Induratize (v.) To make one's own heart hardened or resistant to someone's please or advances, or to the idea of love.
The world was disillusioned, it showed and handed Obito opportunities which would have been hard to get by, opportunities which he failed to utilise to his advantage. Nevertheless all of these opportunities and bits if information screamed trouble, and like temptresses, they called Obito with whispered promises of how he would be able to prove himself worthy of this second chance, and as a fool he couldn't hold himself back. This curiosity which he acted on impulse, these instincts which were reminiscent of his old self- or younger he guessed. Obito uses to jump headfirst into outreaching trouble, embrace the danger with open arms, seek the thrill, rush if adrenaline in his system ignoring the lurking consequences.
So while everything seemed to be slowly filling in with new pieces being added; broken fragments mending together to fill in a large picture. Due to his past as Obito he knew most of what the picture entailed, though never with this much depth.
It made his hatred for Zetsu that much more justified.
Ha what a funny word.
Justified.
He abhorred it. The word created excuses from which one could distance them self from consequences, because they had created the illusion of being in the right; the illusion which paves a path for ones own self satisfaction and gratification.
A path smeared with the blood of innocents alike, a path which Obito had followed religiously. All because his actions were justified for false dreams. They gave him the room to see himself bare off morals, strip himself bare from everything that made Obito human.
Now he was doing exactly that, trying to justify his actions.
Because the man was a Root, and by that logic it justified molesting his mind and to supposedly kill an innocent genin girl which he could have avoided.
Hadn't he gone through this already?
Hadn't his mind suffered enough for his actions?
What was right? Wrong? What was acceptable in this world when it existed in shades of grey, never pure white or black?
Funny, how she remained in his mind. Her dead image filled with guilty connotations. Despite his previous motivation to not be chained by his actions and to move forward.
Yet...it wasn't that easy.
In the short term he could divert his thoughts, push the feelings of guilt behind his goal, but the moment were he moved away from that the guilt returned. More pronounced than ever.
Was it just him? Or did others also suffer from this. From making a bad choice, shoving it to the back and focusing on more pressing matters, then having it return once his mind was clear again?
Obito needed a set of rules, core values which would ground him. Something to fall back on when he was treading the line of no return.
Holding onto Naruto's ideals was not good enough. They were the boy's ideals and core values not Obito's. They also couldn't become Obito's ideals, the differences between experiences and personality was too great. Although, using them as a framework would work.
His thoughts weren't cohesive, they weren't a string of a systematic thought process'. No... if Obito was asked to describe his mind, he'd ask you to picture the wind. Freeflowing, from one instance to the next, smoothly, gently, before it's stirred awake, soft edges becoming sharp cutting blades, uprooting his thoughts. Alongside the chaos, it bends and turns from one instance- one thought to the next.
A constant conflict
Like the very wind, he couldn't grasp or rein it in as it slipping through his fingers, taunting.
He was more broken than anyone realised. Especially himself.
Obito just didn't know. He didn't know how to act. In the confines of his solitude these demons played and wrenched his mind. He was barely holding it in, barely portraying a man getting better.
Be honest...how well fooled were you? The recess of his mind laughed.
The Anbu Root won't wake up. While time runs slightly longer in his pocket dimension, there wasn't a noticeable difference. A couple minutes or maybe even up to an hour, but not more.
The reason for his relapse, he acknowledged.
The root hadn't stirred from his spot, no twitch of muscle, just the slow rising of his chest He had a settling surety that the Root was comatose or worst, braindead due to his mind digging.
So does he keep him alive? Kill him now because of his uselessness? Or hope for a miraculous recovery? Does he bring him back to Konoha?
Should he wait a bit longer to see if the Root would wake?
So many questions with no answers.
During this conundrum, Obito found himself standing above the unconscious man, a kunai clenched in hand. His eye's were drawn to the blade, it was clean and wickedly sharp.
