Why Did Kabuto Yakushi Join Orochimaru'S Team?

Man, the first time I watched the Itachi vs. Kabuto sequence I had to pause and rewatch because it flips everything you thought you knew about him. If you want the core of Kabuto Yakushi’s backstory in the anime, the must-see chunk is in 'Naruto Shippuden' during the confrontation where Itachi uses Izanami to trap him. Those episodes center on Kabuto’s identity crisis, his childhood memories, and why he became who he is — they’re the heart of his origin on-screen and are packed with flashbacks and emotional beats that explain his motives. If you’re doing a fuller rewatch, sprinkle in a look at some earlier bits in the original 'Naruto' where Kabuto appears (small scenes and hints about his background pop up in a few episodes before Shippuden). Also pay attention to his role during the Fourth Great Ninja War arc in 'Naruto Shippuden' — there are later episodes that show the consequences and extensions of his past decisions and how his adopted techniques and identities play out. Watching the Itachi-Kabuto episodes, then jumping forward to the war episodes that involve Kabuto gives you a satisfying throughline of cause and effect. Personally, I like watching those Itachi-focused episodes first, then revisiting Kabuto’s earlier cameos in the original series to see how subtle the clues were. It makes the whole arc feel like a puzzle clicking into place rather than an isolated backstory drop.

Orochimaru-centric fanfics often dive deep into the twisted mentor-student dynamic between him and Kabuto, painting it as a relationship built on manipulation yet weirdly symbiotic. Some stories explore Kabuto's desperate need for approval, showing how he mirrors Orochimaru's ruthlessness while craving validation. The best fics don’t shy away from the toxicity—Orochimaru treats Kabuto as a tool, but there’s this undercurrent of dependency. Kabuto’s evolution into a pseudo-Orochimaru in 'Naruto Shippuden' gets reimagined as tragic inevitability in fanworks, with some authors framing their bond as a dark parody of family. I recently read one where Kabuto’s internal monologue was just him rationalizing every betrayal, and it hurt because you could see the self-delusion so clearly. Other fics flip the script, making Orochimaru strangely possessive—like Kabuto is his one 'perfect' experiment. There’s a recurring theme of Kabuto being both disciple and failed replacement, especially in AUs where Orochimaru still has his original body. The emotional weight comes from Kabuto knowing he’ll never measure up yet still clinging to the scraps of attention. One standout fic had Orochimaru casually refer to Kabuto as 'my legacy' mid-battle, and Kabuto’s reaction was this mix of pride and devastation. It’s messed up, but that’s why it’s compelling.

I still get chills thinking about that scene — the way Kabuto unravels is one of those rare, quiet moments in 'Naruto' that hits harder the older you get. To be precise: Kabuto never really suffers a single, textbook case of straight amnesia in canon where all his memories instantly vanish. Instead, his sense of self fractures over time. As a child he was an orphan who lost his family and identity, and that emotional erasure set the stage for years of denial. He built a persona out of being useful and efficient, and people like Orochimaru and others reinforced that construct. The clearest turning point comes during the confrontation with Itachi Uchiha in the war arc. Itachi traps Kabuto with Izanami, forcing him into a loop where he repeatedly relives the same moment until he acknowledges and accepts his true past — the real memories and the pain behind them. That loop wasn’t about erasing memory; it was about breaking Kabuto’s refusal to accept who he actually was. After Izanami, Kabuto discards the false, deflective identity he’d built and stops being the manipulative puppet-master who used other people and their powers. He walks away profoundly changed, not by sudden loss of recollection, but by finally facing the memories he’d long denied. If you want to rewatch it, look for the Itachi vs. Kabuto sequence in 'Naruto Shippuden' — it’s one of those scenes where the psychological stakes are just as important as the jutsu, and it explains why Kabuto behaves so differently afterward.

I've dug through my old volumes more times than I can count, and what helps most is to think of Kabuto's story as revealed in pieces rather than one neat arc. If you want chapter signposts, start in the late 230s to mid-240s of 'Naruto' — that's where Kishimoto drops the earliest, most important childhood flashbacks: the aftermath of the war that left him orphaned, his time in the orphanage, and how he came under the wing of adults who shaped him. Those chapters show the human side of Kabuto before he becomes a tool for others. The next big chunk to read is the set of chapters that cover his relationship with Orochimaru and his role as a spy and medic. These are sprinkled across Part I and early Part II, but the emotional core and the full context of why he chose (or felt forced into) certain loyalties are revealed later during his confrontation with Itachi and during the war arc. In practical terms, look through the chapters clustered in the mid-to-late 300s where the Itachi/Kabuto clash forces him to face buried memories, and then the early 400s where the Fourth Great Ninja War expands on his past choices. If you prefer a quicker path, read the late-230s to mid-240s first for childhood, then the mid-300s for the psychological turning point, and finally the war-era chapters for closure. The anime also fleshes out some scenes if you want more texture, but the manga is where the core revelations land for me — raw and compact, like a lot of the best moments in 'Naruto'.

