At least, that was how Orochimaru remembered how Konoha was during the warring times.
Now, he couldn't tell how much things have changed since those times, but there were changes, and to him, he found some highly intriguing. What most intriguing, however, is how a young 7 year old has to become the object of hatred, perhaps to them, even hatred itself. Although no doubt if the object was Kyubi, such judgment would be justified, however, the child is merely a cage. Shouldn't the wardens repair and strengthen the cage, not destroy it? If hatred is a way of strengthening the cage, why is Naruto only showing signs of growing weakness? Although he himself is well aware of the power of fear and hatred, he knew that not everyone grows the same way, and as of now, Naruto did not seem to respond positively to hatred.
Naruto seemed to hide whenever there was someone around, someone merely walking past. Orochimaru knew he wanted to hide himself, and even so it had spawned or at least awakened a slight talent in stealth. Perhaps his justification that their hatred isn't making Naruto stronger is false. The hatred indirectly made him strong. Then again, only from obstacles such as hatred that one can emerge stronger. As of now, if he himself intends to remain hidden, Naruto would have to be too.
Most other children began their training at a very young age, perhaps 5 or 6. Naruto would begin now, at 7. He has a lot of catching up to do.
Then again, they don't have Orochimaru as a tutor. A smirk, a slightly sinister and prideful smirk grew on his face. Naruto was his shield from the prying eyes of the Anbu, and when a person buys a shield, he surely would want one of strength, durability and quality, wouldn't he? If he trains and tutors Naruto, he knew he could open himself to more oppurtunities to obtain the faith of the other ninjas, thus allowing more room for himself to do as he please.
Again, another smirk, but it wasn't shown. He smiled and laughed inside at his own brilliance, and looked at Naruto brimming with anticipation, which the blonde did not notice, as he was trying to hide from the other villagers.
Right now, he needed to find the correct way to teach the young child. He needed him to show at least some amount of skill so he may take him out of the country where he could continue his forbidden research, which he has kept unknown to anyone for years. Hopefully, in countries far away, the Anbu would not be on his tail.
He knew how cautious the Hokage was, because after all, he was his teacher, and for years, he knew the Hokage read him like a book, even though he tried to hide it.
Naruto pulled Orochimaru's arm slightly, and when he looked at him, Naruto pointed towards a ramen bar. 'When was the last time I ate at a bar...' He thought inside.
"Can we eat there, sensei?" He quickly made a sad face.
Orochimaru's snake eyes stared into Naruto's blue eyes, trying to make out his true intentions. Yet Naruto's eye were unwavering, and Orochimaru relented. "Ah, let's go." Naruto smiled, and it was genuine. A part of Orochimaru was disgusted. another was... unexplainably, like it. Then again, when was the last time he received such a smile.
Both of them took a seat, and Naruto ordered what he wanted. Orochimaru on the other hand merely looked around and stared at the menu, and then glanced at Naruto who ate his ramen slowly. "Sensei, aren't you eating?" He asked, and perhaps he was uncomfortable that he was the only one eating, and thus explained his slow consumption.
"Oh... I'll have beef ramen." He said at the attendant, and he looked at Naruto. "I will. You eat first, since I'm not particularly hungry." Conversations with a child, he seemed to find is an art of it's own. It required him to be friendly, and genuinely friendly. These children seemed to have a natural knack of telling out emotions, and such abilities seemed to vanish as they grow up. His beef ramen arrived, and he slowly ate it.
"Naruto, do you want to be a ninja?" He knew that Naruto can never escape that question, and why not ask him now.
He gulped, and he stared at his food. "I dunno... Should I be, sensei?" His voice seemed to beg for guidance from the snake, and he looked uncertain. A child of seven don't really have that ability to make decisions yet, what more one that is untrained and unexperienced. Orochimaru's silence prompted him to continue, "I don't want to do it if my teacher hates me."
Emotions, child like them seemed to take a lot of heed and is greatly influenced by it. He smiled, somewhat. "What if I was your teacher?"
The slight frown turned to a smile. "Yes. I'll be a ninja if you'd teach me."
Orochimaru knew about pawns in games of chess, both japanese and chinese chess. Loyalty is a powerful tool, and powerful weapon. Yet, emotional bonds are also a powerful weapon, and he has seen it work in many cases. If Naruto has such a bond with him, he knew he could make him do anything.
Orochimaru's dry, pale hands tapped Naruto's shoulder. "Well, we start tomorrow, my new apprentice."
IOIOIOIIOIOIOOIIOIOI
So, how was it? It's longer than my previous chapter, and prolly will get longer as i proceed.