Hello everyone! This is a Idea I came up with a few weeks ago and I wanted to share it with you guys.

I'll try to keep on a regular schedule with updates but I can't promise anything.

This is really just a an amalgamation of ideas I have come up with and a bunch inspiration from different authors that I have had the pleasure of enjoying over the years. Some of the idea's on chakra theory are not my own. I can attest to that. I'm not good with that stuff so If you see anything that sticks out as familiar; It probably is.

This will loosely follow the events of canon but with my own twist. Naruto is older in this. He is the same age as Itachi at the start of canon. He is a Jinchuuriki. The full vessel. Meaning he holds both parts of Kurama. I thought it was really stupid how they split it in half so in this, his Uzumaki genes became dominate so he was able to take both the Yin and Yang into the Shiki Fujin. He is OOC in this so if you don't like that I'm sorry.

Enough babbling! Let's get this show on the road!

X

In the barren wasteland that was Kaze no Kuni, six figures could be seen walking through the scorching heat. These figures were heading east, having just a couple of hours ago left the walls of Sunagakure and heading for the border separating Kawa no Kuni and this arid land. The six people were going at a somewhat sedate pace not really in a hurry just yet to get to their destination, but just fast enough to not be considered a crawl. One of these figures was quite notorious within the Elemental Nations. His mere name to the majority of them would cause ice to flood their veins in fear. Who could it be? Orochimaru of the Densetsu no Sannin (Legendary Three Ninja).

This man was known all over the Nations for his power and his sadism. Said to be the strongest of the Sannin, and definitely the most resourceful. He, with his subordinates, had just finished securing an alliance with Suna and Otogakure -Orochimaru's own hidden village- so they could invade The Village Hidden In The Leaves. You see, over the past years the Daimyo of Wind Country had been going to Konoha to procure missions and it was effectively boxing Suna in and stripping them of the necessary funds to exist. The Kazekage was getting desperate and when a certain snake had slithered up to him months prior and offered a plan, a way to get back at his once ally he couldn't refuse. Of course this was all part of Orochimaru's plan and he very much intended to kill the arrogant man the next time they met and take over for him.

Hitting the northwestern border of Kaze no Kuni by midday, he and his bodyguards, The Sound Four, and his most trusted subordinate Guren were about to start picking up the pace to get to the border of Ame -They planned to head northeast all the way up through Ame into Kusa while cutting through a small section of Hi no Kuni to get back to RIce- by evening when he had the most amazing Idea. He wanted to share some information and catch up with a certain someone...

He had a excited smirk on his face for a second before he said sharply "Sound Four, Guren! We're taking a small detour when we get to Kusa!"

They all looked at their leader with a raised eyebrow wondering why but didn't question and said "Hai! Orochimaru-sama!"

X

'Another day, another bounty' he thought with a small smile while walking a couple klicks east from his latest victory to build a camp for the day. He loved traveling. For as long as he could remember he always loved the Idea of traveling, of seeing the world and experiencing the delicacies that life had to offer. He of course knew that it wasn't all great. There were true horrors in this world, in the world of shinobi. But that's the way it works. You can't have a continent that's main driving force is trained killers and spies and expect peace. It's sad that he was basically forced to be apart of it from the beginning considering who and what he was but 'c'est la vie'. He didn't mind killing, but that doesn't mean he reveled in it. It was part of the job. What he did revel in was the thrill of the fight, of fighting a strong opponent. The adrenaline is almost like a drug. Like opium flowing through your veins as you're on the edge.

That's not to say he didn't like peace and quiet. He did. He loved walking through the different landscapes of the world and enjoying the sights. He loved eating different cuisines and drinking fine liquor. But one thing he absolutely adored, one thing he loved more than most was sitting down and enjoying the taste of good tobacco. He only smoked recreationally but when he did it was sublime.

'That reminds me, when I get into town in a couple of days I need to buy some more kizami tobacco.' he thought as he found a perfect clearing to get started on camp. It was almost six in the morning and he'd like to make some breakfast.

With a simple thought of "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu" he made four clones to help with his endeavor. He took some scrolls out of the storage seal on his shirt and handed them out to get everything set up. The clones without a word started to build the camp and gather firewood while the original headed out to pick up some ingredients. He always keeps a steady supply of things in scrolls but it was always nice to get it from the source if he could. Walking up to the bank of a small river, he hopped onto a rock and sat down before pulling out a collapsible fishing rod and cast out.

