Here be spoilers. Any thing that has not been aired on the free version^noteone week after the paid version of Crunchyroll should be spoiler-tagged.

Kabuto Yakushi

Voiced as an adult by: Nobutoshi Canna (JP), Henry Dittman (EN, main series)^noteKirk Thornton in Episode 135, Cam Clarke (EN, Rock Lee's Springtime of Youth), Moisés Ivan Mora (Latin America), Ricardo Escobar (Spain)
Voiced as a child by: Mariko Mizuno (JP), Tara Sands (EN)

Debut: Naruto Chapter 39 (Manga), Naruto Episode 23 (Anime)

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/naruto_kabuto_yakushi_2.png

Kabuto in Part I

^{Click here to see him after he integrated Orochimaru's cells into his body}

"I am no longer a snake… sage power has allowed me to shed that skin… and I am a dragon now!!"

As a young child, Kabuto was orphaned in the Shinobi World War. Konoha's Head of Medical Corps took pity on him, taking him in and teaching him medicine. This is revealed to be a cover given to him by Orochimaru. He was actually taken in by an orphanage run by Nonō Yakushi, a former Root member whom he considered his mother. He joined Root to supply the orphanage with money but was eventually attacked by and forced to kill Nonō, who Danzo had tricked intending for them to kill each other, causing him to cross the Despair Event Horizon. Orochimaru found him and took him in, offering him a new identity in exchange for his allegiance, which Kabuto accepted. At some point in the past, he started working for Sasori on Orochimaru's orders, who erased part of his memory to make him a sleeper agent. Then, when Orochimaru defected from Akatsuki, he broke the memory seal, and Kabuto became Orochimaru's follower.

In combat, Kabuto uses medical techniques that he repurposed for combat. His main technique is the Ninja Scalpel, which can sever the strongest muscles with great ease. This, combined with his love of torture, makes him an especially dangerous opponent.

Kabuto shows up in the first series during the Chunin Exams; at first, he appears to be a good guy, helping Naruto's team make it to the finish. Later, it's revealed he's spying on Naruto and Sasuke. After this revelation, he (while disguised as an ANBU) heals Hinata's rather severe internal injuries even though he gained absolutely nothing by doing so (and was healing somebody who could literally see right through his mask if she woke up). He plays a bit of a bigger role in the Search for Tsunade arc, where he engages Tsunade in battle. Though she has her Super-Strength to fall back on, he quickly finds a way around it by exploiting her fear of blood, beating her. Fortunately, Naruto saves her and is more than willing to demonstrate his new Rasengan on Kabuto, doing more damage than even he can heal and motivating Tsunade to beat the tar out of Orochimaru.

In Shippuden, he shows up in the second arc. Later, after Orochimaru dies, he has something of an existential crisis and integrates some of Orochimaru's DNA into his body. He feels that he needs to prove his strength by overpowering the growth in his body, but appears to be failing... until he shows back up even later with some new Orochimaru-esque powers and allies himself with Tobi. Several of these new abilities are shown off when he battles the shinobi guarding the two remaining jinchuuriki, managing to nab Yamato in the process. He then proceeds to resurrect almost every deceased character in the Narutoverse and then some, including the jinchuriki, Akatsuki, and the real Madara. He is confronted by Itachi and Sasuke, who attempt to stop the Edo Tensei, and reveals he has surpassed Orochimaru by becoming the Snake Sage. He attempts to both capture Sasuke and return Itachi to his control but is snared in Izanami, a powerful genjutsu that traps its victim in a "Groundhog Day" Loop, and is forced to end Edo Tensei by Itachi. Afterward, Orochimaru, having been revived by Sasuke, reabsorbs his chakra and DNA that was inside Kabuto, returning him to his original appearance.

Later Kabuto manages to escape the Izanami and the resulting backlash resulted in Kabuto undergoing a drastic Heel–Face Turn, reverting back to his original personality before he met Danzo and Orochimaru and now seeks to atone for all his actions during the war. By the war's end, Kabuto still keeps his former master's snake appearance and goes on to take his adoptive mother's place as caretaker of the Konoha orphanage.

