Curate, connect, and discover
I was coming up with an AU where Naruto was exposed as the Jinchuuriki to all of Konoha (including the Konoha 12) between the zabuza arc and Chūnin exam arc and as I explored this idea the plot got away from me. I ended up at a place where Kakashi was forced back into ANBU by Danzo leaving team 7 without a new leader, Sasuke is kidnapped by Orochimaru while he’s on the run with Naruto and Sakura, Konoha is fractured politically leaving Danzo as the new Hokage, and a Gaara who has never met Naruto Uzumaki has recently been appointed Kazekage