[posted 12/14/2020]

Obito felt his heartbeat in the tips of his fingers as he made his way carefully along the pitch-black tunnel.

When the plant-thing led him to this place, he wasn't surprised to find the area familiar. It was near where Iwa scouts had laid a trap that would have come close to killing him in a different time.

On the way down, Obito kept his breathing steady. He reminded himself to run at the slightest hint of a trick.

This meeting was a long time coming, but fighting Madara was too dangerous without backup. No matter how weak he looked.

A short meeting. That was all. Just enough to disrupt whatever plans he had for Akatsuki.

"Here we are!" the plant creature said ahead of him, slapping its hand on a solid-sounding surface. "It's on the other side of this wall. That won't be a problem for you, right?"

"I got it," Obito muttered. He reached out and felt the rough texture of the stone. He took another deep breath to reassure himself.

No matter what he says, you know who you are. You would die before doing what he wants. Nothing can change that.

Obito exhaled and stepped through the solid stone wall that separated the underground tunnel from the cavern beyond.

The cavern was dark, the edges entirely hidden. But Obito's vision adjusted, and there was enough light from somewhere far above to make out what was in front of him.

His gaze was drawn immediately to the trunk of a gigantic tree. As he and the Zetsu walked closer, Obito slowed his step when he felt the stone on his chest become warmer than his skin.

"I brought him, boss!" the Zetsu waved its arms. "You didn't think he'd come, but here he is! I couldn't believe it either! But he already knew you were here. Isn't that amazing?"

"Oh?"

Obito stopped completely when he saw the old man sitting at the base of the tree.

Madara turned his Sharingan on him.

This Madara looked very different from the Edo Tensei version Obito met in the future, but they were unmistakably the same. Only this Madara looked thin and frail, and he did not have the Rinnegan. He was connected to the great tree via long vines connected to his back. His posture was bent as if weighted down by the years, propped up with a staff, but his gaze was sharp and aware.

He examined Obito for what felt like ages.

"It can't be." Madara raised a gnarled finger and pointed at him. "Last I heard, the Slug Princess was off licking her wounds somewhere. How did you come upon that stone, boy?"

This close to the tree, the stone was emitting a faint light, just barely visible through Obito's shirt. He put his hand over it to conceal the light.

"None of your business," he said bluntly.

Madara gave a small laugh. "I thought there was something notable about you when you passed through here several months ago. But to wear that and still be alive, there must be even more to you than I thought."

Obito stuck his thumb out at the Zetsu. "Swirly over here said you wanted to talk to me. I'm here, so hurry up and tell me what you want."

"Want? Nothing, really. I was only a little curious." Madara leaned forward against the staff. "This life of mine holds few interesting moments. I'd gladly die of boredom, but I need to stay a bit longer to see my legacy go on. I've heard about you."

Obito tried to keep his face impassive. "Yeah?"

"You don't seem surprised. Yes. After you came through before, I spent some time finding out about you. The more I learned, the more I wanted to meet you." Madara paused. "I'd rather have someone of the bloodline carry on my work. Imagine my surprise, then, when I heard you'd shown up in Rain, at the very center of it. Almost like an omen."

Obito took in a long breath. There was no point doing this unless he went all in with it. "I guess by now, you've heard all the rumors out there about me. But you don't know the half of it. It wasn't an omen. It was on purpose."

"What do you mean?" Madara narrowed his visible eye.

"The truth is, I didn't want to meet you right now. But I do know what you're planning. While you were wasting time with some no-name group, I already had you figured out. And I am going to stop you."

Madara laughed again, a dry, cynical sound.

Swirly put a hand on its hip. "I don't get it! How does this random kid know about us?"

"How indeed." Madara straightened abruptly to examine Obito once again. "Let's assume I take your claim at face value. I can't fault your ambition. But if you're really out to get me, why wait? Why not take the opportunity to end it now?"

"Eh?" Swirly said.

Obito couldn't think of a good answer.

Madara reached behind him and gathered up the stems connected to his body. "I'm only alive because of this. I would have preferred someone like you to carry on for me, but what I've set in motion is already pretty good. I wouldn't mind dying today. Is that why you're here?"

Do not get close to him. The thought darted through Obito's mind. He wasn't exactly sure what would happen. But if Madara wanted him to come closer, then he would avoid it at all costs.

