What If?
Heart of Gold
Naruto has a unique kekkei genkai that allows him to control and change probabilities, passed down from his mother's side. The Kyuubi intensifies it greatly in order to increase the chances of his host's survival. Naruto learns how to control this ability, making him one of the most feared ninja in the elemental nations. Watch out, enemies of Konoha, if it is humanly possible for this Naruto to defeat you, he will. Fate's Child is not to be trifled with.
Rise of the Science-Nin
Sarutobi doesn't know what to do with Naruto after Minato's sacrifice. Many of the council members who he thought would side with him and help the young child be seen as a hero are silent, raising their voices neither for nor against. The vocal minority calling for the infant's death is in danger of succeeding in their goals, so rather than compromising and leaving the baby in an orphanage where he would be ignored, if not abused outright, the old Hokage sends Naruto to be raised in Snow country by an old friend. The old nin, former jounin oyabun of the now defunct yukigakure no sato, son of the world renown scientist Miyamoto Mushi and inventor of chakra armor, raises the child to believe the world is ruled by one overriding principal - The Scientific Method. Using the insanely immense chakra reserves to power his family's inventions, Naruto goes on to become a ninja known as The Human Powerhouse.
The Coin
It's Naruto's second year at Konoha's Ninja Academy. Umino Iruka has noticed some striking similarities between himself as a child and the Kyuubi brat. Both were orphans, both were troublemakers acting out for attention. In a moment of epiphany, he might have had a thought that allowed him to open his heart to the friendless boy; he might have taken him under his wing and become one of Naruto's "precious people". He might have given a damn, but in that moment someone dropped a 10 ryo coin onto the ground, aborting his half created thought process. Iruka proceeds to ignore Naruto for the remainder of his academy career, punishing him harshly for any infractions, and not letting him get away with anything. Naruto never becomes a prankster, and instead develops a steely resolve to become the greatest ninja ever, not for his precious people, but for himself and only himself. In secret, he improves his skills as much as possible, looting the academy's library for every skill it can teach him. By the time he is ready to graduate, his skills are as developed as an academy student's can be, surpassing many genin. His chakra control is average, an incredible feat for someone with reserves the size of half of Konoha's ninja put together. Hiding most of his skills, he passes ranked in the middle of the class. Mizuki approaches him, offering him a chance to become rookie of the year if he passes a special test given to the top half of the class. Naruto, eyes opened to the harshness of the world, knows that something is fishy, agrees anyway because he is curious what the academy teacher is up to. He henges into Mizuki and steals the scroll, leading ANBU to the real Mizuki, who is then killed. The scroll is presumed destroyed, and Naruto proceeds to use it to teach himself many techniques. He rapidly grows stronger, and slowly begins to trust others again thanks to his team mates Aburame Shino and Yamanaka Ino, under Kurunai.
Author's Note:
These are ideas that have been rattling around in my head for a while, stuff I haven't seen written by anyone else, I don't think. If you've seen a story that matches something I've written here, please let me know, so I can read it. ;)
P.S.: Please read and review, tell me which ones I should write, if any.