especially those focusing on Hiyori and Tendou's dynamic. There's something about their unspoken love that hits harder when layered with angst—maybe it's the way Tendou's arrogance masks his vulnerability or how Hiyori's quiet strength hides her longing. One standout is 'Chrysalis of the Heart,' where the author explores their relationship post-series, with Tendou grappling with his inability to express emotions and Hiyori waiting in silence. The fic nails the tension between their pride and unvoiced feelings, using metaphors like cicadas and their fleeting summers to mirror their love. It's poetic and painful, exactly what I crave in angst-heavy storytelling. Another gem is 'Broken Clock,' which rewrites the finale with Tendou sacrificing more than just his life—his pride. Hiyori's grief isn't melodramatic; it's visceral, shown through small acts like tending to his abandoned kitchen or hearing his voice in empty rooms. The author avoids clichés, focusing on how love lingers in absence. Lesser-known fics like 'Shadow of a God' also deserve attention, blending supernatural elements with emotional weight. Tendou's god-complex crumbles when Hiyori becomes the one thing he can't control—his own heart. These stories thrive in the spaces between words, where the unsaid carries the most pain.

My shelf is overflowing with little boxes and I still get a kick hunting down the perfect 'Kabuto Yakushi' figure. If you want brand-new, preorders and official releases are safest at sites like AmiAmi, HobbyLink Japan, and the Good Smile Company shop — they often have early-bird prices and ship internationally. For Bandai-produced items or exclusives, the Premium Bandai store and the official Bandai Namco retailers are where limited runs show up. If you're into prize figures or cheaper options, keep an eye on Banpresto listings through import shops or local convention dealers. If you don't mind secondhand gear, Mandarake and Suruga-ya in Japan are treasure troves for out-of-production pieces; I snagged a nearly mint boxed Kabuto once via Mandarake and the thrill of unpacking it was real. For auctions, Yahoo! Japan Auctions accessed through proxy services like Buyee, FromJapan, or ZenMarket can land you rare variants—just remember to factor in proxy fees and international shipping. eBay and Amazon are fine for convenience, but double-check seller photos, feedback, and for authenticity holograms or manufacturer seals. MyFigureCollection (MFC) is my go-to database to verify release dates, product codes, and market value before I click buy. A few practical tips: set up wishlist alerts, confirm SKU/product codes, check return policies, and prefer PayPal or credit cards that offer purchase protection. Beware of knockoffs by comparing close-up box art and sculpt details, and ask sellers for extra photos if needed. If you love attending local conventions, chat with vendors there — sometimes I barter for better prices or learn about private sellers. Happy hunting; the chase is half the fun and the unboxing is the cherry on top.

Man, Kabuto is one of those characters who sneaks up on you — at first he’s the pale, polite medical assistant, and then he becomes this terrifying hybrid of surgeon, spy, and walking lab experiment. In the early parts of 'Naruto' he shows incredible chakra control and medical ninjutsu: surgical precision with scalpels, healing techniques, poison knowledge, and a talent for infiltration and intel-gathering. He’s great at disguise, languages, eavesdropping, and playing roles — basically the ultimate operative who can stitch you up or slit your throat depending on orders. Then he escalates. After absorbing Orochimaru’s influence and later grafting DNA from dozens (if not hundreds) of shinobi, Kabuto gains a monstrous toolkit. His chakra pool balloons, his regeneration becomes extreme, and his body acquires snake-like traits: shedding skin, stretching limbs, and fast self-repair. He can synthesize or mimic many techniques associated with the DNA he absorbed — elemental jutsu, summoning variations, and unique fighting styles — which makes him highly unpredictable in combat. He also masters Edo Tensei (the Reanimation Technique) and uses it to resurrect entire armies and famous shinobi during the war. On top of all that, Kabuto develops a form of Sage Mode: his senses sharpen, strength and reflexes climb, and nature energy fuels his already scary regeneration and jutsu. But he isn’t invincible — his identity crisis and emotional instability are real weaknesses, and Itachi’s Izanami exposed that flaw. He’s a fascinating mix of brains, medical skill, espionage craft, and biological brute force, and watching his arc go from quiet handler to desperate godlike experiment always gives me chills.

I've always been the sort of nerd who dives into the messy how-and-why of things, and Kabuto's Edo Tensei run in 'Naruto' is one of those scenes I dissected for ages. The short of it is: he didn't invent Edo Tensei — that credit goes way back — but he found, stole, and then perfected the method. Tobirama originally developed the Impure World Reincarnation way back, and Orochimaru had been poking at forbidden jutsu and notes for years. Kabuto scavenged Orochimaru's lab and archives after Orochimaru was driven off, absorbed a ton of research, and used that as a springboard. From there Kabuto did two key things. He collected DNA samples of countless shinobi (hair, blood, teeth, bone fragments — the usual Naruto macabre checklist) and he solved the logistics problem of control and scaling. Classic Edo Tensei binds a soul to a living vessel and the summoner imposes control with a sealing formula. Kabuto rebuilt the process: he created more reliable vessels (reconstructed bodies and Zetsu-like matter he manipulated) and layered in binding seals so he could command huge numbers without the usual drain. He also integrated a ton of biological research and modified the release/control tags, which let him do that massive, stable reanimation army in the Fourth Great Ninja War. What I love about that arc is the human side — Kabuto used knowledge as a replacement for identity, and the Edo Tensei became both his weapon and his crutch. Itachi's Izanami ending that chapter is so fitting; the technique was powerful, but Kabuto was undone not by raw force but by confronting himself. It makes the whole scheme feel tragic rather than just impressive.