AN: This chapter was, again, unbeta'd so please forgive the errors.

Eventually, sleep was able to lay claim to the boy but he woke far too soon. He sprung awake with his Chakra quickly spreading from his body in a wide and comfortable aura. It twisted along the walls of the apartment and made its own currents. He could sense everything in the dark space without needing to see. Only when he was sure he was alone his shoulders drop.

He remembered he had a job at that point, a mission to make Master proud and get stronger. His morning routine was lonely without Master but Naruto got through it. He showered alone with the special soap which eliminated scents and while getting dressed he devoured a chalky nutrition ball. It wasn't until he had his black and orange jacket that he felt like Naruto.

"I can do it," He promised himself and his master before leaving. He would walk through the abandoned morning streets and try his best to get on with his teammates. He'd train his hardest and become strong even if the others would weigh him down. Only when he was out the door did he realize he had disobeyed a direct order: he'd eaten something when they were told not to. A dozen situations ran through Naruto's head. What if he was hit so hard he threw up and Kakashi-sensei knew he'd eaten? Surely he'd be punished.

Punishments for willful disobedience were always the worst.

He could throw it up now but then he might be late and respectively punished anyways. Then again, Kakashi-Sensei was late himself yesterday. Finally, Naruto finished weighing the pros and cons, ran back into his apartment and purged the dry chalk from his stomach. It hurt terribly as his stomach was otherwise empty and it made his chest feel tight as he fought to get the now thick sludge out. When yellow bitter liquid dripped from his lips after a few dry heaves he finally fell backward, sweaty with the effort.

In a rush to hide the smell of vomit Naruto rubbed the bar of soap across his fingers until they were lathered with white suds. Grimacing he brought his hand to his mouth and dutifully scrubbed every inch even as it burned and made him gag in an effort to erase the smell of bile. His only saving grace was the knowledge that he couldn't throw up anymore so he could go without regard for his gag reflex.

(If only Sarutobi could see him now.)

As suspected this caused him to arrive at training ground 3 late but it was still the time without sun - morning he corrects - and their sensei was nowhere in sight. Naruto wondered where the sun always went every couple of times. He asked Tarune once when they were on a mission in a much colder land but never quite understood the logic. And since it didn't matter for his missions it was easier to accept that it just was.

Sasuke was lounging cooly against the bridge railings and Sakura was a few meters away with her back to the Uchiha. It was easy for him to really observe them like this. The way Sakura was hunched in from everything around her and Sasuke's own defensive stance - as if he expected an attack that he'd need to be able to defend himself from. They were more alike than they thought, Naruto considered.

Sasuke spotted him first but quickly turned his head away in a clear dismissal. The movement must have pulled their other teammate's attention because Sakura turned around and started gesturing him over. "I was worried you got lost but at least I'm not the last one. It took forever to convince my mom that I couldn't eat breakfast. Suuuper annoying."

Naruto rubbed his stomach as it cramped painfully. When was the last time he ate? He couldn't remember if Master gave him a food ball yesterday or not because he was too distressed from their separation.

You're more of an animal than I am, Cackled his instinct. Waiting for a human to feed you. Pathetic.

Frowning deeply he focused on the network of Chakra that had started to cauterize his veins a little too close to his mind and shut down the connection. His instinct was getting restless and Naruto could understand. It had been over 30 hours since his last fight.

"What do you think we'll be doing today?"

Naruto was able to control the instinct to jump as Sakura's question pulled him from his head. "A mission, right?" Because what else would there be?

Sakura and Naruto fell into a soft conversation in which she told him all about things he'd learned before but she looked so happy he couldn't dare interrupt. The sun started to rise but Sensei still refused to show. If it wasn't for the capabilities of Kakashi and his reluctance to see them yesterday Naruto might have gone looking for him.

"Should I brief you two?" Naruto interrupted something Sakura was saying, addressing the two instead.

"About what?" Sakura asked.

That was a strange question, he thought. "The kind you do before a mission with new people?" He tried to describe. At their confused looks- even from Sasuke- he elaborated further. "Combat style, strengths, and weaknesses, defensive and offensive capabilities-"

"I knew what you meant," Sasuke harumphed, "I didn't suggest it because I thought we should wait for Sensei."

