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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Author's Note:
It has been a very long time since I updated this story. My reason for this honestly has been because of personal reasons towards the naruto series. I won't lie about it but I did not like the way the series ended. It started when Obito and Naruto were talking in Obito's mind. Being that from the point that Naruto talked Obito out of his plans and had Obito/tobi giving up despite having almost reach his goals, killed the story for me and made the rest of it pointless. But being a fan for as long as I had been I of course stayed with it to the end but did so knowing that the story and main character Naruto Uzumaki was dead to me.
What was screw up about this scene for me, was that naruto felt completely in character behind very bullshit word that came of out of his mouth, and what Obito did, giving up like a bitch who didn't feel anything like the master mind and main villain of story tobi, felt completely out of character for him. So much so, that I couldn't blame Obito for acting out of character because it was clear Kishimoto just want to get rid of him and finish the story by chapter 700. The element where it felt like the author outside the story was changing the characterization, flow and structure he built, it this case for Obito, told me that there was no hope or redemption for the story or for Naruto Uzumaki.
So that's my reason for leaving this for so long. But it was because of this reason I wanted to write about Obito as well. Because the author couldn't make him as strong as the hype he made him to be.
But if I haven't completely outraged some by saying this, like many fans of Naruto would be, enjoy the chapter and sorry for taking so long and for any grammar and spelling mistakes.
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End, Prologue arc -Begin, Blood Mist Arc
Chapter 10: Time to Leave. The Story Begins
Three Months Later.
"AAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH! GAAEAT AAWAAAYAAA!" Obito screamed and choked in his sleep sweating like crazy unable to awake. He panted and choked grabbing his heart in pain. His heart was hurting, unlike any of the other times the nightmares had surfaced and run ramped in his head. It always seemed to grip his heart and choke his lungs, stealing Obito's breath from him and forcing black colours into his head. He wouldn't release this until he woke up but he it was the same every time.
Thrashing and flailing about on the bed, Spiral came running to Obito. "Obito calmed down. It's ok. Wake up." Spiral pleaded as Obito grabbed his chest, kicking wildly and struggling to breath. Spiral right arm untwisted into 8 different plant roots that quickly grabbed and held Obito's body down, wrapping around his arms, legs, torso and head. Obito chakara raised and streamed wildly, becoming visible as a blue haze around his struggling body.
"No, not again!" A clone of Zetsu said focused and worried as it emerged from the ground leaving no trace. "Damn, these nightmares have gotten out of hand. Is it another heart attack?" The Zetsu clone, question worried, having seen Obito have multiple heart attacks in his sleep and nightmares. The nightmares in question had been happening for 1 month now, at first stopping Obito from sleeping more than 2 hours. Now, he wouldn't last 30 minutes without screaming and yelling in terror as he slept.
Progressively with it, Obito had begun to develop a fear of the dark and shadows. Whenever he was training he would grow fearful of the shadows of the cave. Moving as far away from them as possible, going out of his way to put distance between himself and them. At some point at the end of the month of training under Madara, said man yelled at Obito growing impatient with the boy's fears that made no sense. Obito responded that they reminded him of the rapid healing, the treatment that had changed him.
Of course Madara wasn't happy about it and had even forced him into the dark, trying to get Obito over it. And it actually looked like it worked, Obito became more willing and brave with each test. Yet, his nightmares still caused him to suffer.
"Oi, Senpai! Something's wrong. He's tensing too much." Spiral shouted afraid for Obito as he held him down as best he could. Obito tensed and jerked, starting to foam as the mouth, heavily breathing and with furious face of discomfort.
Madara watched impassive, stoic and curious. He had predict such a result with the treatment although it wasn't something he wanted. All his work into making Obito better would be to waste if Obito died. But he could wait another 30 or 40 years for a new solider if had to. He was in no rush.
Then Obito's body went limp, he stopped struggling and breathing. Spiral could feel his heart beat with his roots holding Obito from several different spots. "He's hearts stopped and he's not breathing! He's going into Cardiac Arrest!" Spiral said panicked fearing for his friend.
The clone of white Zetsu feared for Obito to. "No! Hurry! Do a temporary cellular fusion. Obito blood runs through you, so you should be able to fuse with him and manually pump his heart and diaphragm. Force Oxgyen into him as well. Make sure his respiratory system continues running." Zetsu said staring not wanting any brain damage. Organs were an easy thing but the brain not so much.
Two of Spiral fingers turned to spikes in his left hand, shooting like tendrils into Obito chest, stopping before piercing anything important and growing into foreign vessels, small and thin enough to grow within the organs and vessel's passage ways. Like the roots of tree into the grains of stone. Continuing, one of the tentacle-like roots let go of Obito body and grew around his nose and mouth. Spiral and Zetsu could both produce oxygen from their bodies and in greater quantities, and they could even absorb CO2 as energy source. Spiral fed Obito the air, waiting for his body to start breathing it.
The roots vessels grew around his heart wrapping around it and growing into it, forcing it to move. A few seconds later a breath came from Obito's mouth but not from his own actions. "Do 100 pumps then see if he can do it himself." Zetsu continued as Obito remain unresponsive.
Spiral did as he was told putting alot of force into his actions but making sure he didn't accidently crush something or poison him with too much concentrated oxygen.
"Come on Obito. Come back." Spiral pleaded saddened. They had grown closer over the months and Obito dying wasn't something Spiral wanted.
Madara was becoming concerned, not for Obito life but for experiment. If it failed for Obito, it would most certainly fail with him. Yes, he planned to use a similar method to the one he had used on Obito so as to regain his youth. He wanted to leave this cave. But if he ended up the same as Obito it wouldn't be worth it.