With a small "plop" of the lure he sat waiting patiently for something to tug on his line when all of a sudden he felt the pull and as fast as he could, and before the fish could gain it's bearing he reeled it in and took a look.

"Yatta! I caught some trout! Looks like this lake is plentiful of the beauties!" The redhead exclaimed happily.

For about fifteen more minutes, he spent time catching more. By the time he was done, he was carrying seven more fish over his shoulder while heading back to camp. When he got back to the clearing he took a stick and shoved it into the ground so he could hang the fish while he started prepping the ingredients. Gathering earth natured chakra into his foot he stomped on the ground and directed his chakra to bring up a table made out of smooth stone. Placing a sanitary sheet on top, he started to take out some miso (fermented soybean paste), tofu, green onions, chard, and seaweed he had packed up from a market and started prep. After getting everything together and ready he took his ingredients, fish, and a good helping of rice over to some pots by the fire and started cooking. About thirty five minutes after he got back and the clones dispelled he started his simple breakfast of pan fried trout with lemon zest, miso soup, and rice.

After he was finished eating and cleaning his pots and utensils by a simple suiton technique he knew, he checked the position of the sun and estimated it to be around seven AM.

"I should probably start training for the day. Some of my techniques still aren't mastered to the point of not having to use hand signs. Well, thank god for Kage Bunshin!" He laughed.

Leaving behind a single Shadow Clone to watch over the camp he used some earth manipulation to clear out some rocks for a temporary training ground. Before he got started, he put seals in each of the four cardinal directions and put up a fuinjutsu barrier to suppress chakra spikes and alert him of anyone that might get close to spying on his training.

" All right let's get to it." He said with a grin.

X

Hopping through the trees, Orochimaru and his five subordinates had just passed the northern border of rain into Kusa and were heading towards his contact. It was about ten thirty in the morning and getting to be around lunch time. Neither the Sound Four nor Guren knew who the contact was but it was not their place to ask. Getting close, Orochimaru could see the signs of a camp up ahead and dropped down onto the forest floor, his subordinates following.

All six walked into a clearing and they could see a person sitting on a log with his eyes closed and a large scroll sitting vertically next to him, surrounded by a decent size camp, facing their way. Sitting there smoking a kiseru pipe with what looked like not a care in the world was a man with red hair pulled up into spiky, tall ponytail wrapped in bandages with two long pieces framing his face that seemed to be individually wrapped as well and bangs splayed over his forehead curving to the sides. Of what you could see you could tell he was muscular, not like the Raikage's of the past but like that of a swimmers body. A body meant not just for power but for speed in equal measure; muscles meant to be used. He seemed to be wearing tunic of some sort. It was beige with green and yellow borders and slipped off his right shoulder which seemed to have a motif of a red whirlpool. On the other shoulder you could see the same motif and going down he wore a burgundy belt that held the tunic tight. It split off in the middle showing a sleeveless black bodysuit that was tucked into black shinobi sandals. He had no baby fat on his face so it was safe to assume he was in his early to mid twenties and by social standards he was very handsome with his porcelain facial features and blood red hair. Overall he had an air of strength and confidence that could be matched by few.

They saw him open his eyes for the first time and it was a shocking amethyst that pierced all six of the members like kunai. Some were taking it worse than others. It had no effect on Orochimaru but the others, especially the Sound Four were taken back by how strong that gaze was. It was like looking at their leader without the sadistic or madness gleam seen within. The gaze softened after a second but the intensity was still there. Like he was studying them.

"Well well, if it isn't the Snake Sannin Orochimaru. What do I owe the pleasure?" The man spoke with a barely noticeable upward turn of the lips.

With a snort Orochimaru walked closer into the camp and said "Please, Naruto-kun. Like I have to have a reason to visit and catch up with you." He said while sitting on a log opposite of the now introduced Naruto.

"No, I suppose you don't but you usually bring some sort of information regardless. But it is nice to see you again. Can I offer you and your group some tea and a meal? It's lunch time and I just made a fresh pot." The Uzumaki said after taking a drag of his pipe and looking into the snakes eyes. Warm amethyst meeting cold reptilian yellow.

Looking over his shoulder he repressed a chuckle seeing his subordinates looking at the whole situation with a bit of incredulity. "Yes, that would be wonderful. Thank you, Naruto-kun. Tayuya, Jirobo, Kidomaru, Sakon and Ukon, Guren, come over and sit down. Make sure to thank our host for his hospitality and then you are off duty until we leave." The white snake said calmly.