Sakura and Naruto shared a glance before the pivoted around to face Sasuke. "Kakashi-Sensei should have our detailed folders," Naruto said. He conveniently forwent mentioning the scrolls Master had given him about them.

He seemed reluctant but Sasuke eventually took a seat and completed their triangle arrangement. "All I need is for you two to not slow me down."

"I have good chakra control u-um and I received high marks in strategic assignments," Sakura impressively ignored Sasuke's jab as if it was a common occurrence. Naruto was starting to believe it might be. Then she began listing off the Academy Jutsu they'd learned. Nothing stood out and that was strange. After all, Fu had the Yamanaka abilities to back him up and Torune could kill with a touch. This girl… read?

Sasuke took his turn next and any little hope Naruto had was squashed. Sasuke wasn't much better as he didn't mention his Sharingan. But then Naruto remembered the last time he'd looked down on one of the monsters that visited him in the morning and the next day he'd been fully humbled.

So he pushed it from his mind and chose to not comment on their stats. It would be up to their Sensei to train them into their roles but at least Naruto now they had a good potential dynamic. If the Uchiha was a mid-range then Naruto could be a short range fighter. He just didn't know where Sakura fit in.

"What about you," Sakura prompted after Naruto had lapsed into a quiet episode.

Naruto opened his mouth with a prepared description he'd given a dozen times. Master hadn't instructed Naruto to hide anything concerning his abilities and Master was not the type to simply forget something so important. He could only assume it would be fine to give the full story.

He never got to start because Sensei chose that moment to finally appear with the same Jutsu as the day before. "Oh, you're all still here," He dejected. "Well, sorry about that. A black cat crossed my path so I had to go the long way.

"Liar!" Sasuke boldly accused and, by the looks of it, Sakura wanted to as well. Naruto glanced between their reactions and the Sensei while wondering which to be more worried about. And what kind of cat would make a Jonin take a long way around? Then it hit him and he grinned widely. "A wild summon? They're hard to kill." And watched without understanding as his teammates fixed his own concerned expression right back on him. "What?"

"D-don't you mean 'fight' not 'kill'," Sakura mumbled quietly and with the expression that he couldn't read.

"Right," He kept his standard grin in the face of apparent discomfort. It was a useless attempt because Naruto imagined if they were dogs their hackles would be up. "Er, so what's our first mission?"

A recovered Kakashi raised his eyebrows, "Did you really think it was that easy to become a Ninja?"

Naruto didn't think he'd call it 'easy' but who was he to argue with his superior. Instead, he looked properly chastised and found his hands extremely interesting. "But what would we do if we didn't go on missions?"

Kakashi jerked his head in the direction of a large field just away from the bridge, motioning them to follow. "Do you really think you're ready for a mission at your level?"

Going against what Kakashi seemed to expect Naruto gave an honest, "Yes?"

"Right. Well if you're done overestimating yourself, Uzumaki, I'll explain. Making a few clones is fine and all but doesn't qualify you brats for real work. So there's been a special rule implemented." At this Kakashi dropped his nonchalant exterior and pressed his palm to his chin. He glanced between Sakura and Sasuke with a glee he wasn't even trying to hide. "Only 9 of the 27 graduates will go on to become Ninja. The remaining 18 will be sent back to the academy."

Varying degrees of upset rippled through the new Genin at the prospect of returning. Fury, fear, and strangely for Naruto apprehension. He both wanted to return but knew that Master would never take him back if he proved himself to be such a disappointment. He steeled himself, palms clenching in determination and the memory of him and Master by the river. Naruto couldn't lose this test.

"Sensei, what are the rules?" Asked a small-voiced Sakura.

"Easy. You get a bell and you pass, you don't and you fail." Kakashi didn't hesitate to hold up a pair of bells, "You can use any Jutsu at your disposal. But If you don't come at me with the intent to kill you'll never get a bell."

Kakashi motioned them to follow him to the center of the training field, his careful eyes following every move they made in a way Naruto hadn't seen since... well, Master himself. Kakashi was looking at them with true analysis that Naruto had never had the patience for no matter how many times Master tried to trill it.

"We start when I say so... " And then he did the unthinkable and pulled out a book. "Oh, don't worry about me. I doubt I'll need more than one hand to defend against you."

What a silly thought- to not give it your all.

