Orochimaru

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Orochimaru (大蛇丸)
Alias(es)	“Cold Lord” 142 240
Gender	Male 29 311
Affiliation	Formerly Konohagakure and Root; later cooperates with Madara Uchiha 142 454 566
Occupation/Role	One of the legendary Sannin; wartime commander; forbidden-jutsu researcher; teacher of Uchiha Ci and Anko Mitarashi 29 93 142 167
Status	Alive; S-rank rogue ninja. Survives using the Outer Path: Rebirth Jutsu by emerging from his dead body 552 566
First Appearance	Chapter 29, outside Yuren City 29

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Kage-level combatant — established baseline	64	His battle involving Manda and the Colosseum of a Thousand Snakes is explicitly described as a clash between Kage-level experts.
Corpse Reincarnation mastered	117	Reveals mastery of the forbidden technique. He has not yet undergone Living Corpse Reincarnation himself by Chapter 124 124.
Flesh Rebirth incorporated into the incomplete Eight-Branched Serpent Technique	264	Obtains the regeneration technique through dissection, but its imperfections cause the serpent’s regenerative system to malfunction.
Byakugan implanted	378	Has a functioning Byakugan in his right eye socket after taking one of Hyuga Shota’s eyes 360.
One Rinnegan acquired	453	Reportedly steals it after taking Konan hostage and fighting Akatsuki. Ci assesses that his body is not yet qualified to equip it 454.
Access to Six Paths Power	508	Takes Madara’s eyes after reviving him. This acquisition does not establish full Six Paths-level strength: he later still seeks that level through becoming the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki 566.

Background / History

Origins of his research

Ci connects Orochimaru’s obsession with immortality to the deaths of his parents, Nawaki, and Dan Katō, which made him acutely conscious of life’s fragility. His broader ambition is to learn every ninjutsu and forbidden technique, understand the world’s truth, and become the “Ultimate Individual” 63 124.

Seven years before his return to Konoha in Chapter 177, Orochimaru secretly cooperated with Danzō on experiments to reproduce Wood Style through Hashirama Senju’s cells. He initially regarded the project as an absurd attempt, but later discovered clues that Danzō had concealed useful results 177.

Pursuit of regeneration

In the Land of Hot Water, Orochimaru investigates Flesh Rebirth, immortality, and the Ketsuryūgan. He attempts to capture Shennong because Shennong’s Super Regeneration is needed to complete Living Corpse Reincarnation, but his underground ambush fails 29 87.

He then recognizes Body Rebirth in Uchiha Ci and breaks into Ci’s battle with the Evil God Cult. After Ci suffers catastrophic injuries, Orochimaru offers treatment on the condition that he receive the boy’s corpse if the procedure fails. His Curse Mark of Heaven has no successful cases at this point; he expects to obtain a research specimen rather than save Ci. Ci unexpectedly survives by using Body Rebirth to consume the injected natural energy 89 93.

Taking Uchiha Ci as a disciple

With the Third Hokage’s request and the Uchiha clan’s approval, Ci becomes Orochimaru’s disciple. Ci initially interprets the arrangement as a roundabout attempt to seize his body, while the clan sees it as goodwill toward the Uchiha 95 96.

Orochimaru subsequently reveals a sincere wish to make Ci his successor, even asking him to become his son. He sees Ci’s Sharingan and exceptional learning potential as a way to pursue knowledge beyond his own limits. Ci rejects the proposed father-son relationship, but eventually acknowledges that Orochimaru truly intends to train him 118 124.

Shennong’s escape also changes Orochimaru’s course: rather than retreating into laboratory research, he resumes his responsibilities as a Sannin and participates in the Third Shinobi World War 112.

Wartime command and medical research

As Root’s battlefield commander, Orochimaru sacrifices assault forces for the wider strategy and personally leads an operation to assassinate the Fourth Kazekage. Nevertheless, when Ci faces Ebizo, he intervenes with a snake barrier and guidance that helps Ci survive the curse mark’s natural energy 142 154 155.

After resigning his command and returning to Konoha, he investigates Wood Style as a possible answer to Ci’s dangerous transformations. He manipulates Tsunade by portraying Ci as a power-hungry “evil Uchiha,” then later secures her assistance with the Xingxin Pill by promising to revive Nawaki and Dan Katō 167 177 181 198.

