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The first part of the “Naruto” series quickly established some significant threats, whether it was Zabuza on the bridge or the sociopathic era of Gaara during the “Chunin Exam Arc.” However, there was no greater evil in “Naruto” at this point than Orochimaru. He is the series’ first major antagonist and arguably manages to get away with so much in so little time. He gives the series one of its earliest tragic deaths by killing the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, in the episode “Beyond the Limit of Darkness and Light”(via Crunchyroll). What makes the win particularly hard to swallow is that if he’d had more strength, Sarutobi could have sealed away Orochimaru’s soul and stopped him altogether. Instead, Orochimaru leaves a hole in the heart of Konoha and later snags another worthy victory with one of the village’s own.
Orochimaru is able to get Sasuke to follow him, and it all begins with Episode 30 of the series when he leaves Sasuke with the curse mark. The mark grants its user more power at the cost of their mind. And Orochimaru’s entire aim was to use it to possess Sasuke’s body. However, the move sets up several unforeseen wins for the villain. Notably, it plays into Sasuke’s quest for more power at any cost, which causes him to abandon his friends and village. The young Uchiha continues his dark path well into “Shippuden,” even managing to become a wanted criminal. Orochimaru couldn’t have foreseen Sasuke’s path, but he certainly wasn’t complaining as it pitted him against former friends and teachers.
Written by: Looper
