Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Chapter 1: Enter the Fox Cub

"Hakke Fuin!"

The bodies of Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina fell to the ground as the body of the fox that stood behind them was sucked into the body of a newborn. With the last of the Kyuubi's chakra sealed, the barrier surrounding the now lost family was dropped.

Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, rushed in and came to a stop as he stared down at the newly created jinchuuriki. The sun-kissed locks were just like his father's whereas the round face was just like his mother's. The three whisker marks that adorned each cheek, however, were the child's own. 'The people must not know of this. If they found out, news of the demon container would spread, and my advisors, especially Danzo, will stop at nothing to make this boy into an emotionless weapon. What to do?'

The young babe started crying as he started feeling the chills of the wind that were once blocked by his mother's chakra barrier. Sarutobi gently lifted the babe from the stone altar. He turned to ANBU who were standing alert nearby.

"Eagle, go back and alert the council that the Kyuubi threat is now over. Tiger, Deer, bring the bodies to be prepped for burial. Wolf, we are going back to ANBU headquarters." As the ANBU each went to complete the task assigned, Sarutobi and Wolf began their trek back to Konoha.

Wolf turned slightly to glance down at the bundle in his Hokage's arms. "Sir, permission to speak freely?"

"Granted."

"What do you plan to do with… with it?" Wolf was hoping that the Hokage wasn't planning what he thought he was planning.

"Well Wolf, I have decided that his status as a jinchuuriki will be an SS-rank secret to all citizens. He will be raised at the ANBU headquarters away from others who could scorn him as a demon. His existence will be hidden from the village and the council until deemed appropriate." The reinstated Hokage looked up and faced the wolf-masked operative when he noticed stiffness. Chuckling a bit, he asked "Is something the matter?"

"With all due respect Hokage-sama, we are special operatives. I'm not sure we have the-" He paused looking for the right word. "-qualifications to raise a child at headquarters."

Sarutobi nodded as they neared their destination. "I understand your concern. However, this is the best option for his safety and wellbeing. We must put him under our protection until he is of age. There is not a chance I am allowing him to fall into greedy hands. Of course, if he demonstrates the aptitude to become a shinobi, you may train him as you see fit. I believe he can become a great asset to our village in the future."

He stopped in front of a non-descript rock above the Hokage Monument. With a few hand seals and the swiping of blood, the stone rolled away to reveal a staircase. The two figures descended into the darkness as the stone rolled back into place.

(Four Years Later)

The hallways were dark. The only signs of life were the small pitter-patter of feet against the cold concrete. A wolf-masked figure turned around before being barreled by a blur.

"Oji-san, you're home!" Wolf looked down at the mop of jet-black strands that was now clinging to his uniform with reckless abandon.

A dainty hand grabbed the back of the small boy's shirt and plucked him off. The cat mask had observed the interaction and was most likely smirking underneath the white porcelain. "Naruto-kun, Wolf-san is very tired from his latest mission. You can play with him later." Her long purple hair fell around him as she wrapped her arms around him into a hug.

Wolf couldn't help but smile. It had been four years since the young jinchuuriki had begun living with them. At first, Wolf was wary of having a child staying with them, but as time went on, Naruto had melted their hearts, and Wolf could think of Naruto as nothing less than a son.

"But Cat-nee..." The child whined and gave her the best puppy eyes he could. Cat released his small body when she was sure he wasn't going to attack her team captain again. Kneeling down in front of him, she gave him the gentlest look through the mask.

"You can train with Wolf-taichou later. If you promise to behave, I'll take you to the library." His violet orbs grew to the size of saucers. 'Hook.'

"And I'll let you eat ramen for dinner." The drool was dripping from the corner of his mouth as he imagined himself eating heaven from a bowl. 'Line.'

"And I'll show you how to climb trees-" She paused for dramatic effect. "-without your hands!" He began jumping up and down. 'Sinker.'

"I promise! I promise!" The hand of the four-year-old latched onto her own like a lion to its prey.

Wolf watched in amusement as the mischievous devil he had brought back to HQ was dragging one of his most loyal team members away.