His concern does not extend equally to others. Ci discovers that Orochimaru intends to use a Nine-Tails attack on Konoha to force his deployment to the battlefield, prompting the disciple to oppose him 191.

Kumogakure and the White Snake Sage

Orochimaru infiltrates Kumogakure, steals military intelligence, and launches the Kumogakure Collapse Plan. During the attack, the village’s Cloud Thunder Giant Cannon penetrates his Triple Rashomon defense and destroys two heads of his Eight-Branched Serpent 240 260 264.

He also discovers the White Snake Sage’s hidden consciousness within Ci and prepares countermeasures involving the Zero Tail, Hashirama Cells, and the First Hokage’s necklace. Later, he proposes having the Zero Tail swallow the Sage, followed by Ci swallowing the Zero Tail. He obtains Turtle Island to support Ci’s Sage training 264 311.

The campaign’s devastation brings Orochimaru recognition as a potential Fourth Hokage. During subsequent operations, he acquires a Byakugan and exploits Hidan’s concern for Ci to secure a ten-year work contract, eventually taking Hidan’s Ritual of the Evil God 273 360 378 393 395.

Separation from Ci and pursuit of the Rinnegan

Orochimaru warns Ci against combining Fire Release: Chakra Mode with Sage Mode because of the risk of self-destruction. Their discussion exposes incompatible timelines: Orochimaru’s plans require twenty-one years, while Ci refuses to wait. Orochimaru recognizes his independence by declaring him graduated, and Ci lets him depart despite considering him a threat to his planned assassination of Madara 425 426 427.

Danzō later reports that Orochimaru captured Konan and stole one Rinnegan from Akatsuki. Konoha begins pursuing him, and intelligence places him in the Land of Iron. He subsequently revives Madara through Impure World Reincarnation, helps seal Black Zetsu in an Amber Bottle, and takes Madara’s eyes without reviving Ci 453 454 508.

Fourth Shinobi World War

By the Five Kage Summit, Orochimaru is an S-rank rogue credited with seizing seven Tailed Beasts. He turns Konoha’s capture operation against it, drawing Minato and elite forces away while returning to steal Ci’s preserved corpse. His intended use of the corpse is to supply missing Tailed Beast chakra, revive the Ten-Tails in Konoha, and sacrifice the village’s population to accelerate its growth 552 557 566.

Learning that Ci is about to revive disrupts the plan. Orochimaru leaves his Kusanagi Sword in the Uchiha compound, releases Impure World Reincarnation, and flees. He then reaches the Land of Iron through reverse summoning and restores Madara to life with the Outer Path: Rebirth Jutsu. Although the technique kills his current body, a new Orochimaru emerges from its mouth 557 566.

His cooperation remains calculated rather than submissive. Madara cannot be controlled through his reanimation, and the two compete to become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki first. Orochimaru hands over his Rinnegan while secretly manipulating a black fluid at his wrist; the purpose of that action is not explained in the supplied passage 566.

Appearance

• Hair and complexion: Long black hair and ghastly pale skin 29.
• Eyes: Narrow golden eyes with vertical, snake-like pupils 29.
• Markings: Purple eyeliner or eyeshadow extending toward his nose 29 240.
• Jewelry: Blue-green comma-shaped earrings 29 311.
• Later eye implants: A Byakugan appears in his right socket in Chapter 378; he removes a Rinnegan from that socket in Chapter 566 378 566.
• Mannerisms: Frequently extends his tongue to lick his lips and speaks with a hoarse voice 29 240.

Personality

Orochimaru treats mortality as an obstacle to knowledge. Repeated failures to master Ryūchi Cave’s Sage Arts leave him increasingly frustrated, while Ci’s talent gives him hope that his ambitions can be realized through a successor 117 124.

His strategic decisions are ruthlessly utilitarian. He accepts the deaths of subordinates and endangered allies when they serve an operation, uses hostages and falsehoods to obtain what he wants, and eventually considers sacrificing all of Konoha to cultivate the Ten-Tails 142 181 453 566.

