Orochimaru

Biodata

Background / History

Second Shinobi World War

Orochimaru is one of Hiruzen Sarutobi’s three students, alongside Tsunade and Jiraiya. After their battle with Hanzō, the three receive the title of Sannin. Although they were defeated, Konoha’s ninja regard their ability to stand against Hanzō together as evidence of their strength 8.

Karn encounters Orochimaru while traveling with Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato in search of the Sannin. Initially concealed in the shadows, Orochimaru reveals himself when Tsunade invites Karn and Yahiko inside. He remains wary of the unfamiliar merchant but recognizes the importance of his medicines from Tsunade’s reaction 6 7.

When Jiraiya elects to stay in the Land of Rain to teach the children, Orochimaru urges him to prioritize their remaining missions. He returns to Konoha’s camp with Tsunade and Karn, agreeing only to speak to Sarutobi on Jiraiya’s behalf rather than accept responsibility for his unauthorized absence 7 8.

At the war council, Orochimaru discourages Danzō from acting against Karn. He argues that alienating the merchant could redirect valuable medical supplies toward Amegakure. Later battlefield reports credit Orochimaru and Danzō with finding a solution to the threat posed by Sunagakure’s powerful tailed-beast jinchūriki, without identifying the method used 9 20.

Nawaki’s Instructor

At Tsunade’s request, Orochimaru agrees to accept Nawaki as a student if he passes an assessment. Nawaki subsequently becomes his pupil, but suffers grave battlefield injuries soon afterward. Orochimaru waits outside the emergency room and asks Tsunade about his condition; she confirms that he is no longer in immediate danger 9 24.

Nawaki survives, but his damaged body can no longer support a ninja’s life. Orochimaru later cites his responsibility toward his student when asking to join the regenerative research that could help him 33 46.

Following the successful serum trials, Nawaki receives the New Extremis Virus Serum and recovers. Orochimaru and Tsunade agree that Orochimaru will keep him nearby and oversee his return to missions, while Tsunade handles Wood Release instruction. Orochimaru considers Nawaki’s previous injury evidence that his impulsiveness and lack of caution require correction 55 57.

During two months of selected missions, Orochimaru secretly sets traps that cause Nawaki to lose limbs seven or eight times, relying on his regeneration while teaching him to stop rushing recklessly into danger. Nawaki subsequently develops rapidly under his instruction and becomes one of Konoha’s prominent young ninja 76 124 158.

Joining Karn’s Research

Karn identifies Orochimaru as a promising research partner well before their collaboration begins. His assessment draws on remembered achievements in gene transplantation, human cloning, soul transfer, and regeneration; these are expectations based on Orochimaru’s original future, not accomplishments demonstrated at this point in the novel 13 22.

After Konoha’s scheme against Karn disrupts Tsunade’s plans, Orochimaru accompanies her to confront Sarutobi and secures permission to participate in the project. He initially describes Sarutobi’s behavior as understandable caution, but becomes resentful upon learning that Karn has left and the experiments must be delayed. He also recognizes that Konoha may lose its exclusive access to Karn’s bulk medicine supplies 46 47.

When Karn returns, Orochimaru is tasked with building a replacement underground laboratory outside Konoha. Karn supplies funding, serum, equipment, and an initial batch of thirty death-row prisoners, while Orochimaru and Tsunade provide the research personnel 48.

After the first subject survives a localized explosion, Orochimaru tests the prisoner Tsuchiishi’s ability to learn ninjutsu. Although Tsuchiishi fails to master the Clone Technique, he quickly manifests Wood Release. Orochimaru subsequently strangles him and buries his body. Karn agrees that additional testing is necessary before treating Nawaki 51.

Orochimaru then conducts thirty simultaneous injection experiments, using the serum Karn has supplied. He privately offers his entire ninjutsu collection for a vial of Extremis serum, but Karn gives him one without requiring payment. The eventual trials establish that all remaining subjects adapt to the new serum and more than ninety percent awaken Wood Release; Orochimaru kills the few whose ninjutsu aptitude exhausts his patience 52 55.

With the testing complete, Orochimaru prepares serum for Karn and Nawaki, who undergo successful transformations under Tsunade’s supervision. Karn gives Orochimaru ownership of the laboratory and its equipment afterward. Orochimaru does not immediately use his personal serum, and later conceals its existence when reporting to Sarutobi, presenting the research supply as entirely exhausted 55 56 57.

