Strength of the Fox, Cunning of the Snake

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, but it sure would be nice if I did

"Hello" - Speaking

'Hello' - Thoughts

"Hello" - Demon/Boss Summon Speaking

'Hello' - Demon/Boss Summon Thoughts

Chapter 1: Prologue, Fox meets Snake

Konohagakure no Sato in the Land of Fire is known for many things that make it unique among the other shinobi villages.

Konoha is the home of the noble Hyuuga clan who possess the famed Doujutsu Byakugan, which combined with their Juuken (Gentle Fist) Taijutsu allows them to kill a man with a single tap to the heart.

A second clan of Doujutsu users that helped Konoha rise to fame were the Uchiha with the penetrating gaze of their Sharingan that allowed them to predict what their enemies would do based on muscle movements and to copy any jutsu that they see.

When the second and third Great Shinobi Wars broke out, Konohagakure came out victorious through the strength of their shinobi, which led to many individuals gaining fame from their exploits. Such individuals include: 'White Fang' Hatake Sakumo, 'Professor' Sarutobi Sasuke, the Legendary Sannin; Tsunade, Jiraiya, Orochimaru; and Konoha's 'Yellow Flash' Namikaze Minato.

But, what has probably brought more fame to the Village Hidden in the Leaves than any other act was when Namikaze Minato, the Yondaime Hokage, defeated the Nine Tailed Fox Demon, Kyuubi no Kitsune. This lead to the creation of a very special individual whose true importance is only known to the older citizens of Konoha. This person is Uzumaki Naruto, who unknowingly holds the Kyuubi within his body making him a Jinchuuriki.

Like all Jinchuuriki, he is viewed with mistrust, fear, and hate for the demon he carries, but because of the laws passed by the Sandaime, no one could take any action against the boy or even speak of what he is. While these laws kept people from harming Naruto, it did not stop them from isolating the boy, making sure that he never interacted with those who did not know his secret. The only friends that the blond boy could claim were Sandaime Hokage Sarutobi whom he saw as a grandfather, old man Ichiraku who ran a ramen stand who was like an uncle, and his daughter Ichiraku Ayame who was like a cousin to him.

However, these three he sees as family are constantly busy, and have little time for him, and are not enough for the growing boy. Fortunately he is about to meet someone who will become a teacher and mentor, a guiding light that brightens the path Naruto will walk. Unfortunately for his enemies, this mentor is one of Konoha's most famous shinobi. One who is infamous for his skills…and his crimes. A shinobi whose name is almost as taboo as the Kyuubi. The S-class missing-nin and Snake Sannin Orochimaru.

A six year old Naruto is found wandering through a deserted part of the forest within the walls of Konoha around sunset. He had just been at the park where he tried playing with some of the other children, but no sooner did he start running in a game of tag when all of the parents came and took their kids home. And Naruto once again found himself alone. He wasn't feeling hungry, so he couldn't go to the Ichiraku Ramen stand to get dinner and spend time with the father and daughter that work there. And Hokage Ojisan was busy with official Konoha business and couldn't be bothered.

At times like this, Naruto would always go to one of several places where people rarely went. Places like this helped him deal with the loneliness when we went to places like this, because there was no one around to ignore him.

This particular spot was one of Naruto's favorite as it had small pond right next to the edge of the Hokage Mountain, and it was surrounded by a thick grove of trees and bushes that hid it from view. It possessed a natural serenity that allowed the boy's spirits to be lifted when he was feeling down. And, any other day it would have, but today had been too much as it became obvious to the young boy that there was something wrong that had the parents force their children away from him. Naruto couldn't help it as he sat under the largest oak tree, brought his knees to his chest and began crying, not noticing the presence that approached him from behind.

"Why are you so sad little one?" Asked a smooth, somewhat high, yet distinctly male voice.