"Get up." It wasn't a suggestion but an order. The four-year-old glared at his opponent as he willed himself off the floor.

He spit a wad of blood that had been collecting in his mouth and turned to face the wolf-masked shinobi. His eyes burned with a fire hotter than the summer sun.

Running forward, he jabbed his small fists towards the ANBU, but was swiftly knocked off of his feet. "We are not here to brawl Naruto. We are here to protect as shadows cast by the flame. Our duty is to end our targets swiftly and our enemies even swifter." Wolf came up behind his charge and held a kunai to his throat. "We are going to do this again until your form is fitting for a shadow."

Taking away the kunai, he let the boy situate himself again. Wolf's charge was learning at a ridiculously fast pace. In only a few years, he truly believed that Naruto would become one of the strongest shinobi the ANBU had ever produced. The jinchuuriki was already gaining proficiency in kenjutsu and fuinjutsu, and when he grew a little bigger, there was no doubt in Wolf's mind that his taijutsu and speed would increase tenfold.

The young brunet took up a stance and charged once more.

(Two Years Later)

The lion mask gave the three recruits a quick glance before addressing them. "This is your captain, Kodanuki." A white-cloaked figure stepped out of the darkness. Its height was no more than 1.25 meters, but the voice that spoke was what stunned them the most.

"Soutaichou, is this a joke? They're wet behind the ears. I thought you promised me transfers." It was clearly the voice of a child.

A chuckle left the lips of the usually stoic man. "I leave them in your care." The ANBU Commander disappeared from the room.

Grumbling to himself, the Weasel, Snake, and Gecko masks stared at him in confusion. "Always leaving me with the newbies. One day he's going to realize I can't clean up all the messes myself. One day…" The other three masks sweat-dropped at their new captain.

"Ano, Taichou?" Weasel wasn't sure what to think of the boy that stood before him. He thought he was young for joining the ANBU at eleven, but this boy size suggested he was the same age as Weasel's younger brother.

The fox mask seemed to be observing each one of his new subordinates. "Listen up. First things first, we need to build some trust. We are part of the Information and Espionage division. Trickery is our trade, but I don't want everyone pointing kunai at each other's necks all the time. Second, even if I'm team leader, don't make me clean up after you. I hate cleaning. Finally, I want masks off when we are alone. I don't give a damn about Lion's rules."

Taking the mask away from his face, it revealed the face of a young boy. The three whisker marks on each cheek complemented his violet slit eyes that pierced through their masks.

They knew they had no choice but to obey. The masks slowly fell away from their faces.

(One Year Later)

Lounging in a tree, Kodanuki glared at the location of his next assignment. He knew he had to do this, yet the thought of he, an expert of infiltration, stooping down to this level to infiltrate this place sent chills down his spine. But he had a promise to fulfill, and he wasn't about to break the promise he had made to his family – to a member of his team, which was now but a memory.

He leapt down causing his blond hair to become disheveled. His eyes reflected the blue of the ocean, and on his lips, he adorned the innocent smile unbefitting of a spy.

Rubbing his thumbs along the bottom of his wrists, he let the cold, hardened eyes of ninja melt into the sunny orbs of a child.

He entered the building as loud as an elephant, slammed open the classroom door, and the marched in like he owned the room. If Wolf saw him now, he would no doubt cook him with a Katon for being as conspicuous as a circus clown.

There was a man standing at the front of the room. He had brown hair done up in a high ponytail and a long scar that crossed his nose. The homeroom teacher glanced at the young boy who had stepped into the room. "And who might you be?"

A grin spread across the already smiling face.

"I'm Uzumaki Naruto, and I'm going to be the next Hokage!"

A/N

Welcome to my new story!

After reading HelloFoxie's"The Origins of Naruto" and its sequel "Things We Know" (definitely recommend both), I wanted to try my hand at ANBU Naruto.

I'll be updating weekly, Mondays at 0000 UTC. I'll try my best to stick to a consistent schedule.

If you find any errors in my writing, please let me know.

Hope you enjoy!

- TK

Updated: 02/12/19