Boruto’s God Tree Arc Could Signal Orochimaru’s Shocking and Dangerous Return!

This article contains spoilers from the Naruto series.

Summary

Orochimaru’s quest for Forbidden Jutsu is overlooked, impacting his role in Boruto.
Amado replacing Orochimaru lacks the former’s depth in scientific curiosity and ruthlessness.
Without Naruto and Sasuke, Orochimaru’s motives and potential actions in Boruto are uncertain.

As a die-hard Naruto fan, if you were to ask me about a villain who fell short of expectations, it would be none other than Orochimaru. This snake-themed antagonist has garnered such infamy that he’s almost on par with the unnamed villain from Harry Potter in the early parts of the series – particularly when he became Sasuke Uchiha’s top pick for power to avenge his brother Itachi. But when all seemed lost as Orochimaru took Sasuke under his wing, well, let’s just say that the Three Legendary Sannin didn’t quite live up to their reputation. In fact, it was Kabuto who undermined Orochimaro’s schemes and ended up using “his body” for himself. And then came Pain, whose arrival set the stage for more profound, existential threats.

In the finale of Naruto, Orochimaru became less aggressive and merely observed Sasuke out of interest. When Boruto arrived on the scene, Orochimaru’s son became fixated on Boruto much like how Orochimaru had been with Sasuke. It seemed that Orochimaru might not receive a more developed character arc, but then a new antagonist named Jura appeared in Boruto: Two Blue Vortex. However, the arrival of the Otsutsuki clan could potentially lead to Orochimaru refocusing on his original objectives.

The Obsession With All Things Forbidden

It’s Not Just About Immortality

Many people frequently link Orochimaru with his pursuit of everlasting life, yet they often overlook the motivation behind his desire to live forever: to study and acquire Forbidden Jutsu. This is why Orochimaru gained such a notorious reputation for his Impure World Reincarnation. The Third Hokage’s strategy against Orochimaru during the Konoha Crush was to neutralize his sealing abilities rather than kill him, as his advanced regeneration made elimination too inconvenient. Due to Orochimaru’s strategic importance, bringing the Hokage back for Sasuke’s personal mission significantly influenced the outcome of the Fourth Great Ninja War once these leaders also joined the front lines.

If I Take An Interest In Something, I Research It Quite Thoroughly.

Fans found Orochimaru’s behavior in Boruto to be surprisingly mild, as his most significant portrayal in the series was Mitsuki, a clone who gained independence. Moreover, it’s crucial to recall that Orochimaru’s change of heart was mainly due to his interest in Sasuke’s actions after discovering Konoha’s true history. Now that Sasuke is absent, Orochimaru learning about Amado and his expertise in Shinjutsu – considered the peak of Ninjutsu as its precursor – may spark Orochimaru to rekindle his old ambitions once more.

The New Shinjutsu Endgame

Why Refuse To Take Otsutsuki Power To New Heights?

In a fresh twist, Amado Sanzu is revealed to be similar to Boruto’s counterpart of Orochimaru, as he has developed Kara’s Inners – essentially hybrid beings with Shinobi technology and the genetic makeup of the ancient Otsutsuki, Shibai. This development, while potentially beneficial, doesn’t necessarily make Amado a rival to Orochimaru, given that there are other sources of scientific knowledge in Naruto’s world. However, Orochimaru is renowned for his mastery of Forbidden Jutsu – techniques that challenge the very foundations of Ninjutsu and are often employed for malicious purposes. Given Amado’s association with Shibai, a god-like figure, it opens up possibilities for exploring Forbidden Jutsu, particularly Shinjutsu, which was the origin of such practices.

For Amado, the appearance of the Human God-Trees is uncharted ground. With Hokage Shikamaru close to his limit in safeguarding Konoha, he might seek Orochimaru’s scientific expertise. It’ll be fascinating to witness Orochimaru’s response to this development, considering Naruto and Sasuke aren’t around to impede him if he decides to act independently. There’s a chance that Orochimaru might overlook his malicious intentions when faced with the prospect of techniques so potent they can be executed without hand signs.

