Possibilities of Unknowns

[BananaFob]

That is a good point. I mean if his soul was taken in exchange for sealing the 9 tails then it shouldnt be out there from Oro to use then. And further more, how did the other villages come across this Jutsu if it is soooo secret? Did the 4th tell other Villages about it or did someone tell him? Soo many questions not enough answers! -dg-

Wasn't Orochimaru part of Konoha? Also, he was still a sensei to Yondaime, as like Gai is to Naruto. They must have had some kind of contact or discussion about it, and also, Orochimaru was developing and researching jutsus (with Kabuto?) before he left Konoha, so Orochimaru might have known about it before.

EDIT: Jaysee, that's what I meant. Gai is not actually a teacher to Naruto, but he is still a teacher. Otherwise, I would have used the Kakashi-Naruto example. And yes, I knew that Orochimaru was older than Yondaime.

[JaySee]

He's considered a traitor to Konoha. He wasn't one of the 4th's teachers. The 3rd and Jiraiya were his teachers, but I guess he was an elder to be called sensei. Orochimaru picked up Kabuto after he left. Orochimaru left before the 4th became the 4th.

[kAi]

He's considered a traitor to Konoha. He wasn't one of the 4th's teachers. The 3rd and Jiraiya were his teachers, but I guess he was an elder to be called sensei. Orochimaru picked up Kabuto after he left. Orochimaru left before the 4th became the 4th.

Orochimaru was pissed that he didn't get chosen as the 4th. So, I think it would've been just after.

[JaySee]

The 4th could've been chosen as the succesor or favorite before he got the title. They also showed that he ran away after being discovered doing his experiments by the 3rd. Either way, it was before the 4th died and Naruto was born.

[kAi]

If Sandaime had heard rumours of his pupil doing such experiements, I think he would've insisted on going.

How do you know it was before Naruto was born?

[JaySee]

It seems obvious to me that Sarutobi (looking too young to be retired) was still Hokage leading the ANBU when he caught Orochimaru.

I think it played out like this: Orochimaru wanted to be Hokage. Sarutobi said "No way you sadistic freak!" Orochimaru got caught and ran away. Jiraiya was too much a perv and Tsunade had gambling problems so they were bad candidates. Then Sarutobi picked the 4th as his successor.

The genin exam clearly shows Orochimaru doesn't know who Naruto is. If he was in the village when Naruto was born, he would know Naruto.

[kAi]

Can you look at other peoples baby photo's and know it's them?

I think it was also said that 10 years ago, Sarutobi could've been a better match or beaten Orochimaru when they had their fight. So he might've still looked pretty fresh back then, 10 years does a lot.

[kAi]

It seems obvious to me that Sarutobi (looking too young to be retired) was still Hokage leading the ANBU when he caught Orochimaru.

I think it was also said that 10 years ago, Sarutobi could've been a better match or beaten Orochimaru when they had their fight. So he might've still looked pretty fresh back then, 10 years does a lot.

You are the one that brought up that he was to young looking to be retired.

Orochimaru running away, the Kyubi incident, these events would've happened around the same time, the only question is when, before or after.

[jing]

Yup, kAi's right about that one. Furthermore, I think the jutsu Jiraiya forbid Naruto to use isn't transforming into 4tails because that is already triggered by anger. The jutsu Naruto knows, is probably once in a lifetime thing.