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''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/24228505/chapters/58374367 sunflower]]'' is a ''Franchise/{{Naruto}}'' fanwork by [[https://archiveofourown.org/users/Lapidist/ Lapidist]] and [[https://archiveofourown.org/users/cloudynebula/ cloudnebula]]. Thanks to Minato's posthumous recommendation, Gai [[ForWantOfANail gets to enter ANBU after all]]... charged with searching for spies and insurrectionists. But is he prepared for all that will entail? Can he keep his Eternal Rival unaware of the fact that he's fighting alongside him as an unassuming and quiet mouse? And can he root out the source of the rot that threatens to overtake ANBU from within?
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''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/24228505/chapters/58374367 sunflower]]'' is a ''Franchise/{{Naruto}}'' fanwork by [[https://archiveofourown.org/users/Lapidist/ Lapidist]] and [[https://archiveofourown.org/users/cloudynebula/ cloudnebula]]. Thanks to Minato's posthumous recommendation, Gai [[ForWantOfANail [[BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor gets to enter ANBU after all]]... charged with searching for spies and insurrectionists. But is he prepared for all that will entail? Can he keep his Eternal Rival unaware of the fact that he's fighting alongside him as an unassuming and quiet mouse? And can he root out the source of the rot that threatens to overtake ANBU from within?
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* ForWantOfANail: Hiruzen is only willing to change his mind and give Gai a chance in ANBU due to finding a lost scroll containing Minato's dire warning and personal recommendation.
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* PlotParallel: Invoked by Kakashi's inner thoughts, which suggest that on some level, he [[ThisLoserIsYou identifies]] with the UnsympatheticComedyProtagonist of ''Icha Icha Paradise'' and hopes to find some insight that will help him navigate his own relationship towards a romantic conclusion, despite feeling that neither of them ''deserves'' to hook up with their respective love interests.
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* PointOfDivergence: Hiruzen is only willing to change his mind and give Gai a chance in ANBU due to finding a lost scroll containing Minato's dire warning and personal recommendation.
* PlotParallel:Invoked {{Invoked|Trope}} by Kakashi's inner thoughts, which suggest that on some level, he [[ThisLoserIsYou identifies]] with the UnsympatheticComedyProtagonist of ''Icha Icha Paradise'' and hopes to find some insight that will help him navigate his own relationship towards a romantic conclusion, despite feeling that neither of them ''deserves'' to hook up with their respective love interests.
* PlotParallel:
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* IconicAttributeAdoptionMoment: Kakashi's common excuse of "Sorry I'm late; I got lost on the road of life" is revealed to be an unintentional combination of Obito's old excuses and the CatchPhrase of the male lead of the Icha Icha series. He blurts it out for the first time when he shows up late to a debriefing by Okami.
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* IconicAttributeAdoptionMoment: Kakashi's common excuse of "Sorry I'm late; I got lost on the road of life" is revealed to be an unintentional combination of Obito's old excuses and the CatchPhrase catchphrase of the male lead of the Icha Icha series. He blurts it out for the first time when he shows up late to a debriefing by Okami.
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* DisappointedInYou: When breaking up a fight between Itachi and Mangusu, Inu berates the former for addressing the latter by her real name while she's masked.
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* DueToTheDead: {{Discussed}} when Inu berates Mangusu for not showing proper respect to a gravesite. The young ANBU didn't actually ''recognize'' it as one, as the story surrounding it was [[TheGreatestStoryNeverTold covered up by Konoha]].
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* TheGreatestStoryNeverTold: Officially, Konoha refuses to recognize the courageous self-sacrifice of [[spoiler:Maito Dai]]. Inu berates Mangusu for acting disrespectful at the sight of their LastStand, much to her confusion; the Academy taught her about where various ''other'' heroes of the leaves fell, but she wasn't aware of this particular location.
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* ItsPersonal: Okami absolutely ''loathes'' and despises Kakashi for a number of reasons, but chief among them is the fact that [[spoiler:Sakumo rejected her mother's offer to unite their clans, opting to MarryForLove instead]]. She takes ''special'' pleasure in striking all of his {{Berserk Button}}s
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* ItsPersonal: Okami absolutely ''loathes'' and despises Kakashi for a number of reasons, but chief among them is the fact that [[spoiler:Sakumo rejected her mother's offer to unite their clans, opting to MarryForLove instead]]. She takes ''special'' pleasure in striking all of his {{Berserk Button}}sButton}}s, trying to provoke him into doing anything she can use as an excuse to punish him further.
