The Sound Four: Orochimaru’s Unbeatable Shinobi Bodyguards

Despite being mere henchmen, the Sound Four were an incredibly formidable group, even rumored to rival the status of Konoha's Jonin.

Naruto Sound Four’s Power Level

Naruto Orochimaru Sound Four Source: Mix Images

Orochimaru’s disciples and experiments have always been a source of villainy in the Naruto series, and the Sound Four was no exception. These fearsome shinobi served as Orochimaru’s personal bodyguards and were considered the strongest within the Hidden Sound Village. Shikamaru himself estimated their skill level to be close to Jonin shinobi 1. With unique abilities and formidable powers, the Sound Four were undoubtedly one of the most dangerous antagonistic groups in Naruto 2.

The Collective Strength of the Sound Four

Naruto Orochimaru Sound Four Source: Mix Images

The Sound Four were initially prisoners of Orochimaru, forced to survive countless battle royales. Their exceptional strength impressed Orochimaru, who designated them as his personal bodyguards. This fact alone speaks volumes about the group’s collective strength. They even had the ability to mask each other’s weaknesses, becoming an unbeatable powerhouse 3.

The Sound Four achieved incredible feats, such as forming the Four Violets Flames Formation, an impenetrable barrier that incinerates anyone foolish enough to pass through it. Additionally, they successfully took on Raido and Genma, two of the Hokage Guard Platoon’s strongest members 4.

Kidomaru of the East Gate

Kidomaru’s Curse Mark Source: Mix Images

Kidomaru, a versatile shinobi, possessed both short-range taijutsu and long-range piercing attacks. His powers revolved around a spider theme, allowing him to sprout extra appendages and secrete sticky honey-like substances and silk-like webs. With the amplification from his Cursed Seal, Kidomaru’s endurance and techniques became even more potent 5.

However, Kidomaru’s true strength lay in his keen intellect. During his fight against Neji Hyuga, he quickly deciphered the workings of the Byakugan, including finding its blind spot—something no other shinobi had accomplished. Although not quite at a Jonin level as the series claims, Kidomaru’s power easily compared to other powerful Chunin 6.

Sakon and Ukon of the West Gate

Sakon and Ukon Curse Mark Source: Mix Images

Sakon and Ukon formed a unique pair, possessing an extremely powerful Kekkei Genkai and unrivaled strength. Orochimaru appointed them as the leaders of the Sound Four. Normally conjoined as twins, Ukon remained attached to Sakon’s body. However, they had the power to separate at will, effectively turning the twins into two individual shinobi 7.

Their true power lay in the second stage of their Cursed Seal, which allowed them to merge with their opponents and harm them from within. This ability made Sakon and Ukon virtually invulnerable. Only through Kankuro’s intervention was Kiba saved from certain death 8.

Tayuya of the North Gate

Tayuya playing her flute with her Cursed Seal active in the Naruto anime Source: Mix Images

Tayuya, although not physically the strongest, was undoubtedly the most cunning member of the Sound Four. Her main technique involved an auditory genjutsu produced by her special flute. Once caught in her siren-like trap, victims were helplessly restrained. The databooks rank Tayuya’s genjutsu skill level alongside Kurenai and Itachi, two of the most powerful genjutsu users in the Naruto series 9.

Unlike regular genjutsu, Tayuya’s ability was ingenious. Victims trapped in her genjutsu couldn’t escape through conventional methods. Even the genius Shikamaru failed to find a counter to her power. If Temari had not intervened, Shikamaru would likely have fallen victim to Tayuya’s might 10.

Jirobo of the South Gate

Jirobo’s Curse Mark Source: Mix Images

Jirobo, often considered the weakest of the Sound Four, is infamous for his immense strength and colossal Earth Style techniques. His defensive abilities, such as the Earth Dome Prison, were capable of draining victims’ chakra and eventually killing them. Despite his perceived weakness compared to his comrades, Jirobo proved to be an unbeatable beast during his fight against Choji in the Sasuke Retrieval Arc 11.

Only through Choji’s Three Colored Pills, a power boost that increased his strength by almost one hundred times, was Jirobo ultimately defeated. This last-second cheat was Choji’s only saving grace, and even then, he was left in a near-death state after winning the battle 12.

Naruto is available to stream on Prime Video 13.

Q&A

Q: Are the Sound Four stronger individually or as a group?
A: The Sound Four’s strength lies in their collective power. Each member masks the other’s weaknesses, turning them into an unbeatable force. Individually, they are still formidable, but as a group, their strength is unparalleled.

Q: How does Kidomaru’s intelligence contribute to his strength?
A: Kidomaru’s keen intellect allows him to quickly analyze and exploit his opponents’ weaknesses. During his fight against Neji Hyuga, he deciphered the workings of the Byakugan, making him a formidable adversary.

Q: What makes Sakon and Ukon unique?
A: Sakon and Ukon are conjoined twins with an incredibly powerful Kekkei Genkai. Their ability to merge with opponents and harm them from within makes them virtually invulnerable in battle.

Q: How does Tayuya’s genjutsu differ from others?
A: Tayuya’s genjutsu, produced by her flute, restrains victims in place and is difficult to escape. Her ingenious technique traps victims in a way that regular genjutsu cannot.

Q: What are Jirobo’s strengths despite being considered the weakest member of the Sound Four?
A: Jirobo possesses immense strength and uses large-scale Earth Style techniques. His defensive abilities, such as the Earth Dome Prison, drain victims’ chakra, making him a formidable opponent.

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