Kabuto blocks his vision with his hood as a means of evading the Uchiha's visual genjutsu, then starts the fight by unleashing multiple snakes at the two brothers. Both Itachi and Sasuke evade the snakes, then used their Susano'os to grab hold of them. As the fight continues, Kabuto tells Sasuke that he is underestimating him before revealing to have augmented himself with DNA samples from Taka's members: Suigetsu's flesh-liquid transformations, Karin's accelerated healing abilities, and Jugo's ability to utilize nature energy. Kabuto then reveals Jugo's lineage and how Orochimaru developed the Cursed Marks when his study on Jugo's DNA led him to the legendary Ryūchi Cave where the White Snake Sage lives. Though Orochimaru could not use Sage Jutsu as his host bodies couldn't tolerate nature energy, Kabuto semi-mastered it as he unveils his Sage Mode, as to fully be able to master sage mode means not taking on the appearance of the animal you learned it from. Sasuke says that his new form is similar to Orochimaru, but Kabuto explains that he exceeded his former master and considers himself as a snake transformed into a dragon. Kabuto proceeds to overwhelm the Uchiha before Itachi manages to counter at the last moment. Asking Sasuke if he remembered the plan they used while on a mission hunting a wild boar, Itachi uses his brother's aid to manage to cuts off one of Kabuto's horns. Meanwhile, battling twenty five wood clones, the Five Kage find themselves at a greater disadvantage when Madara has his clones conjure Susano'os of their own.