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Orochimaru stared down at Konohagakure from his position atop the Hokage Monument. Idly he lounged amongst the spires of rock that formed the hair of the Fourth, watching with minimal interest as the ants below went about their daily lives.

He had just completed a reconnaissance visit, but had been moved to pause at the Monument on his way out of the village. It was approaching sunset. He decided to wait until the cover of darkness to make his way back to Sound. Not that he was particularly concerned about discovery – in the years since the war with Stone Konoha's self-confidence had increased to an absurd level, leaving the Village as a whole overconfident and sloppy when it came to things such as security.

Having heard for years what a paragon they were – the mighty Village Hidden in the Leaves, where nin were treated as humans and yet who still managed to defeat all challengers, be they nin or demon – Orochimaru found Konohans as a whole to be far too assured of the own might and righteousness.

This was the village that found it acceptable to torture and punish a child for crimes that were not his own.

Not really thinking upon his actions, Orochimaru began to speak to the man upon whose image he sat.

"You were even more of an idiot than I had thought, you know. Leaving your son to the tender mercies of Konoha like that.

"I would ask what you were thinking, but I well remember your tendency to not think before acting, so I expect this situation wasn't any different than usual for you," the Snake Sannin scoffed, folding his arms across his chest.

"He really is something, the child you abandoned. His heart is too soft, in spite of everything this village put him through, but his strength of will is beyond anything I've seen before.

"I assume he received that trait from Kushina."

After taking Naruto in, Orochimaru had spent his next several trips to Konoha researching as much as he could of the child's background. While confirming the Fourth as his father had been rather difficult – requiring breaking into the Hokage's office to access the documents – acquiring information on his mother had been much easier.

"And of course, thanks to the Kyuubi, his chakra reserves are unmatched.

"I suppose I really should thank you. If you hadn't been such a fool I would never have had the opportunity to take in Naruto. And the desire to see his torment and pain avenged has only increased my own determination to see Konoha destroyed. It gave me a… focus… that I think I lacked before.

"It's rather ironic, if you think about it, that in your final act – sacrificing yourself to save this village – you actually gave a jump start to the chain of events that will eventually lead to its ultimate defeat.

"Because I assure you, I will see this village reduced to ash," Orochimaru growled, smashing a fist against one of the smaller nearby spikes and watching with pleasure as it crumbled.

"Its great wall will collapse, its monuments will tumble down, and its buildings will fall into ruin. The nin will be vanquished, and the civilians sold into slavery. By the time I am done, there will be nothing here left to indicate that there ever was a Village Hidden in the Leaves.

"And it is all thanks to you…"

Orochimaru paused in his 'conversation.' For several minutes he silently watched Konoha, imagining what it would look like after his plans came to fruition. A satisfied smirk curved his lips as he settled back against the rocks and moved his gaze out to the setting sun.

"He is a superb child, you know. Loyal and caring – he only wants to make me proud…

Unknown to the Sannin, his smirk gentled into a fond smile as his mind turned to the blonde ball of sunshine awaiting him back in the Village of Sound. "Surprisingly enough, he has. For all that he is a practical doppelganger of you, I no longer see you when I look at him. He is mine, in every way that matters.

"I am the one who dries his tears after a nightmare. I am the one who sees to his training. I am the one to whom he comes for support and… love."

Orochimaru shook his head at himself, not quite believing that the little brat he had taken in on a whim had managed to tunnel his way so far into his heart. He was getting as soft as Jiraiya.

"You were a fool to betray him as you did, choosing your worthless Village over him. I assure you, I will not make the same mistake."

The sun finally dropped below the horizon and Orochimaru straightened, preparing himself to leave. Before leaping from the stone edifice to continue his journey to what was fast becoming home rather than just his base of operations he left one parting comment.

"When the time comes, when the smoke and screams from the destruction of Konoha reach you in whatever hell you are languishing, when you see Naruto standing proudly by my side – as MY son – I hope you are able to look upon the chaos and realize that you only have yourself to blame."