Affably Evil: He commits crimes against humanity with hardly a blink and casually tortures people not only with acts but also with words but is also one of the politest characters the show has to offer, always addresses people with proper honorifics and sometimes even goes out of his way to help the heroes... At least, before he integrated Orochimaru's cells into his body and completely lost it.
Animal Motifs: Guess. And later dragon.
All Your Powers Combined: Has copied the powers of the Hidden Sound's elite.
Ambiguously Gay: His obsession with Orochimaru coupled with the fact that he never shows interest in any female characters raises some eyebrows. He also once was in a bathroom... when Orochimaru was taking a shower. It wasn't even weird for him. There's also the fact that in a filler arc he murdered an overly ambitious Oto-nin, Rinji, for trying to advance his position by merely suggesting that he report to Orochimaru instead, with him later stating that Orochimaru doesn't need any more high-ranking servants but him. That said, Orochimaru specifically compares their relationship to that of brothers when he takes Kabuto under his wing, and for his part Kabuto eventually ends up holding Orochimaru in disdain when he realizes just how much the man manipulated him. Likewise, his obsession with Orochimaru is revealed to have been a desire to become like him, as Kabuto didn't have his own identity and so tried to be Orochimaru, only to fail and have to face the truth about himself.
Animalistic Abomination: Just like Orochimaru, he alters his true form to resemble a bizarre snake-demon that is shown when he captures Yamato. He is also able to manifest Orochimaru's true form utilizing Sakon's jutsu to recreate a separate body.
The Assimilator: Of Orochimaru, Taka, and the Sound Five's powers; unfortunately, Orochimaru himself removed them. Later revealed not all the chakra was taken and he still has those powers.
The Atoner: Became the new headmaster for his old orphanage after his Heel–Face Turn and the end of the Fourth Shinobi World War, knowing full well what kind of care would be needed in the new world.
Avenging the Villain: After Orochimaru's death, he wants to punish Sasuke.
Awesomeness by Analysis: Performed the impossible by implanting multiple Kekkei Genkai into an already living being, solely using DNA recombination.
Bad with the Bone: By assimilating Kimimaro's DNA into himself, Kabuto gained access to his Kekkei Genkai (Shikotsumyaku). During the battle against Itachi and Sasuke, he used it to surround the cave with bone spikes.
Badass Bookworm: Never been impressive physically, but he is very gifted in medicine, poison, and biology while being also cunning and quite manipulative.
Badass Longrobe: Kabuto even uses its hood to block out Itachi and Sasuke's sharingan until he could go into Sage Mode.
Bait the Dog: If you were just going by his actions up until the end of the second part of the Chunin Exam, you would never have guessed that he was actually working for one of the most infamous ninjas to walk the face of the earth.
Barefoot Sage: Stopped wearing shoes after becoming a Snake Sage.
Believing Their Own Lies: Obsessed with acquiring the power of the Sage of Six Paths and of others, he believed he was invincible. He used the DNA of others and disregarded himself believing that was where true strength could be obtained. Itachi was able to help him realize his true self with Izanami, a jutsu that trapped him in a mental loop until he accepted reality.
Berserk Button: Don't dismiss the value of a name to his face. The anime also implies that he doesn't take others taking an interest in gaining more favor with Orochimaru well and will murder you to keep his position secure.
Beta Baddie: Kabuto reveals the reason why he bio augmented himself is that he wanted to eliminate his lack of self.
Big Bad Duumvirate: Forms one with Tobi for a short time. However...
Big Bad Wannabe: Kabuto tried very hard to take his master's place, using some incredibly extreme methods. His Edo Tensei army was dangerous, but he was defeated relatively easily despite extensively modifying his own body and achieving an Evil Counterpart to Naruto's Sage Mode, and was mostly forgotten by the story for a few years.
Bio-Augmentation: In order to achieve the "perfect being" identity he desires for himself, Kabuto makes a number of modifications to his body prior to the Fourth Shinobi World War. In addition to Orochimaru's blood, he implants Karin's, Jugo's, Suigetsu's, and the Sound Four's blood into his body as well, giving him access to all their abilities and causing him to develop a new chakra signature as well.
Bitch in Sheep's Clothing: Male example. He usually presents himself as this harmless, bumbling oaf with Nerd Glasses who showed up to help Naruto and his teammates on occasion but is, in fact, a sadistic Manipulative Bastard and a subordinate of Orochimaru.
