I do not own Naruto or any other references that someone might see in this fic. What IS mine will probably been seen as someone else's anyway, and I'm not exactly hurt by that.

"Word" = People talking

...Word... = Quotes and past words

'Word' = Key, significant or unknown words

'Word' = People thinking

"Word" = Demon, beasts, monsters and the overpowered talking

WORD = Dramatic or epic occurrences and sounds

WORD = violent or disturbing occurrence and sounds

"Word" = Spiral the plant man.

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Chapter 9

-The Cave where the main character is currently stuck-

How many times could Zetsu stand being impaled?

After 43rd clear impalement the wooden spear had begun to crick and crack breaking from its inner foundations. Obito had felt it in his hands slowly giving way to its uselessness in killing Zetsu. Obito could see why he was Madara's subordinate, and why and how his and Zestu regenerative ability could be consider supernatural.

It was clear that Zetsu wasn't even trying to stop being impaled as no matter how hard Obito thrusted and stabbed the parasite he wouldn't die. Although Obito had hit, struck and even lightly stabbed Zetsu more than triple the amount of times he forced the spear through Zetsu impaling him. There were no wounds on the creature and more often than not, he would pull the spear out, throw it to Obito and say try again. Was it possible that Zetsu was immortal like his master? It sure felt like it to Obito.

How long had it been since they started fighting? He had no clue, not really caring about the time it took, but it had been ages since he last felt like it was taking too long. Yes, Obito had long realised that the fight had taken too long. It wasn't even a fight, just Obito beating and attacking Zetsu. It did nothing to harm the plant that only lightly acted on the defensive. It wasn't a fight.

Obito was lying on the ground panting, his spear had cracked eventually leaving him to fight with his hand while the other arm remained sealed under bandages. After 5 and half hours of fighting or sparring Obito had pushed his already damaged body to it limits, and failed. His new arm didn't hurt or feel bad thankfully, but it would have been useful to use his new hand. During the fight Obito was surprisingly agilely as well as his legs were relatively healed and full of energy. But he's body had been numb and it had been months since he had last been in battle. His legs they were burning from exhaustion and fatigue. He had no weapon to fight with, only one hand meaning no ninjutsu and he hadn't adapted his genjutsu skills at all. He had a weak taijutsu and those chakara techniques that Zetsu had taught him.

The sweat on his body was sticky and annoying making the bandage irritating and itchy, taking Obito's focus away, making him want to tear the bandages off the right side of his body and around his head. He wanted to get back up and fight again but Zetsu had had enough, growing bored and impatient to Obito's attempt of beating him.

Zetsu was a strange fighter and partner to spar with. He hardly moved and his body was rigid and stiff due to the deformed spikes on the right side of his body. Acrobatics, agility and speed appeared to be his weakness as the deformity would stop his flexibility. But his body was rubbery and thicker than normal, able to take Obito's beating laughing and mocking. Cutting him and stabbing him did nothing as the wounds healed at supernatural levels. Cutting him in half or pieces wouldn't kill him either as the two pieces would reattach to one another easily unknown to Obito. Continuing Obito's sharingan couldn't keep up with his movements, Zetsu taijutsu being surprisingly balanced and quick. It frustrated Obito that a creature that hardly moved would be able to hit him without him seeing it. Not even that Jonin from Iwa had moved that fast.

Despite the taunts and mocks from Zetsu lecturing him and his shameful defeat, Obito wanted to continue. Controlling his breathing and controlling his chakara, Obito used stream and his body begun to feel better. The pain disappeared and he felt stronger. Zetsu was right that these chakara control technique would be useful, just using stream was enough to empower him to continue. But he had been doing this from the beginning and now he had exhausted his chakara. It wasn't limitless.

He had been streaming chakara through his body to no end, quickly finding there was a difference in using stream during mediation and during combat. The endless feeling of power and vigilance during mediation wasn't there. Slowly fading becoming smaller and smaller as they continued to spar. But it had made his taijutsu faster and stronger while dulling fatigue and pain during the spar.

Shame he hadn't been able to use the other ones effectively or he might lasted another hour.

Release

Focus

Null

The other techniques that Obito hadn't applied properly.

And Zetsu made sure that Obito knew this, constantly saying to concentrate, to stop thinking so much and act more on instinct. To use everything that Zetsu had taught him. He even highlighted that aged Jonin and above would use such control of their chakara on instinct, reflecting experience. Obito did try but many times failed.

From Zetsu perspective, he could stand Obito's chakara control and physical fighting forms as good in terms of basics. But like his age they were undeveloped and halted, though his recovery could reason why this was as well. Zetsu could be the understanding and reasonable type.

Obito was the determined and positive type, unyielding, selfish and on a personal level passionate. Using his emotions to fuel himself but creating a tunnel vision of thought and action. Obito could easily understand the feelings of others and, if he had the chance, would know the right thing to say or do at the right moment. He was fond of those close to him as well, acting in anger whenever Zetsu belittle his teachers and friends or mocked Obito's skills.

Madara noted his ease in holding a great deal of compassion and comprehension of others and their feelings. Hence the reason why Madara had wondered if Obito was indeed an Uchiha? He was in a simpler definition, an understanding person towards others but not towards himself like an Uchiha. In other words Obito didn't know what he needed and wanted, or couldn't at least admit it, like an Uchiha.

In the shinobi world though, such abilities to understand the direction and purpose behind the feelings of others one would go down a path of manipulation. Easily using others feelings and weakness to ally and bring people in the direction they want, intentionally or not. It would be a gift and blessing. But Obito didn't use it like this.

Permanently, clear and wilful decision making was the Uchiha's way hence again why Madara was confused about Obito's personally. Obito would seek a path of selfishness and selflessness that only lead undecided choices. He needed to choose his path clearly or his future would be uncertain and no one would truly appreciate him. An empty ending.

Maybe...if Obito had not been born from 2 no named Uchiha, no greater than fodder, he could have had a future as an inspirational leader or even a teacher. If he were an heir, or a prodigy, or had a bloodline to a Kage or Damiyo...things would have been different.

But Obito was only a nobody with big dreams.

This being the case, Zetsu was patient with his actions as Obito wasn't going to listen to him any time soon. He was too proud, too naive and too self-absorbed. Too much like a child.