Naruto looked up startled at the sound and turned to see a man of above average height, with pale almost white skin, black hair that went down to his shoulders, and bright yellow eyes that were similar to a snake's, wearing standard blue shinobi sandals, gray shinobi pants and shirt, with a black jacket with dark green sleeves (similar to what he wore when he searched for Tsunade). The man had a certain air about him that even an untrained child like Naruto could sense that he was dangerous. "W-who are you?" Naruto asked fearfully, frightened by the man's aura.

The man's face broke out into a friendly smile that helped to dispel his aura a little bit. "My name is Orochimaru, and you have nothing to fear from me Naruto-kun." He answered.

"You know me?" Questioned the blond child who was still nervous in the presence the pale man.

"But of course, Naruto-kun. It is hard for me to not know of a child that my sensei Sarutobi thinks so highly of."

"You know Ojisan?" Asked Naruto whose fear was starting to dissipate when Orochimaru mentioned the name of the Hokage.

Orochimaru chuckled as the conversation went the direction he wanted. "Why, yes, I do. You see, Naruto-kun, I am one of Sarutobi-sensei's three students who became known as the Sannin. 

I wouldn't be surprised if you hadn't heard of us or seen us before as the three of us, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and myself, prefer to remain outside of the village performing our own tasks and only rarely stopping by." Answered Orochimaru.

"Then why are you here now?"

"Well, I have just come back from a long-term mission and was just getting reacquainted with the forests when I happened upon you," stated Orochimaru, leaving out the fact that he had been searching for the blond boy. "And, I grew curious as to why such a special child was crying out here in the middle of the forest when he should be playing with the other children his age."

Naruto grew sad as he was reminded of what he was doing here in the first place and tears gathered in his eyes. "It's because everybody hates me and the only people who don't are too busy to be with me. I'm all alone," he answered, "I wish I wasn't."

Orochimaru's face took on the concentrated look of someone pondering a puzzle. "My, my, that is quite a problem. You, a young child, are for all intents and purpose alone in the world. This has led you to desire what you lack; friendship, admiration, respect, perhaps even love. Yet, since you so young it is practically impossible for you to accomplish anything that would allow you to obtain these things." Orochimaru's voice became softer as his musings continued catching Naruto's attention. "However, if you were older and you trained correctly…yes it just might work."

"Orochimaru-san, what are you thinking?" Asked the young blond.

The Sannin turned his head so that he faced the mountain they were near. "Tell me Naruto-kun, do you know the name of this mountain and what makes it special?"

Naruto blinked at the odd question. "It's the Hokage Mountain, upon which the faces of the four Hokages are carved. Everyone knows that." He answered not understanding the point.

Orochimaru turned back towards the boy. "Maybe I should ask this to help you understand. What makes the Hokage so special that the people would carve their faces into stone to immortalize them?"

Again Naruto blinked. "Is it because they were so strong that they were picked to lead the village?" He asked no longer sure if the obvious answer was the right one.

Orochimaru smiled as he filled in the rest. "You are partially correct Naruto-kun. While it is true that strength in battle is an important factor to become Hokage, it is not the only one. If it was, then I or any one of the Sannin could have become Hokage as our own strength is considered equal to them." Naruto's eyes widened at the thought of three other ninja that were as strong as Ojisan. "But, in order to become Hokage, a shinobi must also have the trust, admiration, and respect of the village; because as the leader, it is their responsibility to care for the village and make sure it survives times of turmoil. So, the previous Hokage is very specific when they choose their successor. That's why I was never selected for the job. While, I am strong; some of things I had to do are not looked upon favorably."

Orochimaru's explanation bounced around in Naruto's head as he began thinking of what the implications of those words were. Soon, understanding shone in his eyes, causing the observing Orochimaru to grin. "That means that if I become a strong enough shinobi, gain the trust of the Hokage, I could become the next Hokage, then villagers will respect and love me." The light in Naruto's eyes shone brightly until a second realization hit him. "But how can I get that strong." He muttered somewhat dejectedly. "I just started at the academy, and I am the only one that's not getting outside help. Even the kids that don't come from shinobi clans have someone in their family who became a ninja that can help train them. I don't have anyone."

