By this time, Orochimaru had already pushed the nature and shape transformations of any of the five elemental release types (Fire Release, Water Release, Wind Release, Lightning Release, and Earth Release) to the absolute pinnacle. One could say he was not the least bit inferior to Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was known as the Professor of Ninjutsu!
Not only that, he had also cleverly absorbed the essence of the five-element ninjutsu from the second stage of Kakuzu's Earth Grudge Fear Secret Jutsu, developing it even further.
At the same time, he drew inspiration from the bloodline fusion concepts and partial techniques of the Chimera technique, making the power of his compound ninjutsu greater than ever before, faintly surpassing the level of Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Chapter 442