Orochimaru is one of the Leaf Village's most cunning and notorious enemies. He has devised a plethora of jutsu to weaponize against Konoha and any who would stand in the way of his quest for knowledge and immortal life.

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He does not wage his tireless wars alone. The Sannin has employed minions and apprentices alike to do his bidding, the latter which includes Kabuto and Sasuke Uchiha. However, there are other potential candidates who have both the ability and the past for the snake shinobi to take an interest in. We explore five ninjas Orochimaru might consider as an apprentice and five he'd never want.

10 Reject - Choji

Choji Akimichi Casually Smiling in Naruto Shippuden

Choji's size enhancing jutsu and butterfly technique are both features that would pique Orochimaru's curiosity, especially in the way his body is able to process food pills. He displayed enough strength to take out Jirobo of the Sound Four with brute strength, beating him at his own game.

However, there isn't an angle the Sannin could exploit to interest him in recruitment. Choji's heart is pure, as demonstrated in his reticence to injury Asuma even after his sensei gave him permission. His lack of viciousness would render Orochimaru disinterested.

9 Want - Sai

Sai naruto

Sai's ability to create an innumerable slew of beasts and creatures would fascinate Orochimaru, especially combined with his experience in the Foundation. 

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His personality would also make him an ideal candidate, having expunged most human emotions as part of his training. This would make it difficult for him to understand the gravity of the actions he took in Orochimaru's name and make it unlikely that he would betray his master. Both are excellent qualities when grooming a pawn against the Leaf Village and its allies.

8 Reject - Konan

Konan looking down thoughtfully in Naruto Shippuden.

Initially, Konan was complicit in Nagato's schemes because she was convinced that the Akatsuki was an overall benefit to the world ~ at least, once Pain's vision was realized. After his sacrifice and subsequent death, she found its new leadership detestable and was willing to lay down her life to thwart it.

Her idealism is directly opposed to what Orochimaru stands for. Konan's paper bomb technique may possess enough firepower to interest him in her, to begin with, but her robust morals would make it difficult for him to tempt her with anything she'd want, save restoring her friend to life.

7 Want - Haku

Haku from Naruto.

Haku was fanatically loyal to Zabuza because the Mist Demon gave him companionship and purpose. Through careful manipulation, Orochimaru would be able to convince him to join his cause under pretenses of the same reward. His needles and mirrors make him a formidable shinobi whose talents are only destined to improve with the proper scientific augmentations.

This is much akin to the Sannin's relationship with Kimimaro, whose zealous loyalty is on account of the fact that he came from nothing. Poetically, once Haku had joined their rank, the two would get along marvelously.

6 Reject - Tenten

One of the most prodigious reasons Orochimaru would reject Tenten is on account of her abilities. Her techniques may be activated by Ninjutsu, though they are primarily physical attacks (as they're simply releasing the contents of the scroll on their opponents). This contrasts most of the skills we've seen practiced by Orochimaru and his followers.

Furthermore, Tenten is capable of seeing through deception. She was one of the few shinobi able to notice the Infinite Tsukuyomi while she was inside it and call it out for the fraud it was. This would make it extremely difficult for Orochimaru to deceive her, as she's more perceptive than he is cunning.

5 Want - Shikamaru

Anime shikamaru Cropped

While Shikamaru may superficially seem like a hard man to bribe (mostly on account of his staggering apathy), there was a moment in time he desperately yearned to meet an objective more than anything else. It is when he sought to avenge Asuma's death by Hidan.

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Much like Sasuke, Orochimaru would be compelled by the prospect of an intelligent, capable follower and coax him to join his ranks with the immeasurable power he has seen for himself. Though it may not be successful, Nara would be a possibility worthy of attention nonetheless.

4 Reject - Rock Lee

Rock lee drunk

Rock Lee and Orochimaru are practically opposites to one another. Lee is honest and hardworking, while Orochimaru is conniving and wicked. Further, his fighting style relies entirely on Taijutsu, whereas the Sannin prefers Ninjutsu and occasionally Genjutsu, making it difficult to instruct him in a way that he knows how.

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Any modifications that Orochimaru would attempt to impose on Lee's body would be rejected, as the youth would see it as a betrayal of his training and defilement of his body. Therefore, the two are fated enemies, not allies.

3 Want - Gaara

Before Gaara met Naruto, there was a hole in his heart that could only be filled with bloodshed. He wantonly visited his evil upon others, placating the hurt he felt for the cruelty in his past.

Though Orochimaru may have manipulated the Sand Village against Konoha, Gaara would have made an excellent disciple for that reason. It would especially play into the Sannin's interest in Jinchuriki as seen through his fixation with Naruto. With a scientifically augmented Shukaku, the battle with Gamabunta may have gone very differently.

2 Reject - Shishui Uchiha

Shisui uchiha

Orochimaru would be fascinated with the idea of another Sharingan user at his disposal, though the interest would not be mutually reciprocated. Shishui has proven himself to be honorable and self-sacrificing, as seen through his attempt to bridge the gap between the Senju and Uchiha clans at the cost of his own life.

The only way the Sannin could hope to impress him into his service as if he were to somehow convince him that what he was doing was in the interest of the Leaf, but this goodwill would be squandered through his association with Danzo.

1 Want - Sakura

sakura haruno from naruto putting on a glove.

As the prodigy of Tsunade and possibly the strongest woman in Konoha, Orochimaru would enjoy having a talented medical ninja at his side to compliment Kabuto. She also has an incentive to join the snake shinobi, as he has something she wants more than life itself; Sasuke Uchiha.

Haruno was willing to turn her back on the village for his sake and jeopardize her health to be with him. This renders her a vulnerable subject for Orochimaru's whispers. With her among his minions, he would be able to push the limits of the human body even further, having an advanced healer to remedy any injuries he incurs.

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