Koushin: Konoha’s Dragonborn[Completed]

Some time ago, before Kabuto descended to the battlefield, Kabuto sat cross-legged in a dimly lit cave, an atmosphere of tension hanging in the air. Beside him was none other than Itachi Uchiha, a figure who carried an air of tranquility that seemed so incongruous with the aura of the place. Kabuto glanced at Itachi, his brow furrowed in contemplation.

"I have a proposition, Itachi-sama," Kabuto began, his tone measured. "We need Anko Mitarashi."

Itachi's eyes narrowed slightly, the only indication of his surprise. "Anko Mitarashi?" He echoed, his voice like a whisper against the quiet hum of the cave. "And for what purpose?"

"Her knowledge of Orochimaru's jutsu could be invaluable to us," Kabuto explained, his gaze fixed on the man in front of him. "And more importantly, her body is infused with Orochimaru's curse mark. If we could research this, it could significantly accelerate our progress."

Itachi remained silent, contemplating the suggestion. He was silent for a long time, his eyes staring into the distance as he weighed the implications. Finally, he turned his gaze to Kabuto, his expression unreadable.

"I see," he mused, his voice maintaining its soft monotone. "Proceed, Kabuto. But remember, unnecessary bloodshed is unacceptable."

Kabuto nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. He had been afraid Itachi would object, yet he found himself surprised at the trust the Uchiha showed in him. His loyalty to Itachi was unwavering, a beacon that guided his actions, but he had never expected such trust in return. He was not controlled by the Kotoamatsukami, like many others under Itachi's command; he chose to be loyal to Itachi, out of respect and a genuine belief in his ideals.

His mind drifted back to the past, to the days he had spent working alongside Orochimaru, always with the ultimate goal of aiding Itachi's ascent to power. They had successfully used Hashirama's cells to cure Itachi's lethal disease, a medical triumph that had brought relief to Kabuto's heart. Soon after, they had healed Nagato, bolstering Itachi's power base. It had been Orochimaru's ingenuity and drive for knowledge that had led them to these successes, and it had been under his guidance that Kabuto had attained his sage body, crafted meticulously by Zetsu, and his own Mangekyo Sharingan, a gift from Itachi himself.

But the Tenchi Bridge incident had shifted something in their dynamics. Orochimaru had started acting strangely around Kabuto, his actions more calculated and his conversations less forthcoming. Kabuto had felt a sense of unease growing within him, but he had chosen to ignore it, dismissing it as a mere side effect of the high-stress work they were doing. He had been confident that with Itachi's control, it would be impossible for Orochimaru to deceive him.

Although Kabuto hadn't laid all his cards on the table with Itachi, his intentions were never to betray him. Every action he took, every step he made was with Itachi's best interest at heart. Anko, bearing a piece of Orochimaru's soul sealed in her body through the cursed mark, was the linchpin to his plans. Not only would her capture and the examination of the seal ensure Orochimaru's loyalty to Itachi, but there was a personal angle to it as well. And then, of course, there was Koushin.

Kabuto's memory flashed back to his first meeting with Koushin during the Chunin Exam. He remembered the icy disdain on Koushin's face, the dismissive words that had filled the air between them. From that moment, a sense of animosity had grown within Kabuto towards the jokester. And when Koushin began meddling in his plans, that animosity had morphed into something more potent, something far more personal.

"Fuck off!"

Kabuto's face hardened at the memory. His hatred for Koushin had driven him to develop an insidious plan. If his theory was correct, he could utilize the cursed seal to bring down the Thunderfire himself. And with Orochimaru's soul in Anko, his chances of success seemed promising. As this thought took hold, he couldn't help but smile.

Now, as he prepared to set off for the Mountains' Graveyard, a sense of anticipation filled him. His Sage body and Mangekyo Sharingan were fully activated, and the report that Anko and her team were isolated provided an opening. The thrill of the upcoming confrontation filled his veins. He was eager to see the fear etched on their faces when he appeared.

In the blink of an eye, he was there, standing triumphantly before the gathered shinobi, a smug grin tugging at his lips. His eyes fell on Anko, her form rigid, her face pale. Yes, he thought, he was relishing this moment.

But as the grin spread across his face, a thunderclap split the stillness of the air. Kabuto’s heart skipped a beat as a flicker of dread swept over him. His mind raced, piecing together rumors and whispers he’d heard, connecting the dots with alarming speed.

"Thunderfire," one of the whispers played back in his mind, followed by another, "Purple Lightning." And the one that made his blood turn to ice, "Fastest Shinobi."

"No…" Kabuto murmured, his eyes scanning the sky for any signs of the incoming threat. But as the horizon illuminated with an otherworldly purple light, his fears turned into reality. It wasn't just a rumor; Koushin was here.

Anko’s voice broke the silence. "Clear the area! Koushin's here!" Her command rang out clear and crisp, jolting the shinobi into action. But it was too late. Before anyone could react, the area was bathed in a blinding violet light, and a second thunderclap reverberated, marking the arrival of Koushin.

In the midst of the confusion, a voice echoed out, unmistakable and chillingly calm. "Kabuto, long time no see," Koushin’s voice rang out, a touch of mockery in his tone. Kabuto felt his blood run cold. "So this is what you've been up to, huh? And here I thought you'd found a nice little hole to crawl into."