With a air of confusion among them they did as their leader said and thanked the man for different types of onigiri and tea he made for them. Three kinds were laid out and he described them. One had a pork filling with garlic & honey filling, the second was filled with chicken breast, spring onion/scallion, chicken bullion, and ginger with some extra ingredients, and lastly he had a shio kombu and cheese filling. It was unlike any onigiri fillings they had heard of but as Tayuya said it was "The fucking shit." and they couldn't disagree.

"Ah, that reminded me of your mother's cooking, Naruto-kun. You could always taste the effort that she put into it." Orochimaru said with a satisfied sigh after taking a sip of his tea.

"Yeah I found some of her old cookbooks when I snuck into my parents estate a couple of years back. She had some amazing ideas." Taking a short pause he started again "So, Orochimaru, what is the information you want to pass on to me? From the direction you came in I'd say you came out of Ame but knowing your history I'd say it wasn't your destination." He said while packing his pipe.

"Astute as ever." He said with a smirk "Yes I was just in discussion with a colleague about an opportunity to take vengeance on a old home of mine…" He said while not so discreetly looking at Naruto to gauge his reaction.

A raised eyebrow is all he got in return and for him It wasn't surprising. Naruto, as long as he'd known him, was not easy to get a reaction out of. When he was with people he trusted he could be somewhat boisterous and excitable -Like a true Uzumaki- but with new meetings he became cold and stoic. A true antithesis if there ever was one.

"Vengeance in what way?"

"Oh you know, a simple invasion to kill Sarutobi-sensei during the Chunin Exam Finals, nothing too complicated" he explained with a pleasant smile, like he just didn't say he was going to invade the most powerful Hidden Village in the Elemental Nations.

"And is there any other reason? I'm not saying there needs to be -Considering I don't care whether or not Sarutobi is gone. We're not exactly close- but I can't help but feel like there is some type of sub-plot to this. Or maybe killing Sarutobi is the sub-plot?"

"Quite amazing Naruto-kun. You can just read me like an open book." he said with a smile and a small laugh. "It's true. Sarutobi isn't the whole reason why. The main reason is I want to lure Uchiha Sasuke away from the village. I'm just doing this to show him that I can. That I have the power to temporarily cripple the strongest Hidden Village. I do this and it's guaranteed he comes running, searching for power to kill Itachi. And after that? Well, I gain the Sharingan and everything after is easy."

"Oh, I see. But I'm guessing you fully expect him to try and kill you before you take over, right?"

"Well of course! I'd be kind of disappointed if he didn't. Kukukukuku…"

The others who at this point were sipping/drinking their tea and being served by a Kage Bunshin were very weirded out by the fact that Orochimaru of the Sannin was having a non-threatening conversation with a -By Tayuya and Guren's perspective 'A very desirable'- person and not sadistically playing with them. Their leader almost seemed...normal. Well, as normal as you could be for a professional killer and missing-nin.

"Well knowing Sarutobi and Danzo I'll be called back for the Exams, so I apologize in advance for killing any of your soldiers that come after me."

"Oh, no problem at all. Anybody that is stupid enough to attack someone that I care for should die anyway. Well, this was wonderful Naruto-kun. I truly do enjoy the time we spend together even if it is sparse." Orochimaru's face tightened and his eyes became glazed for a couple of seconds as if he was remembering somebody. "Kushina truly would be proud of you Naruto. If not concerned that you don't have much to counteract the hate of your situation as she used to believe. I'll curse your father till the end of time for putting that type of burden on you but for Kushina's sake I'll try not to think about it at least." He said with a bitter laugh while getting up and calling his troop over. He paused for one second and looked at Naruto with a thoughtful frown, "I'll make sure to send Nagi-chan your way if I get some news about the Akatsuki."

Standing up with them as they were leaving, Naruto said "Thank you, Orochimaru. I truly appreciate those words and the information. More than you know." Watching them go past the treeline with a wave he called out one last time right before he could no longer see them, "Have a safe journey, Godfather."

X

Hopping through the trees, as all shinobi learn to do, the ragtag troop of your favorite snake and his subordinates were heading back to Oto to wait for the next correspondence from Suna. It would take a week maybe but Orochimaru was nothing if not patient to complete his desires. Just a couple of more years and he completes what he's been wanting. To learn all the techniques he wants, and take care of the threat to his precious person. 'I won't allow them to hurt the last person I love in this world. I CAN'T LET THEM WIN!' Orochimaru thought furiously while emitting KI unconsciously. Unintentionally scaring his subordinates.