Perhaps, he would have to go over the Kumo, Kiri and Suna Jinichiuriki Experiment notes again. God knows Konoha and Iwa's research notes were horrid and useless. He didn't want to fuse with the life-bringer Senju Flower and become a pesdo-Jinichuriki if it killed him the end. 'Perhaps letting me die and be resurrected by Nagato is best option.' He pondered.
"Madara, you have to do something." Zetsu pleaded to the unresponsive elder.
"What do you want me to do?" Madara asked as if there was nothing.
Zetsu peered at him. "Remove the Gedo Mazo's chakara from him." He said pausing as a tension rose as they stared at each other. "He was never going to be able to survive with it in him. It may be so small that it's useless, but it's not even filtered like with the Jinichuriki. It poisoning him and causing mental and physical pain. His fear of the dark, the nightmares and heart failure are unnatural." Zetsu advised.
Madara didn't like the concern Zetsu was showing. "You're letting yourself get too connected to him. No one would ever be able to have the Gedo Mazo's chakara pumped into them without a side effect. Add the senju cell and it guaranteed that a negative effect was going to happen. Unless Obito were more than what he is. But Obito is as normal as it gets. Having a greater will for a nobody would never be enough to protect himself." Madara lecture smugly.
Zetsu wonder for moment before asking. "What are you hoping to gain from the negative side effects?" There was no reason to torture Obito and despite who Madara was, he didn't torture people without reason. Normally. In fact it had been a few decades since he'd done so, it was a milestone for the Old Uchiha.
Madara squinted in thought. "Experience. I want him to understand reality through hardship. I don't hand out success." He finished cold.
Zetsu raised a nonexistent eyebrow. "You're going to break him. He'll die." Zetsu said although voicing concern not really appearing to.
Madara closed his eye and shook his head. "No. He won't die, until he wants to." He answered before opening his eye. "And he will never want to die." He continued certain of that. "As for breaking him? Yes. I will break him so he learns. Hardship and pain is a good teacher." He finished.
Zetsu was stoic a moment before he grinned, shaking his head in some distaste. "You're a monster."
Madara stared at him bored. "Are you going to stop me then?" He asked. The connect Obito had made with Zetsu and Spiral was astoundingly fast and strong. Obito's personality was naturally warm and comforting attracting them to him. Nothing Madara hadn't expected though.
Zetsu shook his head. "No. You're right. It will take a lot to break him." He mused seeing what Madara wanted, but Zetsu had doubts for another reason. "But why are you going so far? If this does better him, it begs the question of why would you want him to be better?" Zetsu questioned staring at Madara who stared back. "It is out of character for you to help someone. Even in this roundabout method." Zetsu pointed out giving Madara alot to think about.
"A powerful weapon can always be improved upon." Madara mused before looking at Zetsu with all to serious face. "Have the preparations been made within the mist?" Madara mumbled lowly, even activating a silencing seal, a muting genjutsu, and minor fire style Jutsu to disrupt the air around himself and Zetsu, not wanting to be heard by Obito by any chance.
Zetsu looking at his master. "The 3rd Mizukage's hate for Konoha is unrivalled. You know the type of person he is. You knew him back years ago during the formation of the 5 Kages and during the warring state period. Their plans for Konoha have...unexpectedly accelerated."
Madara smiled in content. "Good work Zetsu. Tell me more about this."
Zetsu had clones living everywhere in the word and the mist village was no different. "The blood-mist has been expanding there purging into other lands. Steel style user from the Stone-village, Inuzuka clan members from the leaf-village and clansmen from around the world have been disappearing. Clans in the Mist are under strict laws that must be abided by but some clans did fight this. The Yuki clan has all by been destroyed from trying to do so, with what members remain going into hiding while other clans in the mist are making preparations to go into hiding or fight. Despite this, the five fractions of the blood-mist are making the village stronger than ever and now there is a 6th fraction." Zetsu mused. "The 6th fraction now called the Pirate Lords of the East and none of the members are from the land of water. Basically a large number of mercenaries and lawbreakers being used at a defensive wall against invaders."
'6th fraction, Pirate lords? Ridiculous.' Madara thought contemplating the Blood-mist new ascension to power. Originally there were 5 great sources of power in the mist village but over the past 70 years the land of water had gone down a sour and blood driven path. This new fraction was clearly just a means to an end for the end of 3rd Shinobi war. But being the mist village, driving these pirates to there cause through fear or temptation tactics would be all too effective.
The 1st fraction, the Seven Mist Swordsmen were probably the biggest threats in that village and could take down armies by themselves. Their leaders were, to Madara knowledge, the current wielder of the Samehada, Fuguki Suikazan and a former member from the 1st generation Swordsmen who first wielded the Samehada, Madame Shyarly. Both of which were S-rank threats while the rest of the Swordsmen rested on A-rank as Anbu-General levels to command the land of water armies.
The 2nd fraction, the Corpse Processing Hunters were high numbered and of great use to the mist. Deposing of corpses and missing-nin who had betrayed them was there main objective, make for impressive trackers and assassins. The hunter-nin as they were called was highly funded though, continuing to give the blood-mist its image as secretive, loyal and merciless. But they were far more controlled and more merciful than any of the other fractions. Their newly appointed leader was a man named Tsurugi who was considered for the position as member of the 7 mist swordsmen but refused it. He is of A-rank at an Elite-Jonin level while his fractions level varied from Genin to Jonin.
The 3rd fraction, the Military Science Division was a ninjutsu research and development team with the same goals as the Cloud-village's Research and Development of Ninjutsu Division. This of course, was the pursuit of military advancements of Ninjutsu for the hidden village. The team in particular was working overtime to Madara's knowledge due to the loss of clan bloodlines and capabilities. Zetsu had yet infiltrate this part of the blood-mist but Madara was aware of their Laboratory's Location at the back of the mist-village hidden underground. Its leader was a man named Vergo, S-ranked and Anbu-General level with his followers being either Chunin or Anbu in level.