Hence the reason why he couldn't use the other 3 techniques effectively and properly. They required patience, discipline, focus and an area of instinct and passion that Obito had yet to grasp. To act without conscious thought, to be absorbed by the moment and present. A solider, warrior, killer and shinobi was quick to act with fast reflexes and a mind set on the field of battle. Obito would think too much focusing on his feelings of others instead of himself.

But again it could be forgiven. Madara and Hashirama had founded Konoha with purpose of allowing children the chance to focus more on feelings instead of survival. Experience of peace over war was desired in these era's of the hidden villages. It wasn't proficient in creating efficient shinobi soldiers that worked in shadows but it did produce military soldiers for times of peace. Much of Obito personality was to be expected with his generation. But there was no denying that the generations living in this lifestyle were going to be weaker and softer.

And Madara wasn't fond of weakness.

Zetsu had lectured Obito to put the other techniques into his sequences. To use release at the ends of each punch, kick and strike to blast chakara out. To use focus to concentrate it into these areas for strength and easy use. Using focus not only strengthened offense but defence if Obito focused it to the points and areas being struck. Yet Obito could only maintain concentrate on these techniques for less than 11 seconds during combat. No where nearly enough by Madara standards.

Zetsu explained what he was trying to teach Obito. Saying how using chakara this way was a Senju, and if Zetsu wasn't mistaken an Hyuga, Akimichi and Uzumaki, taijutsu technique.

Though Zetsu knew how the senju brought it to super-human strength levels. Madara had told him much about them from his own experience and Zetsu's work as a spy had revealed the information that wasn't that hard to find. And it wasn't like people didn't know how to use it. It had simply requirements theoretical.

Zetsu explained well going into some depth and history.

Saying how both Hashirama and Tobirama had reached the super-human strength peak, beyond the norm that consider shattering stone and tearing through metal impressive. Reaching a peak that could knock a boss summon or a demon out cold. It held the memory of the impressive taijutsu the two Hokage brothers had. Not many after ever reached the same level, the last for Hashirama's bloodline Tsunade Senju being the last testament to their ability and this ability. It was well know.

The taijutsu form of the Senju, using focus and release, would concentrate and pressurise chakara to certain points in the body. Whether in was a leg kicking or a hand punching it would release the concentrated chakara into the enemy's body blowing them into a blood smear. The requirement for such ability sounded easy enough but was indeed difficult.

Zetsu didn't have all the requirements. He had the chakara control and balance and even the chakara reserves but his body wasn't physically strong enough to use it. His ninjutsu and body were just not dense and loose enough for the use of the technique. Spiral could probably use it thanks to his physical prowess and Madara had learned it long ago, but white Zetsu would never wield it. But then again, he didn't need to.

Chakara enhanced strength was a difficult technique none the less. And Obito was going to learn it one way or the other.

Thinking back to one of these instants, Obito had taken the lectures seriously after another painful and humiliating beat down, getting back up and concentrated hard on the feeling of his chakra. Zetsu realised that Obito had tried to use the enhanced strength technique.

At that point in the spar he was seething with anger making him focus more. Concentrating the chakara to his arm and to his legs in a dense and thick stream it pooled like a filling a tight balloon.

The thought, 'I'm going to win. I can win. I will beat you. And then I will move on to Madara.' chanted to Obito in his head, motivating and inspiring himself, determined and wilful.

He had burst from the ground cracking the earth under him moving faster than he had been moving before as Zetsu's eye flickered. So did Madara's unseen. It was the first time some good results were starting to show.

Obito pushed more and more chakara into his fist, concentrating and pressurising to a point in which his hand started to hurt and shake vibrating. Using his chakara like this felt similar to his tree walking and water walking training with Minato but it felt much better. It felt powerful and exhilarating. He felt like he was doing it correctly and perfectly. He was going to send Zetsu flying into the wall and win.

The punch made contact hard and everything was still.

...

He had released the chakara to early.

Zetsu shouted almost laughing, criticising and mocking Obito before beating him into the dirt he was currently lying in.

Obito had released the chakara to early and the majority of it flowed in the air around Zetsu's hand which caught the fist. Chakara by itself would seek the easiest and sturdier path to follow like a vibration, so there was no solid path for it to follow in the air. If it had been wind and yang style concentrated, or any other element for that matter, it would have done something. But it was just everyday chakara, thinner than air and practically transparent and ghost-like.

Obito had screwed up and lost most his power before it even hit his enemy. He was impatience, hopeful and navie. Zetsu started Obito's lecture on using null to silence his thoughts, his anger, his fears and his desires. With his emotions, it took his focus making his chakara unstable, wild and free. Resulting in making it weak and trigger happy as displayed.

The experience to the 13 year old boy Obito hurt in more ways than one. He was facing the ground humiliated and ashamed in himself. He was so sure he would win with it, that he had done it perfectly and correctly. He was confident and determined and yet he failed anyway. His hatred for Madara fading with shame and disappointment.

'The hell?' Obito questioned himself as his chest suddenly felt hollow and light as he stomach squeezed and clenched in a deep, heavy, shallow pit. He didn't move, too shocked and frustrated to act just yet.

Zetsu saw this and approached. "You have motivation and determination. And you do use them." He said pointing out that Obito wasn't completely wrong in his actions. "But you still think too much. And you have yet to use everything I have shown you." He noted.

Zetsu could read Obito feelings through his chakara alone. "That crushing feeling that is disturbing your chakara. You will lose the will to fight if you do not fight it." He said stopping metres from Obito causing Obito's eyebrow to rise. "Use null to let go and dull your mind. Concentrate." Zetsu suggested and repeated making Obito forget the earlier words growing frustration.

Obito breathed heavy and loud pushing himself up with one arm. It made no sense.

Null suppressed chakara while stream, release and focus increased it thus making Zetsu words impossible and pushed Obito's frustration further. "You're tell me to suppress my chakara and increase it at the same time!" He roared. "It's impossible! It is like asking me to look right and left at the same time. I can't use null with the other control techniques!" He finished taking out his anger on Zetsu.

Zetsu was casual with a response smiling, not intimidated and only carefree. "Because you think you can't, you won't. Stop telling yourself that can't and you will." He said quickly and positively brushing the counter as Obito faltered at the easy of the response.

