I said this on my other story but im done w school n I passed most of my finals so im in a good mood 😋
FUCKING COMMENT OMG I FEEL SO IN THE DARK WHEN YOU GUYS DONT COMMENT

Naruto's pov
October 9

Three months of nonstop training, broken bones, near-death experiences, and trying not to lose all the weight I've gained. Today was the day. Kurama has had it marked on a calendar since he bought it. Today, I'm going to ask to take the ANBU test. I don't even know if it's honestly possible for me to become an ANBU, but Kurama told me about some guy who became an ANBU at eleven. I'm four years younger than him, though! I was outside the Hokage's office, waiting for him to be done with his meeting. What if he tells me no? That would be so embarrassing.

I was having a conversation with Kurama when the door opened and some old guy with white hair walked out, the Hokage following after him. He turned to look at me and smiled, "Ready when you are, Naruto." I got up and followed him into the office, noticing there were already people in there. I couldn't see them, but I could definitely feel them staring.

Over the past couple of months, Kurama had hunted me, quite literally. He let me loose in the forest and told me to survive while he chased me, trying to kill me. Not only did I have to avoid him, but I also had to avoid the predators lurking in the forest.

He said it was to enhance my senses. He blindfolded me once and told me not to rely on my eyes but to focus on everything else I could perceive without my sight. He repeated this exercise, taking away each of my senses in turn to prepare me for any possible scenario. It was hell.

When I passed, he congratulated me. When I failed, he made me do it a hundred more times. We've fought blindfolded and everything. It may or may not have helped, but I'd never tell him that.

I tried not to look at the people, tried not to follow their gaze and stare them in the eyes, so I kept my eyes locked on my shoes.

"So, what's up, Naruto?" the Hokage asked as I sat on the chair in front of him.

"Uhm... Dad, this is kind of a private conversation..." I said, glancing at the shadows where I could feel eyes on me.

He nodded in response, leaning forward to show he was paying attention. He obviously wasn't picking up what I was putting down.

"No, like," I glanced in the direction of one of the people staring at me and nudged my head, "private."

The Hokage followed my gaze and then straightened up, his eyes a little wide. "Right. Everyone, clear the room."

One by one, the ANBU members flickered out of sight, leaving me alone with the Hokage. He leaned back in his chair, his expression more serious now. "Alright, Naruto. What's on your mind?"

I took a deep breath, panic setting in. I wasn't scared of passing, I was scared of asking him. I was feeling the weight of Kurama's training and my own determination but it wasn't enough to make the words fall from my mouth. Not yet at least. I argued with Kurama in my head until he forced them out of me.

"Dad, I want to take the ANBU test."

He raised an eyebrow, clearly taken aback. "Huh??! Naruto, you're eight, not even technically until tomorrow! And you're my son, what if something happens to you, I'm just expected to be okay with that??"

I pressed my lips together. "I've been training hard, with a teachers help, and you told me to let you know what I wanted to do. This is what I want. I know I'm ready."

The Hokage studied me for a long moment, his eyes searching mine for any sign of doubt. Then he sighed and nodded. "Very well. If that's what you want... If you believe you're ready, I won't stand in your way."

Relief washed over me, but it was quickly replaced by a surge of determination. "Thank you, I won't let you down."

He smiled faintly. "I know you won't, Naruto. You're my son. But remember, the ANBU test isn't just about skill. It's about resilience, loyalty, and the willingness to do whatever it takes to protect the village. And there's always a chance of you getting hurt, what if I'm not there to protect you??"

"I'm okay with that, I understand the risks," I replied, standing up. "I'll do whatever it takes."

He nodded, "The test is in two days."

As I left the office, I felt the weight of the upcoming test pressing down on me.

Protect the village? Protect them? Why on earth would I do that? They've never looked out for me in the slightest, why would I give a rats ass about them. I'm going to kill them off one by one and no one is going to be the wiser.

Kurama and I decided this a while back, but ANBU is as far as I'll go, Hokage is too much spotlight. From the ANBU, I can work in the shadows and if I'm working under the Hokage I can move freely to do what I want without the villagers, police, or anyone stopping me. I'll burn this village to the ground with everyone in it.

In the hallway, Kurama's voice echoed in my mind. "I'm so glad you haven't lost sight of our goal. I was worried." "Trust me, I'll never forget what they did to me," I mumbled under my breath.

I nodded to myself, a steely resolve settling in. I'm going to get my happy ending, fuck what everyone else wants. I'm going to make sure I can do whatever I want, whenever I want, without anyone else telling me anything.

