinata might die from her wounds! All of this could have been avoided if we just gave him up in the first place!"

"You haven't seen what the Akatsuki do to the Jinchuuriki they capture!" Sakura shot back. "And you wouldn't understand even if I took the time to explain it to you, dog breath!"

"Watch your mouth, bitch!"

"Maybe I should also remind you all of another fact…" Sai drawled as he reached back for his tanto. "The Sandaime's (Third's) Decree is still in effect… anyone that talks about Uzumaki Naruto's condition in public is to be executed… shall I exercise that mandate?"

"No, Sai." Naruto cut in. "Don't give them the satisfaction. Let's just go, you two."

At once, all three of them turned on their heels and began to walk away from the group.

"Just like a little bitch!" Kiba yelled after them. "Retreating with your boy-toy and useless whore! Gonna go fuck your worries away?!"

Sakura was about to turn and retaliate, but a sudden gust of wind in her face stopped her. Next thing she knew, Naruto was in front of Kiba and sent a straight punch to the Inuzuka's throat which sent him clattering to his knees holding said area, choking.

He then thrusted his left and right hands to the sides and sent both Shikamaru and Ino flying away a la a burst of Fuuton (Wind Release) Chakra, and as Akamaru went in for a bite, the dog was instead tackled into a wall by one of Sai's drawings. Chouji was the next one to step up, but a punch to the face from Sakura sent him skidding back flat on his back. As everyone leveled a stare at Shino, the Aburame heir slowly shook his head at his friends as he was one of the people who were secretly on Naruto's side. Seeing everyone else sprawled out before him, he shook his head once again and silently walked away.

The noise of gagging and heaving soon reached Naruto's ears as he looked down to see that Kiba was still recovering from the throat punch and this was when a laugh escaped him.

"Just like a little bitch…" Naruto growled, repeating Kiba's prior words. "On your knees like a little bitch." The blonde then pulled the Inuzuka sharply upwards by the collar of his jacket so he was eye-level. "Consider this a warning, Inuzuka. Don't fuck with me. Or my remaining friends. Ever again. You hear me?" A few frantic nods from Kiba sealed the deal before Naruto threw the boy back to the ground and began walking away.

"We've made our point." He said to both Sakura and Sai, who fell into step on either side of him, Sakura to his right and Sai to his left.

"They're not going to let this go." Sai said. "With Tsunade-sama out of commission, there's no one to protect you save for us, Kakashi, Yamato-taichou and maybe Shino-san."

"Sai's right, Naruto." Sakura added. "We need to be careful from now on."

"Well…" Naruto hummed. "I have an idea. It might not be the smartest idea, but it's an idea nonetheless."

(Office of Shimura Danzo: Half an hour later)

"I see…" Danzo said as he sipped his tea. "This is indeed a problem. I understand now why you came to me, Naruto-san."

"So?" Naruto asked. "Is there anything that can be done?"

"Hmm…" The War Hawk began to ponder. "Sai, you vouch for these two?"

"Hai, Danzo-sama." Sai responded with confidence filling his voice.

"Very well. I'll take you in, Naruto-san. If you wish, you may join my ANBU division known as Root. You as well, Haruno-san. I need as many recruits as I can muster."

"I will, Danzo-sama." Sakura nodded. "The extra training won't hurt, and besides, someone has to look out for this knucklehead."

"Sakura-chan…" Naruto deflated.

"I'm honored to have the Hero of Konoha as one of my allies." Danzo cut in as he stood and extended his good hand. "I look forward to working with and training you, Naruto-san."

"Thank you, Danzo-sama." Naruto said while grasping the older man's hand in a handshake.

Oh, this was too good to be true. The Kyuubi Jinchuuriki willingly joining Root as an escape from his now hostile friends? Inwardly, Danzo began to celebrate, as he was just given his victory on a giant silver platter. All that was left was to train him, bring him to heel, make him obedient. The Haruno girl was just an added bonus, as she seemed to be holding Naruto's figurative leash. Very good, he'd bend and mold them both into true Root ANBU and he'd use them to further secure his victory.

'Are you watching me now, Hiruzen? I've won…' Danzo mused to himself while keeping a neutral outward appearance.

(Konoha: Two months later)

"Senju Tsunade is dead, then?" Asked the Fire Daimyo through the TV he was sitting in front of.