"No," Obito said. "I'm here because Swirly-face wouldn't leave me alone. Besides, you already caught me in Rain. You would have figured it out sooner or later."

"It is puzzling. You are lying, but I'm not sure about what. You act tough, but that's all it is. I doubt you have what it takes to kill me."

Obito grit his teeth. "You have no idea what I'm capable of."

Madara chuckled and let the stems fall. "If you've never killed, it's better to get it out of the way in the heat of battle. Killing a helpless old man in cold blood is not the best entry point."

Obito felt chilled.

This, too, was a mistake.

Madara was somehow different from what he'd expected. The prospect of ending him now and putting his influence forever out of reach made sense. If he could do it.

"Maybe. But it would be worth it."

"Um… boss…?" Swirly-face sidled into his view. "Not to be alarmist, but that kid's got some kinda look in his eye. I don't know how he found us out, but I'm starting to think he means it."

But Madara didn't seem concerned at all. His wrinkled face pulled into a slash of a grin.

"I admit, it's nearly a convincing bluff. But my roots extend far beyond this cave and tree, young Uchiha. If you really knew, really had me figured out, you'd know that killing me here would change nothing. I've worked tirelessly these past few decades to make myself superfluous. Look at me." He gestured, indicating his overall self. "Does it seem like my physical presence gives or takes anything away from the world anymore?"

"I don't think keeping you around is good for anyone. Least of all me," Obito said.

"How much do you really know? And why have you taken it on yourself to do something about it? Please tell me more. It's been a long time since I've been this surprised by anything."

"I'm not here to chat. I just wanted you to know that someone knows what you're up to."

"Who?" There was a sharp edge under Madara's voice. "You don't seem like much of a mastermind. You've completely wasted the opportunity to catch me off guard. Is it Tsunade-hime, after all?"

"No. It's just me." At the moment, that was technically true. Obito took a step backward. "That's all I wanted to say. Don't bother messing with Ame. It won't go the way you want."

"Why do we have to fight at all? All I want is an answer for this rotten world. If that's not appealing, I could help you find what you're looking for. I could even restore your eye."

Obito put his free hand over his bandaged eye, smothering a spike of panic. He'd hoped, somehow, that Madara would be distracted into forgetting whatever Swirly had overheard about his real purpose in Ame. Under no circumstances could they know how important finding the book was.

"It's too late for that. Besides, I will never help you. I'd rather die. But in a way… you're right." Obito let his hand fall. "I get the feeling a lot of what happened with the Uchiha is tied up in you. If you're dealt with the right way—if I let the Hokage pass judgment on you—maybe the rest of our clan can be cleared. Maybe we won't be dragged down into the pit of what you've done."

"Fine." Madara inclined his head. "I'll wager my life on that… for now. I'll play along with whatever you have planned. But remember, we don't have to be at odds. The next time we meet, I will ask again. Maybe then you will be more willing to answer."

Obito walked backward until he hit the wall. "Keep waiting."

Obito heard Swirly protesting loudly as he left. But staying there a second longer was too dangerous. His pulse was racing. It was a small slip-up away from disaster.

He knew that provoking Madara would give him nothing but a giant target on his back. But that was the point.

Hopefully, he'd bought Akatsuki a little more time. Maybe he could resolve this quickly enough to put Madara in his place.

For now, though, Madara and Akatsuki would have to wait. He barely had enough energy left to jump home. And who knew what Tobi might have gotten up to in his absence?

Obito fell out into his bedroom ungracefully. He'd been so focused on getting the location exact, he forgot to worry about a smooth landing. He dropped out of the air a step higher than intended and immediately stumbled.

A pair of hands caught and pushed him back upright by the shoulders. Obito looked up and once again had the disorienting experience of staring at his own face.

"Tobi!" Obito steadied himself on the edge of his desk. "I'm glad you're here. I was worried…"

He trailed off when he noticed Rin and Kakashi. They were sitting on the work stools Hinako had given them, facing into the room. And they were staring at both versions of him. The overhead light was on, and the drapes at the window were shut.

"They already know," Tobi explained. "I've put a silencing barrier around this room to make sure no one can listen in. These two were seriously discussing plans to come after you. I was trying to convince them not to."

"Oh no." Obito let out a tired groan and sank down into his desk chair.

Meanwhile, Rin stood up. "Are you alright? Where did you go? Are you hurt?"