The day of the ANBU test had finally arrived. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a golden hue over the village as I made my way to the secluded training grounds. Kurama's voice echoed in my mind, a constant reminder of the grueling, life threatening months of preparation I had endured.

"Stay focused, Naruto. You've got this." I tried to tell myself over and over but the chills were set and not moving.

I arrived at the training grounds to find three masked ANBU members waiting for me. Their faces were hidden, their expressions unreadable, but I could feel their scrutiny. Creepy. They're so robotic. One of them stepped forward, a tall figure with a hawk-like mask.

"Uzumaki Naruto—" I hate that I'm in the system as that... "Your test will consist of three parts: physical endurance, tactical strategy, and combat proficiency. Each section will push you to your limits. Are you ready?"

I nodded, feeling the nerves shoot down my spine. Regardless of that, I'm definitely ready to tear these bitches to shreds.

...

I'm around Kurama too much

...

"I'm ready."

The first part of the test was a series of obstacle courses designed to test my physical endurance. I was familiar with many of the obstacles, having faced similar challenges during my training with Kurama. The course was littered with traps and difficult terrain, but I navigated it with agility and speed, my body moving almost instinctively.

Throughout the course, I encountered pit falls, log traps, poison darts, and illusions of people coming after me, all of which I evaded as Kurama had taught me. The ANBU members watched silently, their eyes following my every move.

Next was the tactical strategy section. I was led to a room with a detailed map of Konoha. My task was to plan a defense against a hypothetical enemy attack. I studied the map, recalling the countless scenarios Kurama had drilled into me night after night. "Pause, Naruto! That's fucking gay!! Don't say that!" I laughed a little to myself which I'm sure gained weird stares. 'It's true.' "It is NOT!"

I pointed to key locations on the map. "We'll set up barriers here and here to slow their advance. We'll position our fastest units at these points for quick response. And we'll place traps along these routes to catch any stragglers."

The ANBU nodded, impressed with my strategic thinking. "Well done, Naruto. Now, for the final test: combat proficiency."

I was led to an open field where another masked ANBU awaited me. This one wore a wolf mask and carried a katana. I recognized the stance—Kurama beat my ass many times before so this stance gives me instant PTSD.

"Begin!" shouted the hawk-masked ANBU.

The wolf-masked ANBU lunged at me— before I was even fucking ready, might I add!— swinging the katana with precision. I dodged, barely avoiding the blade. Kurama's training— if you can even call it that, I call it attempts to kill me— kicked in as I countered with a series of punches and kicks, channeling chakra to strengthen my strikes. I didn't like fighting with a katana but I know I had to for it to qualify. But hey, why not show off my hand to hand as a bonus.

While pushing back from this ANBU I pulled the sword off my back and blocked with it as he jumped back in to attack, probably thinking I was off guard because of this.

The fight was intense, the sound of clashing metal and heavy breaths filling the air. Despite his obvious skill, I held my ground, using every trick Kurama had taught me. I managed to disarm the wolf-masked ANBU, pinning him to the ground.

The hawk-masked ANBU called an end to the match. "Enough! Naruto, you have demonstrated exceptional skill and resilience. You have passed the test."

Relief and pride washed over me. I looked up, the sun directly above us by now. Is this what Kurama meant when he said I'd be begging it to go away? For some reason, that light doesn't seem that far away.

The hawk-masked ANBU stepped forward, removing his mask to reveal a stern but approving face. "From this day forward, you are an ANBU of Konoha. Welcome to the ranks, Uzumaki Naruto."

I bowed deeply, my heart swelling with pride and ideas of all the ways I was going to raise to the top and dominate everyone here. "Thank you. I won't let you down."

As I left the training grounds, Kurama's voice filled my mind, a prideful as ever, "I'm the best teacher you could ever have. I didn't even need to help."

Becoming ANBU was just a step towards my ultimate goal. I had endured years of scorn and hatred, treated as an outcast by the very village I was now sworn to protect. Every part of me harbored resentment, a desire to show them all the power they had ignored and underestimated. They wanted a reason to be scared of me, and who am I to deny them of that?

Kurama's voice, always a presence in my mind, spoke again, laughing this time. "We're gonna kill all these bitches and transcend their wildest dreams, kid!! Just don't get side tracked."

I smirked, my eyes gleaming with a hidden ambition. "Don't worry, Kurama. I know exactly what I'm doing."

RAHHHHHH