"Hai, Daimyo-sama." One Nara Shikaku confirmed. "She died this morning, bedridden ad a result of her injuries sustained during the fight with the Akatsuki Leader."

"Then the time has come… we need a new Hokage."

"I agree." Koharu nodded. "Have we any nominations?"

"I nominate Uzumaki Naruto." Came Danzo's reply and suddenly, all eyes were on him.

"The Kyuubi Jinchuuriki?" The Fire Daimyo queried, a thoughtful look on his face.

"He's the son of our late Yondaime Hokage, Namikaze Minato. More than that, he's the Hero of Konoha, he fought the Akatsuki Leader and defeated him. That proves that he can fight on par with the best of us." Aburame Shibi added to Danzo's nomination.

"And his leadership skills have improved as of late." Yamanaka Inoichi noted. "He's quickly risen through the ranks first as a Chuunin, then as a Jounin shortly after. And now he's one of our best ANBU."

"He seems to be a competent teacher as well." Homura supplied. "He's helped train that Haruno girl, Sakura, into a rather fine ANBU also."

"The Will of Fire burns brightly in him." Danzo decided to defend his nomination. "I have no doubt that he can only grow even more powerful from here."

"I nominate Hatake Kakashi!" Shikaku quickly cut in, making Danzo narrow his eyes at the Nara.

"The Yondaime's last surviving student?" Inuzuka Tsume asked.

"He's far more experienced than Naruto is." Shikaku defended. "He's a veteran of the Third Great Shinobi World War and he's been decorated time and again for his heroism. He's our most experienced Jounin and he's more than eligible for at least a consideration."

"Naruto happens to be our Jinchuuriki." Danzo shot back. "What better way to keep an eye on him than to make him our Hokage, like Suna did by making their Jinchuuriki their Godaime (Fifth) Kazekage? We'd have near constant watch on him, the village would have their hero to look up to as their new leader, and even though he may be young, he has more room to grow than Hatake-san, who has undoubtedly reached his peak."

"Well, what does our Daimyo think?" Koharu asked while turning to the TV.

"… Uzumaki Naruto." The Daimyo decided. "I have decided that Uzumaki Naruto shall take Tsunade's place and become the Rokudaime (Sixth) Hokage."

"Shikaku-san, if you would have the Jounin vote on this matter?" Homura asked, or rather commanded Shikaku to do.

"… Hai, Homura-sama." Shikaku sighed as he leaned back in his seat and pinched the bridge of his nose.

(Root Base: An hour later)

There stood Naruto, now dressed in an ANBU's armor, plus a hooded black cloak draped around his frame and the customary tattoo upon his right shoulder. Beside him was Sakura, who was also wearing ANBU armor and had the same tattoo upon her left shoulder. She had let her hair grow out slightly within these two months and it now reached down to just above her shoulder blades. Sai stood to his left in the same armor, but he was lacking the tattoo.

On cue, all three took a knee as Danzo and two of his Root guards walked into the base.

"Things have gone according to plan, Naruto." Danzo spoke as the three then rose. "The Daimyo has decided that you are to become the Rokudaime Hokage and now the Jounin are voting as we speak. They will no doubt vote for you, their hero."

"Here we go…" Sakura chuckled. "A knucklehead in charge. We're doomed!" She smirked at her friend.

"Shut up." Naruto smiled back at her while playfully pushing her.

"Before you become Hokage, Naruto…" Danzo interrupted. "I need to know something."

"Of course, Danzo-sama." Naruto nodded.

"What do you intend to do about Uchiha Sasuke?"

Naruto paused. "Well…" He began to hesitate. "I'd give him one more chance to come back."

"And if he refuses?"

"Then we kill him." He replied without hesitation this time.

"I agree." Sakura said, mildly shocking Danzo. Truly, the pinkette had matured greatly in the two months and it astounded the War Hawk to no end that she was willing to kill her 'Sasuke-kun'.

"Very well, then." Danzo nodded. "Enjoy your time as Hokage, Naruto. And do your predecessors proud. We'll be in touch." With a wave of his hand, Danzo got rid of the Curse Seals hidden beneath his and Sakura's tongues, thereby effectively releasing them from their obligations to Root.

Before passing by Sai, Danzo also waved his hand and Sai could feel his own Curse Seal disappearing.

