The rumbles from the towering beast Kyubi was no more. The Fourth Hokage of Konoha vanquished the nine-tail demon fox with his very own sealing technique, an invincible technique at the cost of his own life and an innocent toddler, by vehemently pulling the demon's spirit and sealing it in a newborn.

In this long, heavy battle, Konohagakure suffered the lost of countless able shinobis. It will take years to rebuild its own golden era. Innumerable orphans were created by this battle. Lost of the love ones were immense. Grief turned to anger, anger spawn hate, and hate towards the vessel of the nine-tailed fox were unstoppable. Demands of executing this child- or a better word from the civilians- demonis necessary.

The current leader of the Fire Country, the Third Hokage of Konohagakure, while sitting in his office was pondering the option for the child right in his gentle embrace, sucking his thumb with an angelic smile upon his face. The leader sighed. He hoped that, somehow, that this would be last case scenario. His successor looked forward to this child achievement by carrying such heavy burden, praise as the hero while deciding using the forbidden technique. He never thought once that his beloved village will as narrow-minded as they appear.

There are options for this toddler Uzumaki Naruto. He brainstormed for the whole night, inscribing and crossing out options to help this unfortunate child. He could adopt him. No one dares to defy a Hokage. He could care less for what the villagers and his subordinates think. After all, he is a Kage. Will he have time to care and cherishing this new life? No. After the downfall of countless shinobis, he is needed more then ever. The child would surely be assassinated once he carries him out of his office, let alone adoption. A demon vessel as powerful as he would be stolen from current enemies, so orphanage is not a choice.

While still contemplating his decisions, a polite knock disturb his misery. "Who is it?" asked the leader of Konohagakure. "It is I, Sarutobi." Closing his tired eyes, he nodded to himself and replied, "Please, do come in."

The wooden door creaks open slowly as the ninja entering the Hokage's office. "You…seem troubled, old friend." The ninja states his observation, "Perhaps, you would like to share your thoughts?" He nods. "Please, have a seat," The old man offered. "I thank you but I prefer to stand," The leader nodded his head absently. Looking out his window, the scenery he once marvelled numerous times were in total chaos. His heart clenched.

With another sigh, he explained to his late night visitor, "This child, my friend, I have no idea of what to do with him. Every single option I have thought of is a dead end. This child is a demon vessel. He needs to be strong enough to protect himself from foreign shinobis in the future, especially from the organization "Akatsuki".

The Hokage turned around and eyes his guest questionably. Curiosity written on his aged visage, he finally asked, "You are here not to listen to an old man's mumbling. Please tell me why you are here?"

"Ku ku ku, Sarutobi" the visitor chuckled, "You think so lowly of me? I am, was," he corrected himself, "after all, your student. I might be cold, lack of emotions, but nether the less, I am forever in your debt for teaching me all those years ago. My actions were questionable but my loyalty forever lies in Konoha."

The elder man in front of him never batted his eyes, never leaving his focus on his student, "I am here to offer you…ah, your word is "options" correct? Yes, I am here to offer you my option."

The leader raised his right eyebrow, but kept silence, encouraging his ex-pupil to continue, "I will take care of this toddler for you, teach him how to be a ninja…Konoha ninja."

"You have another motive behind this action." Stated the Hokage. "Do you have another option, Sarutobi? Jiraiya is devastated by the lost of his prized student. His psychological state is currently unstable. Tsunade left ten years ago who made a vow never stepping a foot in Konohagakure. The survivors are copping for their loss. Jounin and Chunin will be busily active for the next couple of years. Civilians will torture this young soul to death; I am the only one who is available for him."

"And yes, I confess I do have a motive behind my proposal. I never…you know that I never had a chance to love, or rather, I never gave myself the option to find a love one in my life. I devoted myself in training thousands upon thousands of techniques. Let me be blunt to you. I need an heir and a son that I can never have."

Sarutobi gasped, eyes wide, almost popping out of his sockets. But he quickly composed himself. He tore his eyes away from his guest and looked at the sleeping bundle he is holding, thinking to himself "He is right. He is, unquestionably, strong enough to protect and guide him. He had wronged in his prime, but he corrected his mistakes. He is loyal to Konoha…"

His decision made, he stared hard at his late night visitor, complete seriousness written on his visage. "I, the current Hokage of Konohagakure, give you an S class mission; to raise, train, guide and protect Uzumaki Naruto, the Jinchuriki of the nine-tailed demon fox, Kyubi. Do you accept?"

The guest answered with a truthful and sencere voice only the current leader knows, "I, Orochimaru, Snake Sannin of Konohagakure, accept your mission and follow every single rule you stated. I will raise, train, guide, protect and even love Uzumaki Naruto like a son that I never had."