Secret Cooperation and Ryūchi Cave

When Karn commissions a cursed seal capable of influencing or controlling people, Orochimaru proposes a deeper partnership. He prefers Karn to Danzō, whose offers are limited to money and test subjects and whose conversations repeatedly return to obtaining the New Extremis Virus Serum. Orochimaru offers summoning snakes as covert couriers and an early-warning network, allowing their cooperation to bypass Konoha’s surveillance 79.

Their arrangement develops into regular exchanges through Ryūchi Cave. Karn sends dragon flesh, blood, and a magical photograph by snake courier, while the cave provides a meeting place beyond the reach of Konoha’s ANBU. Orochimaru also brings Karn to meet the White Snake Sage, choosing the cave partly because Sarutobi increasingly regards Karn as an enemy 84 92 116.

The White Snake Sage offers Orochimaru Perfect Sage Mode training and Ryūchi Cave senjutsu, with assistance from the Snake Princesses, in exchange for six fire dragons each month. Karn separately obtains regular tissue samples from the sage and the princesses. Upon leaving, Orochimaru gives Karn the completed control-oriented cursed seal scroll 92.

Orochimaru continues producing fire dragon embryos. He initially postpones Sage Mode training because of missions and asks Karn to record his own training experiences for later study. During the subsequent war years, Orochimaru nevertheless masters Sage Mode and uses the Extremis Virus on himself 94 161 163.

Wartime Command and the Hokage Campaign

Orochimaru commands Konoha’s defensive line facing Iwagakure near the Land of Grass, repelling its attacks and stabilizing the camp’s morale. The assignment gives him practical experience as an independent frontline commander rather than merely an adviser 116.

After his return, Karn privately proposes a political alliance: Orochimaru will become Fourth Hokage, while Karn will seek the Land of Fire’s daimyo position with Konoha’s support. Karn supplies information on the Super Soldier Serum and cell biology. Orochimaru accepts the compatibility of their interests, while making clear that he will not allow himself to be controlled 116 117.

Sarutobi eventually discovers signs of their connection and repeatedly transfers Orochimaru between fronts, obstructing his accumulation of prestige. Orochimaru remains outwardly composed but becomes disappointed in his teacher’s political treatment of him 158.

On the Land of Rivers front, Orochimaru appoints Minato Namikaze deputy commander and sends him to attack Sunagakure’s rear with specially supplied fire dragons. He prepares the main force, including numerous inexperienced reinforcements, to use summoning techniques against the Sand army 160.

At Kikyo Castle, Orochimaru reveals Sage Mode and deploys thirty fire dragons, with another special dragon restraining the One-Tail’s jinchūriki. He fights the Third Kazekage and Rasa while deliberately withholding Wood Release and the Sharingan. Konoha wins a major victory, and Minato’s raid also inflicts substantial damage on Sunagakure itself 161 163.

While discussing the Hokage succession with Karn afterward, Orochimaru detects eavesdroppers and attacks the future Naruto Uzumaki and Kakashi Hatake. He uses snakes, an Earth Clone, and false explosive tags to separate them and target Naruto. Karn intervenes, and Orochimaru leaves the pair in his care 163 164.

Shinobi World Weekly publicizes Orochimaru’s accomplishments, greatly increasing his standing in Konoha and the Land of Fire. Sarutobi recognizes his student’s ambition but declares that he will not entrust him with the Hokage position 164.

Orochimaru and Karn seek prestigious clan support and prepare against attempts to send him away during the election. Orochimaru authorizes Karn to negotiate with the Uchiha on his behalf, including promises of ANBU positions. When Uchiha Fugaku volunteers for the coastal defense assignment initially proposed for Orochimaru, Orochimaru supports him and suggests that Nawaki accompany the Uchiha forces 169 170 172.

Jiraiya’s opposition deepens their estrangement. Orochimaru rejects his accusation that pursuing the Hokage position will destroy Konoha, contrasting his own protection of hundreds of ninja with Jiraiya’s reliance on prophecy. After the political confrontation with Sarutobi’s administration, Orochimaru wins the succession contest over Minato 173 176 179.

Fourth Hokage

Before his formal inauguration, Orochimaru begins reorganizing Konoha’s administration and receives Karn’s evidence of Root’s Hashirama-cell experiments. He intends to pass the evidence to Tsunade and eliminate Root’s position within the village, although protection from Sarutobi and the former advisers later obstructs immediate action 179 216.