Amado Is Not As Interesting As Orochimaru

The Cunning Act Could Only Go On For So Long

In the Naruto series, it’s hard to imagine it without a character akin to a Mad Scientist, and while Orochimaru instilled terror in the people of Konoha during Part 1, Amado Sanzu took on this role in Boruto. Initially, Amado was known as the brilliant scientist responsible for cyberizing Kara members with Shinobiware. However, it’s later uncovered that his true motive is the successful resurrection of his daughter, regardless of whether her new body would be that of an alien Otsutsuki. This paternal side isn’t openly displayed by Amado, but he is often depicted as relishing in his complex schemes and showing off his strategic prowess – such as the plan to kill Isshiki Otsutsuki with Kashin Koji, the intricate maneuverings with Shikamaru Nara, and even positioning himself as a valuable asset deserving political refuge in Konoha.

Regrettably, despite Amado’s impressive scientific abilities reminiscent of Orochimaru’s, he fails to capture the same level of interest – it’s worth noting that Isshiki easily overpowers Kashin, whereas Amado frequently uses his “secret knowledge” as a crutch in situations where he underestimated his resources. In instances where Amado primarily serves as a source of information about the Otsutsuki lore, one can’t help but yearn for the raw ferocity and ruthlessness that original Orochimaru possessed.

Is This Long Enough For Change?

A Heartwarming Quote Can Be Foreboding

In simpler terms, when Tsunade recalls Jiraiya with Orochimaru, she wonders what Jiraiya would say if he saw Orochimaru working with Konoha now. Orochimaru responded with a saying that essentially means “People either change or they die before they do – it’s one or the other.” Although some fans may interpret this statement as a prophecy, it’s important to note that it might not be meant literally, but it certainly gives a sense of foreboding. Given that Orochimaru is still alive and has changed in the past, some wonder if he could change again, especially after such a long time.

Naruto himself acknowledges that it’s a tricky situation regarding Orochimaru, hinting at the importance of his research and the advantage of monitoring him from within Konoha. Without Naruto keeping tabs, whether Orochimaru will stray again is largely dependent on his own moral compass – an uncertainty given his past actions.

No Sasuke And Naruto Means No Raison D’être

Sasuke’s Path Was Orochimaru’s Original Anchor

In the Fourth Great Ninja War, when Tsunade questions OrochimarU if he’ll renege on their trust again, the Sannin replies: “My interests have grown more diverse now. Earlier, I yearned to be the wind and spin my own mill. But now, I appreciate the joy of waiting for another’s wind, an unpredictable one.” This suggests that Orochimaru has chosen to take a step back and observe the actions of characters like Sasuke, who was forcibly orphaned and must decide the fate of the Village that wronged his family. The implication is that Sasuke will be a significant force in Konoha’s history, creating events so intriguing that they would captivate Orochimaru enough to make him watch.

It becomes quite fascinating to ponder what Orochimaru could possibly think about Sasuke, now as Sasaukage, being appointed almost like a Combined Role of Badass Diplomat Spy and Student of Naruto’s son. In many aspects, this role seems to have tamed him more than the unpredictable changes Orochimaru had anticipated. Adding to that, his final statement to Tsunade – “I don’t want that wind to be sealed before I can enjoy it,” – certainly adds to the intrigue, as it will be interesting to observe Orochimaru’s reaction when Sasuke transforms into a rogue ninja, only to have his powers seemingly diminished in a rather anticlimactic sealing. With his wind (temporarily) reduced to a mere scent, will Orochimaru once again start setting his own path?

The Pieces Are Already In Place

Mitsuki’s Obsession With The Sun

When Mitsuki initially breaks free from Orochimaru’s control, the first thing he seeks out is his “Sun,” a symbolic representation that aligns with his character and name meaning. Initially, he concentrates on Boruto, aiming to find his unique path instead of being overshadowed by the Hokage. However, when Boruto and Kawaki swap lives due to omnipotence, Mitsuki inadvertently finds himself drawn towards Kawaki – a development that displeases Kawaki, while Mitsuki somehow senses an unusual quality in his own version of loyalty.

In a different phrasing: Mitsuki’s fascination with the Sun in the story might simply be a means for his character to escape Omnipotence. However, it’s not unreasonable to think that this apparent fixation on Naruto’s son could have been deliberately engineered. If Orochimaru arranged Mitsuki’s release, it wouldn’t be surprising if Orochimaru’s genetic makeup also instilled in Mitsuki a desire to pursue and understand power. At its worst, Orochimaru might have programmed Mitsuki as an unwitting spy to monitor these new situations while Orochimaru is under observation. In extreme cases, Mitsuki could use his advanced transformations to maintain control over the situation if things spiral out of control.

2025-04-21 19:04