That wasn't Orochimaru.[1] That was Kabuto, during the Chuunin exam. Honestly, I don't think he has any particularly special ability other than being a very strong Jounin. I'd compare him favorably to Zabuza, for example. If you recall, during the battle with Zabuza, Sasuke almost flipped out and killed himself because of the "murderous intent" (or was it "blood lust"? -- I forget) Kakashi and Zabuza were giving off.Originally Posted by rockmanj
When Kabuto said he didn't want to awaken his old self, I don't think he meant more than just showing his powers as a Jounin -- "murderous intent", elemental chakra control, etc -- and blowing his cover. Everybody would have noticed if some seven time flunkie suddenly turned into a rival to Kakashi. He was still a spy for Orochimaru at that point.
[1] Okay, maybe it was. If you're thinking about the scene where Orochimaru tells Kabuto he trusts him, Orochimaru meant that he couldn't read Kabuto's facial expression, and that he wasn't sure what he would do.
There's a difference between bad and evil character now? If Kabuto was a sincere subordinate to Orochimaru, he was just straight up evil, just like his master. And there is good reason to think he was loyal to Orochimaru. During the Chuunin exam, Kabuto could have killed Sasuke and screwed up Orochimaru's plan. Orochimaru even doubted him. If he was under a mind control jutsu like Yamato said, Orochimaru wouldn't have doubted Kabuto.Originally Posted by Abdula