His attachment to Ci is genuine but selective. Tsunade recognizes desperation beneath his cold exterior after Ci nearly dies, and he invests heavily in treatments and protective countermeasures. Ci nevertheless observes that this kindness does not prevent him from disregarding other lives 191 198 264.

He also struggles with being surpassed. Ying’s realization of the complete Eight-Branched Serpent Body frustrates him because the technique was his own intended advantage over Ci. Even so, he ultimately acknowledges Ci’s growth and accepts their separation 417 426.

Abilities & Skills

Snake Ninjutsu and Summoning

• Shadow Snake Hands: Produces snakes to attack or restrain targets. Eight giant snakes initially stop a falling boulder, though a second impact overwhelms them 64 122.
• Snake Mouth Binding: Uses a giant snake to swallow and transport himself and Ci underground 122.
• Ryūchi Cave summoning: Summons Manda and provides Ci with access to the snake contract 87 124.
• Colosseum of a Thousand Snakes: Creates a summoning battlefield in which numerous pythons attack an opponent 64.
• Reverse Summoning: Travels to the Land of Iron battlefield after leaving Konoha 566.

Orochimaru Style: Substitution Technique

• Uses repeated snake-based emergence and body replacement rather than ordinary substitution 122.
• His advanced version requires Super Regeneration and enormous chakra reserves 122.
• Teaches the technique to Ci, who successfully uses snake shedding during their training 123.
• A new Orochimaru crawls from his dead body after he performs the Outer Path: Rebirth Jutsu 566.

Curse Mark of Heaven and Body Possession

• Supplies recipients with energy even after their own chakra is exhausted by drawing on Ryūchi Cave’s natural energy 93.
• Risks irrational transformation and severe bodily mutation; Ci’s unusual constitution makes an otherwise unsuccessful experiment survivable 93 148.
• Contains Orochimaru’s soul fragments, enabling distant sensing and feedback comparable to, but more advanced than, shadow-clone memory transfer 264.
• Plants a contingency within Ci’s Zero Tail to monitor and counter the White Snake Sage 264.
• Uses the Seal Evil Law Seal to suppress Ci’s curse mark when its risks remain unresolved 171.

Sage Art: Inorganic Reincarnation

• Gives life to inorganic matter rather than merely reshaping terrain 154.
• Can perform it without hand seals 154.
• Knows Sage Arts despite being unable to enter Sage Mode at this stage 154.

Eight-Branched Serpent Technique

• An incomplete S-rank forbidden technique built around regenerative power 264.
• Takes the form of an enormous multiheaded serpent; Orochimaru can remain inside its mouth while directing it 264.
• Imperfect Flesh Rebirth causes a movement malfunction, and Kumogakure’s cannon destroys two of its heads 264.
• The complete Eight-Branched Serpent Body realized by Ying originates from Orochimaru’s conception, but is not documented as his own completed advancement 417.
• Uses the Yamata no Orochi form while fleeing Konoha 557.

Genjutsu, Clones, and Defensive Techniques

• Bringer-of-Darkness Technique and Nirvana Seclusion Technique: Exploits Ci’s weak theoretical defenses during a surprise evaluation 122.
• Earth Clone: Adds misdirection to that same training attack 122.
• Rashomon: Uses the gate during his attempted capture of Shennong 87.
• Triple Rashomon: Deploys three defensive gates against Kumogakure’s cannon, which breaches them 264.
• Facial Erasure Technique: Conceals his identity during infiltration 240.

Living Corpse Reincarnation and Biological Research

• Masters Corpse Reincarnation but initially lacks the regeneration technique needed to complete his intended system 87 117.
• Studies human modification, soft-body modification, genetic engineering, and base editing 122.
• Researches Hashirama Cells to investigate human-compatible natural-energy control and enhance Ci’s artificial Tailed Beast 177 183.
• Develops a Sage-power training approach with Tsunade’s Xingxin Pill, requiring Ci to confront pain, apparent death, and loss of sanity to tame the curse mark 227.

Impure World Reincarnation and Rinnegan Techniques

• Revives Madara through Impure World Reincarnation, but Madara remains beyond his control 508 566.
• Uses Almighty Push to accelerate his escape from Konoha 557.
• Uses Outer Path: Rebirth Jutsu to restore Madara’s living body, then survives the death of his own current body 566.
• Seeks the full Six Paths Level through the Ten-Tails Coffin Seal; successful completion is not documented in the supplied context 566.

