Recaps

After awakening in Orochimaru’s body, a modern researcher uses the Snake Life Plot System to reshape his life through new abilities, medical research, and closer ties with Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Shizune. The arc leaves Orochimaru overseeing Hashirama-cell research and spending a lively outing with his friends and Jiraiya’s new disciples.

• Orochimaru awakened in the hospital after Dan Katō’s death and discovered that a researcher from the twenty-first century had taken over his body.
• Orochimaru bound himself to the Snake Life Plot System, gained Sebastian Shaw’s abilities, and tested his power to absorb and store energy.
• Orochimaru attended Dan Katō’s funeral, comforted Tsunade, and took her pendant before kissing her cheek to claim a system reward.
• Orochimaru began studying Medical Ninjutsu and sparring with Tsunade, helping her grieve while improving his stamina and research skills.
• After Jiraiya returned, Orochimaru confronted him over leaving Tsunade alone, then chose to pursue his own path and invited Tsunade and Shizune to live with him.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi appointed Orochimaru to lead research on Hashirama Senju’s cells, and Orochimaru tested cell-fusion methods while secretly studying forbidden records.
• Orochimaru celebrated Shizune’s birthday with Tsunade and Jiraiya, then took them on a camping trip where they met Minato Namikaze and Uzumaki Kushina.
• Orochimaru and his companions fished, ate hotpot, and swam at the waterfall, where Tsunade dragged Kushina into a dive and Shizune called for help with a crab.

Orochimaru resumed his dangerous research, secretly protected Yamato, and left Konoha to master Sage Mode in Ryūchi Cave. He returned stronger and began a fight with Rōshi and the Four-Tails, Son Goku.

• Orochimaru tested his unstable cell-fusion serum on himself, fell gravely ill, and recovered with Tsunade’s help as they discussed her possible future as Hokage.
• After Hiruzen Sarutobi ended the Hashirama Cell project, Orochimaru secretly resumed it with Danzo’s support, securing test subjects and research materials in a Root base.
• Orochimaru recognized Tenzō as Yamato and arranged for Jiraiya to raise him under the name Jiraisui, while secretly funding the child’s care.
• Orochimaru left Konoha and forced Manda to submit, then made the serpent take him to Ryūchi Cave to seek Sage Mode.
• After passing the cave’s trials, Orochimaru survived the White Snake Sage’s Natural Energy test and spent half a year learning to sense and absorb Natural Energy.
• Orochimaru mastered Sage Mode and left Ryūchi Cave, then sought out Rōshi to test his strength.
• Orochimaru battled Rōshi, overcame his Lava Release and Tailed Beast Cloak, and faced Son Goku after Rōshi transformed into the Four-Tails.

Orochimaru pursued Hashirama cell research while Danzo backed his Hokage candidacy, and his strict Academy lessons won parents’ support as he grew close to Anko. As war broke out, Orochimaru left teaching and approached the orphanage’s Kabuto, choosing to leave him in Nonō’s care for his future as a spy.

• Orochimaru escaped his fight with Rōshi and Four-Tails, returned to Konoha, and learned how the system’s Curse Marks could pass selected traits to their recipients.
• Orochimaru pressed Danzo to honor his research promises, entered the Hokage election, and tested his new Earth Release abilities while sharing a quiet visit to the Valley of the End with Tsunade.
• Orochimaru gave Jiraisui Explosive Tags and Jiraiya a Wood Release scroll, then resumed his Hashirama cell research as Danzo encouraged his election campaign.
• Orochimaru taught at the Ninja Academy, challenged students to think realistically about their futures, and used lessons about history, survival, and failure to earn their families’ support.
• Orochimaru agreed to consider taking Anko as a disciple after graduation, invited her to help in his laboratory, and gave the students a final outdoor lesson in facing fear and genjutsu.
• Orochimaru tested the students with Manda’s killing intent and the Hell Viewing Technique, while Hiruzen moved to end his substitute teaching appointment.
• After the Battle of Kikyo Pass began, Might Duy opened the Eight Gates to save Might Guy, Ebisu, and Genma Shiranui, and Orochimaru went to the orphanage before Danzo could reach Kabuto.
• Orochimaru met Kabuto and asked Nonō to care for him, deciding not to adopt the boy because he believed Kabuto’s future as a spy would serve his plans.

Orochimaru fought Iwagakure’s Jinchuriki, recruited Guren, and used a Mirror Clone to conceal his return to Konoha. He then traveled to the Land of Snow, subdued Kazahana Dōtō, and forced the Snow Ninja to submit.

• Jiraiya’s team encountered Rōshi and Han, and Minato transported them to safety before Orochimaru arrived and fought the two Jinchuriki.
• Orochimaru defeated Kokuō, took Han’s Kusanagi Sword, and later stole one of Hizashi’s Byakugan after Rōshi injured Hizashi’s squad.
• Orochimaru found Guren after she defended herself from bandits, recruited her as his disciple, and began training her in taijutsu and Crystal Release.
• Orochimaru returned to Konoha as a Mirror Clone, reported to Hiruzen Sarutobi, and accepted Anko as his disciple.
• Orochimaru and Guren entered the Land of Snow, where he learned that Princess Koyuki had been recaptured and confronted Kazahana Dōtō at the palace.
• Orochimaru defeated Nadare Rōga and Kazahana Dōtō, marked Dōtō as his subordinate, and had Guren awaken the captured Snow Ninja.