"Danzo-sama?" Sai asked in confusion.

"He'll need a competent advisor by his side. I know of no one better for the job." Was all the War Hawk said before silently walking away.

"Well…" Naruto sighed with a smile. "All we need to do now is wait until there's a consensus." He then began to head for the exit to the base, where Sakura and Sai fell into step behind him.

As we expected, I did indeed become Hokage, by a landslide, no less. Within the week, I was inaugurated and I accepted the hat. It was one of the best moments in my life, and I still consider it one of my more treasured memories. Sakura and Sai were by my side when I accepted the hat, and I didn't know it at the time, but the way Sakura looked at me… all I knew back then was that there was something different in how she looked at me. She seemed to smile more while she was with me, laugh louder, fumble over her words when I teased her. I didn't know what it was back then, but I eventually found out… she had fallen completely, head over heels in love with me. She… had actually moved on from Sasuke and saw me in a different light.

(Konoha: Midnight: A month after inauguration)

Loud laughter filled the night air of Konoha as their new Hokage and his chief advisor leaped and bound from rooftop to rooftop, with Naruto ahead of the pinkette in an impromptu race of sorts.

"Too slow, Sakura-chan!" Naruto called back to her as he jumped to another roof, his new black duster flapping in the wind behind him.

"I don't care about the race anymore!" Sakura said through her giggles. "It just feels good to get out of the Mansion for once!"

"Don't I know it?!"

Eventually, they made their way to the outskirts of Konoha, to Training Ground #3, where Team 7 had originally been formed three short years ago.

"Nostalgic…" Naruto sighed. "Three years. Has it really been that long?"

"I can scarcely believe it." Sakura agreed. "So much has changed since those days…"

"The both of us included." Naruto nodded. "I'm Hokage now, you're my chief advisor, along with Sai, Sasuke's gone rogue and is working with Akatsuki, and… we have to kill him."

"I know." Sakura sighed. "Sad that it's come to that, but it has to be done."

"You're getting all serious again." Naruto smiled while lightly pushing her before he took a seat on a nearby log. "I like it when you smile, and that frown is unbecoming of you."

"W-Well… I… I mean, it's…" She began to ramble on with a tint of red adorning her cheeks. "Wait… you like my smile?"

"And your hair. You've grown it back out. Brings out the vividness of your eyes and it frames that forehead of yours perfectly."

"M-My forehead…" She then cast her look downwards.

"It's not ugly in any way. It's… rather charming, actually. And your hair is cut at just the right length where it just…" He paused, his own cheeks gaining a blush. "Makes you look beautiful…"

"You… think I'm… beautiful?" She asked, her eyes wide and her full attention now on her Hokage.

"Y-Yeah… though you probably hear that all the time, especially from Lee… and from me, way back when I had that crush on you."

"Do you… still have it? That crush, I mean?"

"… What does it matter? There are tons of guys out there that are better than me, Sakura-chan. You deserve better."

"What if…" She began as she took a seat beside him. "What if… I said I had a crush?"

"Then I would say that he's a lucky man, whoever he is."

"W-What if… what if the man I had a crush on… was sitting right beside me right now?" Naruto's head whipped to his right at hearing this. "A-And… what if this crush… was not a crush at all? What if this crush… was true love?"

"S-Sakura-chan… you can't mean…"

"Hai, I do…" She then leaned into him a bit more, her eyes half lidded. "Uzumaki Naruto… I… I love you."

That was it. That's all it took. Once her confession came out, they both had leaned in fully and captured each other's lips in a soft, slow kiss that seemed to blur out everything else in the world save for each other. Her right hand went up to caress his whiskered right cheek while his right hand began to run through her long pink hair. They remained tongue tied for a few more seconds before Naruto broke the kiss and softly leaned his forehead onto hers and looked straight into her eyes.

"I've loved you for the longest time, Sakura-chan. And I promise you this: I'm yours from now on until I draw my last breath. Nothing will come between us, not as long as I draw breath."

"I know you mean it, Naruto-kun… and I want to remain by your side. Now and forever."

At hearing those words, Naruto dove in for another kiss, which Sakura readily and greedily accepted. For the first time in his life, Naruto felt truly happy and truly accepted. He would be damned if he'd let this go.