X

As the Orochimaru and the sound four were heading back to Oto, Naruto was still sitting on the log smoking and enjoying the sounds of nature in more ways than one while ruminating on what his Godfather had said. It was interesting. Really none of his business, but it could cause casualties to innocents. He knows Orochimaru knows but doesn't care. And I put up with it because I know he doesn't and I care for him, It's trivial anyway. Like he thought to himself earlier, the world is the way it is because of shinobi. He couldn't stop it because if he did why would it matter? It was going to happen to someone else somewhere else.

Is it cynical and misanthropic? Maybe a little.

As he was sitting there ruminating, he felt something trip off the sensor alarm of the barrier. He didn't get up in alarm or open his eyes while smoking but he heard someone land in front of him.

He kept his eyes closed for a bit. Still enjoying his pipe. He opened his eyes finally, kind of surprised they didn't say anything. Considering he guessed who it was it was surprising they stood there for that long but not at the same time. And when he opened his eyes, he knew exactly why. There standing in all her radiance, purple hair cascading in the breeze like something out of a dream, her extravagant form bathing in sunlight for all the world to acknowledge her frame even though you couldn't see her face that was covered by a cat designed porcelain mask.

She stood there, the blank holes covering her eyes staring almost through him. But he didn't feel that. All he felt was melancholy and wistfulness looking at her. Her thoughts, he couldn't he hoped she was feeling the same as awful as that made him feel. He never wanted her to feel sadness of any kind.

When she finally broke her words hit him like a whip. "Uzumaki Naruto, You are to report back to Sarutobi Hiruzen, The Sandaime Hokage for sitrep and debrief." she said with unbroken monotone.

He sat and stared. Waiting again to gather his words "Yugao, what a pleasure to see you again. It really has been too long. Too long. I just wish it wasn't under these circumstances." No emotion shown on his face as he uttered them.

No emotion on her face either as you obviously couldn't see it. But he guessed she would have the same look as he did. "Yes, Naruto, It really has been too long, What has it been? Five years give or take? Five years since you left without saying goodbye to anyone? Five years since you and the Reaper of The Uchiha left without a sound? Yes, about five years."

"Yes, about that...sadly." He said with a soft frown on his face.. "How have you been? Are you a captain yet? As you wanted for yourself?" He questioned. "I know that was your dream for as long as I've known you. That and having a family in the future."

"Even if I did, you know I couldn't tell you. You abandoned us. Why would I want to tell you anything about my progress...about my life." She said in a scathing tone, for the first time showing emotion, even with her ANBU status. "You abandoned me." She whispered with a hiss of poison.

She said the last part so silently, but he heard it loud and clear. He always had exceptional hearing. And with it he heard the scathing words and an even deeper frown tugged at his lips.

"You're right. I apologize for my forwardness. Whether you believe it or not I always cared for you -in more than one way-," he said under his breath. "And I always wished that you would accomplish your dream. But I will not apologize for going this way, going on this path. I never wanted to hurt you, but I had to get out of that Village for my own mental health. To get away from the parasites and charlatans that infested that hovel."

Yugao was slightly trembling with the disrespect towards her home but couldn't say anything in defense, because she knew. She knew the way the villagers and the shinobi treated Naruto in the past. She saw it. She heard the vicious words thrown at his feet in the past. The scorn and the indifference in equal measure. So she got control of herself and turned around.

"Pack your things Naruto. We're Konoha bound."

Naruto sighed long and hard. He took one last pull from his pipe and stood up. Putting everything away and sealing it up. He took the large summoning like scroll and attached it to the back of his waist vertically with chakra making it stick.

Walking up to Yugao's back still facing towards him and spoke. "Well, are you ready Moonflower?"

She snorted in exasperation and took off without looking in his direction. He followed with gusto matching her speed and hitting the trees swiftly. Heading South-east straight from Kusa to Hi no Kuni.

Straight to The Village Hidden in The Leaves.

X

So that's it. That was my first chapter. I hope you enjoyed it and stay tuned in. Thank you all again for reading this crazy shit. Have a good day and or night and stay safe. I'd also like to say thank you to my old friend Eyazahrid. Please check out his wonderful work.