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''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/24228505/chapters/58374367 sunflower]]'' is a ''Franchise/{{Naruto}}'' fanwork by [[https://archiveofourown.org/users/Lapifors/ Lapifors]] and [[https://archiveofourown.org/users/cloudynebula/ cloudnebula]]. Thanks to Minato's posthumous recommendation, Gai [[ForWantOfANail gets to enter ANBU after all]]... charged with searching for spies and insurrectionists. But is he prepared for all that will entail? Can he keep his Eternal Rival unaware of the fact that he's fighting alongside him as an unassuming and quiet mouse? And can he root out the source of the rot that threatens to overtake ANBU from within?
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''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/24228505/chapters/58374367 sunflower]]'' is a ''Franchise/{{Naruto}}'' fanwork by [[https://archiveofourown.org/users/Lapifors/ Lapifors]] org/users/Lapidist/ Lapidist]] and [[https://archiveofourown.org/users/cloudynebula/ cloudnebula]]. Thanks to Minato's posthumous recommendation, Gai [[ForWantOfANail gets to enter ANBU after all]]... charged with searching for spies and insurrectionists. But is he prepared for all that will entail? Can he keep his Eternal Rival unaware of the fact that he's fighting alongside him as an unassuming and quiet mouse? And can he root out the source of the rot that threatens to overtake ANBU from within?
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* PlotParallel: Invoked by Kakashi's inner thoughts, which suggest that on some level, he [[ThisLoserIsYou identifies]] with the UnsympatheticComedyProtagonist of ''Icha Icha Paradise'' and hopes to find some insight that will help him navigate his own relationship towards a romantic conclusion, despite feeling that neither of them ''deserves'' to hook up with their respective love interests.
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* TragicKeepsake:
** Minato gave Kakashi his signed copy of ''The Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi'' under the pretense of having Kakashi 'keep it safe' until he could give it back. After the Nine-Tails' rampage, it was one of the few reminders of his teacher Kakashi had left.
** PlayedWith through Kakashi's copy of ''Icha Icha Paradise'': it was an advance copy originally intended for Minato, winding up on Kakashi's doorstep instead. Kakashi finds the book utterly repellant, but continues reading it in an effort to figure out just why Minato enjoyed Jiraiya's other work so much, as he can't bring himself to read ''The Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi''.
** Minato gave Kakashi his signed copy of ''The Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi'' under the pretense of having Kakashi 'keep it safe' until he could give it back. After the Nine-Tails' rampage, it was one of the few reminders of his teacher Kakashi had left.
** PlayedWith through Kakashi's copy of ''Icha Icha Paradise'': it was an advance copy originally intended for Minato, winding up on Kakashi's doorstep instead. Kakashi finds the book utterly repellant, but continues reading it in an effort to figure out just why Minato enjoyed Jiraiya's other work so much, as he can't bring himself to read ''The Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi''.
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* CerebusRetcon: In this work, Kakashi '''does not''' like ''Icha Icha Paradise''; the book functions more as a TragicKeepsake/reminder of how Minato tried and failed to get Kakashi interested in Jiraiya's first work, ''The Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi''. Kakashi cannot bring himself to read ''Gutsy Shinobi'', and repeatedly forces himself to read ''Icha Icha Paradise'' in an effort to identify just what Minato enjoyed about Jiraiya's prose... though his thoughts suggest other motivations, as well.
* UnsympatheticComedyProtagonist: As far as Kakashi is concerned, the male lead of the ''Icha Icha'' series falls into this, being a shameless pervert based off Jiraiya himself.
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* WriteWhoYouKnow: InUniverse, Jiraiya based the protagonist and LoveInterest of the ''Icha Icha'' series off of himself and Tsunade, respectively, making for a HerCodeNameWasMarySue storyline where her counterpart ultimately responds favorably to his perverted advances. [[WhatDoesSheSeeInHim Much to Kakashi's distaste]].
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* LoserSonOfLoserDad: Both Kakashi and Gai had to deal with this reputation growing up, as the White Fang was derided for falling out of Konoha's grace and Gai's father was labeled the 'Eternal Genin'. Kakashi believes that Gai was eventually able to escape his father's shadow and earn recognition of his value and virtue as a strong shinobi in his own right, while Kakashi still has to deal with the White Fang's tarnished reputation. Especially in General Okami's eyes.
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*** Okami also holds a grudge against Kakashi for something that was completely out of his control, treating his very ''[[FeelingOppressedByTheirExistence existence]]'' as a reminder of how [[spoiler:Sakumo rejected her mother's proposal]]. This reflects how Kakashi himself treats [[spoiler:poor Naruto]] as an unpleasant reminder of his losses, even seriously considering [[spoiler:killing the boy]].
