Title: Shed Skin
Author: TPK
Fandom: Naruto
Length: 78k
Summary: You play as Orochimaru, thrown back in time.

Link (Reader Mode)

So, I don't usually read quest, but I gave this one a chance, I think it was the appeal of Orochimaru as the main POV that really got me into it because I've recently read a fic where his character was done well so it left me craving more.

This is a quest, its hosted on SV and SB, I think I linked the SV Reader Mode thread, so you don't have to see the rolls and the other players actually posting, because that was about the only way I could read it.

Why should you read this? Despite the format, Orochimaru is a dynamic character that you actively root for. The timetravel aspect isn't longer than it needs to be, and there aren't many points in time where Orochimaru doubts himself. He's a confident bastard, just like you'd think him to be, and he adapts well to the new setting he's found himself in.

Minato is alive. So is Kushina. The fallout of the Kyuubi attack is different, and it causes some distinct shifts in the pacing of the story. Also the fact that Orochimaru is actively pro-Konoha and fights for the village rather than against it.

I really liked this, and its hard to describe why. It had the right mix of attributes that drew me in, and it wasn't just a regurgitation of canon. Each event is distinct.

And I'll spoiler this,

Spoiler

The role Reversal of Tsunade as a member of Red Dawn was really handled in a way that you could feel Orochimarus loss.

Overall, this is a 4/5. I enjoyed it. If quest format isn't your thing you might not like it, but there aren't too many flow breaking things, you can pretty much read it like a story, with the votes for flavor.

Its rather old, but its still good.

I'm posting this here because the Story Quest forum is for on-going quest, and I'd rather like to see this get some attention instead of being hidden in the Quality Naruto fics thread.

 

As far as quests go, this one was pretty decent.

It flows pretty well and for the most part, doesn't spend a lot of time on pointless sidequests. It has an idea of what it wants to be - which is a character study of Orochimaru (well, as close to one as is actually possible with an SV quest).

I liked how the story ended. As a character study, the realization of what he actually wants to do serves as a good emotional climax. The actual "how" of achieving that is irrelevant in my opinion for this type of story, especially since Orochimaru's competence (and therefore the question of "can he do it") isn't in doubt.

The juxtaposition with Tsunade was unexpected but welcome. +Points for good AU worldbuilding there.

Finally, the author walked a fine line between making the MC evil enough to be interesting (and thus not a bog-standard Naruto protag), but not evil enough that the audience couldn't root for him. And the exploration of his plots and thought processes and intrigue is something few stories delve into so kudos for that.

4/5