A young blonde boy was walking in the cold snow with a black mask covering the lower half of his face, wearing a black long sleeved shirt with a red scarf wrapped around his neck, and sporting black pants carrying two wooden swords with him that were strapped to his back. He was taking a stroll around the village in comfortable silence, that is until he heard some noises that sounded very close to where he was. Curious he walked over to the source of the noise, needless to say he wasn't impressed with what he saw. There were three boy's harassing what appeared to be a young girl, not having it in him to just walk away he decided to make a snowball before throwing it at the taller boy making him fall over on his back seeing as how the blonde threw it pretty hard.

"Hibachi!" the boy's two friends yelled.

The girl looked up from her crouched crying position and saw a blonde boy was standing before her, she saw he was wearing all black and had two wooden swords strapped to his back.

The blonde boy gave the three boy's a dull look as he stood before the girl, waiting to see what they would do. The leader who's name he learned was Hibachi stood up slowly glaring at the blonde, "Did you throw that at me shorty?!"

"And if I did," the blonde tilted his head, "What are you going to do about it?"

"This!" Hibachi sent a punch to the boy's face only for the blonde to grab his wrist, making the boy turn around and twist his arm painfully, "Ow, let go!"

"Why don't you make me?" the boy inquired.

"You-!" Hibachi growled but it soon became a howl of pain as the blonde broke the boy's arm then pushed him away watching him grip his arm and curled up in a ball. His two friends went to his side immediately and flinched as they saw the broken limb.

"Leave. If you bully her again I'll break something else. Something you might need." The blonde threatened.

The two boy's grabbed their friend and left the area like a bunch of frightened mice. Seeing the three leave with their tails between their legs he turned his attention towards the downed girl and offered his hand to her, "Here."

"E-Eh? Oh, th-thank you." The girl stuttered as she accepted the hand allowing the boy to help her up into a standing position.

"Did they put their hands on you?" the boy asked.

"N-No…they just said mean things to me…" she responded meekly.

"I see, then I'm glad I broke that boy's arm." The boy said casually.

"Eh?" the girl blinked.

"By the way, what's your name? I'm Naruto Uzumaki." Naruto introduced.

"H-Hinata Hyūga, u-um, thank you for helping me." Hinata thanked.

"Your welcome, you have pretty eyes by the way. They remind me of pearls." Naruto complimented.

Hinata's whole face became red as he complimented her eyes, she was about to respond but didn't because of a male voice sounding right behind the blonde.

"Ah, there you are."

Both children turned to see a young man with a gold diamond symbol on his forehead, pale blonde hair that was in a low ponytail, said ponytail was hung over his right shoulder, wearing the standard ninja monk attire except his was yellow, but his sash was black and the man was barefoot the cold not seeming to bother him at all. He was also wielding a Khakkhara staff which was gold with golden rings on it and a black staff.

Hinata instantly recognizing the attire bowed to him in respect, "Monk-sama!"

The man chuckled at the girl, "What a sweet girl you are, but there's no need to be so formal with me child of the Hyūga clan."

"Y-Yes sir!" Hinata stood up straight much to the man's amusement.

The man smiled at Naruto, "I've been looking for you, Naruto. Come let us go home now."

Naruto nodded, "Okay. Bye Hinata." The blonde boy walked away with the man.

Hinata kept her gaze focused on the blonde haired boy as he and the man walked away from her. She knew the boy's name and wondered if he was going to attend the Academy.

'He's warm…like the sun.' she thought.

"Well, she was pretty don't you think?" the man smiled down at the boy.

Naruto gave the man a deadpanned look making him chuckle.

"Oh my, what's with that look your giving me? You don't think she was pretty?" the man chuckled.

Naruto looked ahead of them, "If you don't stop teasing me I'll tell Bansai-sama you were the one that drank up all the sake."

The man's smile froze before looking down at his charge with a nervous smile, "You wouldn't really do that…would you?"

Naruto smiled underneath his mask, "Maybe."

The man pouted, "Meanie."

"Your point?"

"Being a smartass already I see. I've trained you well." the man wiped a fake tear from his eye.