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* AdaptationalAngstUpgrade:
** Gai gets one simply by being [[BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor admitted into ANBU]], having to deal with all that entails.
** On top of all of his canonical suffering, Kakashi has to deal with the fact that the rest of the Hatake Clan turned their back on Sakumo and abandoned him after he married Kakashi's mother. Then there's how his superior officer Okami utterly ''despises'' him, since [[spoiler:Sakumo rejected her mother's offer to marry]].
** Gai gets one simply by being [[BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor admitted into ANBU]], having to deal with all that entails.
** On top of all of his canonical suffering, Kakashi has to deal with the fact that the rest of the Hatake Clan turned their back on Sakumo and abandoned him after he married Kakashi's mother. Then there's how his superior officer Okami utterly ''despises'' him, since [[spoiler:Sakumo rejected her mother's offer to marry]].
* IconicAttributeAdoptionMoment: Kakashi's common excuse of "Sorry I'm late; I got lost on the road of life" is revealed to be an unintentional combination of Obito's old excuses and the CatchPhrase of the male lead of the Icha Icha series. He blurts it out for the first time when he shows up late to a debriefing by Okami.
* ItsPersonal: Okami absolutely ''loathes'' and despises Kakashi for a number of reasons, but chief among them is the fact that [[spoiler:Sakumo rejected her mother's offer to unite their clans, opting to MarryForLove instead]]. She takes ''special'' pleasure in striking all of his {{Berserk Button}}s
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** General Okami, Kakashi's direct superior, serves as a tangible reminder of what Gai fears his Eternal Rival could become: a model shinobi soldier singularly devoted to completing missions at any cost, completely inured to the human cost.
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** General Okami, Kakashi's direct superior, serves as a tangible reminder of what Gai fears his Eternal Rival could become: a model shinobi soldier singularly devoted to completing missions at any cost, completely inured to the human cost. Utterly vicious and unyielding.
* MortonsFork: While [[TheReasonYouSuckSpeech dressing Kakashi down]], Okami orders him to shut up. She then accuses him of giving her 'the silent treatment'; when he points out that she told him to stay silent, she sneers about him attempting to blame his 'insubordination' on her.
* MortonsFork: While [[TheReasonYouSuckSpeech dressing Kakashi down]], Okami orders him to shut up. She then accuses him of giving her 'the silent treatment'; when he points out that she told him to stay silent, she sneers about him attempting to blame his 'insubordination' on her.
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* DramaticIrony: Inu viciously upbraids Himizu for starting to introduce himself with his real name, angrily lecturing him on the importance of keeping his identity hidden. Kakashi himself is incredibly ''incautious'' with his own SecretIdentity, and will turn around and take offense at Nezumi's paperwork not including his given name... and what's more, [[spoiler:Himizu knows that Inu is Kakashi and was implicitly following his lead]].
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''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/24228505/chapters/58374367 sunflower]]'' is a ''Franchise/{{Naruto}}'' fanwork by [[https://archiveofourown.org/users/Lapifors/ Lapifors]] and [[https://archiveofourown.org/users/cloudynebula/ cloudnebula]]. Thanks to Minato's posthumous recommendation, Gai [[ForWantOfANail gets to enter ANBU after all]]... as a DeepCoverAgent charged with searching for spies and insurrectionists. But is he prepared for all that will entail? Can he keep his Eternal Rival unaware of the fact that he's fighting alongside him as an unassuming and quiet mouse? And can he root out the source of the rot that threatens to overtake ANBU from within?
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''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/24228505/chapters/58374367 sunflower]]'' is a ''Franchise/{{Naruto}}'' fanwork by [[https://archiveofourown.org/users/Lapifors/ Lapifors]] and [[https://archiveofourown.org/users/cloudynebula/ cloudnebula]]. Thanks to Minato's posthumous recommendation, Gai [[ForWantOfANail gets to enter ANBU after all]]... as a DeepCoverAgent charged with searching for spies and insurrectionists. But is he prepared for all that will entail? Can he keep his Eternal Rival unaware of the fact that he's fighting alongside him as an unassuming and quiet mouse? And can he root out the source of the rot that threatens to overtake ANBU from within?
* AnimalThemeNaming: Par for the course in ANBU, since they draw their codenames from their masks.
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* DeepCoverAgent: Gai's role as Nezumi.
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* FlowerMotifs: {{Discussed}} when Team Ro comes across a field of strong-smelling columbine, with two members arguing whether the flowers are symbols of strength or of foolishness before another asks [[spoiler:why there aren't any insects attracted by the scent, right before they're ambushed]].