Zetsu grinned seeing the confused, lost and frustrated form of Obito enjoying their interaction. "Use null to dull you mind to instinct, to focus only on the present and hide you chakara. Use stream, focus and release to attack." He finished shrugging.

These techniques were foundations, basics for building ability and skill. Being creative with them would make a great advantage fighting as there was never a single approach of doing things. And when you're in world where things can change at the snap of a finger it was good to be independent and to take some initiative. It all depended on how you applied them. Chakara could react at the same speed as the nervous system. The time it took to feel pain was same time it took to move chakara around the body. It was an advantage.

If you enemy was faster, you use stream and focus in your legs to strength them and move faster, or take another approach and use stream and focus to harden and thicken your body so that their attacks won't work. If you're in pain use null to dull it.

Zetsu would have to explain this further or maybe Madara would be interested in doing so.

"Have you calmed down?" Zetsu questioned looking down on the young Uchiha.

Obito steadied his breathing. "Strangely, I have."

Zetsu nodded unseen. "Good. Go lay down. You deserve some sleep." He suggested walking away and not bothering to help Obito. Zetsu had had enough of the boy spouting and complaining about Madara actions and feeling betrayed.

He paused his walk as Obito followed, not needing to see Obito to know what he was looking at and thinking of. "Don't even think about." He said as Obito glanced as the silent elder Uchiha. Such a violent thought for the kind and caring boy Zetsu had seen in Obito memories. How had it come to this?

"Could you tell me why you want to kill Madara?" Zetsu asked.

Obito was silent pondering but shrugged like child. "I don't know. I was frustrated."

Zetsu took it with a grain of salt. "Frustration is a small reason."

Obito face screwed. "Fine. I hate him." He added.

"Why?"

"I'm...he..." Obito didn't have any good reason, only acting on his feeling of betrayal and the words of Konoha. "He.. he's bad and doesn't deserve anything he wants. He deserves to suffer, to die." He said with venom.

Zetsu raised an invisible eyebrow, sighing. "He hasn't done anything to you though. He saved your life." Zetsu pointed out.

Obito objected. "For himself! I don't owe him anything. And saved is a far cry from the torture he put me through."

Zetsu shrugged again. "A torture he warned you of and yet you took anyway."

Obito scowled. "I won't blame myself for this, if that's what you're getting at." He said he approached the bed intending to sit on it and probably mediate again. Maybe it would make him feel better.

"Every-Spiral what are you doing?" Zetsu stopped his response before it begun to see Spiral lying straight on his back, facing the ceiling peacefully like a corpse in a coffin next to the bed. Spiral didn't respond, other than the twitch his fingers made over his stomach.

Obito peaked over the bed to see the idiot plant that looked like he was playing dead. How long had be like that? Obito hadn't seen him since he pretended to faint seeing Zetsu rip the spear out of his head. It would be impossible to think he had been there since the beginning.

"Spiral?" Zetsu questioned again not getting a response. The creature didn't have a face making it hard read.

Obito was merciless though. "My sheets are under him."

"I see that." Zetsu responded.

"I don't need them anyway."

"Probably."

"I am...a princess awaiting her prince." Spiral whispered trying get someone attention.

...

"I think he means you." Zetsu stated bluntly taking a step-back, somewhat curious as what would happen.

"No. No. No. No. NO. NO. Not my problem." Obito said lying on the bed, ignoring the idiot laying on the ground next to him.

"I can only be awoken by the kiss of a scar-faced prince." Spiral whispered again heard by all and obviously meant to be heard by Obito.

"Yep he's talking about you." Zetsu added bluntly again, impressively not smiling.

Obito took a deep breath trying to calm his annoyance, yet was still turning a red and purple in rage. "I will take this bandage off and turn both of you to ashed kindle wood." Obito threatened.

"...I'm better than Rin..."

BANG

Never had Obito stomped someone in the face, into the ground so fast and hard before that dust erupted and the ground cracked. Spiral thrashed about his arms and legs flailing with his head a few inches underground. Zetsu smirked but did not laugh seeing Obito's fury and Spiral struggle.

"Don't ever compare yourself to Rin. EVER." Obito yelled not sure if the plant heard but really not caring. No one compared to Rin in Obito's mind and he would make sure the world knew that.

Zetsu shook his head. "Getting worked up over this Rin you sleep talk about. Who is she exactly?" Zetsu questioned despite already knowing who she was, what she wanted, where she lived, who her friends and family were, where they live, what skills she had, why she had these skills plus few other things Zetsu deemed important. Like the size of her clothing and food she had stocked in her house.

Wasn't weird at all to Zetsu. He knew such information about many people around the world.

Obito glared at the question unsure as how to answer, his feet remained on Spirals broken head. "She's...she's...It doesn't matter who she is. You don't need to know."

"hmmhmhmhmhmmmmmh." Spiral shouted a muffed response hearing Obito somehow.

Zetsu nodded his head casually. "Obito's love interest? How do you know that?" He asked Spiral as Obito went red blushing embarrassed and angered. How would Spiral know that and how did Zetsu understand him when his head was underground and yet Spiral didn't have a mouth in the first place?

"She's a good friend." Obito said not wanting to talk about this with these idiots.

"hmmmmhmmmmhmmmh?"

Zetsu peered down at the flailing Spiral then to Obito. "No, she not his girlfriend. Apparently." Zetsu replied and as Obito froze.

"Stop talking!" He shouted jumping on the spot, trying to crush Spiral's head further into the dirt as he screamed in hollow pain. "One more word and I burn you." Obito said staring at the ground and everything went silent. Spiral stopped struggling appearing to contemplate the threat.

Next thing Obito realised was the wet, sticky feeling coming from Spiral face and looking down realising that Spirals face had turned to wet, plant tentacles that were slowly working their way up his legs. "GGARRHH! Disgusting!" Obito yelled jumping of Spiral, grabbing spiral with his good arm and throwing him into the stone wall.

"To throw spiral that hard with only one arm...you're getting alot stronger and you haven't fully healed yet" Zetsu said looking at the human shaped hole.

Wedge and imprinted Spiral didn't move, but whispered like a die hard fan in a proud and humorous fashion. "Don't care...if it was...his foot. I kissed Obito."