Black Eyes of Crazy: His sclera turn black when he uses his Sage Mode.
Blinded by the Light: His White Violent Technique is a flash-bang.
Body Horror: Gets scales all over his body and a snake growing out of his abdomen after he "masters" Orochimaru's cells power.
Boss Rush: His necromancy is a real Story-Breaker Power.
Brought Down to Badass: His serpentine body modifications are removed by Orochimaru, although he can still use Dragon Sage Mode and presumably still has access to the abilities of the Sound Five, Karin, Suigetsu, and Jugo.
Can't Kill You, Still Need You: Orochimaru believes that this is the reason why he was pardoned from his crimes after the Fourth War.
The Chessmaster: Briefly for the Fourth Shinobi World War.
Chronic Backstabbing Disorder: He betrayed Konoha, Akatsuki, and also planned to betray Tobi. His genuine loyalty to Orochimaru is the exception (and O himself wasn't always certain about that - he just found it more interesting).
Clingy Jealous Guy: Implied in the Three-Tails filler arc, where he murders Rinji for attempting to cozy up to Orochimaru during an important operation.
Combat Medic: Kabuto is trained in medical jutsu and knows how to use it to lethal effect.
Combat Pragmatist: Slits his wrist and throws his blood on Tsunade because she is Afraid of Blood and later wipes his own blood in Naruto's eyes to blind him.
Contemplate Our Navels: He bombards Naruto with questions such as "Who are we? What is our purpose?" prior to revealing he has fused himself with the remains of Orochimaru to give himself an identity.
Crazy-Prepared: He appears to have altered one of his snakes' venom so that it will cancel out Yamato's wood release powers without otherwise injuring him.
Curb-Stomp Battle: Kabuto vs Anko which he wins through poison.
Dangerous Forbidden Technique: Edo Tensei, which he claims has no weakness... Except for when the zombies break free.
Kabuto: This jutsu has no risks or weaknesses.
Itachi Uchiha: Any jutsu has a weakness. This jutsu's weak point and risk... are me.
Madara Uchiha: Tell the summoner that forbidden techniques should be used with caution.
Dishing Out Dirt: From Jirobou, though he has used more and stronger earth ninjutsu on his own.
Deadly Doctor: He uses the medical knowledge he picked up as a longtime mole to do incredible damage to others' bodies.
Dead Man Switch: Kabuto tells Itachi that if he dies Edo Tensei will go on forever so as this jutsu can only be stopped by his own hand.
Deep Cover Agent: Spent much of his life as one, working for Root, Orochimaru, and Akatsuki.
Defeat Means Friendship: Naruto's usual approach has rather twisted results here: Kabuto credits Naruto with inspiring him to step out of Orochimaru's shadow and prove his worth as a new Big Bad.
Deus ex Machina: Becomes this when his decision to pull a Heel–Face Turn ends up saving Sasuke's life.
Devour the Dragon: Inverted, as he integrates Orochimaru's DNA and chakra into himself.
Didn't Think This Through: Using the Impure World Reincarnation to revive Madara "second-only-to-Hashirama" Uchiha after having given him a power boost using Hashirama's cells. Kabuto was lucky his goals and Madara's were similar, not to mention that Madara was more interested in testing his new skills.
Disc-One Final Boss: Is trapped in the Izanami by Itachi and forced to undo the Edo Tensei, with Madara replacing him in the Big Bad Duumvirate with Tobi.
Double Reverse Quadruple Agent: Was thought to be a spy for Sasori to investigate Orochimaru, but it turns out that he was with the latter from the beginning.
The Dragon: He served as Orochimaru’s right-hand man for the majority of the series until his master’s death.
Dragon Ascendant: He was a faithful dragon to Orochimaru but following the latter's death he fused some of Orochimaru's remains into his own body and decided to attempt to complete Orochimaru's plan to become the next Sage of Six Paths. Kabuto's new Sage Mode transformation makes the "dragon" part of this trope rather literal.
Driven by Envy: He simply wanted to be recognized, so he coveted the strength of others such as the Uchiha because they were famous for their strength.
Enemy Within: When he first reveals what he's done to himself, he states that Orochimaru's chakra and cells are trying to take over his body. Even after he successfully assimilates them, Anko believes Orochimaru's will is influencing him to follow in his footsteps.
Enigmatic Minion: To Orochimaru, who at times doubts whether Kabuto is truly on his side or not.
Epiphanic Prison: Itachi traps him in an especially poetic one. He can leave at any time provided he just admits his limits and that there are things no amount of flashy jutsu can change. Hum. He eventually does so and returns to save Sasuke's life.
