Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or its characters

"Normal speech"

'Normal thought'

"Demonic speech"

"demonic thought"

Jutsu/technique

The Masked Man and The Masked Boy

Chapter 4: Preparations

For each day, Naruto did the same process. Running around the cave while his clones studied.

As soon as Naruto was able to walk without much trouble with the weights, Tobi increased the weight Naruto had to carry.

Naruto no longer complained.

To become the strongest he had to endure everything.

Especially after Tobi show him what a war is.

After bonding with Madara, Obito learned not only about how to training, when he was only 12 he had found so many things which changed his perception on the world they life in.

Obito Uchiha had seen the horror of the clan blood fighting and then the abomination of the Jinchuriki.

Madara filled him on Roots and all the villages hypocracy and almost all the bad stuff they have done… this is what people fight for…

You fight for your village, you fight for your precious ones, and all your precious ones fight for you, then who being protected?

All of you are out in front lines for others.

The betrayal… when someone precious to you bets to be sick and you don't have enough money and your village will not help you then what are you going to do?

You betray the village you fight for and spy for the enemy so you can save someone. And if you fail and die then what happened with the precious ones you fight for?

So many examples…

All these thinks learned and seen with his own Eye is what proved to Obito every day that what he was doing was right.

That is why Obito after the last conversation he had with Naruto, he took him on the battle field and showed him what Shinobi world is like.

Obito had the Mizukage under his Sharingan genjutsu.

Of course, he was only doing this for the sake of Madara's eye of the moon plan.

Though, it was hard to deny that there was a part of Obito that got some sick satisfaction from watching the Kirigakure plunge deeper into darkness after what they did to Rin.

It was a civil war but it was still a war in the Kirigakure.

(Flashback)

It wasn't the kind of word that a boy would keep in his memory.

Much less, the view now spreading in front of Naruto's eyes wasn't the kind of thing suitable for a child to see.

Corpses, corpses, corpses...

There were mountains of corpses as far as they could see.

There weren't calm expressions. All the corpses had stiffened with an expression still distorted by pain.

"Even if this war ends, it doesn't mean that the Shinobi's reality changes. The world in which we walk in is a world like this." Said Tobi.

While hearing Tobi's voice, Naruto endured patiently.

If Naruto had lost his focus, tears would have brimmed over.

It's not that he was afraid. It's not that he was sad, too.

His feelings, which couldn't be expressed with mere words, were swirling, and he…

Even if he cried, it won't change anything.

While everyone suffered, was felt sad and struggled, they couldn't fight against their own death. Their expressions full of anguish were the same.

There was no one who died wanting to die.

They were not like all the Zetsu he meet in the cave.

Naruto wanted to understand why so many people lost their lives.

"Now tell me Naruto do you still believe there is any hope for this world?" asked Tobi who know even if he didn't cause this civil war, these people would have probably die anyway. Maybe the fourth grate ninja war or the five or the six... The fight never stops.

Naruto continued to watch.

Their lives were ripped from them by people who didn't even spare a glance when they had their last breath.

Those monsters, monsters that killed anything in their paths.

Naruto's gaze dropped as he thought about everything Guru-Guru had told him about Tobi's dream.

People were cruel creatures. They killed without mercy, and their bloodlust was as bad as an infection.

At that moment, he could see why Tobi craved to make a perfect world.

'Tobi thought it was impossible to bring peace to their reality. That humans were incapable of living without hurting one another.' Thought Naruto.

Instead of trying to fix to problems peacefully these humans were choosing wars...

That is probably why his sensei lose hope and he had given up on the world itself, Naruto didn't know for sure the full story...yet.

Naruto did his best to stay strong and he kept himself from showing any weakness which actually made his head ache.

"Why?" Naruto heard his own voice. Then, for the first time, he realised he was shivering.

It wasn't because the rain was cold.

The anger was that made Naruto shiver.

"This is the reality." Answered Tobi.

Naruto looked inside his heart for the meaning of this word, reality.