Naruto snorted.

The man couldn't believe just how much this boy had changed from that starving child he found on the street to soon to be little warrior. Noticing the looks the people around them were throwing them he could easily sense the negative emotions that were directed towards them, but more so Naruto than him. The reason for this is because this small child is the host of the Kyūbi making him a Jinchūriki. He was no fool. He knew how Jinchuriki were treated from their prospected villages and Konohagakure no Sato was different, when he was visiting here he saw this small boy eating a loaf of bred that he found on the ground and not only that but as soon as he finished eating it the small boy was attacked by what appeared to be drunken civilians. They had beaten the poor defenseless child and would have beaten him to death if he hadn't interfered and killed them all. He may be a monk, but he was a Shinsei Sōhei (Sacred Warrior Monk), meaning he was used to killing and he felt no remorse when he killed those five men that beat up a defenseless child. Getting away from the area immediately he arrived back at the Hi no Tera (Fire Temple) and went straight to Bansai and told the elder monk everything. Needless to say the elder wasn't pleased and stated that the boy would be staying here until he fully recovered. The little blonde woke up about two days later and started following him around like his shadow not that he minded. The boy is just way too cute!

He could sense he was being watched by members of the ANBU, when he took Naruto away towards the temple to recover the Hokage apparently went into panic believing he had been kidnapped and sent his ANBU to search for him. He returned young Naruto about five day's later completely healthy and with new clothes. He stayed in the village to watch over the boy just in case some idiots got anymore funny ideas, and saw three ANBU members appear before his adoptive son/apprentice and took him before the Hokage-Sarutobi Hiruzen. Teleporting there but at a safe distance so that he couldn't be sensed even by sensors but his hearing was better than the average human's. He heard the old man ask Naruto where he'd been and the blonde responded he couldn't remember that well, but he said that wherever he went he was given warm food by a man that had a kind smile. Hearing this brought the man to tears-happy tears. Hiruzen didn't pester the boy anymore on the matter and set him up in an apartment complex, but he knew the only home Naruto would claim is within the Fire Temple.

He was brought out of his thoughts as they arrived at the entrance to the Forest of Death or Training Ground 44 whichever people preferred. Before he could do anything though three members of the ANBU appeared before them. He stopped Naruto from drawing his wooden swords telling him he can handle the situation.

"Can I help you with something, ANBU?" the man asked politely.

The one with the Cat mask spoke first, "Who are you, and what do you plan to do with Naruto Uzumaki?"

The man thought about it playfully before responding, "Very good question. But I have no intention of telling you."

They drew their swords out a reaction he had already expected and found the whole situation to be highly amusing, "Well now, it looks like you didn't like my little joke. As much as I would love to take you brats down a peg me and my son must head out now," he brought his hand up making two fingers, "Ninsō Genjutsu: Hirogari Chikan (Ninja Monk Illusionary Technique: Wide Spreading Replacement)." His whole body glowed yellow and it spread around the whole village making it glow yellow as well as its populace. When it died down the ANBU were looking around confused wondering why they were near the Forest of Death before leaping away to report to the Hokage that was no suspicious activity leaving the man and Naruto there.

Naruto looked up at his mentor with respect. The Ninja Mink Arts were incredible he couldn't wait to start learning it.

"Curious to know what I did?" The man smiled.

Naruto nodded.

"Then I'll tell you, I used a wide spread Genjutsu all around the village replacing the memory of the ANBU and other individuals that saw us walking together. They will think that you simply decided to walk towards the Forest of Death. Don't worry though, that young lady you met still remembers and hasn't forgotten. The Genjutsu we use can affect those we wish it to, and in this case I wanted it to mess with the Hokage as well as his ANBU's memories." The man smiled.

"Doesn't that…" Naruto tailed off.

"I may not be as young as I look but using that Genjutsu doesn't affect me all that much as it used to, so don't worry." The man assured.

Naruto nodded in understanding.