Like a passenger, Obito watched in fascination as his body knelt, the hand grasping the kunai slowly moved to lay against the Roots unprotected neck. His body knew what to do, moving on new formed habits as Tobi and Madara until Obito had taken control. His mind conflicted with the instinct to get rid off the broken toy, one which has lost it's use.
Applying small amount if pressure he watched with sick fascination as a small track of blood followed.
Obito violently jerked back.
The kunai fell, a small clang as it hit the ground, its clean blade now sullied.
He gasped for breath, fingers threaded in his hair as he tried to control his shaking.
I can't...can't kill him. He's a victim like me, I'll just drop him off to Konoha and they can fix him. Coming to this decision, He got up to his feet, hands grasping onto the solid blocks to steady himself.
Once Obito regained his balance, he moved to pick up his mask. Pulling it over, he turned to the Root picking him up and placing him over his shoulders.
He grunted at the extra weight as the healing abdomen moaned in protest at the applied pressure.
"No killing innocents or victims." He said aloud, straightening his posture as he moved the man into a more comfortable position.
His words echoed, and like an oath became branded in his mind.
Obito exited his dimension and stepped onto a large branch of a great oak near the memorial stone, his body once again obstructed behind the leaves.
Stretching his senses, ensuring that the area was clear Obito jumped down striding to the memorial. His eye's flickered from name to name before finding his own. His didn't deserve his honour. Not with him being alive and his past.
With a quick clean swipe, Obito horizontally slashed a deep line across his name.
Disagree with him, detest him, hate him...Obito new that this was a right action to take and he'll stand by his choice.
A man alive had no place amongst the dead.
Maybe...maybe after all of this was over he'd be able to once again stand alongside his team and makeshift family, to finally make Rin proud.
Running his finger across the slash, he gently placed the Root down in front of the obsidian, spiking his chakra so that his presence would be caught by the shinobi nearby, with a last glance at his slashed name, Obito transferred himself to the place were he was meant to meet the civilians.
He loved kamui for its quick transportation. He didn't have to waist time tree hopping like most shinobi, the technique didn't even require a massive drain of chakra, he had perfected it to mastery, although it seemed that his reflexes needed work in this body, he couldn't always rely on his eye. So after his wound healed Obito swore to himself that he won't use kamui for everything.
He had seen first hand what that sort of over reliance could cause, whether he saw it from his previous clan members or Kakashi, the consequences were all the same- overconfidence, decrease of once skill and fighting proficiency.
When he had heard of Kakashi's struggle against Zabuza, he had been shocked at hearing how close the fight had been and disgusted with the state of the scarecrow, he had scoffed at his previous pathetic team mate and carried on with the plans.
Obito had no desire falling into the same trap.
Creating a bounce in his step Obito made his way to his civilian clients. Thinking back, finding out their link with Orochimaru was pure luck or trouble thrown at his face by whatever deities existed in this world.
"Hey there!" Obito shouted, bouncing towards the two men. They were standing in front of the doors of the Inn they had met. The older man jerked at the sound of his voice, a hand clutching his shirt over his heart. The younger man meanwhile only scowled at Obito's entrance, his lips a thin line.
"Finally. I am Gou and this upstart is my nephew Hansuke " Gou introduced, pointing at himself then at his still scowling nephew. The older man then moved his travelling bag to his feet, "Come on, there's no point in wasting daylight now and you can carry my bag. My back hasn't been kind to me today."
Bobbing his head Obito swung the bag onto his shoulders, "Tobi is a good boy, young and handsome and really strong too!"
Hansuke scoffed picking up his own bag, "Are you really a ninja or some wannabe? You don't even have the metal band or whatever."
"Tobi is unaffiliated." He said wisely, unmoved by the others accusation then continued snugly, "The correct term is also Shinobi not ninja."
Hansuke twitched "I don't see the diff-"
"-Stop pestering the clown, if he says he's a ninja then he is. Not being tied to a village is cheaper." Interrupted Gou.