Strategy and Intelligence

• Commands Root and designs major operations during the Third Shinobi World War 142 146.
• Deduces Kumogakure’s plans involving the Chinoike clan and teaches Ci how to influence Konoha’s deployment decisions 189.
• Steals detailed military documents directly from Kumogakure and sends copies away through a summoning snake 260.
• Uses Konoha’s own capture operation to remove its strongest defenders before infiltrating the village 557 566.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Kusanagi Sword — A sharp divine weapon that can extend and retract. Its Sora no Tachi/Sky Blade technique breaks Ci’s barrier and is later used to test him. Orochimaru leaves the sword in an alley within the Uchiha compound before fleeing 89 123 557.
• Communication snakes — Small white snakes used to transmit intelligence, scrolls, and messages 87 236 260.
• Ryūchi Cave Summoning Scroll — The contract scroll he has Ci sign during training 124.
• Research and training scrolls — Include the advanced substitution technique and methods for controlling Ci’s curse mark and strengthening his Wood Style 122 183.
• First Hokage’s necklace — Obtained from Tsunade and incorporated into his trap against the White Snake Sage; Yamato can activate its hidden abilities 264.
• Xingxin Pill — Developed by Tsunade under their agreement and administered to Ci to help manage and train his Sage power 198 227.
• Amber Bottle — Used with Madara to seal Black Zetsu 508.

Relationships

• Uchiha Ci — Disciple and intended successor. Their bond grows from predatory research interest into genuine attachment, but competing ambitions separate them. Orochimaru later abandons him after gaining Madara’s eyes, then changes his corpse-theft plan when Ci’s revival becomes imminent 93 118 198 426 508 557.
• Anko Mitarashi — Another disciple, newly accepted when Ci receives his curse mark. Later holds intense hatred for Orochimaru and is investigated as part of Konoha’s search for him 93 552 554.
• Tsunade — Fellow Sannin, medical collaborator, and frequent ethical opponent. Agrees to develop the Xingxin Pill in exchange for his promise to revive Nawaki and Dan Katō 181 182 198.
• Jiraiya — Fellow Sannin whose intelligence-gathering methods Orochimaru disparages. Jiraiya goes to the Land of Rain after Orochimaru attacks his Akatsuki students 260 457.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi — Teacher and Third Hokage. Supports the arrangement making Ci Orochimaru’s disciple and initially avoids fully ostracizing Orochimaru despite his increasingly dangerous actions 95 181 457.
• Shimura Danzō — Secret research partner and Root leader. Their cooperation involves forbidden techniques and Hashirama Cells; Orochimaru later blackmails him for Yamato 177 264.
• Aburame Ryoma — Root colleague and deputy commander. Retrieves Ci at Orochimaru’s request and warns him not to let the boy die like Nawaki 117 146.
• Manda — Powerful but transactional summon. Demands human sacrifices and accepts a lethal training fight against Ci for a promised hundred victims 87 122.
• Shennong — Targeted for the regeneration technique needed to complete Living Corpse Reincarnation; escapes Orochimaru’s ambush 87.
• Hidan — Immortal research subject and contracted worker. Signs away ten years to save Ci, then discovers Orochimaru has taken his Ritual of the Evil God 393 395.
• White Snake Sage — Source of coveted Sage knowledge and an adversary in a struggle over Ci and the Zero Tail. Orochimaru detects her hidden consciousness and lays a countertrap 177 264 311.
• Madara Uchiha — Reanimated ally and rival for the Ten-Tails. Their cooperation is unequal: Madara is not controllable through Impure World Reincarnation and holds the initiative 508 566.

Notable Quotes

“I can act, but if the kid dies, then his body must belong to me.” 93

“This is for Konoha!” 181

“Ci, what kind of person do you want to become?” 425

“Uchiha Ci, you've graduated.” 426

Trivia

• Orochimaru likes sweet apples grown in the Land of Lightning’s mountains, two thousand meters above sea level 311.
• His Curse Mark of Heaven research already exists before he encounters Jugo; when he treats Ci, it has not yet produced a successful case 93.