Evil Counterpart: One of Naruto's, more subtly than the others. His main motive seems to be to validate his own existence—he peppers Naruto with fauxlosophic questions on the subject upon reappearing after Orochimaru's death. This is a rather warped take on Naruto's (initial) reasons for wanting to be Hokage. He even has the same Sage powers as Naruto thanks to his training under the White Snake Sage and compares Orochimaru's cells trying to take over his body to the Nine-Tailed Fox trying to take over Naruto. Plus, his mentor/pupil bond with Orochimaru mirrors the one that united Naruto and Jiraiya.
Evil Genius: Is this in Tobi's shaky alliance, with Zetsu doubling as The Dragon (Co-Dragons along with Kisame after Pain's death but he later dies) and the revived Madara Uchiha as The Brute.
Evil Gloating: Indulges more and more into this trope once the Fourth Shinobi World War has begun, to the point of being quite insufferable during his fight against the Uchiha bros.
Explaining Your Power to the Enemy: Especially in his fight against the Uchiha bros. Goes hand in hand with bragging constantly about how far he has evolved and is supposedly undefeatable.
Fatal Flaw: Kabuto's obsession with surpassing Orochimaru and his twisted admiration of Naruto. Both stemming from his true fatal flaw: a deep identity crisis.
Fate Worse than Death: Itachi's Izanami makes him live through a fight sequence for all eternity. It has a stipulation to break out, though: in Kabuto's case, Itachi stipulated that he has to come to terms with one's faults and admit he's not perfect. But by this point, Kabuto is so convinced that he's unstoppable that he'll never do it, and still thinks it's all a Sharingan technique he can bypass. He eventually comes to accept his flaws and breaks free.
Foreshadowing:
- His ability to reanimate the dead becomes this after he begins spamming the Impure World Resurrection.
- Kabuto’s blood type being AB, meaning that he is a universal recipient, becomes this when it is revealed that he gained a boost in power after injecting himself with the blood of Oto's most powerful ninja.
Four Eyes, Zero Soul: Up until his Heel–Face Turn anyway.
Freudian Excuse: He was taken in by an Orphanage of Love where one nun gave him her own glasses so he could see. He had decided to become a ninja was to repay her for her kindness and became a spy for Konoha. One day when he was spying on Iwagakure he was attacked by the woman who had taken him in, as she was undercover and failed to recognize him. He inflicted lethal injuries on her before he realized who she was, and he tried to heal her but failed, and she did not remember him even as she died. This caused Kabuto to feel as if his life had been meaningless, and the only person who then comforted him after that and offered to help him find himself after that was Orochimaru.
From Nobody to Nightmare: He starts out as an experienced Genin who's actually a high-level spy for Orochimaru, but he eventually surpasses his already legendary leader in power and ends up co-leading an evil army of resurrected legendary ninja and Venus Flytrap monsters created from the DNA of one of the most powerful ninja ever against all over the world shinobi.
Genre Blind: "Nobody can stop me!" Also, loudly declaring that his ultimate technique has no weaknesses.
Giggling Villain: He been known to giggle on occasion.
Godhood Seeker: Kabuto attempted to complete Orochimaru's plan to become the next Sage of Six Paths, successfully attaining Sage Mode and bartering with Obito for a White Zetsu and Sasuke, whose Sharingan Kabuto believed would evolve into a Rinnegan upon the transfusion of Senju Cells from the White Zetsu.
Handicapped Badass: His glasses aren't for deception, he really has myopia. That means that when he escaped from Naruto soon after absorbing Orochimaru's remains, when not wearing his glasses, he was technically "half-blind".
Harmful to Minors: Like Itachi, Kabuto was exposed to the horror of a shinobi world at war at a very young age; he then became too good at his job as a spy and lost his superior's trust and they planned his assassination.
Healing Hands: He has an innate knack for medical ninjustu and is knowledgeable on various topics related to the human body. That said, the lack of information on Kimimaro’s unique body structure prevents Kabuto from curing him.
Healing Factor: The main reason Orochimaru got an interest in him is his unusually high regeneration abilities. Kabuto implements more and more abilities in this fashion as the manga goes on. He implants himself with Orochimaru's highly regenerative snake cells, then later with the various healing abilities of the Uzumaki (through Karin), Sakon, Kimimaro, and Jugo's clan.
Heel–Face Turn: Imprisonment by Itachi's Izanami helped him realize his true nature, which in turn set him free, and he's now on the battlefield, helping to revive a critically injured Sasuke. It also helps him realize that he has a home to return to.
Hellish Pupils: Post-evolution and boy howdy are they creepy. They're almost Terumi-esque levels of devilish.