"And dangerous! He could slit our throats while we sleep and make way with our belongings." Argued Hansuke, aghast at his uncles apathy.
Swirling towards Tobi the man pointed at him, "Will you kill us?"
Surprised at the man's no bullshit attitude, Obito took a step back, hands shaking protectively in front. "No! That's horrible, why would Tobi want to kill two defenceless civilians?"
Ignoring the jab, the man nodded and walked ahead, but not before calling out over his shoulder at his nephew. "See, you're the one being ridiculous."
Greatly amused at the pairs argument, Tobi followed behind the duo, watching as the younger man tried to unsuccessfully instil some sense into his uncle.
To jump at the first offer of protection from a shinobi the man must have been extremely desperate.
Throughout their journey they didn't come across any trouble despite keeping to the less populated paths.
Having grown tiered of keeping up the Tobi persona, Obito mostly stayed silent. His senses stretched outward surveying their surroundings, he made it an exercise, trying to further his sensing distance. Reaching outward and holding it before retreating and stretching out again.
"There it is!" shouted Hansuke having finally spotted the outline of houses. Both civilians speeded their walk, desperate to reach the town and find a room for the night.
Their little group had been walking at a decent pace since their earlier break. Obito was pleased, having dreaded the journey and the snail pace of travel.
However, his fears were unfounded. While slow, the travel had been peaceful, Obito had bathed in the sunlight, the light rays warming his skin and soul, a startling contrast to the darkness and chilling cold of his dimension.
"Come on old man, hurry up. My feet are killing me." Hansuke tugged at Gou's arm, pulling him down the semi-filled streets.
As they searched for an Inn, Obito became aware of the many wide eyed stare and hushed whispers. The streets gradually became filled as the villagers tried to get a glimpse of him. Worst were the children, giggling and pointing at his mask before getting quieted by their parents.
Tapping Gou's shoulder, he waited for the man to turn towards him with a grunted, "what?"
"Ne...why are they all staring?" he asked.
Before the man could answer Hansuke budged in. Obito let himself get shoved back, creating distance between himself and Gou.
"They probably hadn't seen a stupid looking shinobi like you."
Tapping his mask, he leaned towards Hansuke. "You don't see worried, despite Tobi being unaffiliated."
"That's because we're merchants and have past experience with shinobi. Our trade means that we need to hire your kind for protection and after so many years the awe and fear goes away." Explained Gou, jerking his head at the villagers, "these suckers probably never saw a shinobi and won't for a long time unless some pass through this village, which I doubt."
Nodding, Obito pondered on this information. He never truly paid attention to civilians, normally having brushed them aside as unimportant and insignificant. Being in this situation he could see the fear and awe, the shinobi only amounted to being about thirty percent of the population. Most lived inside their hidden villages with the occasional rogue-nins and bounty hunters outside.
Having spent his adolescence in Konoha, all civilians had exposure to shinobi in some way or other. Most would be acquaintance through friends or have an aspiring shinobi in their family. Civilians living outside the villages would rarely come across them, even live their whole life without meeting one. Excluding merchant's such as Gou and his nephew who dealt business and of course those pompously wealthy.
Obito could only imagine how they viewed shinobi, were they seen as glorified killers? Maybe even men blessed with superhuman abilities?
These people probably didn't even know what chakra was.
Following in after them to a house he listened as the man sorted the details of their nightly stay, ensuring the owner that they'll be gone by the morning.
Gou had found a willing pair of spouses to house them, the village didn't have an Inn or any kind of bar with spare rooms.
"Nah he's good." Said Gou, elbowing Obito.
Jerking from his thoughts Obito looked down at the expecting man then at the couple eyeing him curiously. They were a young pair, probably around their mid-twenties, the male was tall, standing the same height as Obito with brown hair and eyes. The woman on the other hand came eye level to his chin with ash blonde hair and ochre eyes. They made a pretty pair.
Putting on his most cheerful voice Obito tried to put them at ease. "Tobi is a good. He won't hurt you."