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* FlowerMotifs: FlowerMotifs:
** Along with the fic title, each arc is named after a type of flower symbolically connected to that arc's contents.
** {{Discussed}} when Team Ro comes across a field of strong-smelling columbine, with two members arguing whether the flowers are symbols of strength or of foolishness before another asks [[spoiler:why there aren't any insects attracted by the scent, right before they're ambushed]].
** Along with the fic title, each arc is named after a type of flower symbolically connected to that arc's contents.
** {{Discussed}} when Team Ro comes across a field of strong-smelling columbine, with two members arguing whether the flowers are symbols of strength or of foolishness before another asks [[spoiler:why there aren't any insects attracted by the scent, right before they're ambushed]].
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* IdiosyncraticEpisodeNaming: Each arc is named for [[FlowerMotifs a type of flower]].
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* LivingADoubleLife: Gai is effectively forced to do so, unable to let Kakashi or anyone else know that he's Nezumi.
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* OneSteveLimit: {{Averted}} and joked about at the ANBU gathering:
-->'''Kujaku:''' We got like, what, seventeen different Nekos? You know what they say about Administration...\\
'''Crowded Chorus:''' They're not getting paid to be creative!
-->'''Kujaku:''' We got like, what, seventeen different Nekos? You know what they say about Administration...\\
'''Crowded Chorus:''' They're not getting paid to be creative!
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Namikaze Minato left behind many things when he sacrificed himself to save Konohagakure. Many of these fell through the cracks -- until, by sheer chance, one is found. A warning to Sarutobi, declaring that ANBU has been compromised. The elite organization has been infiltrated by agents who are ''not'' loyal to the Hokage or the hidden village of the leaves, and whom Minato fears will act against their best interests.
In hopes of preventing insurrection, Minato was scouting out potential candidates to enter ANBU. People he trusted to remain loyal, and to help find and expose those who would turn ANBU against the very institutions they were meant to protect.
People like Maito Gai.
''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/24228505/chapters/58374367 sunflower]]'' is a ''Franchise/{{Naruto}}'' fanwork by [[https://archiveofourown.org/users/Lapifors/ Lapifors]] and [[https://archiveofourown.org/users/cloudynebula/ cloudnebula]]. Thanks to Minato's posthumous recommendation, Gai [[ForWantOfANail gets to enter ANBU after all]]... as a DeepCoverAgent charged with searching for spies and insurrectionists. But is he prepared for all that will entail? Can he keep his Eternal Rival unaware of the fact that he's fighting alongside him as an unassuming and quiet mouse? And can he root out the source of the rot that threatens to overtake ANBU from within?
----
!!This fanfic includes examples of:
* AdaptationalSexuality: The fic is marked as Kakashi/Gai, though the two are not a couple when the story begins.
* AgeLift: Shisui is seven years older than Itachi here, while Torune and Fu are both four years older than him.
* AmbitionIsEvil:
** Minato's posthumous warning is rooted in fears that somebody is planning a coup in hopes of gaining control of Konohagakure.
** Kakashi is deeply disgusted by anyone who seeks glory and recognition in ANBU, believing it to be purely about taking care of Konoha's DirtyBusiness.
** Yamakujura is a posturing braggart who constantly sings the praises of his own unit, emphasizing and exaggerating the vital role they play in keeping Konoha's public image spotless by disposing of the evidence of their ANBU missions. He displays naked ambition, all but declaring outright how much he'd love to be promoted to an even higher rank.
* AnimalStereotypes: Since all ANBU have animal-themed masks, this naturally comes into play:
** Kakashi is Inu; when on duty, he comes off as gruff and unpersonable, barking out orders.
** Gai is somewhat unhappy to have been assigned a mouse mask as Nezumi, having hoped to receive something more intimidating. It's heavily implied the assignment was made to encourage him to ''stay quiet''. He also quickly establishes himself as [[NiceMice one of the nicer members]] of Team Ro.
** The youthful and nervous Himizu is a shrew mole, complete with a conical nose. He's swiftly established as being bright and bumbling, but eager to please.
** The tall and elegant Fukuro has an owl mask, marking them as [[TheOwlKnowingOne mysterious and knowledgable]], as well as [[OminousOwl quietly intimidating]].
** Uzura, a nurturing medic-nin who frequently clashes with Fukuro due to being more emotionally open, is a quail.
** Neko has a cat mask, and is also [[spoiler:Tenzou/Yamato, mokuton arts and all]], fittingly contrasting their unit leader.
** Mangusu, a mongoose, proves to be perky and chatty, unintentionally causing trouble due to their lacking restraint.
** Yamakujura wears a [[FullBoarAction boar mask]], and wastes no time establishing himself as a grade-A {{Jerkass}} who mocks ''Captain'' Inu over his reputation.