"FIRE STYLE: PHOENIX FLOWER JUTSU!" A volley of small fireballs were sent flying into the plant, smothering Spiral in fire.

"AAAAAHHHH!" Spiral jumping out of the imprint in the wall to roll on the ground. "STOP, DROP AND ROLL! STOP, DROP AND ROLL! AAAAHHH! WHY DOES FIRE HURT THIS MUCH?!" He continued as Obito watched fuming and Zetsu watched with only a raised eyebrow.

"I would say that Spiral deserves this. But I'm starting to think he's so stupid that's it bad for his own good." Zetsu noted seeing that Spiral wasn't going to learn from this. Looking at Obito he saw the new arm was still relatively thin and wrinkly looking. "You took the bandage of pretty quick. How'd it feel using Ninjutsu again?"

"WHY IS NO ONE HELPING ME?" Spiral yelled still rolling across the dirt as the fire slowly went out.

Both ignored him. Obito looked exhausted, breathing heavy and sweating from just the jutsu. He coughed a bit and grabbed the right side of his chest. "Tiring. The right side of my chest hurts." Obito responded taking a seat on his bed.

"We did have to replace a portion of lung. Give it some time like everything else." Zetsu commented as Obito moved more to the centre of the bed to mediate and relieve his annoyance.

"Anyway as I was saying before. For most people, every misfortune that is faced is the cause of a choice they make. A choice that you make. You can't blame others."

"And Madara doesn't blame other?"

"No he does." Zetsu admitted. "But he also blames himself for certain things. Though I don't believe his misfortunes are his fault."

"He hurt me. He wants to manipulate me. And you think someone like him isn't at fault?"

"No denying what he has done. But have you looked at what he has given. For you it is a second chance." Zetsu noted hitting the nail on the head. "Surely...you wished for something like this when you thought death was inevitable?" Zetsu said sure that Obito had wish for salvation when death came. Everyone did. Even Zetsu did.

Obito would have been grateful and if Madara showed some ounce of humanity he would thank him out right. But Madara showed no care for Obito in the young Uchiha's eye, but Madara showed care for a tool. "He doesn't deserve what he wants."

"I disagree." Zetsu said bluntly again. "He has more reason to fight and be rewarded than most."

"He cares only about himself. He'll ruin lives for this reward." Obito said trying to understand but finding no logic in Zetsu's thoughts.

There was a silent pause as Zetsu and Obito stared at each other.

"Hey, hey Zetsu senpai. Look at me." An ash, burnt Spiral said approaching as he made a blowing sound and a cloud of smoke erupted from the cracks of Spiral's spiral face. The smoke taking the shape of Spiral's spiral face. "I'm smoking."

Zetsu didn't look away from Obito. "When you lose everything you care about, everything that had meaning, you forget about the lives of strangers. Because in truth they don't care about you're lose and never will." Zetsu said as Hashirama and the Uchiha clan, the only people close to Madara, didn't care about Madara enough to help him. They continued with what they wanted, which was the creation and stability of Konoha.

Obito glared not believing such a thing. "There is no reason to ruin the life of someone who has nothing to do with you."

Zetsu shook his head. "Your naivety never cesses to amaze. He told me he had explained this to you already." He started as Obito listened continuing to focus his chakara mediating. "Where there is a winner, there is a loser. When someone else wants something that you want, do you think they will hesitant to ignore your wishes and dreams so that they can have it?" Zetsu finished bluntly again surprising Obito somewhat.

"...ah..."Obito try to think a response but nothing came to mind.

"The answer is no." Zetsu said. "Maybe your naive mind will understand more with an example." He suggested. "Two men want the same girl. One is willing to throw his pride away and the other is not. Who gets the girl?" Zetsu asks.

Obito frowned. "A girl shouldn't be a prize to be won." He responded.

Zetsu was disappointed. "You're such a poor soul Obito. Answer the question." Zetsu said more aggressively.

Obito frowned again. "Whoever the girl wants?"

"How does she choose?"

Obito tried to think of an answer that would surprise Zetsu, have him flinching. The only way Obito could think of an answer thought was ask himself who of the guys he thought he was like and what would he choose in the girl's position. It was the wrong approach though.

"She chooses the one who does the most for her, the one that would do anything for her. The one who would throw his pride away." Obito would often to do this so only thought it justified. But he did hesitate because doing that hadn't really helped him with Rin.

"You sure?" Zetsu questioning seeing his hesitation.

"...No." Obito said reluctantly.

"Good. I doubt many would be able to predict the outcome in real life." Zetsu said honestly confusing Obito. "But you made a choice. And let's say the one that didn't throw away his pride away got the girl anyway. While the other got nothing." He started getting Obito's attention. He chose this example because of his observation of Rin and Kakashi, and of Obito's memories that he and Madara had searched through. It was all a physiological torture and experiment to confirm whether Obito was really obsessed with Rin. Truthfully they had already decided yes, but it didn't hurt their plans to throw some more wood into the fire, just to see it burn.

"A winner and loser. Do you really think the winner cares about the losers feelings?" He questioned as Obito came to see what Zetsu was talking about. Thinking about it Obito wonder that if Kakashi ever did decide that he wanted Rin, would he care about Obito's feelings? The hollow feeling of defeat in his chest that Obito had felt earlier erupted deep and strong. Kakashi wasn't the most caring or understanding person looking over his past as he often looked out for himself only. It was really a surprise at all to Obito that Kakashi had decided to come help him save Rin. He was uncertain thinking about things like this.

Zetsu continued seeing such and spoke a little happier realising so. "There is only 1 certain and precise thought going through his head." He said grinning showing his teeth as Obito payed more attention than he thought he was. "That he won the girl."

Obito turned from him and his chakara wavered, sensed by Zetsu. "I don't like the philosophical riddles you and Madara come up with." Obito mumble thoughtfully.

"I'll say, there boring and I don't understand them." Spiral noted feeling left out.

Zetsu ignored Spiral, smiled and hooked his arm around Obito shoulders to speak into his ears. "Oh don't be like that Obito." He said almost mocking. "It's always morals, ethics and feelings that make people think the most. And since you think all time, maybe you could think of something thought provoking." He said referring to Obito constant thinking through the spar.

With his weaker and thinner arm out of the bandage, Obito brushed Zetsu's arm away. "How does any of this relate to Madara?"He questioned glaring, feeling angry at the ideas that had appeared in his mind.