The 4th fraction, The Civil Council and Purging Executioners was the civilian and overall powerless peoples who had argued for the hunting, exile and execution of clans due to overfunding towards them and due to the clan destructive actions leading to collateral damage during the 2nd shinobi war. Madara believed that if the weak were going to complain about the actions of the strong, then they should protect themselves instead of relying on others. Though, he never believed that they would actually take a stand and do so as this group had.
This group from the mist proved him wrong to which he found mildly entertaining. Despite being weaker they quickly amassed power to eliminate those that had done them wrong. And it helped when a clan from another village steals the son of the 3rd Mizukage who was is not from a clan himself. Thus leading to the man's hatred of shinobi clans igniting like nothing else. The Civil Council is a democracy without a clear leader, but the Purging Executioners who followed their commands did have a leader. Said leader of the Purgers was non-chakara user who had no name but was called The Bird. The Bird is a Jonin level fighter though despite having no chakara and the purgers who followed were considered on Genin or Chunin in level.
The 5th fraction, the Assassins cult were a group of assassins who did not use chakara and were so effective despite this that they had lasted over a thousand years in the Shinobi world. They were dangerous and even Madara had encountered them in his youth. Merciless and perfectionist but logical, smart and free. It made sense to Madara that they would work within the Mist-village at this point in time. The assassins did not enjoy seeing shinobi in power mostly because of how they would use their power to manipulate, control and intimidate others much like how Madara, the 5 great villages and the clans have. Madara wasn't about to deny any of it as being prideful as he was, but he could see how these assassins would think themselves liberators instead of vigilantes. Madara didn't know who their leaders were as there process of accepting others would often weed out the Zetsu clones transformed.
Madara shook his head thinking about the blood-mist's current rise in power and ability. The funding of it all was convenient being that with the eliminatation of the shinobi clan's powers, the village could distribute finances wider than ever and had been using it to make themselves better than ever. They had really begun to get ahead of themselves though considering their plan with the Sanbi was even stranger.
"The mist will be at civil war soon enough." Madara mused to which Zetsu nodded. "People are going to start thinking independently and start thinking they deserve even more than they already do. But that is of little concern." Madara said brushing the potential of a civil war aside. "Tell me has Konoha by some unknown means learn of the mist increase in power?"
"Yes. They'll be sending a silence, small team to investigate the mist's sudden rise and alliances. Konoha will be sending one which has already had experience in infiltrating enemy lines. But because of large numbers of shinobi having other missions they're going to have to scrap the bottom of the barrel." Zetsu said having already made plans come through.
"And the mist's spy, namely you, will tell them of Konoha's plans to observe them to ensure that there is no chance of the mist invading the land of Fire." Madara confirmed.
Zetsu nodded. "It is done and was too easy. Konoha jumped at the opportunity to spy on their enemies and the mist will use this for the 3rd Mizukages revenge. Now we simply wait." Zetsu said calm although showing something that Madara didn't like. Zetsu peered at Obito clearly thinking about him and how his friends were going to die.
Zetsu froze from the killing intent coming from Madara who read his thoughts. Madara frowned in some anger knowing what it was Zetsu might plan. "Zetsu. I want to make this clear above all else. Rin Nohara's life means absolutely nothing to me. I gain nothing from her living. I have no possible reason to save her or keep her alive, and I never will. The very idea of sparing her would be the most foolish thing to me. If you do anything to try and stop this, save her for whatever reason, I will not only kill you. I will torture you so much that years later you will beg for death remembering it." Madara growled his sharingan taken a crimson red staring at Zetsu.
Zetsu bowed his head. "...Y-Y-Yes, Lord Madara." He mumbled no longer thinking of Obito well being and only his safety.
"GASPP!" Obito's body jumped and even with the roots covering his face, his gasps for air returned desperately and loudly.
Spiral gasped. "He's alive. Thank—aaachch!" Spiral lost balance at a sudden pull. "What's happening?" Spiral panicked as suddenly the root he had implanted begun fusing with Obito, pulling hard on him. Obito body was responding strangely, as if it were...
The clone of Zetsu could sense what was happening inside the boy's body. "Spiral, pull it out. Obito's senju cells are trying to absorb yours. Hurry up!" Zetsu shouted as Spiral roots let go of Obito and tried pull the inserted roots out, failing. Spiral didn't want to hurt Obito, but slowly the root that was once a part of his arm was pulled and consumed by Obito cells trying to take control without Obito's knowledge.
Madara watched in interest seeing the two spikes in Obito chest sink as they were consumed. It was impossible for the cells to act independently and consume a foreign substance. Sure Zetsu and Spiral could create acidic and corrosive liquids that could quickly breakdown and absorb organic and non-organics, hence why Zetsu could consume human flesh so easy. But Spiral had tried a temporary fusion, a technique that Madara wanted to do and did to a degree with the Senju cells. 'What does this mean?'
"AHHHH. Enough!" Spiral stopped trying to pull it out and snapped of the pieces that were still connected to Obito like breaking a twig. He stumbled back as the roots that were sticking out of Obito chest slowly sunk, being devoured and absorbed by Obito's flesh.
'Cellular absorption? That's like the opposite of Hashirama's cellular invasion.' Madara thought having seen Hashirama heal mortal wounds on his allies by forcing his wood style, and in turn cells, into their bodies. Hashirama could do the same to destroy his enemies from the inside out. 'It's also similar to Zetsu's parasitic cannibalism and breakdown, but Obito doesn't need to consume someone to do it?' Madara thought continuing to think about. He looked at Spiral who had already regenerated and reformed his arm. 'Or maybe it was because Spiral did it. His cells were a part of Obito after all. They could have been reacting to Spiral familiar cells.'
So many questions and yet no answers. At least Obito was breathing again as he went back to sleep peacefully.