* ArmorPiercingResponse: Kakashi is struck speechless when Gai gets two of these in short order:
-->'''Kakashi:''' When a directive is given, you follow orders. You don't question. You don't hesitate, that's what a ninja does.\\
'''Gai:''' Not when it goes against what's right. ''(Kakashi stares at him, caught off-guard)'' Not when it involves abandoning your teammates. Disrespecting your fellow human beings.\\
'''Kakashi:''' ''(snidely)'' What do you know about being in ANBU, Gai?\\
'''Gai:''' You know better than anyone that good shinobi don't always strictly adhere to the Ninja Code. You know they don't account for ''everything''. You know how trust goes both ways. You can't expect anyone to trust you when you can't trust them, Kakashi.
* BackToBackBadasses: Kakashi and Nezumi pull this off during their [[spoiler:second mission together]].
* CanonCharacterAllAlong: PlayedWith in that two of Nezumi's teammates, [[spoiler:Neko and Mangusu]], are swiftly revealed to be [[spoiler:Tenzou/Yamato and Uzuki Yugao]]. Their identities are not hidden to the ''reader'', but ''Gai'' is unfamiliar with them, on top of generally struggling to recognize faces.
* CherryBlossoms: Early on, Gai recalls his father telling him the legend of Sakuya-hime, and waxing on about how cherry blossoms serve as reminders of renewal, hope and Youthful Energy.
* ContentWarnings: Several chapters are precluded by an author's note warning about what kind of content to expect. Certain sections include special symbols to mark the beginning and end of particularly graphic content, so that readers can skip past those sections at their discretion.
* CuteMute: To help maintain Gai's SecretIdentity, Nezumi is registered with ANBU as being mute. Instead, he communicates with the rest of Team Ro primarily through pantomime.
* DarkerAndEdgier: Being centered around ANBU, the story does ''not'' shy away from the darker aspects of the shinobi system, or from graphic violence.
* DeepCoverAgent: Gai's role as Nezumi.
* {{Deuteragonist}}: While most chapters are from Gai's point of view, some focus on Kakashi's perspective, showing his side of things and gradual development.
* TheDreaded: Okami, the head of the Generalist Squads, is known as the 'Wolf God of the Woods', and is able to shut up ''Yamakujura'' with a brutal dressing-down.
* ExactWords: Gai expressed a desire to have a squad like Kakashi's. Hiruzen interprets this by putting him on Team Ro, Kakashi's team.
* ExpressiveMask: Defied, but referenced when Gai mentally notes how Himizu's droopy shrew-mole nose would be drenched if he was capable of sweating through the mask.
* FlowerMotifs: {{Discussed}} when Team Ro comes across a field of strong-smelling columbine, with two members arguing whether the flowers are symbols of strength or of foolishness before another asks [[spoiler:why there aren't any insects attracted by the scent, right before they're ambushed]].
* ForWantOfANail: Hiruzen is only willing to change his mind and give Gai a chance in ANBU due to finding a lost scroll containing Minato's dire warning and personal recommendation.
* {{Foreshadowing}}: While being scolded about the importance of maintaining his SecretIdentity, Gai complains that Kakashi walks around in his ANBU gear with his dog mask off all the time, much to the Sandaime's alarm. Not long afterwards, we learn one major consequence of this: [[spoiler:Himizu already knows that Inu is Kakashi, and is heavily demoralized by having the famous Copy-nin tear him down, making him even more desperate to earn his respect]].
* FullNameUltimatum: Fukuro invokes this against Yamakujura when riled, addressing them by their full name of [[spoiler:Ooraka Takeyama]] and insulting their family.
* HeroicBSOD: Nezumi goes through one during his first ANBU mission, due to a number of factors -- chief among them the death of [[spoiler:young Himizu]] and his horror at the casual barbarity of the Cleanup crew.
* HoistByHisOwnPetard: One group of defectos learns the hard way just why forbidden jutsu are ''forbidden'' when they use one against Team Ro, only for its power to [[spoiler:consume them from the inside out]].
* IgnoranceIsBliss: Kakashi muses about this while watching Naruto bounce a ball off a wall, completely unaware that Kakashi is watching and [[spoiler:contemplating whether or not he could kill him ForTheGreaterGood of Konoha]].
* InTheHood: Nezumi's CustomUniform includes a hood to help further mask his identity.
* InsistentTerminology: Yamakujura prefers calling his clean-up unit the 'Sweepers'.