The man brought out a seal placing it on a tree, a straight line appeared on the tree opening up as though it were door allowing both of them to walk inside. As soon as they went through the tree went back to normal and the seal disappeared. They arrived on the other side and saw a large temple. The temple was surrounded on three sides by mountains and a large field to the south. There were many statues and images of both Karasu and Yamabushi Tengu, including two statues on either side of the front gates. The grounds of the monastery were surrounded by an impenetrable Sealed Iron Walls. The sign on the walls read the words:

火ノ寺

Fire Temple

"Ah, its good to be home." The man breathed in the clean air of the Fire Temple while his adoptive son simply sighed. Yeah it was good to be home.

The two of them walked up to the sealed Iron Walls that opened up as soon as it sensed the two's arrival, walking inside the door closed right behind them. Once they were inside the grounds the monks that were gathered there bowed in respect towards the two. Naruto preferred this atmosphere over the one in Konohagakure no Sato, these people didn't glare at him or blame him for something he didn't do, or try to hurt him. These monks were his family and he would die protecting them if need be.

An elderly man came up to them wearing the standard ninja monks attire, "Welcome home, Eisai, Naruto-kun."

"We're back, Bansai-sama." Both of them introduced.

Bansai smiled at Naruto ruffling the boy's hair, "It's always good to see you child, did you have any problems while in the village?"

Naruto thought about it, "I broke a boy's arm after catching him bullying a girl of the Hyūga clan-her name is Hinata Hyūga."

Bansai froze for a minute before sighing, "I see…was it really necessary to break the boy's arm?"

"Yes." Naruto replied immediately and without hesitation.

Eisai busted out laughing causing another sigh to escape from Bansai's mouth, these two were just hopeless but more so Eisai and now he was infecting Naruto with his hopelessness.

"Well anyway, go inside and relax before you do any training for today. Oh, before I forget Sora's been waiting for you to return." Bansai told the boy.

"Keh, yeah right!" a voice behind them scoffed.

Turning their head they saw a boy with straight shoulder-length, dull blueish-grey hair in an asymmetrical style with a single lock of hair falling into his face, and brown-coloured eyes. He wears sandals and the standard monk uniform with a long right sleeve, due to his right bandaged arm which he concealed because unlike a normal human arm.

"Oh, Sora there you are. Look your friend Naruto is back." Bansai smiled.

Sora blushed, "He-He's not friend! And you! Where have you been, huh?!" he pointed at Naruto.

"In Konoha. I wanted to take a quiet walk around before I came across three boy's bullying a girl. When the leader tried to hit me I broke his arm." Naruto told his friend casually.

Sora sweat-dropped, "You broke some loser's arm because he was bullying a girl…?"

"Yep." Naruto nodded.

Sora stared at him for a minute shaking his head, "Whatever. Let's go train." He went over to Naruto grabbing his wrist before dragging him inside the temple dojo leaving the two men behind to watch over them.

"Sora has really taken a liking to your boy, hasn't he?" Bansai smiled fondly.

"Yes it would seem so," Eisai said, "Both boy's share the same burden in a way but for different reasons."

Bansai nodded, "Yes, that's true as well. Both father's made their son's Jinchūriki but for entirely different reasons, one for greed, while the other wanted to protect."

Eisai nodded, "When do you think Naruto should know of his heritage?"

Bansai sighed, "When he completes his training as a Ninja Monk and learns the way of Ninshū, and I'm sure the Hokage will insist he become a Shinobi and I'm sure he won't like that."

"No he won't but unless we make it seem like we gave him the order he will comply, besides there a few bad eggs I need him to spy on and while normally I would do it myself I can't this time seeing as how me and the other Sōhei Monks will be gathering for a meeting." Eisai stated calmly.

"I see. It saddens me that Konoha has fallen so far, but I will not allow that boy to become a human weapon. He is a human being as is Sora." Bansai declared.

"I agree. Which is why I will not allow any harm to befall my son." Eisai had a cold look in his eye.

"Speaking of which, who are these bad eggs you want Naruto to keep watch over?" Bansai questioned.

"Danzō Shimura, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado." Eisai named.

"Ah, the three elders on the council. I sense nothing but greed coming off from the one called Danzō, that man will do everything in his power to make Naruto a weapon." Bansai frowned.