'This is the world in which I'm living in...' thought Naruto.

"Never forget the scene you saw today."

Prompted by his Sensei's voice, Naruto stared.

He burned the picture of hell that spread in front of his eyes inside his pupils in order to never forget it. That feeling, different from tears, crawled inside his eyeballs.

Unable to stand that sensation.

His heart was pounding violently, his breath was wild. He took a big breath, and opened his eyes.

That world that looked like hell was spreading in front of his eyes as before. He gently placed a hand on his chest.

Naruto just stared motionlessly at the scene in front of his eyes.

Even if this hell was the world he lived in, he had no intention of just standing and watching it.

'I'll change it... 'Thought Naruto.

No matter what, trying to solve everything with conflicts was a mistake.

If the world was like this, he had to change it.

He will never forgot the scene of that day for the rest of his life.

(Flashback end)

Naruto still had hope there was another way to end a conflict without fighting but for moment all he could really do was to get stronger and maybe one day he could help his sensei to.

Tobi thought that maybe it was time to try and see how will Naruto handle emerged with Guru-Guru as using the fox's power was not needed for moment and in this way Guru-Guru could make sure the boy didn't make any mistake of revealing something on a mission or other thinks.

Guru-Guru was not like all other Zetsu, he was different.

Black Zetsu know about this, he was the only one who know.

Guru-Guru in a way was a mistake. An aberration that was never meant to exist.

Once every thousand years the God Tree grew a mysterious fruit blessed with chakra.

But at the beginning of the last millennium the tree was robbed of all its power and sealed in stone, making it a shadow of its former self.

Centuries later its body now known as the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path was called forth by Uchiha Madara.

Madara used that statue as a catalyst to cultivate Senju Hashirama's unique cells to extend his own lifespan and produce what he believed were artificial humans.

Guru-Guru was not one of those artificial humans. It was, in fact, the fruit that was meant to grow every millennium.

Using what little chakra it possessed, the Demonic Statue was only able to grow the flesh of the fruit rather than the fruit itself and the influence of the human caused it to adopt a humanoid form with both intelligence and consciousness.

Guru-Guru was hollow in mind and in body; its inhumanity gave it an insatiable curiosity about all aspects of being human and its shape let it open itself up like a flower revealing its fruit.

Yet nothing could grow inside this being.

Madara was quick to take advantage of this unique artificial human he believed himself to have created.

He was bound to the Statue to keep himself alive which meant that he couldn't travel beyond the boundaries of his cavern where it resides.

Guru-Guru's unique makeup meant that it could serve as his arms and legs, wrapping itself around Madara to serve as a substitute for the Statue to keep him alive and allow him to move like a far younger man.

Even its single eyehole was perfect when he was forced to rely on a single, transplanted Sharingan to see.

When it wasn't needed, Guru-Guru would happily merge back into the Statue until it was called upon for more interesting adventures into the outside world. In exchange for sublimating a human's power, when wrapped around them it could gain a better under of the human heart which was of the greatest interest to it.

When Obito fell into their cave, Madara used Guru-Guru to travel all the way to Kirigakure and manipulate their leadership to carrying out his plan that would drag the boy into the darkness and adopt his dream as his own.

Guru-Guru reshaped himself to suit the boy instead so that it could provide him with the strength to keep his body from falling apart with exertion; he was keen to experience the life of something other than Madara.

Guru-Guru remained as Obito's bodysuit all the way up until he was able to move and fight without any aid.

Guru-Guru was a mystery to everyone. Including itself.

Black Zetsu was took out of his thoughts when Guru-Guru started to combine himself with Naruto.

Naruto was covered by Guru-Guru, his entire body was covered in Guru-Guru's and in the end what use to be Guru-Guru face were now hardened tendrils that formed a hood around his head spread apart.

Naruto was felling warm it was like he was no longer alone, he was felling hope and power a lot of power.

The hardened tendrils that formed a hood around Naruto's head spread apart, seemingly following his emotions, they swirled around his face covering it completely except for a small opening for his right blue eye.

