Orochimaru also noticed Naruto's gaze.
"Heh, this kid noticed me long ago... I'm getting more and more interested in you." He licked his lips, seeming excited to have found such an interesting prospect.
Having the Nine-Tails sealed within him, extraordinary potential, and seeing through his disguise... in Orochimaru's eyes, these were all "good traits" for a rogue ninja, making him worthy of being taken as a disciple. After all, as a veteran teacher with students everywhere, he felt no great hostility toward Naruto's provocation.
Chapter 56