Eisai sported a cruel smirk, "Ah…I haven't played with prey in a very long time. Just thinking about it makes me ache with anticipation."

Bansai sighed again, "I wonder if Chiriku was right in making you the boy's foster father."

"Naruto keeps me in line if I do something bad." Eisai smiled.

"Thank Rikudō Sennin for that." Bansai said.

Location-Fire Temple's Dojo

Sora took a swipe at Naruto who ducked and sent a palm strike at the boy's gut making Sora step back a little before coming at the blonde again. They were being watched by their instructor Chiriku who was a bald man with dark eyes, and very thick eyebrows. He wore the standard attire of the ninja monk along with the sash worn by members of the Twelve Guardia Ninja group and went barefoot. Chiriku was the fist person to determine why Naruto was treated soo badly within the village since he and Sora share the same burden. While true that Sora is only a Pseudo-Jinchūriki unlike Naruto that doesn't mean the boy wasn't ostracized because of it, just like Naruto is within Konoha. He wanted very badly to contact Asuma and demand to know why the man's father Sarutobi Hiruzen allowed Naruto to be assaulted when Eisai-sama brought him here. It was simply awful. The calm man was almost brought to tears seeing the scars and bruises on the innocent child's body.

"Gah!"

Chiriku was brought out of his musings when he saw Sora go flying across the room and land on his back sliding back a little. Looking over at Naruto he saw the blonde had his palm stretched out before going back into a standing position making the man smile.

'Nicely done.' Chiriku smiled, "That's enough for today, both of you wash up and get ready for meditation."

"Yes, Chiriku-san." Naruto bowed before walking over to Sora stretching his hand out, "Your getting better."

Sora snorted before taking the blonde's hand, "Yeah, well just you wait! One of these days I'll definitely best you!" he grinned.

Naruto smiled underneath his mask, "I look forward to it."

Sora grinned making Chiriku relax seeing the boy grin and bond with someone his own age. When Sora came here his heart was filled with one emotion. Revenge. Ninja Monks don't believe in vengeance, but sometimes its not all that easy to just disregard such feelings especially when a close loved one you used to know is involved. He promised he would keep the secret of what happened to Sora's father a secret to his grave and if things go his way then he will continue to do so. He watched both boys leave to wash up before going to the meditation chamber.

The bald man closed his eyes, 'I hope to Rikudō Sennin that these two will find their own light to counter the hatred of this world.'

Sora sighed as he had half his face submerged in the warm water blowing up bubbles before lifting it out of the water, "Pwua! This feels awesome!" he looked over at Naruto and nearly face planted in the water seeing the blond had a white cloth covering the lower part of his face, "What the hell are you doing?!" he exclaimed.

Naruto gave him a questioning look as if not understanding what he was talking about making Sora sigh, "Why are you wearing that white thing? You can just take it off here y'know, its just us."

The blonde blinked before taking the white cloth off the bottom half of his face revealing whisker marks, "Force of habit. I wear a mask to cover the lower part of my face all the time while I'm in Konoha."

Sora grumbled as he leaned back, "Yeah…I have to cover my right arm even if I'm here in the temple." He lifted up his right arm just staring at it, "I still can't believe we've got some fox sealed inside us both."

Naruto said nothing as he simply let Sora talk. He had a secret he didn't want to tell Sora yet not knowing how he would react so he's been keeping it to himself.

Sora clenched his clawed fist, "Hey, Naruto…"

"Hm?"

Sora gave the blonde the most determined look he'd ever seen, "I…I want to become the best Ninja Monk that surpasses all the others!"

Naruto closed his eyes before smiling, "I know you will. When you do, I'll support you from the shadows."

Sora grinned before wrapping an arm around the blonde's shoulder, "I knew you'd agree with me!"

"Always." Naruto said honestly.

Sora stood up, "Come on, let's go do that boring meditation stuff." He got out of the bath and Naruto followed after him. If one would look closely through the steam of the bath one would see that the scars the young blonde boy had received from the drunken villagers was no more, and while the physical scars may be gone the psychological scars still remain.