Humanoid Abomination: Finally upgraded into one by the time he meets the Big Bad in person.
Horned Humanoid: In his Dragon-Sage Mode.
Hoist by His Own Petard: Kabuto was got defeated by Uchiha Itachi, who he himself resurrected from the dead to fight in the war using his Edo Tensei technique. Not just defeated, but forced into undoing the technique, effectively destroying half his side's military power.
I Am What I Am: He came to believe that his existence was a lie and so he reshaped himself into a different person to escape that lie. Itachi trapped him in an Epiphanic Prison which Kabuto only escaped when he accepted his original life.
Identity Breakdown: His entire character revolves around a huge identity crisis that begins when he was orphaned and suffers a head injury that robbed him of his memories at a young age. He was later taken in by a kind orphanage matron where he was named Kabuto. Soon after Danzo employs him as a spy, which meant adopting new cover identities on a regular basis. When an assassin comes for him during a mission, he is horrified to find out it was the orphanage matron who doesn't even recognize him. This triggers a full-blown identity crisis that is resolved with Orochimaru telling him that Danzo had manipulated the matron with fake pictures and suggesting that Kabuto should find his own identity in life. Kabuto thus reorients his entire life and identity in service of Orochimaru. Orochimaru's death later on leaves Kabuto adrift once again until he eventually decides to focus on attaining power surpassing any other ninja in an attempt to bring meaning to his nameless existence.
I Just Want to Be Special: His entire motivation after meeting up with Orochimaru was just to be noticed by people.
In Harmony with Nature: What he inherited from Jugo's cells and enhances his Sage Mode.
In-Universe Factoid Failure: "Edo Tensei has no risks". Well, turns out there are quite a few ways for the reanimated soul to break free. First, the person can find closure about something they could not achieve or failed to do before their death, thus severing the shackles binding the soul. Second, a person's programming tag can be overwritten if they are placed under a powerful genjutsu. And third, the reanimated person can annul their side of the contract if they know the jutsu's release seals. The last one is by far the worst that can happen:
Madara: When that happens, you end up with the biggest problem of all. An immortal body with infinite chakra... that can move without control.
Invincible Villain: Invokes this trope on himself, saying how exactly Itachi is screwed and how he couldn't possibly defeat him without killing him, that's exactly what Itachi wants to avoid. Itachi proves him wrong.
Irony: For the majority of his early childhood, Sasori manipulated him like a puppet. Now, thanks to his newfound necromancer status, he controls Sasori in almost the exact same way. Sasori was less than enthusiastic about this. Later subverted as he was never really under Sasori's control, to begin with.
Karma Houdini: Like Orochimaru, despite helping cause the events of the war in the first place by reviving Madara along with many other famous shinobi and forcing them to fight against their will to assist Tobi in essentially destroying the world (though Kabuto's plans were to usurp Tobi), his actions in saving Sasuke's life and his Heel–Face Turn caused by Itachi's Izanami mean he is given some form of pardon by the Shinobi Allied Forces/Shinobi Union in exchange for being "tamed" and available to assist in future crisises with his unique collection of abilities. Naruto Gaiden reveals that he is now running the orphanage he was raised in alongside childhood friends, with the Leaf Village's supervision.
Killing Intent: During the Chunin Exams in the Forest of Death, while assisting Team 7 in a battle with Team Oboro, his glasses (a gift from his adoptive mother) get knocked off by the enemy and he shows legitimate killing intent for the first time. He proceeds to quickly paralyze Team Oboro, providing Naruto with an opening to attack. This was the first hint he wasn't an ordinary ninja. Although interestingly enough, he has no such reaction when Dosu shatters his glasses before the exams.
Laughing Mad: He has lost quite a bit of sanity following Orochimaru's death and reveals he has absorbed Orochimaru's remains. At one point he bursts into hysterical laughter.
Line-of-Sight Name: Kind of. As a kid, he forgot his given name after a battle, and he was wearing a samurai's helmet^note(also known as a kabuto) when the people who found him decided to name him.
Living Emotional Crutch: Orochimaru was this to him.
Loss of Identity: Struggled with this his whole life. Only after Orochimaru's death does he confront it and decides to assimilate his remains and become a new more powerful person.