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It has been 3 months since Obito had lost to Madara in fight, marking the start of his training under the criminal of his clan. In total it has been 4 months since Obito awoke and he was nearly ready to leave. Originally his was to leave a year from this arrival 4 months ago.
It has been 2 weeks since he had a cardiac arrest that nearly killed him. Obito no longer went to sleep after that deciding to give into Spiral's suggestion to no longer sleep. To Spiral and Zetsu it meant more time with Obito. To Obito, it gave him the idea that the universe had come to love beating the shit of him. No matter how much he tried he just couldn't sleep easily.
After months of living with no food, hardly any sleep and no need for a toilet Obito still hadn't gotten use to the unnatural feel of it. His training and recovery program had been tiring but instead of sleep he would have to mediate to recover from it.
But despite that, some near death experiences training with Madara and the constant nightmares and fear of the dark, Obito had learnt a lot more than he thought he would.
For one, Obito now knew that he could train 6 times as long as use to. No longer having to eat, sleep or use the bathroom cut so much time that was put to those needs. Although he couldn't tell the time of day, his original routine before giving up sleep was to only sleeping 3 hours a day while the other 21 hours was put to training. Madara had been merciless with that decision not given Obito any excuse not to train.
Obito appearance had changed with his body being basically healed, his new solid arm had muscle and was tanned the same color as his body. It was still in the process of recreating bone but bones are always the hardest thing to grow back, according to Madara. Despite this Obito's entire body had developed faster than Madara and Zetsu had thought. He had some defined muscle that wasn't popping with veins but had definition for a young shinobi. The scar going down the centre of Obito chest could be seen, but due to the tan faded with Obito pecks it would be hard to spot if one were not looking for it.
Obito's hair had also grown far, faster than it should have. Growing long and smooth making him look like a new person. Further strange was whenever he flared or used his chakara his hair would lose its smoothness, becoming spiky. Looking more like Madara's hair. Obito noted this, wondering if they would cut it for him. But after thinking about, thought it might be funny to keep and return to the village with it to impress. That and Zetsu said he looked older with it.
The second biggest difference after the last 3 months was Obito's chakara control. For one, he no longer had to maintain conscious thought to use focus, stream or release with his chakara from different parts of his body. To strengthen this chakara's response time, Obito was asked daily to focus on moving chakara in his body in different sequences , memorize them for the day and then forgetting them the next for a new a sequence. Like focusing from his shoulder to hip or from his legs to neck.
But that wasn't all. Madara gave Spiral and Zetsu the opportunity to strengthen Obito's reactions further by throwing rocks at him. When they did this, Obito wasn't allowed to move, only block by focusing his chakara to his points of impact.
Madara did demonstrate this first as Obito wasn't really thrilled at the idea of rocks being thrown at him. But after Madara had convinced him to take the hit once with focus used, Obito understood how it strengthened his body. Obito even noted to Madara how it was like the leaf concentration practice in the academy. Coming to that thought Obito asked Madara why they didn't just do that with leaves on different parts of his body. Madara's answer was that it was too convenient and that if you can't concentrate on your chakara in a combat scenario then what was the point? After that Madara made it harder. The prick.
At first Spiral and Zetsu were going easy on him, but as time went they picked up the speed, strength, numbers and even changed the density of the rocks to make it harder. It wasn't until after Obito and Madara's talk that the two started aiming for Obito's head. After an hour, Obito would have bruises and bleeding cuts on him but after a few seconds the wounds would heal. Leaving Obito with his tanned and undamaged skin.
Despite the pain and hate of it, it proved the point. Obito body was brimming with strong chakara that would react at moment's notice. If Obito couldn't block a large number of attacks he would use his sharingan to read the trajectory and direction of the flying objects and focus his chakara to the points of contact. Because of it, the wounds wouldn't hurt as much and wouldn't leave much a mark.
This also revealed how far Obito's pain threshold was. The pain of simple hits, strikes and cuts had become numbed greatly through his efforts. That and a few other extremes that were tested by Madara, proved it took a lot to bring Obito down now with pain alone.
Obito use of controlling the chakara technique of null had also progressed to the point that it was no longer weakening him and was now allowing him to hide his chakara while at the same time focusing his chakara. Madara did this with a simple tactic of having Zetsu blindfolded and force to catch Obito using only the chakara sensory technique. Obito's goal was not to get caught as Zetsu's numbers slowly increased. Right now, it took 14 Zetsu clones to be present before they caught Obito. The whole point of this to help Obito's skills in sneaking around. Like a shinobi should.
Although in Madara's eye this wasn't good enough, saying that Obito should have reached such a level within the 1st month but Obito didn't let it get to him.
His taijutsu training was interesting as well, involving 6 to 9 hour long spars against Spiral fighting on the ground, walls, ceiling or Gedo Mazo (which Obito personally hated), constants practice in punching and kicking against wood style tree trunks and eventually earth style stones and rocks. Without even a flick of his wrist, Madara could construct and build punching bags for Obito. All in all Madara was teaching him the common Iron fist techniques that were use by many konoha taijutsu fighter. Iron fist being a taijutsu that focused on doing as much damage to the outside of someone. The Kata or forms being relatively easy and simple.
To finish his physical training, Obito would daily do 1000 laps around the cave, 1000 push-ups, sit-ups and squats. Obito would say that he was doing them in the morning but he couldn't tell even if he wanted to. All of this being done to build his stamina and endurance.
But it wasn't like Obito wasn't strong or that he couldn't fight for long periods of time, in fact stamina fighting was probably his specialty. But what he lacked was flexibility, mobility and swiftness to which Madara quickly wanted to fix.
Again it didn't take much for Madara to create an obstacle course out of stone and wood style that involved running, jumping, spinning, flipping, control, strength and speed in paths that went straight, up, down, on ceilings, over and across walls and jumping through the air. You'd be surprised how big the room actually was being able to fit a lot of things, and if Madara really wanted to he could make it bigger without anyone but Zetsu realising.