"THAT...is a story for another day." Boomed Madara voice as the three of them turned to see him awake and staring at them. There was a sign of aggression and wrath as he looked at Zetsu. "Watch your mouth Zetsu or I will remove it." He said as Zetsu had pushed Obito further than he should have. Madara abilities were vast and broad, it wasn't impossible that he could literately remove Zetsu mouth and make him like Spiral. Glancing around quickly Madara noted the scorch marks on one of the walls and on the ground. That and spiral was had black burn marks on him.

He had sensed the fire style jutsu and to him, it was bad. Just a bad and sad example of fire style. How he sensed it was because he had been awake for some time watching and observing.

Flinching a little Zetsu responded. "Lord Madara. We're just-"

"Old man!" Obito interrupted instantly seeing his chance to talk to the old bastard, his doubt and worries disappearing. "I've got something to say to you." He shouted getting up and pushing pass Zetsu.

"Here we go..." Zetsu mumbled.

Madara eyed Obito curiously, seeing that he had developed muscle and strength in his legs and good arm. The other one was no longer bandaged but still as thin as a twig. "You're looking a lot better." Madara noted before sensing the chakara in Obito, Zetsu, Spiral and the environment to determine if he had missed anything.

"Your fire style needs a bit of work." He noted.

"How do you know that?" Obito asked.

"Spiral is burnt. And I have been awake for a while."

"You have. When?"

"When you tried use the senju's not so secret strength enhancement against Zetsu. So I did see everything." He continued peering at Obito. "You're punch was pathetic. The form, strength and stance were horrid." He commented.

"I doubt a punch any stronger would be needed to kill you." Obito countered.

Madara was somewhat offended but didn't proceed any further. "Hmph. How has the recovery and training been going then?" He questioned wanting their opinion.

Obito scowled. "I don't care about any training. Tell me why you didn't tell me you were putting senju cells in me and making me less human?" He questioned in disgust.

Madara squinted and his attention turned to Zetsu who was trying his best become invisible in the conversation. Spiral just stood there doing nothing, expecting not to answer. Madara closed his eyes not wanting to question or answer anything regarding it.

"I'm not going to waste time explaining that. Tell me what you have learnt." He muttered brushing it aside.

Obito wouldn't have any of it. "What the hell old man? Don't ignore me. Answer my question."

Madara's form seemed to change from a frail old man to a superior veteran. "What would I telling you now, change?" He questioned deeply. "Nothing. Even the power of the strongest of demons and sages wouldn't change you back. You're stuck the way you are." He finished as Obito gritted his teeth.

"So that makes it right to lie to me?" The boy questioned. "Even when you told me about the healing process you didn't say anything about turning me into a monster-plant!" Obito yelled.

Madara sighed and shook his head at the boy. "You were already changed the moment I saved you." He said pointing at Obito. "It was either plant cells and live, or the dirt and rot. Making so that the Senju's cell were more present in your body through the faster healing was only going to help you more." He highlighted before continuing. "And even if by some chance you had a choice in whether I put the cells in your body to save your life, you would have said yes anyway!" He shouted glaring at the boy who had backed off having nothing to say suddenly. "You know as well I do that you would've jumped at the opportunity to live instead of dying after being crushed. Regardless of the price that came with it."

Madara was intimidating when he spoke for long periods of time, the deep voice and hawk like eye of the sharingan pierced through Obito. "S-s-so that makes it right to take away my opinion and feelings?" He stuttered hesitant and unsure of how to counter.

"I told you what was needed and no more." Madara responded deeply. "What do your feelings matter at this point? You were dead and I brought you back to life!" He shouted again, not seeing how the boy could be ungrateful. "And you are complaining about it because I didn't consider your feelings? Get over yourself." He growled shocking Obito at his bluntness.

"I brought you back because I could and because I thought you could help me. A small price to pay, even if you didn't have a choice in paying it." He snarled again before going a bit softer. "Beside, you've only gotten stronger from it and unless I am mistaken you need to get stronger so you can achieve your 'dream' of Hokage." He stabbed knowing that even if he had done all this for himself, he'd given more than Obito would need. Slowly Obito was realising this too.

Obito went silent looking like he wanted to counter but was unable to come up with anything. Spiral and Zetsu simply watch and listened patiently. "You done?" Madara asked.

Obito really wanted to strike back. "How do I know...whether or not you're going to lie to me again?"He questioned trying to put on a strong face.

A deep, growling-like sigh boomed from Madara. "Why do still think you have a choice in this?" He questioned rhetorically. "You don't know if I'm going to lie to you or not. You have to trust me because I and those two are ALL YOU HAVE!" He shouted again wondering how this had not sunk into Obito's head yet.

Just what did Obito think was going to happen?

"If you think I feel regret or guilt for changing you...then you have greatly misread the type of person I am." Madara said deeply again. "You ARE bound to me just as much as that scar on your face, so get over it. You're stuck with me and that is a not going to change!" He said in absolute starting to scare Obito. As if everything he had already been through wasn't enough to stop him from fearing Madara.

"You're too stubborn for your own good." Madara said toned down and Obito's fear was changing to anger. Obito didn't want to accept what Madara said. "You need to learn what reality is boy and just how much of your life is outside of your control." Madara finished.

Obito growled back. "That doesn't mean that I can't and shouldn't fight it, you old bastard!"

Madara mocked it seeing more desperation than courage. "Please, whatever fate is installed for you, Obito Uchiha. You won't be able to change it. No matter how hard you try." He said confident and taunting. His tone change quickly again. "And don't try to tell me that I don't know what fate is either because I have had to deal with it more than anyone else in this world." He said as Obito did settle down and think for moment.

He thought back to something Madara said to him. "Then why did you say I had potential?" He questioned more somber.

Madara saw this and calmed himself, feeling that the boy truly thought he could achieve anything he set his mind to. The world didn't work that way. It never hands you what you want.

"Brat... I hate to tell you this but potential it not as special as you think it is." He said in a lighter tone.