Orochimaru rewards capable wartime followers, civilian ninja, and clan ninja with suitable appointments rather than personally controlling every department. He leaves medical affairs to Tsunade and assigns demanding border and intelligence work to the Sarutobi and Ino-Shika-Chō clans. Hyūga Hiashi becomes Hokage Advisor and handles much of the mission administration 182 183 225.

He officially becomes the Fourth Hokage at his inauguration ceremony. Rather than celebrating, he concentrates on laboratory relocation and the possibility of openly organizing magical-creature breeding teams 183.

After refusing Jiraiya permission to leave and warning that unauthorized departure will cost him his status as a Konoha ninja, Orochimaru classifies him as a missing-nin when he nevertheless leaves. He also orders reinforcements to the Kirigakure battlefield 181 183.

During the investigation into the poisoning of the daimyo’s family and high officials, Orochimaru detains five Guardian Ninjas for questioning. With Tsunade identifying the poison as one used by Root, he gives Danzō two days to return with his organization or face a full manhunt 216.

When Kumogakure and Kirigakure coordinate an attack on Konoha, Orochimaru personally confronts the Fourth Raikage. Using Sage Mode and Inorganic Reincarnation, he defeats and captures him without revealing Wood Release or his Sharingan. He favors extracting political benefits from the prisoner over killing him merely for revenge 219 220 221.

With Danzō still absent, Orochimaru orders Uchiha Yashiro to surround the Shimura clan, arrest its members, and seal its assets pending investigation. He later gives Minato an S-rank mission to capture Danzō, warning that failure could result in the loss of his ninja status 221 225.

Orochimaru initially refuses Tsunade’s request for a long-term assignment outside Konoha, but eventually gives her a B-rank patrol and protection mission near the capital and lends her one million ryō. He also convenes a jōnin meeting concerning Karn’s succession as daimyo 225 227.

As research increasingly occupies him, Nawaki handles affairs in the Hokage’s office. Orochimaru attends the important meeting on Konoha’s relocation through a shadow clone and privately considers holding a new Hokage election once the matter is settled; the passage does not itself establish that he has relinquished the office 280 288.

Biological Weapons Development

Orochimaru turns increasingly toward chimeric beast synthesis, working in an underground laboratory behind the Hokage Rock and later conducting large-scale experiments around Ryūchi Cave. His principal project becomes a nine-headed dragon based on the Yamata no Orochi, with fire dragon heads and a planned supply of chakra from the nine tailed beasts 214 216 282.

Karn supports the project with tailed-beast chakra, research suggestions, and additional resources. Orochimaru can cultivate Eight-Tails chakra from its tissue, but must request more Three-Tails chakra from Karn. He later obtains chakra from the Four-Tails, Five-Tails, and Seven-Tails using Six Paths Tools supplied by Karn 216 236 282.

By the time Karn inspects the developed creature, six of its heads contain tailed-beast chakra and can repeatedly fire miniature Tailed Beast Bombs. Karn commissions two additional nine-headed dragons and provides Kaido’s lineage factor, blood samples, and Yamata no Orochi ability serum for further development 282.

Orochimaru’s subsequent enhancements make Yamata no Orochi and the Tailed Beast Nine-Headed Dragon the Land of Fire’s dominant biological weapons, reducing ordinary fire dragons to comparatively expendable forces. The enhanced dragon’s bloodline pressure alarms the White Snake Sage, who makes Orochimaru move all experiments except fire dragon breeding ten kilometers away from Ryūchi Cave 288 289.

Pure Land Research

Karn later asks Orochimaru to investigate whether the Pure Land supplies the chakra used by Impure World Reincarnation. Orochimaru readily agrees, having previously been restricted largely to natural-energy research because Karn controls the tailed beasts and has sealed the Dragon Vein. He also hopes a new energy source will support the growth of an exceptional cloned successor 367.

Orochimaru studies Impure World Reincarnation, the Spirit Transformation Technique, the Reaper Death Seal, and other relevant techniques. His results suggest that the Pure Land is controlled by an intelligence: spiritually powerful ninja can persist there, while ordinary people cease to be summonable through Impure World Reincarnation after roughly half a year. He also finds that its apparent scenery differs according to the dead person’s spiritual strength and experiences 386.

By this stage, Orochimaru possesses the Rinnegan and an ocular transportation technique usable even in spirit form. After locating the Pure Land, he transports himself and Karn there. They encounter Jiraiya, Uchiha Itachi, and Obito Uchiha; Orochimaru takes Jiraiya elsewhere while Karn confronts the other two 386.