Obito shifted to the side of the chair to face them. He bent his head low. "I'm sorry. I did a stupid thing by leaving. I wasn't even able to find it."

He put his face in his hands. Now that he could finally rest, the danger and exhaustion and guilt dropped on him all at once. He expected them to start yelling any moment. But after a pause, a beat of silence, he looked back up.

Tobi sat on the edge of his bed. The other two were watching him silently. Rin looked a little sad. Kakashi looked neutral, his features blank.

"I'm alright," Obito said. He sat up straight and relaxed his fists. "I lost the trail around Rain. That's where the Hunters were hiding while they waited to attack. But they didn't stick around there afterward. They probably retreated that way, but… they could be on their way back to Kiri by now."

"I imagine so, given the war is over," Tobi said.

Obito jolted. "What? It's over?"

Kakashi sighed. "They must have guessed what we were about to do, and attacked to try stalling the Sandaime. But it didn't work. By the way…" he pointed his thumb toward Tobi. "Can you explain what this is about? It's really unsettling to see two of you knowing it isn't a bunshin."

Without waiting for Obito to respond, Tobi held his hand in a half ram sign. "Kai!"

A plume of vapor surrounded him before quickly disappearing. Tobi flashed his razor-like smile at Kakashi and Rin, apparently enjoying the surprise on their faces.

Prior to his imprisonment, Tobi wore layers to cover every bit of skin, with an imposing Akatsuki coat and mask on top. But after the last battle with Orochimaru, he had to make do with whatever Obito could find for him.

In a dark navy tee and standard-issue black pants, he looked more like an uncannily similar older brother or uncle than an S-class criminal.

Obito saw Kakashi and Rin take in the differences: the missing eye, the crumpled side of his face, the subtly lighter tone of his right arm. And of course, his age.

This whole thing had been Obito's idea, but he was still uneasy about Tobi being here, in this world, with his team.

"It's not that complicated," Tobi said in his own voice. "He needed a double, and I was the best choice. I told you. I'm from a different dimension."

Kakashi recovered first. "I get that… but why couldn't you wait?" He glanced at Obito. "You look awful. You look like you've been dragged halfway across the country."

"I'd have done the same thing if it was one of you. That's how important the book is," Obito said. "My friend isn't the only one in danger. If they manage to figure out the jutsu that's contained in it, we're all in trouble. Every second I waste is… but I couldn't find it. They're gone." His voice cracked.

"Still, there might be something we can do." Rin turned to Kakashi. "You had an idea, right?"

Kakashi shifted uncomfortably. "My idea was to find Obito before he got himself killed. Now he's here, so there's no one we have to cover for. We should tell Minato-sensei and do it the right way."

"We don't have time to do it the right way." Obito ground his teeth.

"Okay. If you can't wait for Minato-sensei to get back, then let's tell the Sandaime. He can—"

"No." Obito cut in. "We don't want anyone else to know about the other dimensions."

"That's wise," Tobi commented. "I've seen the Orochimaru of this time. I don't think he's had contact with his other self, but one look at the Book of Seals would tell him far too much. He'd recognize his own work."

"The book comes from a different version of Orochimaru?" Rin asked confusedly.

"Yes." Obito ran his hands over his face wearily. "And he's used it to kidnap and control living people. I'd rather wait for Minato-sensei than tell anyone else about it. But if you have an idea, spit it out."

Kakashi stayed silent for a moment. Then he said, "I thought me and Rin could take a simple cleanup mission that would put us in the area. As long as we completed it in time, it would give us a chance to look for you."

"Simple. We could do the same thing."

Rin shook her head. "Hold on. We met with the Sandaime earlier, and he wants you to stay home for the time being. He won't let you out, not even for a cleanup mission. Did you know Kiri has put a bounty on you?"

Obito let out a long breath. "I know. Well—I found out. After I'd already left."

"So," Kakashi said, "that idea isn't going to work. Unless you're fine staying here while we go looking?"

Obito glanced at Tobi. Tobi raised a brow.

"Oh, no." Kakashi put his palm to his forehead.

"Wait a minute." Rin waved to get Obito's attention. "I understand why you don't want people to know about the book. And I'm okay with looking for clues. But what if we actually find something? Obviously, your kamui works to a certain extent, but how much?"