A hand was placed on his shoulder and Naruto looked up to see the smiling face of Orochimaru. "If it means that much to you then I could help you gain the strength you need." The Sannin offered.

"Really!?" Asked the blond boy who was becoming his usual ball of energy like he was before he went into the park. "But won't you be busy with missions?"

"Of course, I will help you Naruto-kun. You have something special that will help you to grow strong, and I would hate to see such potential wasted. As for missions, we Sannin are more or less allowed to do what we want. I will admit that there will be times when I have to leave the village for weeks, maybe even months at a time, but I will make sure that you have what you need to continue you training"

"YATTA!!" Exclaimed Naruto as he jumped around, excited that he would be trained for the one thing that was sure to get him the love and respect he desired.

Orochimaru couldn't help but let out an amused chuckle at the child's antics. But now was not the time for celebration, but the time to get started on his training. "Calm down Naruto-kun. If you want to be Hokage then there is a lot of work to do."

"Hai Orochimaru-sensei." The boy proclaimed as he stopped jumping around and stood before his new teacher.

"Now, before we begin, I must ask you, Naruto, to never speak of what we are doing, especially that you are training with me.

Naruto tilted his head, confused at the unusual request. "How come Orochimaru-sensei?"

Orochimaru's face became quite serious as he answered. "As I told you before, because of what I've done, I am not the most well liked shinobi in the village. And, because of your current status amongst the villagers, if word were to get out that I was training you, it would counter-productive to our goals."

At these words, a question that Naruto had his whole life came to the front of his mind. "Orochimaru-sensei, why is it that so many people hate me?"

This time the Snake Sannin's face took on an almost apologetic look. "I am sorry Naruto-kun. There are many questions you can ask me but only a few that I cannot answer."

"So, you know why?" The blond Jinchuuriki pressed.

"Hai, I know the reason, as do most others in the village that are older then you. However, it is not my place to tell you, at least not yet. I will tell you if I deem that you are strong enough and mature enough to handle the answer. Until that time, you will just have to trust me when I say that you are not ready to know that secret.

Naruto contemplated this before he spoke again. "Hai sensei. I will trust you to tell me any secrets that you feel that I am ready for."

Orochimaru grinned at hearing his new student's response. "Excellent! Now Naruto-kun here is how we are going to start your training." With that he outlined a training regime that included calisthenics, mediation, stealth exercises, weapons training, the twelve standard hand seals, how to draw on and mold chakra, and the katas for not only the basic academy Taijutsu, but several others that were both native and non native to Konoha.

Once Naruto had started his training and was doing his calisthenics, Orochimaru let the grin he wore slip and be replaced by a more sinister smirk as he saw one of his most brilliant plans unfold before him. 'Kukukuku…When Akatsuki makes their move against the Bijuu and the Jinchuuriki, they will be in for quite a surprise once they come for Naruto-kun.' Orochimaru chuckled as the sun set and the shadows expanded to engulf him, leaving only his eyes visible as he continued to watch Naruto finish his exercises and prepare to go home. The young blond not knowing just how important he would be to Konoha, Orochimaru, and nine S-class shinobi that he had never heard of before.

Author's Notes: Yet another story idea that I had to write. I am particularly interested in writing up future chapters for this. To any of my previous readers, I will try to get back to work on The Kitsune Seal, but at the moment I am more inspired to write this.

Next chapter is the Genin Exam.

Please Read and Review. Constructive criticism is always welcome. And I could use some help trying to decide who I want to pair Naruto with. Right now it a decision between FemHaku, Kin, Isaribi, Ayame, or just about anyone except Hinata, Sakura, and Ino. You can suggest Temari, but I would rather not use her or anyone a decade older then Naruto.