Orochimaru collects energy throughout the Pure Land, initially expecting that they will need to withdraw and plan against the Sage of Six Paths. After learning that Karn has subdued him, Orochimaru relaxes and considers using the realm’s immense chakra supply to cultivate his Hydra into the strongest tailed beast 387.

Power Progression

Personality

Orochimaru is cautious and pragmatic. He considers Karn’s guarded behavior reasonable and is equally suspicious of him at their first meeting. His intervention against Danzō focuses on the strategic value of preserving trade rather than on trusting the merchant 7 9.

He has a dry, mocking sense of humor, frequently directing it at Jiraiya. When discussing Nawaki’s admission as a student, he jokes that choosing him instead of Jiraiya has already earned Nawaki more than half the necessary marks 8 9.

Research becomes a clear priority once he learns about the Extremis virus. He offers to refuse village missions to make time for the project and insists that experiments continue despite repeated fatalities and equipment losses. Karn describes his approach to human experimentation as brutal and efficient; Orochimaru treats dead subjects as contributions toward a successful result 47 49 50.

His treatment of subjects remains ruthless after the initial breakthrough. He kills Tsuchiishi after testing his Wood Release and later disposes of adapted subjects whose ninjutsu aptitude he considers inadequate. His teaching methods are similarly severe, deliberately exploiting Nawaki’s regeneration to correct dangerous habits through repeated injuries 51 55 76.

Under Karn’s influence, his ambition expands from learning every ninjutsu to mastering all knowledge and understanding the laws governing existence. The Hokage position is a means to obtain resources and freedom for that pursuit, not his ultimate purpose. With Nawaki alive and his prospects improving, he has no intention of defecting from Konoha 116 117 176.

Although willing to cooperate closely, Orochimaru maintains personal boundaries and explicitly refuses to become another person’s controlled instrument. He recognizes mutual benefit in Karn’s ambitions and prefers a partner who offers genuinely new knowledge over one who merely extracts value from him 79 116.

As Hokage, he delegates work to capable personnel and does not insist on personally supervising every institution. Political responsibilities increasingly irritate him when they interrupt experiments, and his attention remains on scientific possibilities even immediately after his inauguration 182 183 282 288.

Abilities & Skills

Earth Release

Tsunade considers Orochimaru one of Konoha’s most capable Earth Release users 44.

• Construction: Assigned to create the underground laboratory’s groundwork using Earth Release 48.
• Chakra efficiency: Expects the required techniques to consume little of his chakra 48.
• Security limitation: Karn considers an Earth Release-only structure too easy to infiltrate and arranges additional metal lining and construction work 48.
• Earth Clone: Uses an Earth Clone to distract Kakashi while his real body approaches Naruto during their encounter outside Kikyo Castle 164.

Biological Research

Orochimaru works with Tsunade to combine the Extremis virus’s regenerative properties with Hashirama cells. His role includes interpreting experimental reactions, developing hypotheses, and proposing broader test populations 49 50.

• Requests subjects of different ages and sexes, as well as ninja, to expand the available data 50.
• Warns that taking ninja from Konoha’s prison would give village authorities grounds to interfere with the project 50.
• Initially depends on Karn for serum, replacement instruments, funding, and subjects 48 49 50.
• Conducts large batches of simultaneous trials and prepares individualized serum doses after the method is validated 52 55.
• Receives cell-biology reference materials to supplement methods Karn considers crude and less medically grounded than Tsunade’s 116.
• Tests the enhanced Nawaki with four kinds of snake venom and genjutsu; neither produces an effective result 97.
• Develops techniques for magical-creature breeding, chimeric synthesis, tailed-beast chakra cultivation, and the fusion of exceptional cells and bloodline abilities 94 216 236 367.

Documented Experimental Results

The research is costly: one month of testing consumes three serum vials, kills ten death-row subjects, and destroys three pieces of equipment 49.

Biological Weapons

Soft Body Modification Technique

• Exists only as an idea when Orochimaru joins Tsunade’s research; it is explicitly unfinished, not an available defensive technique at that point 46.
• Much later, Orochimaru disperses into numerous small snakes while pursuing eavesdroppers, but the passage does not identify this ability as the completed Soft Body Modification Technique 163.

Snake Ninjutsu and Summoning

Orochimaru is a Ryūchi Cave contractor and uses snakes for combat, reconnaissance, transportation of supplies, and covert communications. He states that he and Karn are the cave’s only new contractors in nearly a century at the time of their agreement 56 79 92.