Location-Fire Temple's Meditation Room

Naruto and Sora sat down lotus style before Chiriku who sat in the same position. The room was dark and candles were lit all around them creating a circle. Both boys had their eyes closed as they relaxed their minds like Chiriku asked them too. Speaking of which the man was staring at them both with a proud expression, Sora may complain about certain things but he took his training seriously, and while Naruto never complained about the ninja monk's way he was determined to become a Sacred Monk's Guard.

A Sacred Monk's Guard is the equivalent to the Twelve Ninja Guards who protect the Fire Daimyō. Sacred Monk Guard's are trained just as hard as Ninja Monk's and the reason for this is because out of all of the Five Great Shinobi Nations only five special individuals are chosen by the Shōgun himself to handle things that normal ninja's can't. There are a total of Five Sacred Warrior Monk's that are spread throughout the nations. In Tsuchi no Kuni (The Land of Earth) the Sacred Warrior Monk of the Tsuchi no Tera (Earth Temple)-Benkei, Kaminari no Kuni (The Land of Lightning) the Sacred Warrior Monk of the Kaminari no Tera (Lightning Temple)-Abe, Mizu no Kuni (The Land of Water) the Sacred Warrior Monk of the Mizu no Tera (Water Temple)-Kana, Kaze no Kuni (The Land of Wind) the Sacred Warrior Monk of the Kaze no Tera (Wind Temple)-Aijin, and Hi no Kuni (The Land of Fire) the Sacred Warrior Monk of the Hi no Tera (Fire Temple)-Eisai. The Sacred Warrior Monks are very powerful warriors that their power equals that of a Kage making them individuals not to be trifled with. Their power is so great that it's sought after by others which is why the Shōgun created the Sacred Monk's Warrior Guards, these individuals are trained by the very monks they are assigned to protect. Chiriku couldn't help but feel saddened by the fact that Naruto was determined to become one at such a young age, but he knew why the boy wanted to be one. It wasn't just because of the kindness that was given to him by Eisai, the boy wanted to be strong enough to protect something or someone. For such a small child to have the look of a warrior so early in his young life made his heart feel such sadness.

Unknown of the older Monk's conflicting thoughts, Naruto's mind went elsewhere to meet his companion. Opening his eye within his mind he arrived at a grassy plane that was surrounded by a lake with lit up candles that were floating in the water. Hearing the soft breaths of his companion he walked towards the noise and sure enough he found his fox companion sleeping while leaning its head on its folded arms making the blonde smile. He decided to leave his companion to sleep but was stopped by his voice.

"What do you want?" it opened one eye.

Naruto sat down on the grass facing the fox, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."

"Hmph, I wasn't sleeping."

Naruto smiled at the blatant lie, "If you say so, Kurama."

Kurama snorted at the blonde, "Are you meditating again?"

"Yeah, can I sit on your head?" Naruto asked politely.

Kurama sighed seeing the brat give him that puppy eye look, normally he would dismiss such a thing but this boy's puppy dog eye trick was just too powerful to ignore, "Do whatever you want."

Feeling a sense of accomplishment he stood up and walked over to the fox before jumping up on it landing on its head, sitting down on it lotus style with a pleased expression, "Your body temperature's really warm."

Kurama smirked, "Obviously since I'm the strongest of all the Bijū."

Naruto chuckled in response, "I know."

"By the way, I saw you break that little weakling's arm without a second thought. I'm impressed." Kurama told him.

"He was harassing a girl who did nothing wrong, and he tried to hit me when I stopped him so I retaliated." Naruto stated calmly.

Kurama bellowed out laughing at the blunt way his host explained how he broke some stupid brats arm, "Did the brat cry and wail?"

"He did cry out when I broke his arm and held it to try and lessen the pain." Naruto recalled.

Kurama snorted, "So you did take my advice and started showing why those weak-willed fools should never mess with you ever again."

Naruto nodded, "Yep. If their willing to use violence against me then I'll retaliate and defend myself. I refuse to be weak anymore."

Kurama closed his eyes remembering how he had first met his jailor, it was right after that monk Eisai brought him to the Fire Temple after he received a vicious beating from those drunken idiots.