Eventually Madara thought it was too easy despite Obito's clear struggles and he decide to throw in some freezing water pieces that covered the ground and walls with water to strength his walking on water technique. Adding some stone spikes, setting some things on fire, and having Spiral and Zetsu go from throwing rocks to throwing wooden spears at Obito during the whole thing proved to be too dangerous nearly killing Obito, but Madara didn't stop pushing him.
Obito had been impaled twice so far and only once did it nearly kill him. But at least Obito reflects and reaction time had spiked extensively, and he now knew he could survive being impaled in the stomach. What he had learnt though, was that it didn't help him when he attacked Madara again for nearly dying.
On second thought, the whole experience wasn't what Obito was expecting. A lot of Madara taught him seemed unusual, unfair, dangerous, reckless, time-consuming and hard as shit. Obito was struggling during the physical side of things.
But his ninjutsu and genjutsu training we're a slight improvement to his physical training. Yes, a slight improvement.
Madara described that controlling fire style all came down to three things. One, how well you could change the temperature; two controlling your breathing and body temperature; and three how long you can keep it burning. He continued his lecture on fire style saying there was two ways of using fire.
-Small flash back-
"Fire is destruction and life. It is power and weakness. It is energy. It is light. It is end." He said holding his palm open to Obito as a large ball of fire burned in his palm. Obito did find it cool and awesome, and did ask for Madara to show him how to make fireballs in his hands. Madara said no and ignored the rest of Obito's pleads.
Continuing Madara said. "It breaths." Madara told a deep breath and the flame shined brighter, grew larger and burned wilder. He exhaled and the flame died down. "It devours, it grows, it runs and..." Madara closes his hand harshly extinguishing it. "It ends." With a quick twist of his wrist, Madara showed the back of his hand to Obito, having one finger pointing up a small flame burning just above it like a candle. "It is reborn."
Obito stared at it, the small light reflecting in his eye. "Neat. How are you making a ball of fire on your finger?" Obito asked amazed.
Madara made no reaction on his face. "Watch it. Tell me what shape it is taking. Describe what you see."
Obito did. "It looks like a candle flame." He started before the flame changed. "Wait, it's getting longer and taller. It's flickering wildly. Agh, it's getting really bright yellow. Now, it's gone red. Now blue? It's yellow again and it's compressing...into a ball." Obito said further amazed as the flame was perfect circle.
Madara spun his wrist and another small flame appeared on another finger. He kept doing this until his 4 fingers each had a small perfectly, round flame. "Like wind and water, fire is very free in its form and it can take any shape it pleases. But unlike wind and water fire is the hardest to control and maintain. It always needs a fuel source, something to burn. And even if you provide it with a fuel, that doesn't mean that it will be satisfied and that it will take the shape you want it to. You have to be strong, connected and feel flames intent. See how it burns passionately, brightly, proudly, peacefully and wrathfully." Madara said sounding and making it more educational than Obito thought he could. The impression was really strange to Obito.
Keeping the back of his hand facing Obito, Madara made sure his fingers had clear gaps between them. The flames floating on his finger tips quickly started running between his fingers weaving in different directions and speeds.
As the fires danced and weaved in between his fingers Madara continued. "It can multiple. Each flame has a life of its own and each is different from the last. They look the same but they do not live the same. Each flame burns at different rates, each has its own shape, its own color, its own mark."
Then Madara opened his palm out so that his fingers were pointing at Obito and not the ceiling. The flames that had been weaving between his fingers moved to his palm and twisted until there was a tiny cyclone of fire spinning wildly in madara's palm.
"Like the other 4 elements, fire can go from many to only one."
Then it spun and broke into the three mini fire cyclone spinning, all moving in a circle in Madara's hand.
"And just as quickly it can go back to many."
Then the mini cyclones disappeared but the air in Madara's palm and above it shimmered and rippled. Soon enough steam and smoke stared whirling and releasing from Madara's hand.
"And fire does not need to exist in your eyes to burn. Fire is heat and energy."
He flipped his hand so his palm was facing the ground. And slowly and surely the dirt and earth turned red and bright, melting as if there was a fire under it, when in fact the heat was above it.
"To burn something without a fuel and without a flame is possibly the greatest fire style. Yang fire, The Uchiha Flame formations, flames of purgatory, holy lights and Amaeratsu. These are legendary fires. Fire that burns without a fuel and simply to burn, is the highest mastery of fire."
Madara's flip his hand again and in Madara's palm a crimson, shimmering flame appeared flickering and dancing yet it look like a gem.
"Touch the flame." Madara asked.
Obito complied, touching it slowly and..."It's solid and warm."
"The Uchiha clan barrier ninjutsu. Solid flames through the physical manifestation of chakara. The Uchiha flame Formation combines fire style and Yang stlye to achieve this." Madara said before the gem flame disappeared. "You're a few decades away from ever producing something like this."
"But you will teach me it."
"Only if you stay." Madara muttered.
Obito shook his head. "That's too bad. I'll have to ask the clan back at the village."
-End flashback-
After the theoretical introduction to fire style 101, Madara started showing Obito some chakara control techniques to increase Obito's skill in fire style and further his chakara control. Obito proved that he easily could set a leaf on fire, taking no more than second to ignite the leaf in between his fingers.
Instead of setting it on fire, Madara lit a small burning wave from the centre of the leaf and told Obito to stop the leaf from turning to ash for as long as he could. It proved useful as the small burning leaf would burn quickly to ash from Madara's fire style. It tested Obito as no matter what he did he could not stop the leaf from turning to ash. Three months after being introduced to it and the leaf would eventually turn to ash after 3 and a half hours of Obito trying to stop it. Doing this taught Obito how to stop and control fire and how his breathing could he control his fire style. And it also taught the boy patience and discipline.
Second lesson of fire style was keeping a flame alive. In this exercise, Obito was told to use the focus control (that used the leaf concentration), stream (to keep a constant supply of chakara), release (to keep the chakara outside of his body) in the palms of his hands. While doing this Obito was to focus his fire element chakara into the chakara controls in his palm. Obito immediately felt a heat in the palm of his hands warming him as it continuous suppled heat that rose from them. Madara stated how it was a d-rank technique that was usually used to start camp fires for beginners but was often used to test and practice fire style. It was called simply the heating technique, not much of an application to combat.
Madara demonstrated it further by dropping a leaf in Obito palms. To Obito's disappointment the leaf did not catch fire, but it didn't land in his palm. It quickly flew away blowing away with the raising heat in Obito palm. Madara then asked Obito to keep the leaf airborne for a long as he could without letting it hit the ground and without it catching fire. This required greater control, precision and accuracy in chakara output. It took some time but Obito got it. After proving that he could keep the leaf in the air for 1 hour, Madara started added more leafs to further test Obito. The best Obito achieved being able to control four leaves in the air for 30 minutes. Some would be blown away by the force of the heat while others caught fire burning in Obito's palm.
Being an Uchiha, Obito was naturally skilled in fire style. That was why Madara took the second lesson one step further. Like he had demonstrated, he created a small fireball in the palm of his hand and told Obito to create the heat in his palms again. Madara placed his palm just above Obito's before quickly removing it. The flame Madara made remained in Obito palm burning like a small candle.
Shocked the hell out of Obito but he quickly regained his composure after Madara stared at him like he was an idiot (on the inside Obito cheered like you wouldn't believe though). Again Madara told him to do the same as before but now that there was flame under it, it would be harder to control the leaves above and stop them from burning. After this, Obito gained an understanding of how to create a small fireball in his palm. Of course though, he wanted to know how to throw it but didn't find out.
But this wasn't the end of Obito's elemental training.
Madara started teaching Obito some basic water, earth and wood style techniques. Water and earth style being taught only to help Obito's wood style. Although Madara himself didn't prefer using water and earth style but he needed to learn them to use wood style. Madara had mastered Fire, Lightning and Wind style and was an adept water and earth user.
Training in water and earth was different but still similar from fire style. Being that instead of a leaf Obito used a rock and cup of water too channel and control his chakra through. Both were basic in principle, similar to the leaf burning exercise.
Madara continued say that 5 elements each had requirements to mastering:
If you can't control fire, you'll be burned.
If you can't be patience with earth, you'll be crushed.
If you can't adapt to water, you'll be drowned.
If you can't guide lightning, you'll be shocked.
If you can't move with wind, you'll be cut.
For earth Obito was to hold a rock, pump his chakara into it, and crush other rocks with it. It was called the rock strength exercise. Madara described earth as the art of strength, endurance, foundation and stability saying that he had to make the rock in his hand strong enough with his chakara to crush 100 other rocks made by Zetsu constantly.
On the 1st day of doing this, Obito would manage to crush 4 rocks before the one in his palm would be crushed from the impacts and pressure of the earth chakara being forced into it. Stability and foundation was the strength of earth style. Too much strength and you would crush your own efforts. Not enough and what you are trying to break won't crack. If you couldn't be patience with your efforts, then earth style wasn't for you. It took time but Obito had plenty of it. Two weeks from starting it and only having a total of 3 days sleep, and Obito did it. Then Madara added another 100 to the pile to be crush. Every time Obito met the goal Madara would add another 100 on top. Obito was stuck on crushing 500 rocks with one right now, the rocks he held to crush the others usually breaking in the 420s section.
For water style it was the water expansion and rock melting exercise.
For water expansion, Obito was to hold a cup of water one quarter empty and force his chakara into the water until the water overflowed out of the cup. For the rock melting exercise he was to hold a rock in his hand and turn it to mud using water style chakara. It was a long time before Obito managed to make it wet or even make the water in the cup move up.
His natural fire element chakara was weak when trying to use water. Obito naturally wasn't skilled in water style. But thanks to his new body he succeeded. After 2 weeks he got the cup of water to overflow with water but he had yet to melt the rocks to mud. It wasn't easy as water was weak against earth, making turning a rock to mud harder. Though it was probably a greater contribution to his chakara control than anything else. Water was the hardest for him to control and use, and his method of practice in it was harder to. His chakara points and pathways increased and change to help his demands and efforts. As Madara described, water was about change and adaption. And Obito was testing his skills in this field by training in an already handicapped manner.
But despite his issues with water style, his wood style was easier.
With his new arm he could form roots and branches that could take on any shape that wasn't bigger than Obito's palm. As thought, Obito had to combine earth's teaching of patience and strength with the adaptability of water. Three months in and he could now summon roots and branches from any part of his body. He once made a spear form from the side of his neck proving that he could easy focus and use wood style with the strangest parts of his body.
The ninjutsu training had really awakened whatever potential Obito had as he quickly started using this new elemental chakara on the obstacle course to succeed faster. But it wasn't an easy process meaning that anything less than the harsh and dangerous training method of Madara wouldn't have worked.
As for his genjutsu, Madara often made it his goal to mess with Obito's head as much as he wanted. It was physically painful in a way, but mostly mental. It hadn't helped Obito's hate for Madara. Madara used a C-rank genjutsu that he loved to use to mess with people when he was younger but found himself using it to train Obito.
Madara would conjure giant, illusionary animals from spiders, snakes, rats and crows that were bigger than Obito as a pastime that would happen whenever Madara wanted to. They were obviously illusions as they would materialise from nothing but being stabbed by a crow's beak and having a giant rat chewing through your leg was not a pleasant experience. Illusion or not.
Obito eventually realised that although illusions, they hurt like hell and they still had to obey the rule and laws of nature. Such as gravity, possessing physical bodies and distance. It was good to know he could punch the giant animals that attacked him in the middle of training or mediating. At least that's what he thought until the snakes started disappearing and reappearing through space, the spiders started shooting kunai from their mouths, the rats didn't work by the rules of gravity and the crows started rotting creating horrid smells. Madara could easily change the rules of an illusion he created, he had created them after all. It was a test of releasing the illusion and figuring out the danger before they caused Obito harm. The risk of pain being the biggest drive of the training.
Three months later and Obito could break out of all of the giant animal genjutsus but the portal snake without a hand signs. His reason for learning without hand signs being the spiders that keep webbing his hands away from each other. That and they started putting him into suggestive positions at Zetsu request. White, parasitic bastard would laugh his head off.
Obito had to...adapt. Although illusions Obito had to consider them dangerous, the cuts and injures they leaved wouldn't heal as they were too illusions. It slowed Obito down greatly as there was no way to heal a wound that was an illusion. Well...he hadn't learnt any way of doing so yet. As such he quickly applied what he had learnt to react at break neck speeds to avoid pain from creatures Madara conjured in Obito's mind.
All and all though, Madara was impressed by one thing during this. And it had nothing to do with Obito skills getting better. It was that Obito didn't complain, give up or stop himself from training. By all rights it was all unfair, unreasonable and dangerous. No one would want to run through an obstacle course made of water that defined gravity, had holes with spikes and fire, wooden spears being thrown at you with the intent to kill and giant animals with unnatural quires appearing without warning. Sure Obito said that he hated Madara more than once for nearly killing him a few times, reasonable as it was and yet he didn't ask for any of it to change.
He ran head first into a world of pain and uncertainty willing. Wanting to face the challenge rather than complain or want to change it. It could be viewed as submissive or idiotic but Madara didn't see this from that perspective. Obito wanted to get better, stronger, quicker, smarter. He didn't shy away from threats or danger nor did he deny that they were such. He was as stubborn as steel and had the will of a firestorm. From this perspective, hardship did dent and bruise his soul but it was impossible to break him through hardship alone. It reminded Madara too much of Hashirama.
No. He couldn't compare Obito to Hashirama.
Because Hashirama was a genius who in all of Madara's life, was never faced with a challenge that was dangerous enough or a threatening to him. Most people were afraid just to face Madara. Yet Hashirama faced both Madara and the Nine tails at the same time. Sure Madara was controlling it, but the Nine tails was not a joke to be taken lightly being a supernatural demon. Yet on its own it was never a match for Hashirama, not even close. How was that even possible? A colossal fox demon that could conjure cyclones and tsunamis capable of destroying Konoha, with a flick of its tail destroy mountains and could bathe in lava and magma like a hot spring. The fox could even manipulate the hate and evil inside people. And yet one clean hit...no, not even a hit, a tap from Hashirama and it would be unconscious for days? It was illogical, INFURIATING.
Obito wasn't that naturally skilled or blessed to achieve such greatness. They have similar personalities but in terms of league and playing field, the gap was so large you could fit a sea between them. Obito had to struggle unlike Hashirama who never did because Obito truly didn't have such natural skills.
Then why? Why were they so similar?
The real question, why? What drives him to never give up? To force himself through such things to get stronger.
Again Madara knew this answer. A very questionable love. Love for the girl Rin.
Madara would grin in confusion, anger and joy at how sicking it was. How loyal and obsessed was the soul of this boy? He had never seen someone so obsessed and fallen for another. He never did fall for anybody like this and he had never witnessed someone fall for another at such a level. Uzumaki clan members being the closest with their free spirits, humour and un-remorse for pleasure, expression and love. But even then it didn't rival the feelings of love and devotion that Obito felt for that girl.
Love, devotion and pleasure were not the most useful things in the Warring State Period. Such feelings were keep on the low as anyone body who found out about the relationships between people would use it as means of getting an edge on the enemy. Threatening or taking hostage of one's lover or lovers was a sure way of winning. It wasn't a period where love flourished. Love was only a means of breeding and increasing the number of clan members that continued to decrease as time went. There was never a single instance in time in which clan's weren't genocided because they were not producing enough of a stable population. Many clan's were wiped out to extinction because of their reserves of love over survival.
Maybe that was another reason why the Uzumaki clan practically died out after the invasion on their island home. But Madara chose not to ponder it too much.
Madara never did approach love, passion and sex in such a way. Love was uncertain and tainted in his eyes that had cursed the Uchiha and many other clans and people. The men more than the women. During the warring state period men held more power, weight and authority then they did today. But they also held the greater responsibility back in Madara's day. He had seen many men take on a 7th or 11th wife after the others had all been murder by enemies, while other men would give up on love all together. Unable to hold the weight of failing the ones they loved more times than they wished. It was another reminder to a curse of being weak and that only winners got what they wanted.
Maybe it was fear of lose that keep him from truly loving any of the many of women he slept with. He wasn't by any means thought of as ugly or repulsive, so many women would swoon to Madara in his youth. He remembered this one time after the warring state period at the beginning of the 5 great nations era. There was a small Nara girl, a pair of twin Hyugas, and a cute ramen girl that...
He was getting off topic with his thoughts.
The fact from this being that had never met someone like Obito who expressed such will and loyalty to a single girl, or person.
And...she didn't by any means show the same emotions Obito did.
Zetsu had being watching her and Madara had made it his goal to see what Obito memories of the girl were. It was all so convenient that fate, a divine and ascending idea that Madara wanted shattered, would give him a gift such as this.
"He...hehe..ha." He chuckled to himself grinning at how absurd and cruel life was to Obito. Again he couldn't shake the feeling of divinity that felt like for the 1st time in Madara's life, fate was on his side. It almost felt too good to be true, but there was a feeling of confidence shouting at him that it would work out. He had faith that he could control this gift. Fate had presented him with a tool...no. Not a tool.