That was the beginning of something great… or I thought so back then, at least. Shortly after Sakura and I got together, the Akatsuki resurfaced with a man by the name of Obito Uchiha leading them. He had taken over as the Leader and was threatening to start the Fourth Great Shinobi World War. A Kage's Summit was called and as Hokage, I had an obligation to show up. While negotiating on how to take care of the Akatsuki once and for all, Obito attacked… and Sasuke was with him. Things soon went to shit after that. People died and… and this is where the story takes a turn for the worse. It's how I came to this dimension…

"You're the last one living now, Naruto." Sasuke smirked as Naruto held a dying Sakura in his arms. "We've won."

"Some Hokage you turned out to be." Obito chuckled as he removed his orange mask. "A disgrace to that title."

"D-Don't listen to them, Naruto-kun…" Sakura managed to say before coughing up an amount of blood, which mingled with the blood that was pouring out of Naruto's right eye socket, where his right eye should have been.

"Don't speak, Sakura-chan… preserve your strength!"

"You're both dead anyways." Sasuke shrugged. "The dead last and his slut, dying together… how pathetic."

"Sakura-chan… I have to leave you for a few minutes…" Naruto growled out. She knew that tone, she knew that look, and despite the pain, she managed a smile.

"Go… go give them hell…" She managed to say before Naruto laid her softly upon the ground and stood.

"A last stand, huh?" Obito hummed. "It seems you're not totally hopeless after all."

"I got just one more surprise up my sleeve…" Naruto smirked as he spun out the one kunai that made Obito's eyes widen in fear.

"It can't be!" He managed to say before both he and Sasuke turned to find Naruto behind them both, kunais at both of their throats.

"You let your guards down… and now you're dead." Naruto said before violently dragging his twin kunais across their throats. Splashes of crimson stained the floor, followed by the bodies of both Uchihas as they clattered down, eyes widened in shock. "Hiraishin no Jutsu (Flying Thunder God Technique)… was a success…"

"You haven't won yet!" Bellowed a dark voice as a black mass shot up out of the ground and attached itself to Obito's corpse, which then began to stand up, albeit on wobbly legs. The Rinnegan in his left eye socket began to glow while the Sharingan in his right eye socket began to spin.

"Zetsu?!" Naruto exclaimed in shock before a third eye appeared in what seemed to be Zetsu's forehead, suspended within the blackness. It was another Sharingan, Obito's left eye that had been taken from Kakashi's corpse.

"Things will run smoother if you just disappeared!"

The vortex that was Kamui began to surround Naruto in an instant, thanks to Obito's left eye.

'No Chakra left… Dammit! Gotta rush him and hope to Kami that I can outpace the Kamui!' Naruto's thoughts raced in urgency as he gripped his twin kunais and rushed headlong at Zetsu/Obito.

First, the kunai in his left hand was sucked in and then the gravity around him began to lessen. Even still, he made it to Zetsu just in time and began to desperately claw at the third eye, managing only to gouge out Obito's right eye in the process. With one Sharingan taken care of and currently being held in his left hand, Naruto brought his kunai to bear upon the third eye, but was stopped when he himself began to be sucked into the vortex.

"Goodbye, Uzumaki!" Zetsu called out with a cackle.

While being sucked in, Naruto managed one last look behind the reanimated corpse of Obito to see if Sakura was alright. His remaining eye widened when he saw that she was no longer breathing and she had an amount of blood leaking out of the corners of her mouth, and yet… a smile on her face. She was dead and that alone was enough to freeze any action that Naruto would have took, not that he could have done anything more than struggle in vain as the Kamui consumed him. That was the last thing he saw before his world faded into darkness.

My name is Naruto Uzumaki… and this is my story.

AN: Whelp, there it is. As you may have noticed, Naruto lost his right eye and managed to gouge out Obito's right eye and keep said eye. That being said, yes, Naruto will have one Sharingan eye and one regular eye, sort of like Kakashi. And, of course, he will be ending up in Remnant thanks to the Kamui putting him there. Like with Rose Petals, the pairing is undecided for this one, but I have a better idea of who I want him to end up with. Regardless, I want your input. Who do you think this dark, chessmaster, Sharingan-wielding Naruto should ultimately end up with? Note that it might not be a harem, but I'm open to ideas… just don't expect a harem from the word go. This is ZeroDivisionRaijin, signing off!