With any mission there came decision making. Naruto took it as a real-life situation. If all three had to fight toward a goal with the knowledge that one person would have to be the sacrifice…

What answer did Kakashi want?

They shouldn't waste power, he knew that much at least. They should only sacrifice as much power as they had to. In this case, the weakest link would need to go.

Nomu knew the answer. So did his instinct. Kill the girl. Get her out of the way so you can win. You want to get strong, don't you? Come on boy. How easy it would my power! Use it! Kill the girl with my power! Use it! Use it-

Naruto closed the link down so abruptly he physically recoiled from the chakra backlash. He was Naruto now, not Nomu. And just because Nomu would do it didn't mean Naruto needed to. And he didn't want to- which was an insanely strange concept.

It was easy to resist when he glanced over at his pink teammate. She was distractedly mumbling to Sasuke, "...If only two at a time pass from any team… shouldn't it be an even number? Sensei said nine people pass so doesn't that imply we pass in teams of three? But if there are only two bells…"

He hadn't a clue what she was on about, but like her, Naruto was determined to find another way. If the goal was the bell but Kakashi wanted them to attack him- maybe if they killed him they'd all pass. He would have said something to his teammates but at that moment Kakashi gave the order to begin and the three disappeared. Naruto disappeared to the closest tree- not even five meters south of Kakashi and a dozen up.

His delay of overthought caused the air currents around him to waver slightly as his focus unfolded. He could only hope that Kakashi hadn't sensed the mistake. His chakra always took a good minute to completely unfold. Forcing large amounts of chakra was never a comfortable feeling- especially when it had to be threaded out so thin as to hardly be noticeable.

Use the net-

Naruto promptly shut down his chakra to work only with his own. As much as his instinct could teach him now was not the time to let it take over. The hot Chakra was too restless today and the barriers were always weaker in times of duress. It wasn't hard to ride the soft currents with just his own chakra- there were enough to act as a comforting net surrounding his Sensei. Naruto paused, wondering if this would even work and realizing he didn't have much fo a backup plan. But planning had never been his specialty and he'd never been allowed on a true solo mission before.

He let the net tense, the fully dimensional nets behind Kakashi coiled, breaking off from the natural currents of the air and then he let it go. The chakra forcing the condensed air forward like a thin blade aiming towards the smallest fatal spot- the back of Kakashi's neck. Only just seconds before Naruto was sure it would make contact Kakashi moved- faster than he'd expected a one-eyed-reading man to. He drew his Tanto with expert speed, holding it out so the air current cut through it. Naruto realized the strategy wasn't to block the air but to merely sense where Naruto was aiming so he could easily dodge the slowed down current.

The next thing he knew something hit his back hard and he fell forward onto the ground. He rolled onto his back and used his legs to roll himself back into a standing position, Kunai raised preparation for a follow-up attack that didn't come. Instead, Naruto saw Kakashi standing up on the tree limb he used to ocupy, holding a broken Tanto with a dark expression.

He lept down with all the grace of a cat and stalked forward likewise. "You occupy another decade before you'd pose a threat to me, Uzumaki." He pulled out two Kunai, aiming both with one hand and without so much as looking. Simultaneously two yelps split the air as Sasuke crashed out of a tree and Sakura crawled out from the bushes, dress ripped on the side but otherwise uninjured. Naruto realized too that their test had stopped. "You can't even discern between friend and foe. How can you complete a mission like that?"

Naruto had an impulse to apologize but bit his tongue to keep it back. Master never went any easier on him when he groveled. Even when it felt so unfair to not be able to explain himself he felt upset by the mere memory of it.

Then Kakashi surprised him, "I asked you, Uzumaki, what were you thinking?"

Oh. This was new and Naruto didn't really know what to do with it. "I- you told me to? You said to try to kill you."

"Do you know what restraint is?"

"To hold back?"

"Then why didn't you?"

"Because I was told to-"

"Okay restraint was a bad choice of word. Self-thought?"

"A what?"

In a perfect rendition of Fugaku lately, Kakashi inhaled slowly and pressed his fingers to the top of his nose. Coming to a resolution he snapped into action, grabbing Sakura so quickly Naruto felt like there were a few seconds of lag. Naruto took it as a point trying to be proved- Kakashi was leagues above them. Sakura let out a cry moments after she'd already been apprehended by an arm around her neck. "Kill Sakura." He aimed a Kunai into the dirt just inches away from him.