• Snake-based perception: Detects concealed people through roaming snakes and special sensory ninjutsu 56.
• Courier snakes: Uses intelligent, chakra-bearing snakes to deliver scrolls, sealed materials, warnings, and summoning signals between himself, Karn, and Ryūchi Cave 79 84 116 157.
• Multiple Hidden Shadow Snake Hands: Sends several venomous snakes to bind and bite an opponent; Naruto’s protective alchemical shield prevents the attack from taking effect 164.
• Deception and diversion: Places false explosive tags inside attacking pythons to force evasive movement without creating noise that would alert patrols 164.
• Self-detonating giant snake: Blocks the Fourth Raikage’s attempt to pursue other ninja by summoning an explosive snake into his path 219.
• Large-scale battlefield summons: Deploys bred fire dragons and enables lower-ranked ninja to contribute through the Combined Summoning Technique 160 163 172.

Extremis Enhancement and Wood Release

Orochimaru eventually uses the Extremis serum retained from the original research project. By the battle against Sunagakure, the virus and Sage Mode are explicitly identified as his two trump cards, and he possesses Wood Release 57 161 163.

His Hashirama cells significantly reinforce his physical constitution despite his slender appearance. Together with Sage Mode, this lets him defeat the Fourth Raikage without resorting to Wood Release or the Sharingan 220.

Orochimaru does not assume that acquiring Hashirama cells and powerful eyes automatically reproduces their original wielders’ strength. He continues studying their interaction, yin–yang balance, and compatibility with the Extremis Virus 179.

Sage Mode and Senjutsu

Orochimaru obtains access to Ryūchi Cave’s Perfect Sage Mode instruction through the monthly fire dragon agreement. His demonstrated Sage Mode produces purple eye markings, blue snake-like chakra, and a powerful aura 92 161.

• Enhanced ninjutsu: Senjutsu chakra raises his offensive power enough that the Third Kazekage alone struggles to contend with him 163.
• Enhanced perception: Tracks the Fourth Raikage’s movement despite the speed of Lightning Release Chakra Mode 220.
• Sage Art: Inorganic Reincarnation: Animates and manipulates inorganic surroundings; its unusual attack patterns contribute to his victory over the Fourth Raikage 219 220.
• Controlled disclosure: Repeatedly treats Sage Mode as sufficient for major battles while preserving Wood Release and ocular abilities as unrevealed reserves 163 219 220.

Sharingan and Rinnegan

Orochimaru possesses a Sharingan by the Sunagakure campaign and is later explicitly confirmed to have the Mangekyō Sharingan. He considers using it to finish a doomed opponent quickly, but avoids doing so against the Fourth Raikage because a living captive is more useful 163 179 219.

By the Pure Land expedition, he possesses the Rinnegan. The supplied account does not explain its acquisition or name the associated transportation technique 386.

• Destination location and transportation: Describes his ocular ability as capable of locating any place and transporting targets there 386.
• Large carrying capacity: States that even the Tailed Beast Nine-Headed Dragon can be transported 386.
• Use in spirit form: Separates a spirit from his body and retains access to the ocular technique, allowing him to locate and enter the Pure Land 386.
• Pure Land travel: Transports Karn with him and later uses the technique to take Jiraiya to another location within the realm 386.

Soul and Energy Research

Orochimaru combines research into Impure World Reincarnation, the Spirit Transformation Technique, the Reaper Death Seal, and related arts to investigate the Pure Land’s location, structure, and possible energy supply 367 386.

His findings distinguish between the persistence of spiritually powerful ninja and ordinary souls, and indicate that the realm’s landscapes vary between individuals. His conclusion that someone controls the Pure Land is initially an investigative finding rather than a complete explanation of its mechanisms 386.

After entering the realm, he collects its energy and identifies its immense chakra reserves as a potential means to advance Hydra cultivation 387.

Leadership and Administration

Orochimaru demonstrates independent command on the Land of Grass and Land of Rivers fronts. His planning includes assigning specialist squads to restrain key opponents, attacking enemy supply and rear areas, and compensating for inexperienced manpower with summoned creatures 116 160 163.

As Hokage, he delegates institutions to specialists, promotes capable followers, uses clan appointments to reshape the administration, and coordinates investigations and military responses. His willingness to leave routine affairs to others also frees substantial time for research 179 182 183 216 280.