"Now we are one." said Guru-Guru.

"This is so cool." said Naruto.

The only problem he would complain was that he could see only with one eye but locking to his sensei mask Naruto started to wonder 'Why was his sensei wearing a mask only for one eye? Did he lost one of his eyes?'

Naruto will know this only after he manages to see his sensei without mask.

Unknown to Naruto, Obito had a transplanted eye but the reason why he was wearing a mask with which he could see with only one eye was also as a reminder every day of what he lost, that day and what he is fighting for every day.

The eye Obito had transplanted was take from the old Madara who had probably took it from another death Uchiha as his originals eyes were already given to Nagato, he probably had used Black Zetsu to transfer his eyes to Nagato.

Naruto had quickly learned some tricks from his Sensei on how to make wooden spikes from his hands and something even better was that he could use wood jutsu which request only one or two hand signs!

While connected with Guru-Guru, Naruto was now able to use Mokuton.

The Mokuton technically wasn't a Kekkei Genkai, it was a Kekkei Tota, a mix of three elements, Suiton, Doton and Yōton, the manipulation of Yang chakra.

It was the Yang that 'breathed' life into the soil and created trees and other flora. It was classified as Kekkei Genkai because nobody really understood the inner workings of it.

The only one who manifested it, Hashirama, had a body overflowing with so much Yang chakra that it was automatically infused in every Jutsu he released, thus creating Mokuton when he tried to fuse Suiton and Doton.

Because Guru-Guru was White, Naruto got an old black clock to wear.

Guru-Guru could make his tendrils to form a hood around Naruto's head and he could wear a mask but the only other mask his sensei had was one which unknown to Naruto If he rotated the mask, the pattern on the mask would looks like the tails of Kyuubi or Juubi.

At the moment in Obito's eye, Naruto combined with Guru-Guru locked as a similar copy of himself when he recruited Nagato.

After Naruto trained to master some jutsu of the Mokuton his sensei told him he was ready to go outside of the cave.

The copy ninja Hatake Kakashi wasn't sure what had possessed him to continue on this fool's errand.

Sure, his male students had been all too eager to test themselves against skilled opponents, and his female student had been taken in by their deceitful client's sob story.

And to be fair, they had both been at the top of their respective genders in the academy. And Sai was a good Shinobi to who was trained on Root but he's probably spying on Sasuke for Danzo.

That's something the Hawk would do.

But the military wasn't a democracy, and he should have put his foot down and taken his squad back to Konoha.

Instead, he was now facing one of the seven goddamned swordsmen of Kiri, with nothing more than an undermanned genin team at his back.

"Sasuke, Sakura, Sai, guard Tazuna," he ordered, and his team moved to obey.

Frankly, his genin except Sai maybe wouldn't be much more effective against the swordsmen than the old bridge-builder himself would be, but he was hoping that keeping all of his charges in one place would make it easier to defend them.

Not for the first time, he wondered why he had decided to take on a genin team in the first place. Their teamwork was only good if one didn't look too deep, since Sakura was only too happy to follow Sasuke's lead.

There was no real camaraderie.

"The Copy-ninja Kakashi, being saddled with a pair of brats fresh off the teat," the swordsmen chuckled from his position on his sword, embedded in the side of a tree. "My, how the mighty have fallen."

Kakashi's only response was to raise the headband covering his left eye, revealing his old friend's legacy and the reason he had earned that nickname. Against an enemy such as this, he knew he'd have to go all out to win.

"Bringing out the Sharingan so soon? I suppose I should be flattered," Zabuza Momochi taunted.

In a forest close to civilization a vortex appeared as both Tobi and Naruto appeared.

Naruto was able to see the light of the day again but it locked like it was going to be night soon and he was still tired after training he had today to master the Mokuton.

"We'll camp here for the night. Go and get some wood for a fire." Tobi ordered.

"Okay." Said Naruto going off to find wood as Tobi sat down.