Meaningful Name: "Yakushi" is the name of the Buddha of Medicine. Fitting for the second-best medic-nin of the series.
Making a Splash: During his fight against Itachi and Sasuke, Kabuto uses the Great Waterfall and the Water Dragon techniques alongside a modified version of the Hōzuki Clan's liquefaction hiden technique.
Manipulative Bastard: Orochimaru even called him cruel for manipulating Kimimaro on his deathbed.
Master Poisoner: Was able to synthesize a poison that could neutralize Yamato's mokuton ninjutsu.
Mix-and-Match Critters: He's the fusion of ten different people!
Mr. Exposition: During the Chunin Exams. Considering he was working with Orochimaru, he was probably invoking this trope to watch Sasuke more closely.
The Mole: To Orochimaru (was suspected to be a spy of Sasori, but was Orochimaru's to begin with).
More than Mind Control: After Orochimaru freed him from Sasori's Mind Control, he chose to become loyal to him, not from gratitude, but because he was seduced by his view of the world and mot ives (albeit it would later be revealed he had become loyal to Orochimaru before he even met Sasori, as Orochimaru gave him a new identity and protected him from Danzo). Notably, after he undergoes his Heel–Face Turn he is resentful toward Orochimaru, recognizing just how much he let himself be twisted by Oro's influence.
Multiple-Choice Past: It's been revealed that the backstory he gave when he was introduced was a cover given to him by Orochimaru when he joined the Sound Village.
Musical Assassin: From Tayuya's DNA. Kabuto can produce a copy of her in his abdomen and use her flute-based genjutsu.
Necromancer: One of three, the other two being Orochimaru and the Second Hokage. They all used the same technique: Impure World Ressurection. Kabuto is probably the best example though. He's the only one who pulled off the "zombie army" part (Orochimaru used it on a smaller scale). Even before he had shades of this with his Dead Soul Jutsu reanimating corpses to use as decoys.
Nerd Glasses: Subverted. After he turns out to be with Orochimaru, these turn into Four Eyes, Zero Soul. They turn back into this following his Heel–Face Turn.
Nigh-Invulnerability: He has medical jutsu to speed his healing. And Orochimaru's regenerative powers to speed it up some more. And Karin's Uzumaki cells to speed it up some more. And Kimimaro's Kaguya cells to speed it up some more and give himself a skeleton harder than steel. And Suigetsu's ability to turn into liquid and absorb any non-lightning physical attack harmlessly. And Sage Mode, which means his body is now impossibly durable and his heightened senses make him even better at dodging than he was before. Theoretically, Dragon Sage Kabuto is more difficult to deal lasting physical harm to than Tobi or the real Madara.
"Not So Different" Remark: Admits he and Tobi share several similarities. It's even deeper than he realizes though. Both of them were involved in the Shinobi World War and were left for dead only to be found by the Evil Mentor and taken in a student. When said Evil Mentor died, they both took said Evil Mentor and tried to become them and both went from joke-level fighters to Kage-level enemies. To add to it, both of them pulled a Face–Heel Turn after said Evil Mentor returned from the dead and decided to embrace who they actually are. Both are also Foils to Naruto who uses this to their advantage. The only difference between them in this, it's that Kabuto after the death of his Evil Mentor became Dragon Ascendant but still shows great respect towards his Evil Mentor while Tobi became The Starscream to his Evil Mentor and was planning on using him to his own advantage.
Not-So-Harmless Villain:
- He seemed to be a not very good Chunin candidate, but after he's revealed to be Orochimaru's right-hand man, he's shown to be a Jonin-level medical ninja.
- Later on, he's moved up to doing things like reanimating Akatsuki members, which given that Impure World reanimations retain all the (kage-level in this case) powers of the original plus regeneration from all damage, puts him well above most other cast members.
- He also trained under the White Snake Sage to attain Sage Mode just like Naruto and used this power to bisect Itachi. Itachi was completely helpless around Kabuto alone and needed an EMS Sasuke to back him up.
One-Man Army:
- Thanks to Kuchiyose Edo Tensei, Kabuto has summoned a number of warriors who probably qualify in themselves to do his bidding. Oh, they are also near-immortal and can regenerate in a manner of seconds.
- Also has a case of All Your Powers Combined with his Sage Mode use of the Sound elite's powers.
Orphanage of Love: Kabuto's flashback reveals he grew up in one. Go figure. In the final chapter of Naruto Gaiden, it's revealed that he is the new caretaker of Konoha's orphanage.
Our Dragons Are Different: His Sage Mode.
Personality Blood Types: Kabuto is AB, despite Orochimaru's asking if he is A based on his compulsive desire to keep corpses sealed in a scroll in a certain order.
Pet the Dog: Cured Hinata of the wounds she got against Neji for apparently no reason other than random kindness. Much later he also heals Sakura from her 4-Tailed inflicted wounds, though he justifies it through pragmatism.
Power Copying: As mentioned earlier.
Power Parasite: In Part II. Implants himself with Orochimaru's cells after the latter's "death". Later he copies some abilities of Karin, Jugo, Suigetsu, and the Sound Five, but he doesn't forget to train properly in some other fields.
Pressure Point: Can target them as shown in his battle against Tsunade and Naruto.
Projectile Webbing: Gained the ability to create large spider webs after inserting Kidomaru's DNA into himself. Kabuto used it in combination with Kimimaro's Kekkei Genkai against Itachi and Sasuke.
Psychotic Smirk: Prone to this after he absorbs Orochimaru's cells.
Razor-Sharp Hand: His signature Chakra Scalpel technique which is actually a re-purposed medical technique; it allows him to cut tendons without breaking the skin but, even better, it allows him to just plain slice people in half!
Red Eyes, Take Warning: His sclerae turn red while in his snake form.
Removed Achilles' Heel: By incorporating Jūgo’s ability to passively absorb Natural Energy, Kabuto manages to be able to recharge his Sage Chakra without the need to stand still every so often.
Required Secondary Powers: His Sage Art: White Rage Technique acts as a flashbang combined with producing enough noise to make the air oscillate from the vibrations, blinding and paralyzing the opponent. He must use his snake-like brille to block out the light and Suigetsu's Hydration Technique to liquefy his organs so they can absorb the sound.
The Mole: Interesting subversion between two groups of villains. Is allegedly Sasori's spy, but he's actually loyal to Orochimaru.
