Chapter 65:
Orochimaru and his team gained their fame during the Second Shinobi World War. But before that, they were relatively unknown, even to most of the ninjas within Konoha. Back then, few people knew them or that they were the disciples of the Third Hokage.
It was similar to how, during the original series, Namikaze Minato became known only after his exploits against the Iwa ninjas, despite being extremely powerful. In large clans like the Uchiha and Hyuga, many members didn't even know their own relatives, so it wasn't surprising that Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya were also relatively unknown at the time.
As Orochimaru's team faced off against their opponents, many of the onlookers thought the match was uninteresting. In their minds, civilian ninjas, especially ones as young as Orochimaru and his teammates, couldn't possibly put on an exciting fight.
"These three kids are way too young, aren't they?" one spectator murmured.
"They look like they just graduated," another added.
"Ugh, this match is going to be boring. It's gonna be a complete mismatch," a third person complained.
"Yeah, probably a complete crush."
Inside the training ground, Orochimaru's team and Saosuke's team were already in position, ready to fight.
"Get into position! Ready… begin!" shouted the examiner.