Recaps

Orochimaru helped Konoha win the decisive battles of the Second Ninja War while pursuing his own research and uncovering a leak connected to Dan Katō’s death. After mastering Flying Thunder God and gaining access to Sage Art, he modified Manda in Ryūchi Cave.

• Orochimaru revealed that he had caused the Eight-Tails to rampage, then swallowed the Dragon Yuan and returned to Konoha with newfound immortality and power.
• Appointed Frontline Deputy Commander, Orochimaru led Konoha forces against Sunagakure and helped Hiruzen Sarutobi fight Hanzō and Kakuzu in the Land of Rain.
• Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade fought Hanzō, who acknowledged them as the Konoha Sannin, while Jiraiya chose to stay with Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato.
• After Dan Katō died and Tsunade returned from the battlefield traumatized, Orochimaru agreed to investigate her suspicion that intelligence had been leaked.
• Konoha and Amegakure attacked Sunagakure’s base, where Orochimaru and Jiraiya fought Shukaku and Hiruzen Sarutobi battled the Third Kazekage before Sunagakure retreated.
• Orochimaru investigated the leak, arranged for Kakuzu to recover Raijin’s Sword, and began studying Flying Thunder God after choosing it from the Scroll of Seals.
• Orochimaru and Minato learned Flying Thunder God, while Shikun Mitarashi used Cosmic Cube energy to develop an aptitude for the technique and later returned with Raijin’s Sword.
• The White Snake Sage offered Orochimaru Sage Art in exchange for help meeting the True Dragon, and Orochimaru modified Manda with a mechanical eye, a horn, venom sacs, and fire-breathing ability.

Orochimaru halted Sunagakure’s advance, helped bring about its defeat, and drew Hatake Sakumo into becoming his hidden ally after Sakumo’s staged death. Back in Konoha, Orochimaru explored new techniques and began training a genin team, leaving his plans for reshaping the world in the hands of his disciples.

• Orochimaru faced Chiyo, Rasa, and Pakura at the River Country, then broke Sunagakure’s assault with Minato Namikaze and Shikun Mitarashi as the front settled into a stalemate.
• After Hatake Sakumo’s assassination mission collapsed and Shukaku rampaged, Orochimaru led a counterattack that defeated Sunagakure’s forces, while Bunpuku and Shukaku stayed behind as rearguards.
• During peace talks, Rasa sent Pakura to seek Kirigakure’s support, but a Kirigakure shinobi ambushed and killed her, and meanwhile, rumors blamed Sakumo for Konoha’s losses and Danzo worked to ruin his standing.
• Orochimaru negotiated peace with Ebizo, then agreed to protect Kakashi when Sakumo offered him the Konoha Style Sword Technique, and Sakumo staged his own suicide and became Orochimaru’s hidden ally, Snake Shadow.
• Orochimaru obtained Garp’s diary and studied the Six Powers and Haki, then repaired Might Duy’s injuries and gave him materials to train in the Six Powers.
• Hiruzen appointed Orochimaru to train Asuma Sarutobi, and Orochimaru formed a genin squad with Asuma, Anko, and Kurenai after testing their teamwork with a bell exercise.
• The three students coordinated their attacks and took Orochimaru’s bell, passing the test, and Orochimaru treated them to dinner and later gave each advice on improving their skills and teamwork.

Orochimaru led Konoha through a series of deceptive strikes that disrupted Kumogakure’s supply lines and brought the war into the Land of Lightning. After the Third Raikage fell and the Fourth Raikage retreated, Orochimaru turned to saving the badly injured Shikun Mitarashi.

• Orochimaru took Asuma, Anko, and Kurenai from a C-rank mission against bandits to the Kumogakure front, where he withdrew Konoha’s forces to Hot Spring City and secretly organized raids on enemy supply lines.
• Orochimaru’s teams attacked Kumogakure outposts and blocked a canal with an earthen mountain, while Shikun Mitarashi’s assault on Dodai failed and the Third Raikage pursued Orochimaru.
• Orochimaru disguised himself and his forces to pit Kumogakure against Yugakure, escaped the Third Raikage, and later released the canal floodwaters to sweep away Kumogakure supplies.
• Asuma, Anko, and Kurenai helped defend a Konoha convoy from a Kumogakure unit, while Orochimaru and the Third Raikage fought as Might Duy battled the Fourth Raikage.
• Orochimaru advanced into the Land of Lightning and fought the AB Combination, using Observation Haki and the Eight Gates to study the Fourth Raikage’s Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
• Orochimaru pierced the Third Raikage’s chest scar with Purple Electricity and wore him down with attacks and genjutsu until the Third Raikage collapsed and ordered A to retreat.
• Shikun Mitarashi held off A despite severe injuries, while Dodai carried A away and Killer B covered the retreat, and Orochimaru then kept Shikun alive and began planning his mechanical-body treatment.

Orochimaru brought Tsunade back to Konoha, developed a powerful Sage Mode, and headed for the Iwa Front as war spread and Madara confronted him. After their battle, Orochimaru continued onward and fought Roshi, while Obito awoke in Madara’s hideout.

• Hiruzen Sarutobi appointed Orochimaru chief examiner for the Chunin Exams, where Orochimaru’s squad won the team battle and Kakashi defeated Might Guy in the individual final.
• Orochimaru investigated Sage Art and the First Hokage’s Cells, then recruited Tsunade by helping her settle her debts and arranging Kumogakure’s support against Iwagakure.
• Tsunade returned to Konoha with Orochimaru, and they began developing a human-compatible Sage Art using the Mind Transfer Jutsu and First Hokage research.
• Orochimaru achieved a near-perfect Sage Mode after his first attempt at absorbing Natural Energy nearly petrified his body, then received Ryūchi Cave Sage Art scrolls from Tagorihime.
• Danzo maneuvered Hanzō into opposing Iwagakure and plotting against Akatsuki, while Madara prepared to confront Orochimaru as he approached the front.
• Madara and Orochimaru fought with genjutsu, Sage Art, Susanoo, and the Eight Gates, ending in a devastating clash that left Orochimaru injured and Madara’s transformed body crumbling.
• Obito awoke in Madara’s underground hideout after asking Rin to give his Sharingan to Kakashi, while Orochimaru continued onward and defeated Roshi’s challenge with a Sage Art waterspout.