* ItsQuietTooQuiet: During one assignment, one member of Team Ro notes the absence of insects right before an ambush. Afterwards, the sound of insectsong signals the end of the skirmish.
* LikesClarkKentHatesSuperman: Kakashi is ''not fond of'' Nezumi, feeling that they're woefully out of place in ANBU and aggravatingly insubordinate, on top of the bizarre contrast of them feeling both fake and too honestly genuine for their own good. Meanwhile, he's much fonder of Gai than he cares to admit.
* MaliciousMisnaming:
** Kakashi deliberately misidentifies Nezumi as having a ''hamster'' mask rather than a mouse, partly to see whether he'll break his silence to protest.
** He calls Yamakujuri the simpler and less flattering 'Inoshishi' instead.
** He also applies this to [[spoiler:Naruto]], spitefully identifying them as [[spoiler:the Kyuubi]].
* MirrorCharacter:
** Both Hiruzen and Gai are faced with the heavy prospect that their old friends Danzo and Kakashi have dark and terrible facets to them. Parts that threaten to destroy all they hold dear. Both grapple with this AwfulTruth; however, Hiruzen is much more acutely aware of Danzo's darker side ''and'' mired in much deeper denial about how much of a problem those issues pose.
** General Okami, Kakashi's direct superior, serves as a tangible reminder of what Gai fears his Eternal Rival could become: a model shinobi soldier singularly devoted to completing missions at any cost, completely inured to the human cost.
* OhCrap: Nezumi internally panics when he reflexively gives his new ANBU teammates a thumbs-up in his standard Nice Guy Pose.
* OpenSecret:
** PlayedForDrama; unlike other ANBU, Kakashi makes no effort to conceal his secret identity as Inu. Among the issues this causes is [[spoiler:Himizu being fully aware who his new team leader is and desperately desiring his approval]].
** Along similar lines, Itachi was assigned the weasel mask, meaning he effectively has no codename at all.
* SacrificialLamb: [[spoiler:Poor Himizu]] doesn't survive their first ANBU mission, contributing to Nezumi suffering a HeroicBSOD.
* TakingTheBullet: Nezumi does this for [[spoiler:a tapped-out Kakashi]] during one mission, much to Kakashi's ire.
* WhatTheHellHero:
** Kakashi furiously upbraids Nezumi after he falls for an enemy trap, combining it with a blistering TheReasonYouSuckSpeech about how unsuited he is for ANBU.
--->'''Kakashi:''' Whatever idea of morality you're clinging to so desperately, you should have left at home when you put on that mask. You are a tool wielded by the Hokage, a weapon for Konoha. If I catch you not taking this seriously again, I will force you to kill until I am satisfied that you understand what it means to be in ANBU. Do I make myself clear?
** He snaps at Nezumi again when he seemingly ignores his orders in favor of [[spoiler:shielding him from an enemy attack]]. However, this time, his complaints taper off upon realizing [[spoiler:Nezumi had already helped their teammates ''before'' coming to his aid]].
* WoundedGazelleGambit: During Nezumi's first ANBU mission, he attempts to aid [[spoiler:a woman and her baby trapped inside a burning house]], only to discover they're actually a disguised shinobi.
----
In hopes of preventing insurrection, Minato was scouting out potential candidates to enter ANBU. People he trusted to remain loyal, and to help find and expose those who would turn ANBU against the very institutions they were meant to protect.
People like Maito Gai.
''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/24228505/chapters/58374367 sunflower]]'' is a ''Franchise/{{Naruto}}'' fanwork by [[https://archiveofourown.org/users/Lapifors/ Lapifors]] and [[https://archiveofourown.org/users/cloudynebula/ cloudnebula]]. Thanks to Minato's posthumous recommendation, Gai [[ForWantOfANail gets to enter ANBU after all]]... as a DeepCoverAgent charged with searching for spies and insurrectionists. But is he prepared for all that will entail? Can he keep his Eternal Rival unaware of the fact that he's fighting alongside him as an unassuming and quiet mouse? And can he root out the source of the rot that threatens to overtake ANBU from within?
----
!!This fanfic includes examples of:
* AdaptationalSexuality: The fic is marked as Kakashi/Gai, though the two are not a couple when the story begins.
* AgeLift: Shisui is seven years older than Itachi here, while Torune and Fu are both four years older than him.
* AmbitionIsEvil:
** Minato's posthumous warning is rooted in fears that somebody is planning a coup in hopes of gaining control of Konohagakure.
** Kakashi is deeply disgusted by anyone who seeks glory and recognition in ANBU, believing it to be purely about taking care of Konoha's DirtyBusiness.