"Those born to change the world and with natural talent are one in million and once every hundred years. Those born with the potential to change the world are half a million in a million and a thousand every year." He said crushing some hope in Obito but continuing to be honest. "You have potential just like so many others, but that is it. It doesn't change the fact that there are those born to change things, that will live up to the expectations given. While those with the potential are uncertainties. Even if those chosen few were the stupidness people in the world they will be able to change things because it is guarantee that they are the winners." He said confusing and angering Obito as he basically said one cannot fight fate.

Seeing this Madara gave Obito a warning. Madara knew his enemy well. "Fate is not something to be taken lightly. Especially by some weak, friendship driven, fantasising child."

That crushing feeling in his chest returned to Obito, heavy and yet hollow. "When why are you still fighting it?" He questioned softly before yelling. "What makes your right to fight and change fate different from mine?!"

Madara growled angry again. "You're pushing you boundaries kid." Madara said lowly and threatening. "I gave a reason once already, and you knowing more will mean nothing." He stated as Madara's past wouldn't change Obito thoughts. "When did you start focusing on me more than your recovery?" Madara questioned as it didn't make sense for the boy to be questioning him instead of training and recovering to leave. This was exactly why Madara wasn't sure if Obito was an Uchiha.

"I don't care about your reasons anymore old man." Obito said, only using the earlier words to weaken Madara's question. "I care about what you did. I'm not moving until you apologies for lying to me and making me less human. And if you don't I'll make you." He said making a threat back.

"Obito don't do this." Zetsu muttered ignored.

Madara smirked seeing some direction in Obito's words. "You're sounding more like an Uchiha now, but you are waiting for something that will never happen? Pointless. Just as much as your opinion on fate, your freedom, your feelings and your right to live." He said sick and tired of this routine. "Any person who is fortunate enough to be brought back to life has no right to judge why or who brought them back. They should just accept that they are stuck with that person and do whatever the person wanted them to do. You're no different." He growled pushing Obito.

"I hate you so much that I can't stand it." Obito said as every word the old man said just added more weight to that feeling in his chest. Obito feeling like his body was gravitating around this inner feeling at this point. "If you're not going to apologies on your own-!"

"Alright Obito. How about this?" Madara wanting to diffuse the situation. "You would never break a promise, right?" He asked.

"I never go back on my word and I would never give up." Obito answered with fire and determination in his eye.

'Honour can be a weakness.'

"How about I make a deal with you?" Madara suggested wanting to move along. The brat could really continue arguing. He didn't want this bad blood and relation with Obito, and he could easy make a few offers here and there, even if it meant changing tactics. He would use honour against Obito. Words sure as hell weren't working.

"If you can punch me in 3 minutes I'll apologize and even let you leave my home. Hell, wolves got to eat to." He said shocking Obito that he would say such a thing. Zetsu and Spiral looked surprised to. Obito could hardly believe that Madara would give him the opportunity to leave.

'I have his attention.'

"But if you can't, you stay here, recover and stop hating me." He said asking a bit much with the stop hating but Madara didn't think that Obito actually hated him. The boy wasn't near broken enough to hate enough to kill. "I'll even assist you with your recovery all the way through. I'll even show you a thing or too. " He finished making a rather good deal.

'What? Madara is actually going to help train him? But he wasn't suppose to do anything until Obito left his old life.' Zetsu thought concerned at the sudden change of plans. 'Obito's to easy to lead. He's going to leap at this deal.'

Only one thing mattered to Obito right now. "When to we start?"

"Now."

"DEAL!" Obito was already charging cocking his fist back, wanting to try that enhanced punch again. Obito wasn't patient with such an offer. 'This time it's going to work. And he's going to regret it.' He thought confident. He really wanted to leave and sure it was only Madara's word, but Obito wouldn't let it pass.

Even if the punch didn't kill Madara, Obito would get to leave this hellhole never to return.

Using the controls, he focused and pressurised the chakara into his fist. It felt good having a new technique, particularly when it reminded Obito of Kakashi's chidori and Minato's Rasengan. Shame he didn't have a name for it. 'Enhanced punch? No, that sounds crap.' He thought as Madara's form was literally a metre from him as Obito rushed him.

BANG

"AAGGCHH!" Obito shouted colliding with the stone wall hard as his breath left him and he nearly lost consciousness. Stubborn and wilful, Obito shot up desperate to attack again only to fall to the ground. His body unable to move to his wishes. He clenched and coughed, dizzy and disoriented. 'What, what, what. What happened? All he did was tap me.' Able to sit up on his ass, Obiot looked at the standing form of Madara. The old man's fingers were out as if they had lightly touched something.

"Come on Obito. The seconds are ticking; you got to get back in the ring." Spiral coached behind him massaging his shoulders and supporting him. "You got to be quick with Madara. He's a sneaky one."

"What are doing?"

"Coaching you."

Obito shoved Spiral of him. "Get off. Stop acting so weird." He shouted at Spiral as he slowly approached Madara who hadn't changed his form.

"Remember to duck and weave. You've only got 2 minutes left. " Spiral finished, reminding Obito how he had practical struggle to respond to attack for 1 whole minute.

'How did he send me flying?' Obito questioned as he was sure Madara had hardly touched him.

Madara reminded stoic, despite the fact he tapped a 13 year old boy once and sent him flying into a wall. He would actually laugh at it if his throat and lungs weren't frozen in age's affects. He did find it amusing. From the moment Obito started, Madara already knew where he was going to land and where punch was going to go.

Madara's sharingan flared and spun, calculating and reading the attack that would reach him in 2.1 seconds. He's eye darted, looking at Obito's muscles flex, tighten, direct and pressurise. Each one showed on his skin and he saw the chakara leaking from his fist. He was going to try the same move he watched him try against Zetsu.

All Madara had to do was stand and move his hand into the right position and wait for Obito to run into it. He did it, within the 0.14 seconds between Obito's punch hitting Madara. Madara streamed much chakara into his arm allowing greater speed to touch Obito's chest. It took 0.04 seconds to touch Obito, leaving Madara 0.1 more seconds to focus the chakara to his fingers and release. Obito had basic ran into a punch. All actions applied the controls that Obito had been mediating on humiliating Obito unknown.

"Your punch is pathetic. You let your mind wonder. If you stay, I could help you fix these things." Madara suggest taking a seat again. "You're a long way from using the enhanced strength technique. My taijutsu far exceeds yours. Let's move to genjutsu and ninjutsu."

