Chapter 1

I'm back! Welcome everybody to the first chapter of 'Proving Myself'. In this one, Naruto will meet someone that will mold him into what he will become. Also, I decided the pairing. It is...

Naruto x Anko!

I had seen really few fics with this pairing, so here I am, giving it a shot. Also, I want to say the ages. Naruto and Itachi were 5 in the last chapter and here they are 6. And because I don't know what else to say, let's go to the story!

Legend:

"Talking."

'Thinking...'

Jutsu Name

Chapter 1: The Prodigy and the Snake

One year has passed since the Kyubi attack and things were looking up for the village hidden in the leaves.

The damages were already been restored, shinobis are coming out of the academy trying to refill the forces, and they haven't suffered any attack.

Naruto, now 6 years old, was walking towards the park alone.

Again.

He asked his parents to train him, now that Itachi started his training with his family. But they refused. Not because they didn't want to, but because they were too busy with Itsuka to train him. He understands. He really does. Itsuka is not only a baby but the jailor for the Kyubi. Besides, he knows that once he starts the academy next year, they will help him.

But he can't stay behind Itachi for too long, can he? So, he asked tips from Kakashi. He, just like his parents was busy with ANBU missions, but made some time to talk to him about chakra control. Now it was time to put that to the test.

It was early in the morning and they weren't too many people in the park just yet. He got in front of a tree and remembered what he saw in that book of his dad office.

'Focus chakra in the plant of your feet. Too much and you will be repelled, too little and you won't stick...'

He closed his eyes and focused chakra on his feet just like the book said. He took a deep breath and rushed towards the tree. He took 5 steps before he fell.

He stood up 'More chakra...' he tried again focusing more chakra this time, only to be shot away from the tree.

He grumbled. How could it be so hard!? Kakashi does it. Dad does it. Mom does it. Hell, he even saw Itachi doing it the last time they met.

He stood up and went to try it again. But during all his tries, a pair of golden eyes was watching.

*1 Hour Later*

Orochimaru, The Snake Sannin, watched with interest how the son of Minato tried and failed over and over again the tree walking exercise. But what else could he expect? That the kid does it alone?

But he must admit, he is impressed. It was a tall tree by any standards and the kid already got to half of it before falling. His Uzumaki genes showing by ignoring the pain every time he fell from a tall fall.

He kept watching the red head child. He smirked seeing that after 2 hours, he finally reached the top of the tree. He wasn't the only one happy, seeing the grin on the kid's face.

He shunshined to the tree to catch the child that was about to fall. He caught him by the neck of his shirt before dropping down to the grass. He carefully placed the child on the floor that grinned at him. "Thanks!"

Orochimaru nodded with a smirk. "You are welcome. Tell me Naruto, why are you here all alone?"

Naruto raised an eyebrow as he got up "How do you know my name?"

Orochimaru chuckled "Child, your father and I are old... friends, if you would say. Name is Orochimaru."

Naruto nodded relaxing a bit. "Oh. Okay. Nice to meet you Orochimaru. As you already know, my name is Naruto. Naruto Namikaze." He extended his hand and Orochimaru shook it.

"A pleasure. Now, would you mind answering my question?"

Naruto scratched the back of his head "Well... dad and mom are too busy to teach me anything. So-"

"You wanted to teach yourself." Orochimaru finished and Naruto nodded.

"Yep. Pretty much."

"You know Naruto, that isn't how it works." Orochimaru said smirking and Naruto raised an eye brow "You can't just train yourself and expect to be a great shinobi. The idea of teaching, is the master to pass his knowledge to his apprentice."

"I know that. But what I am supposed to do? I already told you that mom and dad are busy. Who else can train me?" Naruto asked and Orochimaru's eyes seemed to glow as an idea pop into his head.

"Well, I was always interested in teaching. Why don't I train you?" He offered and Naruto grinned.

"Really!?" Orochimaru nodded "Thanks! You won't regret it! I'll be the best studdent you could ever wish!"

Orochimaru chuckled at his excitement "We'll see Naruto. Now, let's go to check if you have any injury." He said as he grabbed Naruto and shunshined to an old friend's house.

