Board Thread:Versus Debates/@comment-24163532-20160315014504/@comment-26369387-20160315202443

^To be fair, Jiraiya wasn't completely focused to the fight. What I mean is that as they were fighting, Jiraiya tried to question Orochimaru, his teammate and arguably one of his best friends, the reason why he did all those experiments. Orochimaru only taunted him, so Jiraiya's mind was distracted, unable to bring his A-game. It would be only later when Jiraiya had theory about Orchimaru's parents.

As for Naruto vs. Sasuke, Naruto did had an idea why Sasuke would go to Orochimaru: Itachi, meaning he was far more focused to bring back Sasuke.

That's how I see it. shrugs