Sadist: Kabuto is a Mad Doctor who earned Oro's praise because he was able to keep their human experiments alive for longer, and later forces the zombies of various famous ninja to fight their friends and family as a form of psychological warfare.
Sanity Slippage: After Orochimaru's death he loses it.
Scaled Up: Both the Dragon and Snake varieties.
Scary Shiny Glasses: Later removed during the fight with Sasuke and revived Itachi.
Self-Made Orphan: Not in the way you'd think. As a child, he grew up in an orphanage and was very close to the head caretaker (that he even referred to as mother), who was a former intelligence officer for ROOT. When Danzo came along with a request that she go undercover, lest he revokes the orphanage's budget, Kabuto went as well. Years later, he ended up mortally wounding her when she was in disguise. The real kicker? She didn't recognize him since ROOT had been sending her fake pictures of him, slowly replacing them with someone completely different.
Self-Made Superpowers: Integrated multiple Kekkei Genkai and other genetic abilities into himself, granting him among other powers, a powerful Healing Factor, ability to liquefy, creating a clone, use a Super Mode indefinitely along with becoming a Master of Illusion capable of overcoming Itachi and Sasuke Uchiha simultaneously. All of these powers came from Orochimaru himself, the Sound Four, and Team Taka minus Sasuke.
Smug Snake: Like his master. He's legitimately powerful, having surpassed Orochimaru and a Kage-level threat at minimum at his strongest, but he considers himself Invincible Villain and during his fight against the Uchiha brothers he constantly gloating about how far he has evolved and is supposedly undefeatable. Also, loudly declaring that "Edo Tensei has no risks" when in fact there are quite a few ways for the reanimated soul to break free.
Snakes Are Sinister: Just like Orochimaru discovered the Ryūchi Cave and became the pupil of the White Snake Sage, so did Kabuto. Unlike Orochimaru, he was able to attain Snake Sage Mode, he also acquired the ability to summon snakes at will.
Snake Person: Like Orochimaru, Kabuto gave himself snake traits via genetic alteration.
Sonic Stunner: His White Violent Technique is a flash-bang.
Spanner in the Works: Ultimately summoning the real Madara ended up being a really bad thing for Tobi, The Alliance, and almost everyone. It did make Tobi's plan far more complicated since he never intended to resurrect Madara in the first place.
The Starscream: Discussed. It's suggested that he might be trying to betray Orochimaru. The latter even muses that he's not sure which way Kabuto will go. But he never actually does, and after Orochimaru's death shows great respect towards him.
Story-Breaker Power: Summoning: Impure World Ressurection is taken to its logical conclusion: Kabuto uses it to revive nigh every single powerful dead ninja that we have ever heard of, all of whom are now immortal, near-indestructible and possess every single ability they had while alive. Literally, this one technique, on its own, allows him to fight the entire rest of the world, at once.
Super Mode: Kabuto can use Snake Sage Mode, which gives him a draconic appearance.
Surpassed the Teacher: By the Fourth Shinobi World War, Kabuto's experiments and methods have made him even stronger than Orochimaru himself, likely even stronger than old O was in his own prime.
Teens Are Monsters: Before the time skip he is merely nineteen years old and has some severe issues from his childhood as the Sole Survivor found after a large battle.
Theme Naming: "Kabuto" is a samurai's helmet, which matches his teammates Yoroi Akado ("armor") and Misumi Tsurugi ("sword").
Took a Level in Badass: From Orochimaru's Dragon to one of the two Big Bads for a short while.
Tragic Keepsake: His glasses, which used to belong to the head caretaker of the orphanage he grew up in.
Tragic Villain: See Freudian Excuse. Despite his Moral Event Horizon crossings, it's really not hard to understand how he became such a person.
Two Beings, One Body: From Sakon, which allows him to use the powers of others in tandem with the Kekkei Genkai he now has access to.
Unwitting Pawn: Kabuto became to Black Zetsu. Black Zetsu was the one who led Kabuto to the location of Madara’s corpse that would he put Spanner in the Works in Tobi's plans as part of his own plan to bring back Kaguya Ootsutsuki.
Used to Be a Sweet Kid: Judging by his backstory where was much meeker, and had a loving bond with his orphanage owner Nonō.
Villain Forgot to Level Grind: Could be considered a Most Triumphant Aversion. He started as a jonin-level threat. Now he's Kage-level, and that's just as an individual combatant. Counting all the elite shinobi he resurrected and put under his control with Edo Tensei, he's easily one of the top five most dangerous antagonists in the series, outstripping even his master Orochimaru. He even went through the same kind of training Naruto did to become a Sage.
Villainous Breakdown: It happened several times:
- The first time it happened when Kabuto was attacked during the Chunin Exams Arc in Part I, we see his eyes go bloodshot as he reveals a bloodthirsty side.
- Also, after Orochimaru died, Kabuto had an existential crisis, but he claims that the person who inspired him to continue was Naruto.
- Also during his fight with Sasuke and Itachi, Kabuto has some more of these. Confident in his beliefs and victory, he begins to shed tears when the Uchiha brothers fend off his attacks, and when he understands that he got into in the loop he falls into a full tantrum shouting at Itachi and speaking him that he could not make a mistake.
Villain Override: Periodically throughout his Zombie Apocalypse, Kabuto will take control of the resurrected ninja himself. He has a nasty habit of doing this in time to break up what would normally be a touching reunion, though surprisingly this part isn't intentional.
What Happened to the Mouse?: Kabuto's last on-panel appearance depicts him being freed from Infinite Tsukuyomi along with Orochimaru, Suigetsu, Karin and Jugo, and then...he simply disappears, not mentioned again. As of Naruto Gaiden, it's revealed that he's living relatively near Konoha and running the orphanage he spent some of his childhood in.
White Hair, Black Heart: Kabuto has naturally white hair and has performed some nasty actions.
Wild Card: Put at a disadvantage Tobi himself and forced him into an unstable alliance while supplying the best undead shinobi. In the more traditional sense of the word, he has done several selfless actions to help his enemies. In one scene, before their relationship was retconned into being a years-long respectful partnership, Orochimaru commented that he wasn't sure how much he could trust Kabuto.
Worthy Opponent: Considers Naruto. The Databook even said that the person he wanted to fight most was Naruto.
Would Hurt a Child: Had no problem attempting to puncture 12-year-old Naruto's heart to kill him.