*Senju Compound*

"I would love to know why Naruto has a concussion, Orochimaru." Tsunade said while performing healing jutsus on the young boy's head.

"He was trying the tree walking exercise and he fell a couple of times." Orochimaru explained with a neutral face.

Tsunade glared at him before turning to Naruto "And you! Why the hell were you trying that without help!?" She demanded in a stern voice that made Naruto shrink.

"Sorry Grandma. I was trying to learn." He admitted and Tsunade sighed.

"I was just worried you would had injured worst. You only had a small concussion, but it could always be worse." She said and Orochimaru smirked.

"Don't worry Tsunade. I'll be in charge of his training now." Tsunade gave him a look.

"You? And did Minato aprove?"

Orochimaru shook his head "Not yet. But when I ask him and give him my motives, he will agree."

Tsunade sighed and ruffled Naruto's hair. "Well brat, you're ready to go. So, don't get into more trouble. Go play with Itachi or something."

Naruto nodded and with a quick 'Thanks Grandma' he left. Tsunade grumbled about ungrateful brats before turning to her old friend.

"Are you really planning on taking him as a student?"

Orochimaru smirked and nodded "That's the plan. Now if you excuse me, I have a request to make." And with that he shunshined to the Hokage Tower.

Tsunade sighed, going to her drawer to pick up a bottle of sake. "This is going to end bad one way or another..."

*With Naruto and Itachi*

"Orochimaru?" Itachi asked his friend that nodded.

"That's right! He said he was going to teach me. Just you wait, in no time, I'll be better than you!" He proclaimed and Itachi frowned.

"Father doesn't like this Orochimaru guy." He said and Naruto raised a brow.

"Why? I mean, yes, he is kind of creepy and he reminds me of a snake, but if he trains me, what's the big deal?" Naruto asked and Itachi shook his head.

"I don't know. But all this feel... off." He saw the worried face of Naruto and smiled softly "Hey, want to see if Shisui helps us on a prank?"

Naruto grinned "Or, we can prank Shisui." The kids laughed as they went to the Uchiha compound to prepare their plan.

*Hokage Office*

"Denied." Minato said to Orochimaru that frowned. He came here and told Minato that he wishes to train his son and before he could give his reasons, Minato gave his answer.

"Why? If I may ask?"

Minato took a deep breath before answering "He is still a kid, Orochimaru. He is not ready to start training for the shinobi arts." Minato said and Orochimaru scoffed.

"Many kids of his age start their training now. Why he can't?"

"He will start next year in the academy. For now, I want him to enjoy his childhood." Minato said and the Snake Sannin narrowed his eyes.

"I feel that you don't want me to train him, Minato." He said and Minato closed his eyes.

"Nothing like that. Is that-"

"Is what? You want your son to die in his first real mission?" He challenged and Minato glared at him, but Orochimaru wasn't done. "Minato, you and your wife are busy with the village and your daughter. You know, that you will not have time to train him. So, until you have time, what do you say that I'll take care." Minato closed his eyes and Orochimaru smirked. He was thinking it.

"Fine. But if you try anything..." Minato warned and Orochimaru nodded.

"Don't worry Lord Hokage, when you decide to train him, he will be at least chunin material. If not Jonin." Minato nodded but said nothing. Orochimaru left ready to teach his first student.

'This will be fun...'

And done! That was chapter 1 of 'Proving Myself'. Hope that you enjoyed. Now, I want to say somethings:

Anko will be also trained by Orochimaru, but it will be more in the future.

And I think that's all I wanted to say... I thought it was more. Anyway! I'll answer any questions is the Reviews or PMs you send me. Now, I have question:

Who do you want to be Naruto Sensei?

Shikaku Nara

Inoichi Yamananka

Choza Akimichi

Tsume Inuzuka

Shibi Aburame

Tell me in the Reviews or PM me. In two chapters this will be revealed. And that's all! Remember to leave your Review that it helps my motivation, PM me for any doubts or suggestions, Follow and Favorite me and the story.

Till Next Time.

Roy D. Harper.

Next Chapter: Breaking and Toughening Bonds