** Yamakujura is a posturing braggart who constantly sings the praises of his own unit, emphasizing and exaggerating the vital role they play in keeping Konoha's public image spotless by disposing of the evidence of their ANBU missions. He displays naked ambition, all but declaring outright how much he'd love to be promoted to an even higher rank.
* AnimalStereotypes: Since all ANBU have animal-themed masks, this naturally comes into play:
** Kakashi is Inu; when on duty, he comes off as gruff and unpersonable, barking out orders.
** Gai is somewhat unhappy to have been assigned a mouse mask as Nezumi, having hoped to receive something more intimidating. It's heavily implied the assignment was made to encourage him to ''stay quiet''. He also quickly establishes himself as [[NiceMice one of the nicer members]] of Team Ro.
** The youthful and nervous Himizu is a shrew mole, complete with a conical nose. He's swiftly established as being bright and bumbling, but eager to please.
** The tall and elegant Fukuro has an owl mask, marking them as [[TheOwlKnowingOne mysterious and knowledgable]], as well as [[OminousOwl quietly intimidating]].
** Uzura, a nurturing medic-nin who frequently clashes with Fukuro due to being more emotionally open, is a quail.
** Neko has a cat mask, and is also [[spoiler:Tenzou/Yamato, mokuton arts and all]], fittingly contrasting their unit leader.
** Mangusu, a mongoose, proves to be perky and chatty, unintentionally causing trouble due to their lacking restraint.
** Yamakujura wears a [[FullBoarAction boar mask]], and wastes no time establishing himself as a grade-A {{Jerkass}} who mocks ''Captain'' Inu over his reputation.
* ArmorPiercingResponse: Kakashi is struck speechless when Gai gets two of these in short order:
-->'''Kakashi:''' When a directive is given, you follow orders. You don't question. You don't hesitate, that's what a ninja does.\\
'''Gai:''' Not when it goes against what's right. ''(Kakashi stares at him, caught off-guard)'' Not when it involves abandoning your teammates. Disrespecting your fellow human beings.\\
'''Kakashi:''' ''(snidely)'' What do you know about being in ANBU, Gai?\\
'''Gai:''' You know better than anyone that good shinobi don't always strictly adhere to the Ninja Code. You know they don't account for ''everything''. You know how trust goes both ways. You can't expect anyone to trust you when you can't trust them, Kakashi.
* BackToBackBadasses: Kakashi and Nezumi pull this off during their [[spoiler:second mission together]].
* CanonCharacterAllAlong: PlayedWith in that two of Nezumi's teammates, [[spoiler:Neko and Mangusu]], are swiftly revealed to be [[spoiler:Tenzou/Yamato and Uzuki Yugao]]. Their identities are not hidden to the ''reader'', but ''Gai'' is unfamiliar with them, on top of generally struggling to recognize faces.
* CherryBlossoms: Early on, Gai recalls his father telling him the legend of Sakuya-hime, and waxing on about how cherry blossoms serve as reminders of renewal, hope and Youthful Energy.
* ContentWarnings: Several chapters are precluded by an author's note warning about what kind of content to expect. Certain sections include special symbols to mark the beginning and end of particularly graphic content, so that readers can skip past those sections at their discretion.
* CuteMute: To help maintain Gai's SecretIdentity, Nezumi is registered with ANBU as being mute. Instead, he communicates with the rest of Team Ro primarily through pantomime.
* DarkerAndEdgier: Being centered around ANBU, the story does ''not'' shy away from the darker aspects of the shinobi system, or from graphic violence.
* DeepCoverAgent: Gai's role as Nezumi.
* {{Deuteragonist}}: While most chapters are from Gai's point of view, some focus on Kakashi's perspective, showing his side of things and gradual development.
* TheDreaded: Okami, the head of the Generalist Squads, is known as the 'Wolf God of the Woods', and is able to shut up ''Yamakujura'' with a brutal dressing-down.
* ExactWords: Gai expressed a desire to have a squad like Kakashi's. Hiruzen interprets this by putting him on Team Ro, Kakashi's team.
* ExpressiveMask: Defied, but referenced when Gai mentally notes how Himizu's droopy shrew-mole nose would be drenched if he was capable of sweating through the mask.
* FlowerMotifs: {{Discussed}} when Team Ro comes across a field of strong-smelling columbine, with two members arguing whether the flowers are symbols of strength or of foolishness before another asks [[spoiler:why there aren't any insects attracted by the scent, right before they're ambushed]].
* ForWantOfANail: Hiruzen is only willing to change his mind and give Gai a chance in ANBU due to finding a lost scroll containing Minato's dire warning and personal recommendation.