"It takes much more effort," Tobi said. "And he's still injured, so I'm guessing the death grip he has on the back of that chair is the only reason he can sit up straight."

Obito shot him a look. "We don't have to face the hunters head-on. If we find it, we can steal it."

Kakashi crossed his arms. "There are too many unknowns. I still think we should wait for Minato-sensei to come back. Even if he walks with everyone else instead of jumping, it should be within the week."

"I—" Obito's words snagged on the air and died. "We can still get a head start. Tobi can tell him what's going on. They've met before."

"Really?" Tobi tilted his head significantly. Obito could hear the unspoken loud and clear.

"He'll find out anyway." Obito looked down, putting a hand on his shoulder. "I knew that from the start. But if we're already out there and we don't fight, it technically wouldn't be breaking any rules. There has to be something we can do."

Obito didn't notice Rin beside him until she rested a hand over his bandaged eye, and he gave a start.

"I don't know," she said. Obito felt the cooling sensation of healing chakra, lingering across the nearly-healed cut on his head. "Sandaime-sama told us he'd see about getting someone to look at your eye. I think we should go tomorrow morning and see what an Uchiha medic has to say about it. Then we can decide what to do. Okay?" Rin backed up, brows furrowed.

"Fine," Obito said tiredly. There was little chance of going anywhere without resting first, either way.

"Good. We'll get an early start, then." Rin turned back to Kakashi, who stood. It seemed they were about to leave.

Obito noticed Tobi watching him from the corner of his good eye. He threw a stubborn look back.

Tobi stood. He made a motion like he was about to reach out to the others, but thought better of it and dropped his hand.

But Rin paused, noticing. She gave him a questioning look.

"Thank you," Tobi said in a surprisingly gentle tone.

"Eh?" Rin blinked in surprise, then waved her hand. "N-not at all! It's my job, and—I mean, we're on the same team in your time too, right?"

"Yes. But I know Kakashi and I were not always the best at showing appreciation. Especially when it went against what we wanted." Tobi cracked a slight smile as Kakashi rubbed the back of his head. "Don't worry, I'll make sure the idiot doesn't go anywhere."

Like hell you will, Obito thought, but didn't contradict him out loud.

"We'd better get moving before Hina-baa comes to check on us. It's been a while," Kakashi said.

"See you guys." Obito hauled himself out of his chair. He didn't want to fall for Tobi's pointed jab, but unfortunately, he was sort of right. "And seriously… thanks. For hearing me out. And not getting mad that I left you behind."

"Who said that?" Rin looked back at him with an icy smile.

"S-sorry."

Kakashi shrugged. "You owe us one. Let's leave it at that."

Tobi lingered behind them as they left. He stopped at the bedroom door and turned back to Obito.

"I'll go see off Hinako so she doesn't come up here. She would get suspicious if she saw you like this."

"Wait—" Obito started, but Tobi went ahead and slid the door shut behind him.

Obito looked at the clock on his bedside table. It was already night. The shop should have been well closed by now. But maybe Hinako was still silently worried about him.

Obito sighed. He felt drained and heavy, and a dull headache grew from behind his injured eye. It would be nice to make more than a few jumps without getting overextended. With or without a fix, his body would eventually catch up. There just wasn't enough time.

He zoned out for a moment, but Tobi's return jolted him back awake.

He'd only covered himself with a simple Henge to go downstairs. Tobi came back in and gave a quick hand motion, and it was dispelled.

"It's better if I limit my true form to this room. We should avoid being in the same place otherwise," he said.

Obito scowled. "What makes you think you're staying out here? You're going back into kamui."

"No."

Obito got to his feet, bristling immediately. "Like I'm giving you a choice."

Tobi stared down at him from his superior height. "You already did. My help in exchange for freedom. You still need my help, and that's my price. Forgive me if the threat of being taken by force fails to impress. Can you even access it right now?"

Obito slumped back into the desk chair, pressing a hand against his eye. "Fine. I still need your help. For now."

He didn't feel like arguing. He always figured Tobi would resist going back into his prison. But that could be resolved later, after he got the book back.

Now that things were relatively quiet, Obito could feel a tightening pressure on the back of his throat like an invisible hand. The unreality of speaking to Madara came back to him, fear he hadn't allowed himself to feel until it was over.

"Maybe you don't want to hear it, but I did the same thing," Tobi said.

Obito looked up, confused. "What?"

