Kabuto Yakushi
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Yakushi Kabuto is a fictional character in the anime and manga series Naruto.
Shady past
Kabuto was raised by a Jōnin member of the Konoha Medical Unit Squad, who found him at the battle of Kikyō Pass when he was still a little boy. He was the only survivor of the battle and was found weak lying with the bodies of enemy all around him. He was later recruited as Orochimaru's right hand man, but the manga has hinted at an ulterior motive, casting some doubt on his purported loyalty. He does seem to be hiding something from Orochimaru, as he tried killing Sasuke while he was recovering from the Chūnin Exam preliminaries. He was stopped by Hatake Kakashi before he could slit Sasuke's breathing tube.
His main role was to keep an eye on other talented ninja, specifically Uchiha Sasuke, in order to support the next phase in Orochimaru's plan. He resided for some time in Konohagakure with Akadō Yoroi and Tsurugi Misumi in order to collect information. By intentionally failing the Chūnin exam seven times (over a four year period) he masked his true skill and downplayed his presence in the village.
Chunin Exam Arc
During the Chunin exams Kabuto showed another mysterious side. After being attacked by Oboro and having his glasses knocked off, his eyes became blood shot and red. Kabuto noted to himself after retiring from the third test's preliminaries that: "Bad blood may start boiling again."Kabuto acted very friendly to Team 7 at the end of the Chunin Exams.
Although technically a Genin level ninja, Yakushi Kabuto is capable of matching even Hatake Kakashi in battle. During his fight with Tsunade, she commented that his sense of jutsu and sharpness surpassed [her own] even in [her] prime, then she commented there was definitely more [to Kabuto] than meets the eye.
Loyalty
Supposedly, Kabuto is a spy, working for the Akatsuki member Sasori, although it's currently unknown where Kabuto's true loyalty lies. Deidara mentions that one of Sasori's spies has become a traitor. In a recent chapter of the manga, however, it appears that Kabuto is that traitor. At this point, Kabuto also appears loyal to Orochimaru, who had freed him from Sasori's hypnosis. He serves as Orochimaru's top assistant, taking care of him in his weakened state. He also conducts experiments for Orochimaru, resulting in the extention in Kimimaro's life. His complex nature and tendency to do good things (such as healing Hinata at the Chūnin exam, though in disguise, and offer to heal Sakura after she was injured by Naruto as Four-tail Kyūbi, though he said Akatsuki is the main enemy to be dealt with) have made him possibly the most mysterious character in the series.
Recently, Kabuto seems to exhibit signs of jealousy (as evident from his comment: "Hmph...Trying to belittle me...A-types are more suited to being underlings, that's what Orochimaru is trying to say..."). In the one of the latest chapters of the manga, he was very forthcoming with information about Orochimaru's lair, and seemed almost sad when he informed Naruto that Sasuke was not the same as he used to be.
Trivia
- His family name, Yakushi, is the Japanese name of the Medicine Buddha Bhaisajyaguru.
- Kabuto is the last part of the Japanese name for aconite (Torikabuto, 鳥兜), a plant which can either alleviate pain or kill, an apt description for his character.
- A kabuto means a samurai's helmet or headplate.
- Together with Akado Yoroi ("armor") and Tsurugi Misumi ("sword"), they form an armor-helmet-sword trio.
- Kabuto's team is notable for being the only three-man team to all wear glasses or sunglasses.
- Kabuto is one of the most morally ambiguous characters in Naruto. While he does carry out Orochimaru's desire, he does, from time to time, assist people from the good side; for example, he healed Hinata's hacking cough during the Chunnin exam, and as mentioned before, he also provided much information for Naruto during the second arc. His true nature is still shrouded in mystery.
Jinchuuriki Hints
1. Chapter 247
Deidara: ...before we go and get the guy we have at Orochimaru place, let's get this one...
Deidara: ...for some reason, he turned into a traitor and leaked our infos...
Sasori: ...it can't be helped, i don't even know what will happen if I use my jutsu...
- Analysis Deidara suggests they take out the jinchuuriki Gaara before going to Orochimaru's place to take out the other jinchuuriki Kabuto. They are aware Kabuto is no longer prone to Sasori mind control jutsu and kept leaking their infos to Orochimaru.
2. Chapter 251
Sasori: It's my turn but we don't even know where he is
Sasori: It would be much easier to wait for him to come to us
- Analysis Sasori doesn't know where Orochimaru's place is located, so he suggests waiting for his next meeting with Kabuto to take him out.
3. Databook 2
One who hides in the darkness
Through trust and loyalty, Kabuto and Orochimaru are connected. But between the two, one cannot say a relationship exists. Orochimaru uses him only for his own purposes. But Kabuto has no reason to blindly follow Orochimaru. In the abysmal darkness, is there something that only the two are aware?
- Analysis Kabuto is using Orochimaru as a shield against the jinchuuriki hunters "Akatsuki", which Orochimaru is aware of.
4. Kabuto's past
Kabuto was found as a little boy and the sole survivor in an enemy country battlefield.
- Analysis Kabuto was the jinchuuriki weapon of that country, but his jinchuuriki powers went out of control. He ended killing everyone, friends and foes.
5. Mysterious red eyes change in the forest of death
- Analysis The two-tailed Nekomata, of which Kabuto is suspected to be the possible container of, is known to have red in place of the white for eyes.
6. In Konoha, Orochimaru stated how Kabuto had to supress his blood since his childhood
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