"He's employed under me, you can trust me that it's completely safe." Reassured Gou. "I am Gou and that is my nephew Hansuke. The shinobi name is Tobi as you've heard. Thank you for hosting us for the night."
The couple nodded, the man took a step forward taking the lead.
"It's no problem, truly. I am Kazuo and this is my wife Nanami. Please follow me, I'll show you to your rooms." then he turned to address his wife after kissing her cheek, "I'll show them the room while you can make some food."
They moved to stand before two rooms, Kazuo nodded at them, "choose which ones you want, these two are free."
"Tobi will take this one!" he exclaimed jumping inside one of the rooms and shutting the door behind him. He then waited for the men to finish before searching it for any faul play such as seals, traps and whatnot.
Some habits never die, they become ingrained and second nature now.
Obito let himself fall onto the bed, taking off his mask. Pleasantries were exhausting.
Even he needed a break from being Tobi for too long, the hyper-ness and plain energy that went into holding and pretending if being such a silly guy sometimes drained too much from him.
Obito did enjoy it most of the time when facing an opponent, not so much for everyday dealings.
He poked gently at his wound seeing if it caused any pain. It didn't immediately hurt so he guessed it was healing nicely, should be done by the end of tomorrow.
His rest was broken by a knock and muffled voice of Hansuke, "Food is ready so come down."
Obito was out even before he had finished his sentence, shoving him aside as he made his way to the kitchen, guided by the heavenly smell of a home cooked meal.
"Smells good!"
The civilians simultaneously jumped as they gaped at him sitting in the empty seat serving food onto his plate.
The woman- Nanami gaped open mouthed before stuttering. "Wha...what. I didn't even hear you come in!"
"That's ninja for ya." Explained Gou wisely, nodding as if he had shared some untold secret. "Anyway, what was it that you were saying, children disappearing from the villages or something?"
Taking her eyes from Obito, the woman turned to answer the old man, "Ah...yes. It's mostly the orphans you know, you see them one day begging for food then the next thing you know there isn't a word from them. Streets empty."
Kazuo waved her off, taking a bite from his plate, "Good riddance. Those street rats caused nothing but trouble, I've had a fair share of my sells stolen or damaged because if them."
"Please tell me more pretty lady! Tobi's interested." He put in, making a show of rubbing his belly while he leaned back in his chair.
Everyone gave him bewildered looks then his now empty plate.
Swallowing, Nanami continued hesitantly, "It's not just this village. Apparently most neighbouring villages had the same happen. It...It's just that people are getting scared their children will start disappearing soon. The orphans have always been here and now with them gone..."
"They're just foolish fears Nanami I told you." Glared Kazuo at his wife who looked down, one hand rubbing her arm. "The orphans were pests."
"...my husband is right. Please ignore these foolish fears."
Slightly disturbed Obito continued eating (a small genjutsu made sure they wouldn't see his face) and watching the couple as the meal continued in awkward silence.
The subservience and small flinches whenever Kazuo made a move to touch her. The previous tightly controlled violence, a promise of violence to knowing ears and Obito was sure he was facing and abusive relationship.
A tightly controlling, self-righteous husband and a beaten down once strong woman.
Once the meal was finished, Obito waited for the men to leave for their rooms as Nanami diligently went about clearing the table.
Making his way he rolled his sleeves, taking over washing.
"Tobi will help."
Nanami stopped, watching in shock as the shinobi did something as simple as washing.
"Thank you." She muttered softly.
Both fell into a comfortable rhythm. He cleaning while she wiped dry the plates and put them away.
Job completed, Obito waited for her before grasping her right arm and swiftly pulling up the sleeve. The skin was coloured in shades of yellow and purple.
He ran his hand over the bruises, ignoring the way she tried to tug her hand away from his steel yet gentle grasp. After not saying anything Nanami bit her lip, tears held back by will.
