4. Sasuke vs Orochimaru

Orochimaru desired to master every Jutsu and uncover the mysteries of the world. To achieve immortality, he created the Fushi Tensei Jutsu, which allowed him to transfer his soul into a new vessel. During the Tensei ritual, Orochimaru transformed into a giant white snake and transferred his soul into a chosen host. By taking over another’s body, Orochimaru regained youth and extended his life indefinitely.

Unfortunately, Orochimaru’s body could only last for three years after performing the Tensei. After that, his body would deteriorate due to severe illness. Before his body decayed completely, Orochimaru had to find a new vessel for his soul. However, if he found a compatible and strong body, he wouldn’t need to search for a new vessel every three years and could use that body permanently.

Although Shikamaru and his team failed to bring Sasuke back to Konoha during the mission to retrieve him, they managed to delay the Sound Four’s journey to deliver Sasuke to Orochimaru. The longer Orochimaru waited for Sasuke, the worse his condition became until his body reached its limit. As a result, Orochimaru was forced to use Genyuumaru as a temporary vessel.

Even though Sasuke eventually arrived and agreed to become Orochimaru’s next vessel, Orochimaru couldn’t immediately perform the Tensei ritual again after transferring into Genyuumaru’s body. He needed to wait another three years before he could attempt the ritual with Sasuke as the new vessel.

While waiting for Genyuumaru’s body to reach its limit, Orochimaru agreed to Sasuke’s request to train him. Orochimaru taught Sasuke various Jutsu and helped him enhance his Sharingan abilities, hoping to possess Sasuke’s power after taking over his body in the future.

Orochimaru had long desired the Sharingan and was obsessed with acquiring an Uchiha’s body as his vessel. Since Itachi was too strong to defeat, Orochimaru set his sights on Sasuke instead. Therefore, when Orochimaru’s body was deteriorating and reaching its limit, he was overjoyed at the thought of finally obtaining Sasuke’s body as his next vessel.

However, Orochimaru’s misfortune continued as Sasuke took advantage of his weakened state and launched an attack, intending to eliminate Orochimaru. Sasuke used a lightning-shaped blade of chakra that pierced through both of Orochimaru’s wrists.

Sasuke then declared that Orochimaru had nothing left to teach him. He also stated that Orochimaru was weaker than him and that he no longer needed to offer his body to Orochimaru. Sasuke even boasted that the Uchiha clan’s power surpassed the legendary status of the Sannin.

Sasuke expressed his disgust with Orochimaru’s experiments on humans and his ambition to unravel the world’s mysteries. He then attacked Orochimaru with his blade, aiming for his mouth. In response, Orochimaru transformed into his true form—a giant white snake—and counterattacked Sasuke, resulting in an intense battle between Sasuke in his Stage 2 form and Orochimaru in his serpent form.

Sasuke wielded his lightning blade to slash through Orochimaru’s serpent body, severing several parts. However, Sasuke’s body suddenly collapsed after inhaling the vaporized fluids emitted from the snake’s body, which acted as a paralyzing poison. As Sasuke lay motionless, Orochimaru prepared to devour him.

Sasuke was then pulled into Orochimaru’s Tensei dimension, where their bodies became enveloped in fleshy masses. Orochimaru, with his gaze fixed on Sasuke’s Sharingan, whispered his desire for the powerful eyes. The Tensei ritual took place within Orochimaru’s subconscious, where he held the advantage. The serpent within the ritual was meant to consume its victim, ensuring Orochimaru would obtain the new body.

However, as Orochimaru attempted to take over Sasuke’s body, Sasuke’s Sharingan reversed the ritual. Sasuke used his Stage 2 form to break apart Orochimaru’s dimension and commanded the ritual’s serpent to devour Orochimaru instead. In the end, Sasuke successfully took control of Orochimaru’s power.

# Why Sasuke Was Able to Defeat Orochimaru

Although Sasuke defeated Orochimaru, Orochimaru was already in a weakened state due to his body reaching its limit. Later, Karin mocked Sasuke for struggling against Deidara despite having easily defeated Orochimaru. Sasuke explained to Karin that the reason he had defeated Orochimaru so easily was that Orochimaru had been severely weakened at the time.