Board Thread:Naruto Discussions/@comment-25516007-20141008201906/@comment-25152698-20141026224452

Alright, let's put this debate to rest! (not really)

We all know Jiraiya is crazy strong, though so is Orochimaru. Dating back to their days under Hiruzen, all the Sannin were especially gifted, having all graduated from the academy at age 6. Now, that being said, these guys are prodigies. However, Orochimaru was even beyond that... he was a prodigy among prodigies, so let's not forget that. Even against the best of the world, he was... THE BEST.

Now, that's not to say the others wouldn't have progressed as well. Jiraiya and Orochimaru were both offered the position of Kage at different times, though Orochimaru was eventually beaten off by Minato. However, I must say, that Orochimaru, imo is stronger.

Now, let's compare something here. Itachi stated that him and Kisame would not be able to defeat Jiraiya, the same Itachi who effortlessly defeated Orochimaru, in a matter of seconds.

With all that said, we've never seen Orochimaru fight to his fullest. We really haven't. He looked great against Hiruzen, though he really only had the previous hokages do work in that fight, and for the rest of the series, he was crippled.

I'm going to go with...

Orochimaru here.