"I tried to get out of this marriage you know." Failing to see any reaction at her words she continued speaking, "I knew him since childhood, he was nice at first but violent when something didn't go his way. Our parent's were friends and made a business deal. My hand and their money."
"Have you told anyone?"
Looking up in surprise at his change of town, Nanami sniffed, "I tried but no one would listen. When he found out about it I couldn't walk straight for the next couple of days."
Grunting at the disgusting implication, Obito let her arm go.
"From now on and onwards you're coming with me, Gou and Hansuke. They're pretty chill."
"What? No! I can't just leave."
"Why not."
"Because I can't!"
Tapping her bruised arm Obito turned his body to face her, "If you stay you'll suffer."
"But Kazuo...he won't just let me leave!" Nanami cried. "It's not that easy."
Shaking his head Obito turned to leave, "Sure it is. I'm giving you a way out. The guy won't find you if you leave, I can deal with him and give you that promise. All you have to do is just come with us. Think about it."
With that said, Obito made his way to his room. Sealing the door shut and laying down onto the bed, he let himself drift into the realm of dreams.
The next morning Obito was leaning against the door waiting for the men to leave. He refused to meet Nanami's eyes as she stood beside Kazuo.
After they were done with the goodbyes, Obito turned to walk once again after the men.
His mind was preoccupied with thoughts on the disappearing orphans. The case sounded closely to being Orochimaru's work, he had known about the experiments the Sannin had done on children after Minato had been appointed Hokage. He nearly forgot that they had continued once Orochimaru was found out, probably never stopped them either.
Having finally said their goodbyes and thanks the small group made their way out of town. Obito grinned behind his mask as he felt the tiny pulse of small chakra trailing behind them.
"Tobi will be back in a sec." He said, then left in a swirl of leaves as he appeared behind Nanami who was grasping for breath and leaning on a tree. Seemed like she had been running to catch up with them.
"So you decided to join us." Obito stated, watching amusedly as she jumped in shock, twirling around.
"I...I thought about what you said. So when I went to get food I ran after you."
"Hold my hand, you can speak to Gou" grasping onto his hand Obito added in an after thought, "Oh and Nanami. Keep up my Tobi persona, ok sweet heart?"
Seeing her nod weekly Obito sunshined back to the men, making them jerk back at their sudden reappearance. Once the stupor wore off Obito let himself fade to the background as Nanami explained the situation and his observation and offer.
Initially the men had been disgruntled and seemed annoyed with his meddling before accepting the nervous woman with open arms.
"We should nearly be there. See that pass and bridge over there?" Gou pointed to Nanami, "The Waterfall village is in that direction and will be our next destination after I meet up with a client not far from here."
"Why you even agreed to meet in a backwater village I don't even wanna know " muttered Hansuke.
Once they reached a small shop and took residence inside for a meal, Gou stood up to leave.
"Alright I will be back soon. Stay here." He demanded and levelled Obito with a glare. "Especially you Tobi."
Nodding, Obito excused himself with the pretence of taking a leak, secured and hidden from prying eyes Obito made a clone to replace his place as he made way to find Gou.
The man in question was waiting a fair distance away, standing in front of a burned down house. The little shop they rested at was the closest and only building in miles.
Just like last time Gou's stance screamed anxiety. Body tensing as a figure stepped out from amongst the trees.
"You have the ingredients." It wasn't said as a question, but as a fact to unnerve the other.
"I...yes...the chemicals." Gou stuttered, reaching a shaking hand to take out set items. Handing out five flasks the old man handed them to the cloaked figure, scrambling back as small bag of money was thrown at his feet. After the transaction was complete both parties cleared from the clearing.
Obito followed behind the cloaked individual, he could tell that they weren't trained shinobi, probably just some slightly trained lackey in the use of chakra.
Obito slipped inside the opened passage after the lackey pressed a sealed hand onto the ground. A stairway had appeared, the ground retracting as stairs melded together from the earth. He was lead inside the underground cavern, stone walls decorated by glowing torches and gentle sound of water leaking.
