Chapter 172:
Orochimaru's abilities, Wood Release and the Sharingan, are both techniques he can't reveal for the time being. Therefore, he uses them with great caution.
For instance, when he subdued Manda before, he specifically chose an isolated area on the outskirts of Konoha. Likewise, when dealing with the airborne ninja from the Land of Sky just now, he positioned himself at a particular angle.
He believed that in the chaos of the recent battle, no one would notice the brief shift in his pupils.
And indeed, that was the case.
His team was the only one present at that location, with the other Konoha ninjas stationed farther away. As for his own squad, the cover they had chosen happened to be positioned behind him, so they wouldn't have seen Orochimaru's eyes at all.
The only one who could have noticed was Hizashi with his Byakugan. However, Hizashi had been focused on the airborne enemies, making it unlikely he noticed Orochimaru's actions.
Orochimaru ignored the Sky ninja who had been swallowed by the mire. Instead, he took the lead in retrieving his equipment.
Seeing this weapon, both Nawaki and Hizashi were momentarily stunned.
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