Normally Naruto would have asked why they were champing but he figured out his sensei wanted to see how he handle to survive on his own.

Even if he could make wood out of his body, Naruto know he will not always have Guru-Guru to help him. He needed to be ready for anything.

"This should be enough." said Naruto as he picked up the last fire wood into his hand.

"Yes we should go back now." said Guru-Guru.

At first to Naruto it feel a little weird to be connected with Guru-Guru but now it feel like he didn't even needed food anymore.

And he was no longer alone literally.

As they prepared to go they encountered a beautiful young lady who seems to have some plants in her hand.

"Hi..." said Naruto locking at the young lady.

Guru-Guru didn't fell it to be a threat so he left his tendrils remain as a hood as no one from here should recognize Naruto.

"Hi, what are you doing here alone?" asked the woman.

"I'm collecting fire wood for me and my sensei, you?" asked Naruto

"Oh, sensei... Does that mean you are a ninja?"

"Well not exactly... " Naruto said remembering how he failed to be one. "But after I failed to become one, my sensei took me in and trained me. And one day, I'm going to become the strongest."

The girl saw now that the boy didn't have a Hitai-ate, and he had a weird white hood.

"You… and I are a lot alike, I know how you fell, the felling of not being wanted..." said the girl locking a little sad but then laughed.

"Do you have someone important to you?" she asked. "When a person has someone precious to them, they will truly become strong."

"Well I have some friends and my sensei so yeah, I understand that…" Naruto said. "I'm going to become strong so that I can protect and help them."

The lady started to leave. "You'll become strong, I know you will. I hope we'll meet again sometime. I want to see how strong you've become" she said as she walked away.

"Oh, and by the way, I'm a boy." said the boy as Naruto's and Guru-Guru's world was shattered.

The night come fast as both Naruto and Tobi sat down to where they made a camp fire.

"So where are we?" asked Naruto not being sure exactly where they were.

"In another place where people suffer. The Land of Waves." Said Tobi.

"Why are they suffering?" asked Naruto.

"The Land of Waves has many rivers running through it and is famous for its mangroves, which are filled with all kinds of lifeforms. Though an isolated island, relying on shipping for commerce and trade, it was prosperous. This changed when a man named Gatō set his sights on it, breaking the people's will and monopolising the shipping industry." Explained Tobi.

This could be a good mission for the boy where after stopping this Gatō which Zetsu told him about, they could get some good money for the Akatsuki.

"We have to stop him!" said Naruto as he was ready to find him.

"We will do this tomorrow." Said Tobi.

Naruto wanted to complain but he know his sensei was right he needed to sleep and recover his energy for tomorrow.

"Sensei?" asked Naruto

"Hm?"

"How was your first kill like?" asked Naruto.

Tobi said nothing for a while, not really wanting to answer Naruto's curiosity. "You will find out eventually," he said.

Naruto rolled his eyes, disappointed his sensei avoided to answer it. So much for getting to know him better…

Even so maybe it was better he wouldn't have to imagine Tobi's first kill.

Naruto know that every ninja had probably killed at least once in their life and he just hoped he will not have to do that.

Naruto put to sleep in order to be in full strength for tomorrow.

Obito rise up and stepped out into the cool night air wondering when Zetsu will find Ichibi. The boy should be able to take him down after this mission is ready.

He already heard the Akatsuki went to search in Iwagakure for another tailed best.

Obito then turned his gaze to the sky.

He may not be able to see Rin again, and he didn't expect to, but he will make this a world where nobody will go through what she had to or what he or Kakashi had to go throught.

Obito knew deep in his heart, that he might see her again if he went through with Madara's plan.

And even if he did bring Rin back to life she probably would have died again…

She was someone so pure in his heart, she enjoyed life so much that he felt that she wouldn't have enjoyed a dream more than she enjoyed living.

He was an orphan and when Rin entered his life, she not only gave him a companion but a friend who cared about him and someone who believe in him.