Flashback

Kurama stared down at the boy before him who looked lost and confused about the world and himself. It was pathetic actually to see such an expression on the boy's face as the child stood before him looking down at his feet not even terrified of him. That just goes to show just how much that assault affected him.

With a snort he spoke bluntly to the child, "Your weak."

The boy's whole body flinched as he said those blunt but true words. He would not baby him and not comfort him.

"Letting them hurt you means your weak. If you don't want that to happen again then get stronger."Kurama told him.

Naruto finally lifted his head up to look at the giant fox with teary eyes, "But…how? How do I become strong…?"

Kurama snorted, "How should I know? Figure it out for yourself, or is your tiny little brain not able to comprehend such an obvious answer?"

Wiping the tears from his eyes he closed his eyes then made a serious look surprising the fox, "Then…I'll get stronger! Strong enough to protect myself, the nice man who saved me, and…and I'll protect you!" before the fox could say anything the boy turned around and ran away seemingly out of his mindscape leaving a stunned Kurama behind.

"Hmph, big words for a puny human. Can you back them up I wonder?"Kurama said.

Flashback End

True to the boy's word he confronted the man that saved him and requested he be trained to become strong enough to protect what he wants to. The man agreed to it and started training him to be a Monk's Guard something he hadn't seen since Hashirama Senju's time. After the boy got the hang of the training regimen he came back into his mind via meditation and told him with a happy expression.

Flashback Again

"So your back."Kurama stared at the happy boy.

Naruto nodded, "Tou-chan said he'll train me to be his guard!"

Kurama raised a nonexistent brow, "Tou-chan?"

"He said I'm his son now! Thank you…um…?" Naruto tilted his head in confusion as to what to call the fox before him.

Kurama looked away in a huff, "Don't give me that expected look. I'll be damned if I tell you my name."

"You really won't tell me?" the boy's face sounded sad.

Kurama looked at him in the corner of his eye to tell the boy off but froze when he saw the blonde give him those eyes…he had seen those eyes before! They were the infamous…Puppy Eye's! No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, a thousand times no! He will not give in to those will breaking eyes, he was the Kyūbi and the Kyūbi bowed to no man, especially a child! Closing its eyes so to shield himself from those pleading little eyes, taking a chance he peaked one eye open to see the boy was still giving him that look!

Lowering his head in resignation to those damn pleading eyes of his he told the stubborn brat his name, "Kurama…"

Naruto beamed as the fox told him his name, "Thank you Kurama! For giving me advice when I didn't know what to do, thank you!"

"I wasn't giving you advice,"Kurama muttered, "I just refuse to have a weak host who can't even defend himself."

Naruto merely grinned in response.

Flashback End

Kurama snorted softly at the memory, despite the brat knowing his name he didn't ask for anything except to simply talk whenever he came into his mindscape.

"Kurama, what do you think of Konoha?" Naruto wondered.

"A worthless place with worthless humans." Kurama answered.

"Ah, I see." Naruto said, "What about the monks?"

Kurama thought about it, "Their not annoying, but I don't care for them all that much."

"I figured." Naruto said.

"Hmph, you do realize that Hiruzen-brat will make you shinobi to try and prove something to the rest of those wasted flesh." Kurama pointed out.

Naruto sighed, "I already figured that, as much as I don't want to be a shinobi and would rather be a ninja monk instead and stay here at the temple I have no choice."

"What do you mean? What did that monk say to you?" Kurama questioned.

"Nothing yet, but I think he's going to tell me to be a shinobi. Maybe as a cover or something, I'm not too sure." Naruto thought about it.

"That monk doesn't trust that place after what happened to you, that village has a darkness that's hidden beneath it that only certain humans know about it. Three brats come to mind." Kurama voiced his thoughts.

"The three elders, Danzō Shimura, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado," Naruto named them, "I overheard tou-chan talking about them once when he was meeting Bansai-san in the meditation room, though I've never met them even once." Naruto recalled the whole conversation. If those three were the cause of his father's worries then he would deal with them.

"Those three, huh?" Kurama remembered them all too well. When Kushina-the boy's mother came to Konoha as a child those three demanded to know everything about her background information and found out she had him sealed inside her. Kurama wasn't stupid when it came to human politics, they wanted Kushina to become their human weapon but that Hiruzen-brat wouldn't let them.

"They must be bad news if both you and tou-chan have such a reaction towards them. I'll watch them very closely without them noticing." Naruto said.

"Watch that Danzō-brat, he's crafty." Kurama warned. He'll be damned if that little bastard try to take control over him and use him as a weapon.

"I'll keep that in mind," Naruto stood up then jumped down landing softly on the grass, "I'll be going now." He waved to his companion.

"Yeah, yeah, by all means leave so I can get back to my nap." Kurama dismissed him closing his eyes to go back to sleep. Naruto wasted no time in leaving sensing that on the outside he was being called by the current Head Monk Chiriku.

Naruto's opened eyes locked onto the Head Monk Chiriku, he also noticed Sora had opened his eyes as well. Meditation hour must be over then.

Chiriku eyed them both with a nod, "Meditation hour is over now, the both of you are free to leave. Naruto, Eisai wants to see you about something important so go see him. Sora, meet me outside for training."

"Yes, Chiriku-sama." Both boys bowed their heads before leaving the Meditation Room. Sora headed over to the training area while Naruto went to go meet up with his father.

Naruto spotted his father waiting for him in one of the temple rooms, sliding the door closed he walked up to the man before sitting down facing him, "You wanted to see me, tou-chan?"

Eisai smiled, "Yes I did, there's something important we need to discuss, Naruto."

Not wanting to interrupt the boy said nothing and waited for the man to speak.

"I have a feeling that Sarutobi Hiruzen the Sandaime will send you off to the Academy in order for you to become a shinobi." Eisai informed.

Naruto showed no outward reaction but inwardly he was surprised by how right Kurama was about the Hokage wanting him to join the Ninja Academy to become a shinobi, 'Looks like Kurama was right.'

Eisai continued, "Naruto, tell me honestly how do you feel about the Sandaime?"

Naruto closed his eyes before opening them, "He's kindhearted and strong. When I was still living at the orphanage he checked in on me all the time and brought me to a place that served good ramen. He really cares about me. I hate to have to keep this from him…but I can't just betray you either."

Eisai smiled, 'Such a sweet son I have!' he swooned inwardly, "I understand your inner turmoil and don't worry, when the time is right we will reveal everything to the Sandaime but not right now. Do you understand?"

"Yes." Naruto nodded.

"Good. This also a mission I'm giving you while your there. Will you do it?" Eisai questioned.

"I will!" Naruto gave him a determined look.

Eisai brought out three pictures and slid them over by his son. The blonde boy took all three in his hand, "These three…"

"That's right, I want you to watch these three individuals and report back to me. Their names are Danzō Shimura, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado, but you already know their names don't you?" Eisai informed.

Naruto nodded, "I know of them. Kurama doesn't like them and warned me about Danzō. He said that he'll try to make me into a weapon."

Eisai narrowed his eyes, "Kurama is correct. From what I've gathered about the man myself he has a program that trains orphans and makes them into emotionless soldiers. In truth, his program is called ROOT and he kidnaps the orphans training them to become tools for the sake of Konoha."

Naruto narrowed his eyes, 'To think that people like him exist! Kidnapping them and making them into weapons is so cruel!'

"I can feel your emotions Naruto. What that man is doing is indeed wrong, and he will get his comeuppance, this I promise you." Eisai told the boy.

Naruto calmed down at the calm voice of his adoptive father, "…I understand."

"Now, your orders are to observe these three to see if their doing any suspicious activity or something worth mentioning and report it back to me. I don't have to tell you to be careful." Eisai explained.

Naruto put the pictures down, "If one of them approaches me…what do I do?"

"There's a possibility Danzō will try to approach you when you are alone, but from what I see you have ANBU bodyguards that worry for your safety so make sure their with you at all times." Eisai said.

"I will, tou-chan." Naruto told him.

Eisai smiled, "Now that we have that out of the way…time for training."

