Orochimaru and Kabuto were unique in the Naruto universe since they were the only villains from the original series to have evaded justice for their actions. It has been Kabuto's ambition to surpass his teacher since he volunteered to his service.
Though Kabuto has succeeded Orochimaru well in some measures, there are others to which he can never compare. By identifying the ways he has become even stronger than the Sannin and how he hasn't, we may best appreciate the stunning progress he made after his debut in the Chunin Exam. Moreover, we gain a fuller understanding of his master's power.
10 SURPASSED: Kabuto's Research Surpassed Orochimaru's Wildest Dreams
After Orochimaru's death, Kabuto was persistent in continuing his work. Studying the cadavers of the Sound Five, he eventually mastered their powers and integrated them into his body - as well as his former mentor's.
Additionally, he unlocked the mysterious Snake Sage mode, harnessing energy even superior to Naruto's Toad Sage alternative (since it actively siphons the energy around him, rather than requiring stillness for a burst of power). This illustrated his affinity for forbidden techniques and proved him to be the Sannin's worthiest successor.
9 DIDN'T: Kabuto Never Had Orochimaru's Charisma
Orochimaru's ability to woo and compel others was just as useful and deadly as any of his jutsu. He understood how to win people over to his side, inviting Sasuke to join him in the Sound Village rather than using force. With his wiles, he was even able to stay his execution once Naruto became Hokage.
This has never been a feat that Kabuto reciprocated. While he may be a decent spy and master of disguise, he is abrasive and condescending under most ordinary circumstances.
8 SURPASSED: Kabuto's Allies Were Beyond Orochimaru's Skill
The success of a villain can only truly be weighed through the merit of their allies. In spite of his charisma, Orochimaru had difficulty maintaining the connections he made. He briefly befriended the Sand Village in order to attack the Leaf and was quickly discarded from the Akatsuki shortly after his introduction.
Conversely, Kabuto aligned with Obito and Madara, two of the most powerful shinobi in the world at the time. He supplemented their strength with an entire army, rendering him a worthy ally and providing distractions until their machinations could be completed.
7 DIDN'T: Orochimaru's Summoning Remains Unrivaled
Among Orochimaru's most formidable jutsu is his ability to summon the Manda, a colossal snake that could contend with the likes of Jiraiya's Gamabunta and Tsunade's Katsuya simultaneously. Moreover, it wreaked havoc on the Leaf even by itself during the Sand's invasion.
Kabuto is not without summoning; through channeling Tayuya's jutsu, he can produce three giants to do his bidding. However, they are not nearly as deadly as their serpentine counterpart and are significantly smaller than it is. Further, should Kabuto use this ability, he cannot harness the power of the other henchmen so long as it's being channeled.
6 SURPASSED: Kabuto Was Able To Make Better Use Of The Edo Tensei
Both Kabuto and Orochimaru were familiar with how to cast the Edo Tensei. The latter's most famous application of it was through how he summoned Tobirama and Hashirama to fight Hiruzen Sarutobi, ultimately overwhelming him.
In spite of the Sannin's feats, Kabuto has displayed a much greater affinity for it. Through graverobbing mausoleums across the five nations, he was able to raise an entire army of undead thralls to do his bidding. This demonstrated astounding tenacity and chakra control in addition to considerable tactical skills.
5 DIDN'T: Orochimaru Had A Far Greater Legacy Than Kabuto Ever Will
For all of the chaos Kabuto unleashed in the Fourth Ninja War, his Edo Tensei minions ultimately accomplished a precious little aside from resurrecting Madara. The fallen Uchiha was responsible for the bulk of the casualties that the Allied Shinobi Forces incurred.
Orochimaru has a far greater legacy with a more daunting impact on the series. Not only was he responsible for Sasuke's decline into darkness, but he was also a veteran of the Second Shinobi War and a member of the Legendary Sannin. Perhaps most importantly, he even established an entire village by himself.
4 SURPASSED: Kabuto Has Become Stronger Than Orochimaru
One of the most important metrics in measuring a villain's worth is through their raw strength. Though Kabuto initially could not match his mentor, his skills gradually increased over the course of the series and skyrocketed after Orochimaru's demise.
By the end of the series, Orochimaru was no more powerful than he was after his introduction. Conversely, Kabuto was strong enough to face down Sasuke and Itachi simultaneously - the former of which had defeated the Sannin by himself.
3 DIDN'T: Orochimaru Was Always A Better Teacher
Among Kabuto's greatest flaws is that he never sought to take a student of his own. Consequently, he was forced to do everything by himself, especially since Obito was less interested in their alliance than he was and instead focused on his own agenda.
Conversely, Orochimaru had no shortage of disciples. He actively scoured the globe looking for those he might lure into his service, whether through slavery or enticing them with the power he offered. His pupils enacted his will and preserved his longevity against an increasingly vigilant Konoha.
2 SURPASSED: Kabuto Was Never Technically Defeated
Arguably Kabuto's most impressive feat is that while he may not have always won his battles, he was never left at the heroes' mercy. Though Itachi managed to sedate him, it was with the power of the Izanami - a technique intended only to neutralize him, rather than overwhelming him outright.
Conversely, Orochimaru has been humiliated on a number of occasions, including his defeat by the hand of the other two Sannin but most importantly for his death to Sasuke Uchiha. This blemishes his reputation as a duplicitous and resilient shinobi, especially since he was ultimately undone through his own scheme.
1 DIDN'T: Kabuto Never Mastered Orochimaru's Immortality
Though Kabuto became one of the strongest characters in the Naruto universe by the end of the series, he was never able to master his mentor's immortality. This portends that Orochimaru will outlive his former student and perhaps even surpass him again one day (should he find the correct vessel).
However, the Sannin's agelessness comes at a cost. Every three years, his current form begins to deteriorate and fall apart. This leaves him vulnerable for potential enemies to capitalize on his condition and put him down, but he has proven that even killing him isn't permanent.