"Oh no you don't!" Obito said bursting into a run but was too slow. Without hand signs, Madara exhaled and a black smoke poured out of his throat surrounding him, his throne and the ground around him. "Fire style: Hidden Ash Art."

Obito didn't stop running forward as he pushed through the ash, swinging hoping to hit the man blindly. Only to step forward and back out the way he'd gone in. Staring at Zetsu and Spiral he wondered what happened.

"You fell for the easiest genjutsu." Zetsu noted shaking his head.

"Release." Obito quickly tried to release the genjutsu. Ticked off he ran back into the ash with Zetsu and Spiral behind. He ran in one direct and again he emerged to see Zetsu and Spiral staring at him.

"You fell for it again."

"Demon illusion: Going in Circles Jutsu." It was a C-rank genjutsu. It makes the victim think they running forward but in actuality, the caster controls what the victim sees and forces them to turn around without ever realising so.

"Damn it. RELEASE!" Obito shouted before running back into the ash.

"You think he's going to realise the genjutsu only works IN the ash and that every time he leaves, it releases by itself?" Spiral questioned actually knowing what was happening.

"Nope. Let's see if he'll release himself from a genjutsu he's not under again." Zetsu answered waiting for Obito to emerge again.

And he did. "DAMN IT. RELEASE." Obito shouted turning to glare. "Screw it. I'm not running in there again."

"1 minute and 30 seconds." Spiral said aloud counting down.

"No." Obito said jumping back into the air and going through hand signs. "Fire style: fireball jutsu."

The quick fireball shot at the ash only to fuse and fade into it like it was part of it.

"What it didn't blow up?" Obito questioned.

Zetsu explained on the sideline. "Madara's jutsu many look weak but when he is controlling it, it becomes an A-rank jutsu. He controls ash completely. He increases the temperature of the ash to the point that it basically ate the fireball. It is very good a turning a opponents attack into energy source."

"1 minute." Spiral continued.

Obito wasted no time. "Fire style: Phoenix flower jutsu." A volley of small fire ball was sent flying at the ash cloud.

Nothing.

He didn't hesitate. "Fire style: Great Fireball." A larger, slower and more powerful fireball than the last was blasted forward.

Nothing again.

"I have to leave!" Obito yelled not giving up. "Fire style: Dragon Flame jutsu!" It was probably Obito's strongest jutsu as his body burst into flames that blazed around him. The flame then stormed forward in wide waving blast of fire to the ash.

It flames roar loud and bright but silenced quickly, disappeared after in no time at all. And nothing changed other than the black scorched earth, walls and ceiling. The ash remained unchanged proving to be a surprisingly good defence.

Obito coughed heavily and grabbed his chest, choking on the heated feeling of flames moving through his throat. He was already tired from training with Zetsu and his ninjutsu was still weak.

"30 seconds."

The ash being controlled like a puppet parted in a V shape, presenting Madara still seated having not moved from his spot. He lifted his left arm holding the scythe cane he had out, showing Obito the sharp and surprisingly shining edge.

"Huh?"

"I'm ending this." The black, corroded, and rusting metal of the scythe hissed a shadowy gas without shape as the sharp edge became the only clearly defined piece. "And I'm not sorry."

Obito first realised that the world was bending as he lost balance.

The left side of his body was quickly falling to the ground. During this he realised he had buckled from an imbalance on his legs. Like one had lost its strength.

Then pain erupted from his knee or somewhere around it. Incredible pain. He quickly went to grab his leg feeling the pain but it wasn't until after that he felt the warm, sticky, wet feeling between his fingers. Then he actually saw what happened.

"eh..."

"AAAAGGHHHHHH! MY LLLEEGG! YOU CUT IT OFF!" Griping the stump that was left, red and freshly bleeding, he screamed in agony. He gripped the stump unsure of what to do as he went white panicking, his eye darting at the red flesh to the severed leg (that had been his real one, the other had been crushed and replaced) bleeding and unmoving move from the ground. "YOU-you-you.. .." He slumped for a moment as he felt dizzy and light going paler.

"Going into shock?" Zetsu questioned aloud.

"10 seconds."Spiral said casually not at all concerned.

Strength was leaving Obito for shock but hearing that he had only 10 seconds snapped something. He compared this to something else. The Boulder? No, it was that treatment.

Colour actually returned to him, as Obito screwed his face and sat back up. This pain wasn't as bad as that treatment. Anger replaced thought as he clawed the ground to try a crawl towards Madara. His sharingan flaring red as he gazed at Madara's sharingan. He had to leave and make sure everyone knew he was alive. He had to make sure Rin knew!

"No...I was...I was." He growled clawing on his stomach unsure of how to move with only one leg.

Madara was impressed. 'He's actually continuing. He's resistance to pain might actually exist.' He noted interested.

Obito was too far away though to do anything. "You were never going to win." Madara muttered narrowing his eyes.

"Times up." Spiral said and Obito cringed clinging to dirt, staring at Madara feeling like crying. Madara hadn't said he would do such a thing to him. He was already crippled with a corpse like arm and a body that didn't feel entirely his. He been crushed by a boulder, lost his arm, a leg, a eye and his dick. Sure they were all replaced, not to the original standard, but now Madara had gone and taken another piece of all Obito had left.

He hated it all.

"Demonic illusion: Sorrow of Death's Arrival. Release."

Suddenly feeling returned to Obito leg and he turned his head to see that his leg was still there, no longer disconnected. Flipping of his chest, he grabbed with both arms to feel it, fining it real. Then he stared at his hands to see the blood that had stained them gone. "What, my leg? It's..."

"It's still there. It was an illusion. A crafted ploy." Madara said seated unchanged. "As an Uchiha it is a shame you didn't see through it." He finished.

Sorrow of Death's Arrival was his own A-rank genjutsu that allow him to control people into thinking he had caused major bodily harm that in reality would or could kill them. He could create a pool of water that held someone down and under. Creating the feeling of drowning in someone's mind.

Taking it a step further, he wouldn't even need to create a means to pain e.g. he wouldn't need a genjutsu blade to cut someone. He could make someone catch fire in their minds without ever being on fire or even seeing fire. They would just alight and combust in an illusion. Cutting them up without a blade, burning them without heat, freezing them without cold and drowning them without water. He could make a situation of death or bodily harm happen in someone's mind. And they would for a second feel what it is like to experience death. To see their own body dead.