Relationships

• Tsunade — Fellow Sannin and research partner. He supports her confrontation with Sarutobi, helps establish the laboratory, and conducts the regenerative experiments alongside her 46 48 50. Their work restores Nawaki, and she helps cover Orochimaru’s mission obligations while he remains in the laboratory. As Hokage, he entrusts medical affairs to her and later grants her an outside assignment despite initially opposing her departure 55 182 225.
• Jiraiya — Fellow student of Sarutobi and Sannin teammate. Orochimaru disapproves of his decision to remain with the Rain orphans and refuses to take responsibility for it 7 8. Their differing views on prophecy, Karn, and the Hokage succession bring them close to estrangement. Orochimaru declares him a missing-nin after his unauthorized departure, but later encounters and takes him aside in the Pure Land 173 176 181 183 386.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi — Teacher and predecessor as Hokage. Orochimaru understands his desire to test Karn but resents the resulting disruption to the research and warns that he will continue pursuing the merchant 47 48. Sarutobi’s discovery of the Karn partnership leads to political obstruction and efforts to prevent Orochimaru’s succession. Orochimaru remains conscious of his teacher’s decisiveness and political ability even as their relationship deteriorates 158 163 164.
• Nawaki — Student. Nawaki’s disabling injuries give Orochimaru a personal reason to participate in the regenerative project 24 46. After Nawaki’s recovery, Orochimaru subjects him to harsh practical training, regards him as a promising future leader, and increasingly leaves village administration in his hands while researching 57 76 179 280.
• Karn — Research sponsor and supplier. Their initially wary acquaintance becomes a working partnership; Orochimaru grows increasingly interested in the organization capable of producing Karn’s serum 7 48 50. He later chooses Karn as his primary partner over Danzō, develops cursed seals for him, supports their coordinated Hokage–daimyo ambitions, and collaborates on biological weapons and Pure Land exploration 79 92 116 117 282 386 387.
• Shimura Danzō — Wartime colleague whom Orochimaru challenges over his proposed treatment of Karn. Karn also views Root’s ability to provide research resources as an incentive he could compete with 9 13 20. Orochimaru ultimately finds Danzō’s offers inferior to Karn’s and, as Hokage, pursues investigations against Root, orders Danzō to return, and authorizes the detention of the Shimura clan 79 179 216 221.
• Mitarashi Anko — Second student and an enthusiastic admirer. She brings him the weekly newspaper during the succession struggle; later accounts emphasize her intense admiration as the basis for her acceptance as his pupil 174 280.
• White Snake Sage and Ryūchi Cave — Summoning allies, training providers, and research partners. Orochimaru trades monthly fire dragons for access to senjutsu instruction and uses the cave as a secure meeting and experimental site. The enhanced nine-headed dragon eventually becomes sufficiently intimidating that the sage orders most of his research moved away 79 92 116 282 289.
• Minato Namikaze — Wartime subordinate and rival in the Hokage election. Orochimaru appoints him deputy commander for the Sunagakure operation, but later defeats him in the succession contest and gives him a final high-stakes opportunity to capture Danzō 160 163 179 225.
• Uchiha Fugaku and the Uchiha clan — Political allies courted through Karn. Orochimaru authorizes concessions to obtain clan support and backs Fugaku’s request to lead the coastal defense, suggesting Nawaki accompany the Uchiha force 169 170 172.
• Hyūga Hiashi — Hokage Advisor and close administrative supporter. Hiashi takes responsibility for many mission assignments, and the Hyūga clan follows Orochimaru’s leadership 225.
• Cloned successor — An unnamed individual cultivated from exceptional cells and compatible bloodline abilities. Orochimaru seeks a vast energy source to support this successor’s further growth 367.

Notable Quotes

“Tsunade, I'm afraid Teacher Sarutobi won't let this go. Prey can't pass right before a predator's jaws and expect to escape so easily. Until it has the prey in its mouth, the hunter won't give up.” 48

“Heh heh. It seems my hypothesis was correct, Tsunade.” 50

“Karn, I think the two of us could deepen our cooperation a bit.” 79

“Karn, do you want to use me, the Hokage, or Konoha to accomplish certain things?” 116

“Destroy the village? I protected hundreds of ninja during Sunagakure's attack. Could you or Mount Myōboku have done that?” 176

“My ocular technique can locate any place and also transport anything there. Even the Tailed Beast Nine-Headed Dragon would be no problem. I can also use my ocular technique as a spirit, and I can lock onto the Pure Land's location...” 386