* {{Foreshadowing}}: While being scolded about the importance of maintaining his SecretIdentity, Gai complains that Kakashi walks around in his ANBU gear with his dog mask off all the time, much to the Sandaime's alarm. Not long afterwards, we learn one major consequence of this: [[spoiler:Himizu already knows that Inu is Kakashi, and is heavily demoralized by having the famous Copy-nin tear him down, making him even more desperate to earn his respect]].
* FullNameUltimatum: Fukuro invokes this against Yamakujura when riled, addressing them by their full name of [[spoiler:Ooraka Takeyama]] and insulting their family.
* HeroicBSOD: Nezumi goes through one during his first ANBU mission, due to a number of factors -- chief among them the death of [[spoiler:young Himizu]] and his horror at the casual barbarity of the Cleanup crew.
* HoistByHisOwnPetard: One group of defectos learns the hard way just why forbidden jutsu are ''forbidden'' when they use one against Team Ro, only for its power to [[spoiler:consume them from the inside out]].
* IgnoranceIsBliss: Kakashi muses about this while watching Naruto bounce a ball off a wall, completely unaware that Kakashi is watching and [[spoiler:contemplating whether or not he could kill him ForTheGreaterGood of Konoha]].
* InTheHood: Nezumi's CustomUniform includes a hood to help further mask his identity.
* InsistentTerminology: Yamakujura prefers calling his clean-up unit the 'Sweepers'.
* ItsQuietTooQuiet: During one assignment, one member of Team Ro notes the absence of insects right before an ambush. Afterwards, the sound of insectsong signals the end of the skirmish.
* LikesClarkKentHatesSuperman: Kakashi is ''not fond of'' Nezumi, feeling that they're woefully out of place in ANBU and aggravatingly insubordinate, on top of the bizarre contrast of them feeling both fake and too honestly genuine for their own good. Meanwhile, he's much fonder of Gai than he cares to admit.
* MaliciousMisnaming:
** Kakashi deliberately misidentifies Nezumi as having a ''hamster'' mask rather than a mouse, partly to see whether he'll break his silence to protest.
** He calls Yamakujuri the simpler and less flattering 'Inoshishi' instead.
** He also applies this to [[spoiler:Naruto]], spitefully identifying them as [[spoiler:the Kyuubi]].
* MirrorCharacter:
** Both Hiruzen and Gai are faced with the heavy prospect that their old friends Danzo and Kakashi have dark and terrible facets to them. Parts that threaten to destroy all they hold dear. Both grapple with this AwfulTruth; however, Hiruzen is much more acutely aware of Danzo's darker side ''and'' mired in much deeper denial about how much of a problem those issues pose.
** General Okami, Kakashi's direct superior, serves as a tangible reminder of what Gai fears his Eternal Rival could become: a model shinobi soldier singularly devoted to completing missions at any cost, completely inured to the human cost.
* OhCrap: Nezumi internally panics when he reflexively gives his new ANBU teammates a thumbs-up in his standard Nice Guy Pose.
* OpenSecret:
** PlayedForDrama; unlike other ANBU, Kakashi makes no effort to conceal his secret identity as Inu. Among the issues this causes is [[spoiler:Himizu being fully aware who his new team leader is and desperately desiring his approval]].
** Along similar lines, Itachi was assigned the weasel mask, meaning he effectively has no codename at all.
* SacrificialLamb: [[spoiler:Poor Himizu]] doesn't survive their first ANBU mission, contributing to Nezumi suffering a HeroicBSOD.
* TakingTheBullet: Nezumi does this for [[spoiler:a tapped-out Kakashi]] during one mission, much to Kakashi's ire.
* WhatTheHellHero:
** Kakashi furiously upbraids Nezumi after he falls for an enemy trap, combining it with a blistering TheReasonYouSuckSpeech about how unsuited he is for ANBU.
--->'''Kakashi:''' Whatever idea of morality you're clinging to so desperately, you should have left at home when you put on that mask. You are a tool wielded by the Hokage, a weapon for Konoha. If I catch you not taking this seriously again, I will force you to kill until I am satisfied that you understand what it means to be in ANBU. Do I make myself clear?
** He snaps at Nezumi again when he seemingly ignores his orders in favor of [[spoiler:shielding him from an enemy attack]]. However, this time, his complaints taper off upon realizing [[spoiler:Nezumi had already helped their teammates ''before'' coming to his aid]].
* WoundedGazelleGambit: During Nezumi's first ANBU mission, he attempts to aid [[spoiler:a woman and her baby trapped inside a burning house]], only to discover they're actually a disguised shinobi.
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