Tobi turned his head to look at Obito more fully, voice low and thoughtful. "That other Kakashi told you the story, didn't he? I became separated from them, and I didn't have the power to make it back. After that, I spent my days with one single-minded purpose. I wanted to see them again. I lived, breathed, dreamed nothing else. I justified anything to make it happen. If things had happened the same way, you would be in that exact situation right now. So, I'm not surprised you went this far. Even if you had to ask for my help."

Obito lowered his hand. "Why didn't you tell me? About… anything? Kakashi said he didn't know anything until the time you showed up again." Obito curled his hands into fists. "It would have helped a lot when I was out there. I met Akatsuki. And Madara."

Tobi stiffened. Now he looked surprised. "What did you say?"

"I crossed the border of Ame and found Akatsuki. Or they found me. You never mentioned they were already a group in this time."

"You never asked. I thought you would have known better than to go to Ame, in any case. What was that about Madara?"

"I didn't cross the border on purpose. I had a hard time controlling my landings." Obito shook his head. "Point is, Madara is still trying to use Akatsuki. When I left, a Zetsu came out of nowhere and talked to me."

"What did it look like?"

"Uh. Kind of swirly?"

Tobi stepped toward him. "And you went along with it? Knowing everything? How are you this incomprehensibly stupid?"

"That's just it! I don't know everything," Obito bit back. "I had to do something. I can't worry about Akatsuki right now with everything else going on! I wanted to make Madara look elsewhere until we get this situation with the book figured out."

"What happened? How did you escape?"

"Nothing happened. I jumped away before they could do anything. Okay, it wasn't a great idea, but it was the only thing I could think of—"

"And you still want to go out looking. You think he won't notice?"

"If he does, that just means it worked."

Tobi made a scornful sound. "If you were going to be that reckless, you could have at least finished him off. He is at his weakest point right now. Going was a mistake, but leaving him alive is worse."

"I didn't…" Obito hesitated. "I wasn't sure what he could do, so I kept my distance. But he caused a lot of the problems between the clan and the village, right? I thought… I don't know. Maybe if people knew he was still alive, we could come to some kind of resolution. And things would get a little better."

Tobi's eye strayed to where the stone lay around Obito's neck, incredulity sketched across his face. "That is a lot to hope for. You don't understand how deep his influence runs. It will take more than a scapegoat to save the Uchiha. Not even killing him would solve everything."

"Why are you so interested in killing him? I thought you guys were on the same side."

"It's like I said. You're not the first to rely on dubious help to get what you want."

Obito felt a stab of annoyance. "Then I guess you're right, I don't understand anything! Okay, so you had to work with him to get your strength back. I get that. Then what happened to Rin and Kakashi—" He halted. Brushing up against that thought was almost physically painful. "I just don't understand how that leads to killing the Uchiha. Or using Akatsuki to steal the bijuu. Madara can't have much longer to live. What's the point of doing what he wants long after he's dead? Why did you…kill…"

Obito's lips trembled. He'd wanted to ask for a very long time. But part of him had always been afraid of the answer. The thing he kept avoiding.

That maybe there was something fundamentally wrong with him. That he could trip and fall just as easily.

He looked up at Tobi after a moment of complete silence.

The man's expression was unreadable as ever. He moved to rest a hand on his chest, like he was about to declare something. But he spoke quietly once more.

"I won't make excuses. There is no denying the reality of what I've done. If you're wondering whether you have the capacity to follow the same path, of course the answer is yes. But you are not unique in that. Rather than dwell on your own shortcomings, you should be thinking about the flaws in this world, the conditions that make people into monsters. That is, if you still plan on leading them."

Obito wasn't sure what he'd expected to hear, but it wasn't that. "Madara said… he had some kind of answer. Is that why you went along with him?"

Tobi reached out toward him. Obito winced reflexively, then blinked when Tobi's palm rested on top of his head.

"If you want things to go differently for you, there's at least one thing you can do. Never listen to Madara."

A/N: Hi again~ my vacation lasted longer than expected because my roommate got sick, so I decided not to come home for a while (but he tested negative for covid twice, so it must have been some other kind of bug). Everything is fine now, but... I'm going to be really glad when this is all over.

Updates will continue to be a little sporadic around the holidays. But I'm back to working on this, so I will see you all hopefully soon. Take care of yourselves. I lov u