He changed Madara's plan a little as he was the one who will activate the Infinite Tsukio Tsukuyomi.

He was the one who will create the future world, where there would be no pain, no suffering, a world where innocent people like Rin didn't have to die, this was his dream.

Next Day

Naruto wake up as he fell ready to start another day.

But suddenly a bundle of shurikens went flying towards Naruto.

Naruto looked at the shurikens as he was trying calculating their movements and speed.

The shurikens numbers tripled out of nowhere.

'Oh come on!' Naruto thought as a shower of shurikens flew towards at him. He jumped back to avoid the first wave of the shurikens but then more came at him.

Naruto disappeared from his position in a burst of speed avoiding the shurikens.

As soon as he touched ground, another wave of shurikens sped in flight towards him.

Naruto did quick thinking and remembering he was connected with Guru-Guru used a jutsu he learned, that way even if more shurikens will come he will have a shield.

"Mokuton: Mokujōheki"

The shurikens pierced wooden pillars which appeared from left and right. The wooden pillars joined together in a dome-shape with the Naruto at the centre.

Naruto let loose of a sigh of relief upon having the wood save him from pain.

But before he could say or ask Guru-Guru what was happening he heard from behind: ''Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu''

A small fireball sped towards him. Naruto was quick to dodge the fireball in a burst of newfound speed gained from his training.

The moment he touched ground a foot crashed onto his back sending him flying away. Naruto recovered by flipping in midair.

Naruto landed down in a crouched position panting slightly.

His sensei landed down beside him as he said ''Your opponent will never give you time to recover your energy. Your senses must be on high alert each time, even when you are not into a mission."

"Sensei…" Naruto sighed.

"I would have liked if you didn't used the Mokuton to stop these shurikens." Said Tobi.

"But if I have the power then why can't I just use it?" asked Naruto.

"A ninja must know when and when not to show or use his true power." Said Tobi.

"He's right Naruto, you will not have my power all the time at your side." Said Guru-Guru who had started to talk again.

"Yeah…" said Naruto.

They were right he had to use his own power. And only when it was needed he was going to use the power he was given by them.

''That is it for now, let's go I want to show you what happens when people are lacking the power and the will to fight for their freedom.'' Said Tobi.

They started to go on the direction of the city was but still travelling on the forest a team of Shinobi caught their eyes.

Both of them stopped to a distance where they could watch the team of Shinobi who were training without being seen by them.

While watching them Tobi whispered 'Kakashi...' and at the same time Naruto whispered 'Sasuke...'

Author Note (warning: potential spoilers)

I'm a little busy and I have to sacrifice this year for more important things... but I had this chapter started for some time and I manage to finish it when I had time in these days...

I haven't written in a long time so I hope is ok.

What I mentioned about Guru-Guru is more a theory I found, is not confirmed canon but I think is ok if I added this in the story for his origins which make sense why he is more different from the other Zetsu.

Sometimes it jumps in my mind that Naruto could have Wood Release because he was a reincarnation of Ashura to…

And in Boruto both Naruto and Sasuke have Hashirama cells (Sasuke from Kabuto) but if I remember right who was making Boruto at that time forgot about that or didn't care…

About Obito and Madara controlling the Mist village:

We know for sure that Kirigakure was already known as Bloody Mist before Obito took control of the village behind the scenes.

And according to the Databooks, Zabuza died at 26 and graduated at 9, which was before the events during Obito's flashbacks.

So in my opinion I think it would make sense for Madara to take control of them even before Obito and it would make sense the Kiri Anbu were ordered to kidnap Rin by the Kage who was controlled by Madara instead of Madara putting every Kiri Anbu under a genjutsu and risk the plan to fail as Obito could have seen with his Sharingan if they were under genjutsu.

When I will have time I will return to finish these stories I started long time ago and maybe even improve what I can as like a lot of people I don't like when a story is not finished.

Mokuton: Mokujōheki = Wood Release: Wood Locking Wall

Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu = Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique