Hello. This is just a small one-shot I thought up about Orochimaru. And how (if he was more human) he might have felt when the Third chose Minato over him as the Fourth. I have a much longer idea in mind about a somewhat regretful Orochimaru going back in time to before he left Konoha, but I don't know if I'll ever write it... Well anyway, Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or the Naruto characters. Just this little plot bunny.
He had been waiting for this day for so long.
"First of all, I would like to thank everyone for coming." And it was practically everyone, the entire upper echelon of Konoha shinobi was there, some jonin sensei had even brought their students. Everyone was standing straight, they eyes locked on their supreme commander, their hokage. He stood in the front line with his team mates and other elite jonin, waiting to hear the next words of their leader.
"I am here today to announce my imminent retirement and name my successor!" Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice boomed out among the group of shinobi.
His mind was buzzing as he stared up at the hokage. He had been waiting so long, but this day would make it all worth it. It would be the acknowledgment of all his hard work, his determination. So many times he had wondered what he was still doing in this village with their pathetic ideals and morals overriding common sense. But today made his wait worth it. Today would be the conclusion to all the hints his sensei had been making since he was placed under the man's command.
"I hereby announce that my successor and the fourth hokage will be..."
Excitement and happiness ran up his spine. It was true happiness and its presence then made him realize that he had never really felt it before. He was finally, after so many years of virtual emptiness, understanding what it meant to be happy...
"Namikaze Minato!"
...only to have ripped away like a kunai through the heart. He felt like like someone had kneed him in the stomach, knocked the breath out of him. He couldn't move. He could barely think. What!? Jiraya's little brat! Why? Why not me? His sensai had hinted at him succeeding him so many times... and it wasn't as if his sensei knew about his experiments, no one did! Orochimaru looked up at his long time teacher and mentor, a man who he likened to as close a thing to family as he had, the man who had just taken the only thing that had ever made him felt truly happy, with a look filled with hurt, disappointment, shock, and most of all... rage.