Naruto Shippuuden Episode 333

[DarthEnderX]

But basically when Kabuto gives a speech like that, it's 100% assured there's at least a 50% chance he's just utilising an extremely cheap way to ensure he won't be one-shot killed right off the bat.

I might agree but this isn't the first time it's come up. It's been said repeatedly by several different characters that Edo Tensei doesn't end when it's user dies.

Anko, the other "student" of Orochimaru. I'm sure she'll have some kind of a role in this, just not sure what yet.

Remember she also has one of Orochimaru's Cursed Seals.

Possibly the only character to still have one now that Sasuke lost his and the Sound Five are all dead.

I'm guessing Kabuto has plans for it, since it's, like, Orichimaru's essence or something,


EDIT: Actually, I just realized something. Itachi is the one that sealed away Orochimaru inside the Totsuka blade. Maybe now that Itachi is here, Kabuto has a plan for releasing his spirit, then he can use Anko as a sacrifice and Edo Tensei Orochimaru!

That would be sweet as fuck! Snake+Zombie Snake vs. Uchiha+Zombie Uchiha!

[Kraco]

I might agree but this isn't the first time it's come up. It's been said repeatedly by several different characters that Edo Tensei doesn't end when it's user dies.

Repeat a lie long enough and it becomes the truth. But that's only half of the point anyway, whether it's true or not. There's a lot of inherent value in slaying Kabuto regardless of how it affects the zombies. He's a super warcriminal at this point and killing him does at the very least ensure he won't be producing any more zombies. The other positive effect is that all the zombies whose originals wouldn't have been hostile would turn friendly after Kabuto's control ended. This would leave only Madara a big nuisance (and any nasty, villainous zombie we might not have seen yet, if there are such).

Still, it's not like I wouldn't like to see a good battle. Kabuto's behavior does suggest he has a few aces up his sleeve. If keeping him alive allows him to use them, then why not.

[DarthEnderX]

The other positive effect is that all the zombies whose originals wouldn't have been hostile would turn friendly after Kabuto's control ended.

I don't think that's true. I think they'd just continue to have to obey the orders they had prior to him dying.

Like how the Kage group were set up to attack anyone that attacked them or tried to get past them without Kabuto controlling them directly. They'd probably just have to keep following that command forever.

Someone he's controlling directly, like Lord Mu, would go back to having his personality maybe, but he still might be bound to his previous orders even then.

This would leave only Madara a big nuisance

I think that's pretty much the case already, as every other zombie of note has already been sealed at this point.

Dramatically speaking, it seems like the fight with Kabuto is really just a race to see if they can get him to end the Jutsu before Madara kills all of the Kages.