21 Anbu

"Fine! Do what you want!" After constant arguing, Danzo was finally able to get Hiruzen to let Ren take the test to join Root.

"Are you fine with taking the test to join Root?" Hiruzen asked.

Knowing this was the only way Ren could change the future he nodded his head seriously.

"Okay, I won't say anymore Danzo will explain the rest of what Root is and what it does."

"Thank you Lord Hokage" Ren bowed.

Leaving the Hokage's office, Ren walked side by side with Danzo.

"Let me explain to you what Root is, Root is a branch of Konohagakure's Anbu. We of Root carry out missions that will benefit Konoha, the unseen ones who support the great tree of Konoha from the depths of the earth."

"I can't tell you any more until you are a member of Root but before you take the test for Root, let me warn you, the test will be extremely dangerous and if you fail you will be executed to keep the test confidential. Do you still want to take the test?"

"Yes! No matter what I will pass!"

"Good, I like your resolve. The test will take place in two weeks, get ready for this may be the cause of your death."

...

"Father, I am going to take the test to become a member of the Anbu in two weeks." If it weren't for the fact that his father was an important member of the Uchiha or the clan leader, Ren wouldn't have bothered to tell his father about the test he was planning to take. If Ren was able to succeed he would be able to sit in on the clan's meetings in the Naka Shrine basement, thus learning more and gaining more authority within the Uchiha clan.

Hearing Ren tell him about the chance of him joining Anbu made Fugaku excited, "Great! Both you and Itachi are the pride of our Uchiha clan!"

Hearing his father's response, Ren's eyes flashed with a cold glint as he knew it was only because Fugaku saw him as a source of information, whereas he saw Itachi as the actual source of pride for the Uchiha. But he still nodded his head as he walked away.

...

Walking out of the Uchiha clan's housings Ren let out a sigh as he was inevitably exhausted from everything that had happened in this one day.

"Ren! Why didn't you tell me you were leaving Team 2 and joining the Anbu?" a feminine voice sounded out.

Turning around bewildered, Ren saw Izumi panting and wiping her moist eyes. It was obvious she had run over as soon as she heard from Asuma that Ren was leaving Team 2.

"Did you leave because I wasn't strong enough and was useless holding you back?" Ren could see the grief on her face as she spoke.

"No! It's nothing like that! I enjoyed the time we spent together in Team 2 and the memories we shared will always be within my heart."

"Then why are you leaving?" Izumi spoke as tears started to form from her eyes.

"It's because I need to become stronger, Itachi joined Anbu. If I don't also join, I will fall behind quickly and eventually, the gap between me and Itachi will form and will widen."

"Stupid! You don't need to compare yourself to Itachi! I've seen you work and work continuously, you've put in more work than anyone else in this village!" Izumi exclaimed as the grief on her voice grew.

Hearing Izumi's words, Ren faltered but resolved himself as he said: "I'm sorry, but I've already resolved myself and I will continue onto this path I've chosen."