Naruto sported smirk underneath his mask, "I'm ready."

Naruto stepped out of the tree that he and his father took to get to the Fire Temple arriving back in Konoha. If the Genjutsu worked then the ANBU will report to the Hokage that he went into the Forest of Death. Before he could take a single step three ANBU appeared before him. Giving a small smile at their arrival he greeted them.

"Neko-san, Karasu-san, Tenzō-san." Naruto greeted.

Karasu leaned down before the boy, "Naruto, why did you go into the Forest of Death?"

Naruto tilted his head, "I wanted to train there without any noise. There were no animals out there to disturb me since its winter."

Karasu chuckled softly and rubbed the boy's head, "Regardless of your reasons you can't go in there without us. While its true the animals are sleeping because of the snow, you still need to be more aware of your surroundings. There's no telling what other… unsavory things might lurk in the forest." He was referring to a hawk that was lurking around the village.

Naruto knew who the ANBU member was talking about. Danzō Shimura. 'Even the ANBU don't like him.' He thought.

"I'm sorry." Naruto apologized.

Neko spoke this time, "Just let us know next time, okay?"

Naruto nodded in understanding but inwardly he knew he wouldn't be able to do that. But for now he'll comply to what they want and keep them around to ward off Danzō. He was brought out of his thoughts when his stomach grumbled, "I'm hungry."

He could feel all three of them smiling at him as he said those words. Out of all the ANBU these three were the nicest.

Naruto eye smiled at Teuchi as he placed his bowl of ramen before him, the three ANBU members brought him to Ichiraku since he was hungry. As soon as they brought him here they took off. Teuchi and Ayame were happy to see him. When he was wandering around for food the old man spotted the dirty boy and gave him free ramen to eat. He remembered crying tears of gratitude for their kindness.

Splitting his chopsticks apart he wasted no time in eating his ramen but at a slower pace than what he did the first time he tried some. As soon as he was finished with his first bowl there was a sound behind him as another customer had come in and knew exactly who that person was.

"Welcome, Hokage-sama!" Teuchi greeted.

Hiruzen greeted the man in return as his eyes zeroed in on Naruto his pseudo-grandson and took a seat next to him as Teuchi brought him another bowl. He was still curious as to what possessed the boy to wear a face mask like Kakashi, he even asked the man but he claimed he had no idea what brought it on. A part of him believed the child was hiding the lower part of his face because of the villagers. Shaking his head of unpleasant thoughts he smiled at the boy, "How are you doing today, Naruto?"

Naruto finished his second bowl much to the astonishment of the old man who didn't even notice the blonde had taken his mask off and eaten while the old man was lost in thought. Even Teuchi and Ayame were surprised not having seen him remove his mask, "I'm fine." The boy said.

"I was worried when the ANBU said you went into the Forest of Death, going there is very dangerous." Hiruzen told the boy.

"Mm. Karasu told me that if I want to go back there next time I should make sure they see me going in there." Naruto said getting his third bowl.

"Well their right," Hiruzen chuckled as he ordered something from Teuchi then turned back to the boy seeing he finished his third bowl just that quickly, "The next time you want to train there you should make sure they see you so they make sure nothing harmful comes near you."

"I know that already, Hokage-jiji. I'll let them know next time." Naruto said as Teuchi brought a fourth bowl to him. He really hated having to keep his orders from his father from the old man, but he had no choice. This was a secret he would keep from the old until it was time to reveal it to him.

Having left Ichiraku to head back to his apartment complex, the one the old man gave him, Naruto put both his wooden swords down on the bed then sat on it himself. Leaning on his back he stared at the ceiling remembering the words he spoke to his father.

"I…I want to get stronger! Strong enough to protect what I care about! I want…I want to protect you! That's why," he picked up the two wooden swords that were leaning against the wall and held them both in his hands, "I'll be your sword!"

He meant what he said. He would protect the man that saved him and took care of him. Becoming a Sacred Warrior's Monk's Guard would be hard but he wouldn't give up! He swore on it!

-To be continued-

Next Time: {Becoming a Shinobi}