The fact that even biju could not resist his genjutsu made it impossible for nearly any individual to resist. The fact that it wasn't even a forbidden or clan jutsu made it easy and diverse in its natural to use.

Genjutsu was never the most respected shinobi art in most parts of the world anyway. Of the top of his head Madara thought the only ones who would be able to resist his genjutsu from his generation were Hashirama, Tobirama, Reto, Yashagoro, Mu and Gengetsu. Five of whom were present at the 1st kage Summit, to his annoyance. There were others he could think of but they would most likely fail.

Obito gasped at Madara, unsure of how he would expect anything from that and how he of all people would ever break it. He couldn't even figure out the going in circles trick. "How hell am I suppose to see through that?"

Madara sighed. "I weakened the genjutsu. I was only controlling your sense of sight and touch. Your sense of hearing, smell and taste all worked fine. You couldn't even smell the blood if you wanted to." He noted getting a questioning look. "If I really wanted you to feel it, I would have manipulated all 5 senses, down to the decreasing temperature of your body as the fake blood left you. Use it as lesson. You don't need to control all of your enemy's senses to destroy them with genjutsu." Madara said putting the cane scythe back down next to him.

Obito hesitate to act since he had outright lost. Screwing his face it made him look furious with his scar and the frustration of not gaining what he wanted filled him with anger. "I want another try." He asked somehow composed with the stupid question. None of it was fair!

Madara's eye flickered. "I can make you think I cut off both legs this time? You sure you want to crawl across the ground bleeding fake blood?" He questioned annoyed at the defiance but clearly making an impression on Obito as the boy put on a thoughtful face. "It's kind of funny watching you scream and yell that your leg is gone when it's still there." He noted stoic disgusting Obito.

Obito frowned looking at Zetsu who shrugged confused with what the hell was going on. Madara training Obito, even a little, was never part of the plan.

Obito turned to Spiral to which the plant waved with a hand in the air happily. He actually made Obito smile before he frowning sadly in defeat.

"A deal is a deal." Madara mumble lowly.

"I don't..." Obito said softly, not wanting to stay but not wanting to go back on his word.

'The soft heart children of this generation.'

"I've gotten you this far." Madara said choosing deception over guilty and force . "You can trust me."

Obito didn't though and for good reason. He didn't want to but he did because he would never back out of a deal. "Fine. I can't promise that I'll trust you."

"That's probably the smart thing to do." Madara said wisely.

Had he really just accepted this? Obito sighed accepting things for what they were. He'd have to deal with Madara's plan when he leaves, telling the village that Madara was alive would be a good start. He would tolerate this for now. "Are really going to teach me?" He questioned.

"Mmmmm. Only what you need."

Obito shrugged standing seeing no need to stop asking about. "So how's this going to work."

"I don't do healing like Zetsu. Your mediation and sleep time will be your healing time." Madara started. In the background Zetsu was still stunned that this was happening. And so casually.

"Ok. What are we going to work on?"

Madara glared. "Everything. You will run around this room 800 times day, give me 800 push up and sit-ups a day. And this will increase as time goes." He said seeing the surprise on Obito face.

"Are you insane? My new arm hasn't even filled out yet." He said grabbing the thin limb.

Madara shrugged. "I'm only a little insane and I don't care about excuses." He answered continuing. "You need some training in taijutsu to learn how to throw a decent punch and you need to learn some damn genjutsu skills, you're an Uchiha. Your fire style needs alot of work too, it was honestly a sad display you showed me." He said listing through some basics with easy. "And during all this I want you to focus solely on the chakara control techniques."

It wasn't...impressive. "That so boring. It sounds hard yer, but I don't learn anything new from it."

"Of course not. I'm not teaching anything more specific than how to move and control your body properly. Running, dodging, blocking, evading, countering. You need control, reflects and strength for these things." Madara said sounding excited.

"Maybe, by doing this together..." Madara started. "...you can come to appreciate me and my dream. Realise that I'm not the monster you envision me as." He said making Obito frown. "If you want, you can stay and learn what it takes to survive in this world chained by fate." Madara offered.

Obito silenced a scowled, countering quick and low. "Don't count on it."

"We'll see. Causality is an interesting thing."

Madara closed his eye accepting Obito's view for now. A heart beat pulsed loud in Madara mind as he sensed Obito heart beat, restricted by the Forbidden Individual Curse Seal. 'I have already placed my controls on you. Now, all I have to do is have it placed on her.'

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It has been awhile. Such a long time. This chapter marks the end of the prologue arc and the beginning of another. In the next arc the TRUTH of the world will be revealed.

To note, I am making Zetsu a hell of a alot stronger. It always rubbed me the wrong way that so many of the Akatsuki were so...weak. When I first saw them I thought they would each be at the same level as Orochimaru, but the fact that more than one of them lost to chunin level shinobi and they only had one moment of greatness, drove me insane. So, each of them, when I eventually introduce them, will be stronger than in the manga.

Just for a bit of fun I'll list of some of the more notable jutsu I've mentioned and who uses them.

Obito:

- Fire style: Fireball Jutsu (C-rank)

- Fire style: Great Fireball (C-rank)

- Fire style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu ( C-rank)

- Fire style: Dragon Flame (C-rank)

- Chakara Enhanced Strength (B-rank)

- High Speed Healing Power (A-rank)

Madara:

- Fire style: Hidden Ash Art (C-rank, A-rank when used by Madara)

- Demonic illusion: Going in Circles Jutsu (C-rank)

- Demonic illusion: Sorrow of Death's Arrival (A-rank)

- Chakara Super-Human Enhanced Strength (A-rank)

- High Speed Healing Power (A-rank)

Spiral:

- Wood style: Morph (C-rank)

- Chakara Super-Human Enhanced Strength (A-rank)

- Instantaneous Regenerative Power (S-rank)

- Earth style: Hiding mole (C-rank)

- Earth style: Whac-a-mole technique (B-rank)

Zetsu:

- Wood style: Mayfly (S-rank)

- Wood style: Parasitic Clone (S-rank)

- Wood style: Sporulation (S-rank)

- Demoic illusion: Replaying Past (C-rank)

- Instantaneous Regenerative Power (S-rank)

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