"Eh?" Naruto started at the command. There was a sense of instant shame that followed but it was only for his hesitation in obeying. His instinct was pounding at the mental barriers he put up to protect his mind and picked up the Kunai, shutting down his thoughts because this was something Nomu could do. Naruto? Naruto was fighting against him and he couldn't have that. He took a deep breath, twirling the kunai once to get a better grip and moving his left foot back in preparation to move and-

Sasuke appeared in front of him with a Kunai out but his hands less steady than a killers should be. It was enough to make Naruto hesitate because he hadn't been told to kill the Uchiha heir.

"Stop."

Naruto froze at Kakashi's command and the relief that flooded his soul was shameful. When he looked at Kakashi he was met with an expression that shut Nomu down and brought Naruto reeling back. An expression that Naruto Physically recoiled from.

"You-" Kakashi started but then closed his mouth and let the pure disappointment in his face speak for him. It wasn't any better for Naruto when he saw Sakura's wide searching eyes.

"Oh," Naruto said softly and It wasn't even supposed to be verbal. He understood now, though he wished he didn't. It was the same look the shopkeeper gave him and Naruto even knew the name of it as Disgust. He didn't know why but he supposed it didn't matter. What could he do? Disappointment and anger were easy enough to deal with but disgust? He couldn't even be punished if Sensei was too afraid to look at him and if he wasn't punished then what would happen?

He might as well not exist.

Naruto's heart lept and his chest constricted.

He doesn't understand. He'd been so good so far. He'd tried his hardest. He needed to be punished.

"I'll try harder next time," He said in place of the apology on his lips.

He knew he'd said the wrong thing when Kakashi turned away from him, addressing Sakura and Sasuke instead. "We're going to take lunch. All three of you were disappointing. Sasuke- did you even try to use your head before rushing in? Sakura- you figured out the purpose of the bell test but still didn't tell your teammates."

"And Naruto, forget going to back to whatever hell you crawled out of- disqualification from the program is the only thing I can recommend. And that's why you're going to be tied to the pole."

Naruto didn't say much through the following ordeal. He thought as far as punishments went Hunger was extremely lenient. Of course, he could understand why Sensei resorted to it if the disgust was anything to go by. Shame felt heavy in his stomach. Kakashi didn't even look at him when securing the rope around his arms and torso. It wasn't strong enough to keep him from breaking away from the pole but Naruto was familiar with mental bondage.

Kakashi handed out the two plain rice boxes to either side of Naruto where Sasuke and Sakura were standing as far from him as they could without looking silly. Sakura had the decency to look ashamed. "Kakashi-Sensei-"

"I'll give you three one more chance after lunch. Fight me with the intent to kill and use teamwork to get these bells and maybe- just maybe I might change my mind."

Naruto looked up sharply, something feeling alive through his veins again and it wasn't the Demon- though it wasn't exactly quiet in It's internal chakra attacks. "We can still pass?"

Kakashi snorted in disbelief and disappeared in a body flicker.

The tension was thicker than Naruto had ever felt. He looked at each of his teammates respectively.

Sakura broke the silence with her lunchbox untouched even after a few minutes had passed. "Naruto.. would you really kill someone?"

"... if it was an order." And that sounded like more of a defense than he'd ever given before. Normally he would just say 'yes' but he felt a desire to justify it to her however weak that may be.

Silence reigned for a few seconds before she spoke again, this time her eyes dug into his. "Naruto, do you know that sometimes people can give you an order that is wrong?"

Naruto shook his head because he didn't. Why would anyone do that? He asked as much and Sasuke just groaned. "God. You're like a stupid child who can kill. What is wrong with your head? Were you raised by wolves? Crazy bastard."

"For what its worth… I think you're really strong Naruto."

"I'm sorry I didn't understand."

"Tch, stop being such babies. We'll just have to pass next round- and maybe we'll need your annoying wind thing."

Ignoring Sasuke's phrasing Sakura jumped in, "What is that anyways? I didn't really see you do anything but then Sensei's Tanto was suddenly in half. He looked really angry. Was it important to him?"

"The tanto?"

"Yeah."

"Why would that be important?"

"Back to the thing that matters," Sasuke harrumphed, "How did you do it?"

"I can infuse my chakra with the space around us. Like chakra strings but finer and thinner so they can blend in with the natural air currents. I can condense it in multiple areas."

"That's- Naruto you'd be unstoppable. Anyone inside your range would automatically lose. Your only weakness would be sensor nin."

"No, it has two other big weaknesses. I can only use it once before I have to set it back up again. And it takes time to get into position. Not many enemies will stand still for that long." He was lying about the length

"Still that's all you need and you'd win. I wish I had something like that."

"You're an idiot," Sasuke snorted, rice falling from his chopsticks back into the container. Naruto found himself distracted by the sudden pain in his stomach and the way his chakra flickered for a second. He came back to Sasuke talking "-You'd be useless for anything but killing."

"I'm sure it has other uses, Sasuke. Don't be so mean... please."

"Sorry, what did you say?" Naruto shook his head to try and clear the nausea. Maybe it wasn't yesterday morning that he last ate after all. His stomach decided to make an awful noise confirming that fact just then.

Sakura halted in her own timid bites, looking over guiltily. "It doesn't feel right."

"Hm?" Sasuke seemed to have no problem shoveling his own rice into his mouth.

"Well, Naruto's attacks use the most chakra. It isn't easy to fight while hungry, is it?"

Naruto had a nagging suspicion he knew where she was going with this and it caused him to stare down at the box of rice. "It doesn't matter," He said forcing his eyes away. "Besides I'm not that hungry."

"It's only been half a day since dinner. Real ninja have to go longer," Sasuke said, mouth full and mid-shovel.

Sakura, on the other hand, seemed to be disagreeing. "But if we're supposed to work together… It doesn't feel right to let Naruto suffer. It can't be right- here. "

Naruto had a lunchbox shoved up in front of his face and a red-cheeked Sakura looking down at her lap. "Really quick while Sensei isn't around."

"Are you crazy? You wanna get us all expelled from the program?" Sasuke whipped his head shook her head violently. "Well, This is how you get us all expelled."

"No," Sakura defended. "This is how I demonstrate teamwork and make sure that we pass this next test."

"Er, guys, I don't-"

"And when it goes directly against orders?"

"Guys-"

"That's the point. Sensei got mad at Naruto because he followed orders and risked his teammates because of it. What do you think we're doing now?"

Sasuke scowled for a long moment before making a sound of contempt. "Fine! Idiot. He can't eat if his arms are tied," And Sasuke took his own chopsticks and raised a generous lump of rice to Naruto's lips.

Naruto watched all this with weak attempts at an argument. He was conflicted with his hunger and his apprehension over food he hadn't tried in recent memory. And he would be purposely disobeying an order for the first time. Master would be furious if he found out. Sasuke and Sakura would be expelled too and who knew what would happen to them. It must not be that bad if they didn't even seem to care. They were almost trying to break an order which was such a bizarre thought. He'd never heard of anyone going against an order before. It simply wasn't done-

Oh.

A small part of Kakashi's speech earlier clicked inside his head. He was ordered to try to kill but when he did it was wrong. It was wrong to obey the order. And that was okay.

He took a bite of the strange tasteless mush. It was slimy where the nutrition balls were chalky and immediately his stomach twisted at the thought of swallowing it. He managed to fight back his gag reflex long enough to get it down but he'd have to admit it was easier than he thought. Then his stomach cramped violently and he knew if he took one more bite he'd never be able to keep it down.

Then his rescue came. The sky may have stayed blue but it certainly felt darker when Kakashi flickered into view in front of them, hands on his hips. But relief was blatantly written in his eyes all the same and Naruto didn't need to speak when his teammates rushed to the defense. He'd done okay, he'd passed, but what bothered him most was:

Kakashi still looked disgusted.

They were dismissed for two hours and told to go home, shower and eat and reconvene on top of the training tower.

Minutes later
Naruto's appartment

Master Danzo was waiting for him. He looked out of place, sitting on the folded futon with his cane leant against the wall and his arms crossed. Naruto's heart lept into his throat and he scrambled forward, bouncing on his heels. With Danzo sitting they were eye level but it never felt awkward.

"I passed," Naruto blurted. His entire face lit up into a grin when Master nodded his approval. "We're meeting again in 90 minutes. Do you think we'll have a mission?"

"You're eager," Danzo frowned. "Is the monster talking to you?"

Naruto shook his head sharply. "It- it keeps trying but I've been doing what you said. I haven't been listening."

"I want you to shut it out. Do not forget you were created to contain that monster. If you fail you will be worth nothing." Master Danzo looked genuine with how his lips turned down and at the same time he gestured to the small space beside him. Naruto eagerly took up the seat, looking over and up at master as if trying not to blink for all the time he'd miss worshiping this man.

What a stupid man. He has no idea I've been training his pet, His instinct laughed darkly in the back of his mind, his voice thick with the same disgust Kakashi looked at him with. Humans. So blind. So foolish.

"I do not want you to fail-"

"-then I don't want to fail-"

"-Do not let it out, Naruto. Do not let it instruct you. I want you to listen to me and Kakashi in that order."

"Of course you come first," Naruto let out a crisp laugh at the obvious statement. He picked up on the light in Masters eyes changing but not the reason or purpose.

"You'll always be loyal to me," Danzo reiterated. "You've been made so well. You will be my greatest creation. My Strongest"

And then we'll kill him t- Naruto didn't let the instance finish that thought, the blasphemy of it causing him to shut down all connection once more. Instead, he beamed at his precious person. Master was still visiting him- was even proud of him. He saw no reason to bring up the problem with disobeying orders earlier. Best not to poke a sleeping dragon. "Will you come back? Will I see you again?"

Danzo considered, mind fishing for the right solution that Naruto was so sure he already knew. "Or, can I come back to the compound?"

"You cannot," Master snapped quickly. "But I will visit you after you successfully complete a mission."

"Oh, okay," Naruto wasn't disappointed because at least he'd see Master with some frequency.

"Don't forget, you are now Uzumaki Naruto but you are not a person."

"Okay."

Same time,

Uchiha compound.

Sasuke walked slower than normal to his home. The compound which was located further away from the rest of the village than necessary but for once he was greateful. It gave him time to try and unravel some of the mystery of his team.

The Uzumaki really did not sit right with him. Earlier he'd jumped in front of Sakura- stupid useless weak nerdy - Sakura. What had he been thinking? He'd told himself he'd done it because he saw through Kakashi's test but for a moment he'd felt real fear that Naruto would kill her. They were hardly 13 and the blonde brat didn't look 10. It was one of the most ofsetting things to see that look in someone's eyes.

It reminded him of his brother, back before Sasuke entered the academy. Itachi had witnessed the first war and always had a strange look on his 10 year old face. A lot of adults avoided Itachi back then and Sasuke didn't understand why until seeing it on someone unrelated.

An adult in a childs body.

Yet the blonde was more stupid than his little cousin Tomo with some of the stuff he didn't understand. Sasuke nearly tripped on his pourch as he was jostled from his thoughts. Is mother stood in the doorway clenching his shoes.

"Sasuke, did you invite your teammates for dinner?" His mother asked with unusual eagerness as soon as he walked in the door.

"I'm home," He rolled his eyes at her. "And no I forgot. Sorry- Argh. Ow! Devil woman!"

Mikoto had a firm grip of her sons ear. "Then you will invite them over for dinner tomorrow night or you won't get any."

Sasuke wormed his ear out of her grasp with a groan. "You're crazy woman. I'll go deaf and lose my ninja license. Who will support you two when you're all old and decrepit then? Huh? You really want to live with Itachi?"

Mikoto winced at the thought- they both knew Itachi's compulsivity with his living space- but she was not to be distracted. "Invite your friends, Sasuke. And stop talking back to your mother. Itachi was never this much trouble-"

"Yeah! Fine. I'll invite them over so they can meet Itachi and realize how much better Itachi is at everything," He stormed away from her, grabbing the bento she had carefully made for him off the dining table. "-and just like you they'll forget Sasuke even exists!"

"Sasuke! Come back here! Sasuke- oh that boy. That misbehaving boy," Mikoto watched him leave with exasperation and a thought to have Itachi talk to the boy. It must be Puberty.

That afternoon

Academy roof

Kakashi was surprisingly punctual because after just half an hour of awkward silence he poofed into existence. Naruto's new teammates seemed relieved to have the Jonin there so Naruto went with the flow and gave a grin that did little to settle his teammates.

(He was trying. He was trying so hard.)

Kakashi sat on the railing, looking down at the three of them with cool disdain that naruto just knew was directly mostly at him. "Alright, since you three will be working with each other for the next few years-" He broke off, muttering something to himself that Naruto could pick up with his extended hearing as 'if I can't help it' - "Let's get to know each other. We can start with a simple introduction"

"Sensei," Naruto spoke up first, "They briefed me when you were gone."

Kakashi waved him off, "I mean something you can't find in a folder. Tell me Your likes and dislikes, a dream for your future. The thing that drives you," He fixed Naruto with a stern stare.

"Oh," said Naruto.

When no one volunteered Kakashi sighed and went first. "I like… well, I'm sure you kids wouldn't understand. What I don't like doesn't concern you. I haven't thought much of my future now."

They were silent, waiting for more but when it was clear Kakashi was done Sakura cleared her throat and spoke up. "Um, I l-like reading? That's probably my hobby too though... Oh and flowers. And Trout. Um, the thing I don't like…" Her eyes trailed obviously to Sasuke who scoffed loudly before she flushed and let her hands fidget. "I want to become a good ninja b-because I want to make a lot of money for my parents.

Kakashi didn't acknowledge anything, in particular, fixing his gaze on Naruto again but Sasuke spoke up first. "I don't like much. I dislike noisy weaklings that get in my way and people who don't appreciate skill when they see it. My goal… no, my destiny is to surpass my brother."

"Hmm," Kakashi rubbed his masked chin and stared at Sasuke for an extended moment before fixing his gaze on Naruto- who had sort of hoped he'd be forgotten about.

"I, uh, haha," He looked nervously between them and suddenly found it hard to keep his grin in place with their eyes on him. He closed his eyes tight in concentration as he tried to think of something he liked. The image of Master and him sitting on the rock came to his mind and he felt his face flush with color. "I like it when M- When, uh, I mean when they... " He pressed a hand on top of his own head in a mimic of the pat to his head. And he thought about his dislikes and the color drained from his face. "I don't like punishments." But the color returned when he thought of his drive. "I want to be Hokage someday. I want to be strong for, er, for my special someone."

Sakura was staring at him with her mouth in a small 'o' and a little color on her cheeks. "Whose your special someone? Is it a Ninja? Is it a girl in our class? Is she older?" He grinned.

Naruto stared at her in confusion for a small moment before chuckling, "He's really really old!" He said because surely that much wouldn't give anything away.

"Naruto that's messed up," Sasuke scrunched up his nose and Sakura laughed nervously. When he looked up at Kakashi he expected to see the same cool indifference given to the other two but only saw that look again. Disgust. He shrank into himself.

"Okay then…" Kakashi drawled. "Enough of that. I have a mission for you three."

"Already?" Sakura gasped. "Oh, but I didn't prepare and-"

"The mission is... " Kakashi paused for dramatic effect. "Weeding the academy grounds!"

A collective groan passed through the three of them- even Naruto repulsed by the sound of such an eventless mission.

"Er, how do we 'weed' something?" Naruto asked.

Late at night

Shushu-ya

It was not respectable to be at Shushu-ya, a favored pub amongst Jonin an hour past midnight.

But Kakashi would be damned if he didn't need a drink. His drinking partner certainly wasn't complaining. Neither was Itachi- sipping on a cup of tea and watching his two Senpai with amusement.

Asuma seemed to have his own headache on his hand. When Kakashi broke the ice and asked about how his team event went. "Shikaku's son figured out the test before I was done explaining, said it was pointless - And took a nap! A nap Kakashi."

"Sounds exactly like Shikaku's kid," he snorted.

"I should have stayed a Guardian," Asuma admitted, "Would have been easier.

"Be glad your team has some pre-semblance for teamwork."

"Is my brother giving you trouble?" Itachi cut in sharply- a sigh already on his lips.

"Actually, no. You were right about him being a brat but he's probably the easiest one."

"That is surprising. Lately, it feels like fathers one 'sasuke-fit' away from unlocking a new Sharingan."

Snorting into his drink, Kakashi supplied, "He's overconfident and loud but he's a good kid. It's the other two that concern me. The girls sharp but that's it. Intelligence can't always translate to the field when she doesn't have the skill to back it up. Then there's Uzumaki."