[[/folder]]

Sandbox / Naruto - Kabuto Yakushi

Kabuto Yakushi

Voiced as an adult by: Nobutoshi Canna (JP), Henry Dittman (EN, main series)^noteKirk Thornton in Episode 135, Cam Clarke (EN, Rock Lee's Springtime of Youth), Moisés Ivan Mora (Latin America), Ricardo Escobar (Spain)
Voiced as a child by: Mariko Mizuno (JP), Tara Sands (EN)

Debut: Naruto Chapter 39 (Manga), Naruto Episode 23 (Anime)

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Sandbox / Naruto - Kabuto Yakushi

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Kabuto Yakushi

Voiced as an adult by: Nobutoshi Canna (JP), Henry Dittman (EN, main series)note Kirk Thornton in Episode 135, Cam Clarke (EN, Rock Lee's Springtime of Youth), Moisés Ivan Mora (Latin America), Ricardo Escobar (Spain) Voiced as a child by: Mariko Mizuno (JP), Tara Sands (EN)

Debut: Naruto Chapter 39 (Manga), Naruto Episode 23 (Anime)

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Voiced as an adult by: Nobutoshi Canna (JP), Henry Dittman (EN, main series)^noteKirk Thornton in Episode 135, Cam Clarke (EN, Rock Lee's Springtime of Youth), Moisés Ivan Mora (Latin America), Ricardo Escobar (Spain)
Voiced as a child by: Mariko Mizuno (JP), Tara Sands (EN)