The inside smelt like decaying flesh and rotten blood.
Holding back a grunt at the putrid smells Obito, analysed his new surroundings. He had been led to large chamber, a large table of various smoking chemicals and equipment in the centre of the room surrounded by orange liquid filled, massive cylinder capsules.
Making sure that the man was the only one around Obito slit their throat before they could even realise what was happening.
He let their body thump down, paying no mind to the gargling sound. Instead, he looked through their possessions, finding the ingredients Gou was talking about he eyes the labels.
None of them meant a word to him.
Shrugging he crushed them under his feet. The lab seemed abandoned and similar in type to the ones he had destroyed.
Placing exploding tags in the room, Obito made his way out to search the rest.
After the chamber, the underground base was filled with empty cells crusted with dried blood and broken chains.
"Ugh what's that smell." He said in disgust. If he could he'd clench his nose to stop smelling the disgusting odours.
Walking deeper, the smell started growing stronger. It seemed to reside from a tightly sealed door. Breaking the chains and ripping of the seals Obito pushed the door open.
First, hit him the smell of rotting corpses followed by the sound of agonising groans. Lastly, his eyes took a while to adjust to the picture before him.
Human bones lay in heaps, stacked on one another, in different states of decay. Maggot ridden bodies mingled with them as to the left a child was chained alongside skin and flesh being eaten away. More dead than alive.
Their eyes were unfocused, slowly retaining awareness due to his presence. Their gazes stayed locked together as Obito stood frozen in shock. He watched transfixed as a dry tongue licked away at chapped lips, voice hoarse with disuse.
"Save me."
He flinched at the plea.
"Plea...please save me." They gasped out again, eyes no longer dead lightened up with hope. A tiny spark ignited within their depths.
A spark Obito will have to smother into nothingness. Death would be a mercy at this point, the child was beyond saving or his healing capabilities. He couldn't even comprehend how they were still alive.
Hardening his heart to their please, Obito clenched his eyes shut as he let a kunai fly.
"Please I beg you. I did as you asked!" The man cried, eyes streaming tears as he knelt in front of Obito. "Please, please I have a family and they won't survive without me."
He watched dispassionately as the lowly being held onto his knees. Pleas washing over him.
"You should have considered this before you defied my orders, their death is on your hands."
"No, no, that's not true!" They shook, eyes pleading, "I did as you asked!"
"You failed and I don't accept failure."
Growing tired of the insistent pleas Obito quickly killed the man, cold eyes revealing nothing as he stepped over the body.
He shook over the memory. He wasn't like that anymore, this was different. He had done a mercy killing, although small doubt remained.
It seemed like he had came across the disposal room or lab. Orochimaru was truly a monster, to throw lives away in such a manner.
At least Obito had used to deal quick and painless deaths. Although a small part of him still tried to compare himself now to this Orochimaru.
Slapping the tags, Obito shut the room behind him. He made his way through the rest of the rooms methodically.
Now he knew what happened to these orphans before the snake had figured out how to become more productive and effective with the use of the stolen children.
Exiting the empty hideout Obito released a small pulse of chakra aimed at the tags he placed through out. Instantly the ground rumbled as numerous explosions shook the earth.
He could imagine the flames eating their way through, roaring inferno growing, fed by the chemicals.
The ground in front of him started collapsing, chunks of earth breaking apart, no longer held up. He watched the earth as it swallowed up the remains of the laboratory.
A/N: Thanks for your patience guys!
Dw, from onwards there won't be many Oc's i just needed em to set up some info and stuff, present hot topics but Nanami will become important! Won't say why but can ya guess?.
Yeah slow writer on the phone here without beta so it takes a while. You won't believe the weird typos autocorrect come up with some cases...i really need to invest in with a laptop.
Que: how do you think about the little fragment memories? Do you think they link good enough with the words at the beginning of the chapter or nah?
Leave your thought on the story In the review guys!