A moment of silence passed for the three of them and a tension rolling over the table until Asuma broke it.

"Am I going to be the one to come out and say it?" Asuma said doubtedly, "The kid disappears for 7 years and the Hokage only tells you it's for safety reasons. Now he comes back pre-trained?"

"It reeks of Danzo," Itachi voices. "I do not understand why the Hokage would allow that."

"The same reason he let him take one child from each of the great clans for his program. And the same reason he let the Hyuuga be exempt from this. Hierarchy." Kakashi let out a drawn sigh.

"We don't know for sure but my old man's always been too soft on that guy. The whole thing Gives me the shivers," Asuma shook himself, prompting Itachi to pour him another cup of alcohol.

"I know it was Danzo," Kakashi exhaled. "The kid tried to kill me, honest killing intent and he didn't hold back. So I gave him another test. I asked him to kill the girl."

His fellow Jonin blinked, Asuma said, "He didn't fall for that?"

Kakashi nodded gravely. "I thought it would be a good example but instead his teammates now fear him. When I asked him why he did it he said-"

"Because I was told to," Itachi finished.

Asume drank again. "How do you undo that sort of training?"

"I don't think I do. I'll just have to help him work through it."

"He's obviously one of Danzo's spies. Probably put there to steal your eye or something," Asuma pointed out, drink sloshing as he did it quite figuratively.

"Senpai, I don't think that's it. I was in root for two months before I was promoted again. I was 9 when they pulled me from the program and Danzo never asked for a replacement- he was entitled to but father never got a memo." Itachi confessed.

"9... Naruto woulda been... yeah... that's around when Naruto went into Root." Asuma mumbled. "Itachi, be a good junior and let Senpai rest his head on your shoulder."

Itachi didn't complain asides from pushing Asuma's forehead forward a bit more so he didn't have to smell the alcohol on his breath. "He's right. Just before Naruto disappeared."

"There's no coincidence with Danzo," Kakashi agreed. For a minute the only sound was Asuma spinning his sake cup on the table. "Naruto joined right after you were allowed to leave. But the Hokage would never... He doesn't trade lives."

But he did. He had to. And the perspective of what that might mean was far too bleak.

"Senpai, the team was invited for dinner tomorrow. I can talk to him for you then," Itachi offered. "I spent enough time under Danzo and I can say this, he plays on what you want most. For me it was 'the greater good' and I did many things I am not proud of believing in his idea of it. I don't know what he lorded over Uzumaki, but finding that will be the first thing."

Kakashi found himself forgetting to correct Itachi's title because he remembered now. He remembered his own brief stunt under Danzo and how Danzo had twisted his opinion of Sarutobi after Minato's death. Kakashi didn't consider himself someone easily manipulated. He'd go as far to say he was one of the more instinctual Jonin out there- and yet Danzo had played him like a marionette.

"What has he done to that kid," Kakashi exhaled before turning to Itachi. "Thanks. You two are more alike than I want to think about."

"Oh god," Asuma choked mid-sip. His words were steady but his cheeks had taken on a pink hue from the drink. "No. One freaky strong genius is enough for this lifetime. Itachi's the second-coming of Madara. Don't give me a Hashirama-Senju too because we all read how that worked out."

The other two stared blankly at the shuddering Jonin. Itachi glanced over at his senpai. "Do people always say these things while drunk?"

"Want to make a bet kid?" Kakashi bumped his shoulder against Itachi's, "A thousand Ryo says he'll be hitting on you after that bottle?"

"I'm just saying! It never ends well Kakatchi~ Kakatchi. I can address you both at the same time, heh."

"Make it two if he calls you Kurenai."

Itachi- not believing anything but the strongest Genjutsu could cause that sort of mayhem- nodded.

Kakashi showed up to training ground seven the next day a couple thousand Ryo heavier.

AN:

It took me a long time to decide how strong I wanted Itachi. I know it's a tad controversial depending on where you pull from. After rereading his backstory and binging a few youtube opinion videos I decided Itachi is one of the strongest characters - dead or alive. It's canon that Itachi resisted the Genjutsu of the Sharingan before he even had his own Sharingan. It's also canon that he was able to mould chakra to enhance his strength before the academy even started. So I'm going to say that Itachi is on the same level as Minato- or will be when their ages line up. But let me know your thoughts!