A sleeping monster that would awaken to serve him willing. He hadn't felt this confident since he realised how easy it was to manipulate the weak-willed Kybui. 'That weak willed creature...will not compare to the monster I wish to see you become...Obito.'
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Following his usual routine, Obito found himself trying to complete the thousand push-up task that he did every day. He already half way through and was even supporting Spiral sitting cross legged on his back, facing away from the direction Obito was. Obito counted it aloud while Spiral drew stupid pictures on a paper he found somewhere in the clave. Sadly for Obito, Spiral did not tell him where he found the paper and only ever drew literal shit. It anger Obito to near insanity that his only friend right now was the shit-obsessed, plant-man and parasite, Spiral.
"561,562,563,564,565..." Obito went blazing from the push-ups.
Spiral tapped his chin with his pencil thinking about Obito. "You're powering through this Obito. Do you think you've changed much?" He asked curiously, their relationship as friends solidifying well over the last 3 months.
"569. Are you kidding me?" Obito panted stopping. "I've changed so much I don't even recognise myself. 570,571." Obito answered going back to his training. He was honest; he never imagined he would change this drastically in any part of his life.
Spiral shook his head. "No, I mean are you happy with what's happened?" He asked wondering about Obito's feelings on the subject.
Obito sighed at the end of the last number. "577,...I don't think I can ever be thankful for ending up here. 578." He said deeply. "But I have accepted that you guys saved me and that these months of training have made me better. Soon I'll be good enough to leave. 579, 580..." He answered on a positive thought continuing his effort again.
On the subject of Obito's recover, Spiral warned him. "Your new arm hasn't grown stable bone yet. If you force it, it will break and turn to goo." He said trying to sound spooky.
Obito wasn't fazed. After all the illusionary creatures that Madara made, he gave up on thinking things were strange, weird or impossible, instead coming to the belief that anything was possible. "585. Turn to goo?"He repeated not stopping. "That sounds like something Zetsu could do. 586."
Spiral nodded. "He can do that to a degree. Zetsu's slime form, art, technique of universal sneaking." He said punching the air before trying to draw something like that.
Obito shook his head. "591. You can add cool words to it as much as you want but that doesn't mean I'm going to try it. 592, 593..." He said calmly, basically ignoring Spiral.
As curious as child Spiral continued to ask questions. "What's the first thing you're going to do when you leave?" He asked.
Obito didn't hesitant to answer. "603. I'm going to the going to find the quickest way to earn some money and then spend it all on a feast." He said thinking of his unnatural starvation. "I haven't eaten in 4 months...and I don't feel hungry at all. You guys don't even get me water!" He shouted angry.
Spiral looked up in realisation. "Oh, that explains why you tried drinking the water from the obstacle courses. You made Madara angry that time." He giggled causing Obito to sweat at his casually mistreatment by his captor or healers. "But this is a good thing. Madara's training you so that you don't have to rely on consuming nutrients to sustain yourself. Breathing is enough." Spiral said looking a bright side of the being here.
Obito shook his head and grimaced. "616. No, it isn't. Sure it sounds cool and all but I did take pleasure in eating, you know." He said unable to imagine a life without food. "I don't remember what the last thing I ate was. 617, I don't even remember what it tasted like. I can't live like that. Its' too...it...it scares me. 618." He said continuing the push-ups.
Spiral shrugged. "Don't worry about it. Like you said, when you leave you will eat to your heart's content. In fact you could eat for day's and never be satisfied, you digestive system will break down anything in seconds and turn into stored energy and chakara. And even better you'll never get fat from it."He said continuing to educate Obito on his new anatomy. "The more you put in, the more chakara will be stored in your body and won't hinder you." Spiral said happily.
That brought a thought of Konoha to Obito's head. "629. That sounds like a jutsu a Akimichi... or Aburume...or Inuzuka clan member would be able to do. 630." He noted casually.
Spiral continued with the original question about Obito's action after leaving. "What about after that?" He asked innocently.
"633. I'll head straight for the village." Obito answered. "I'll probably be stopped at the border before a get anywhere close enough but as soon as I run into a Konoha shinobi I'll tell them who am. That at least should get them to take me to the village or receive an investigation. 634." Obito said content.
A small distance away, a white form grew from the ground into Zetsu. "You've thought this through." Zetsu said thoughtful.
Obito didn't stop doing push-ups and Spiral didn't stop trying to draw, neither surprised. "637. Of course." Obito said easily. "It's not every day you come back from the dead. 638." He said grinning.
Zetsu stared at him. "Then what?" He asked in frank manner.
Obito stopped his efforts, his long black hair covering much of his face. "...I want to see Rin. I want to see her first and tell her how I feel. 642." He said continuing more certain of himself than ever before.
Spiral would have blushed if he could, but he had no cheeks. "AWWWWEE. That's so sweet. So you do love her? No denying like before?" He asked interested and digging for answers. Obito had been shy and reserved on this thoughts and relation with Rin, often saying that they were just close friends. But after sometime with only Spiral and Zetsu to talk to, Obito began to speak his feelings. Perhaps the dangers of the training and the close calls with death also contributed to his quick admission of loving the girl his age.
He nodded continuing. "No denying it. I don't want die with regrets. 650." He said simply.
Zetsu wasn't so sure though. "You sure that's wise?" He questioned thinking that acting out of emotion could be stupid or potentially heart breaking.
" 652. I nearly died. It does put things in perspective." The boy responded. "I want to admit that I care for her and that she knows it. 653." He said not shy at all.
"And if she rejects you?" Zetsu pondered aloud.
Obito hesitated thinking about that, often he pondered how Rin would react to his admission of feelings for her. More often than not an image of her saying no and with a look of distaste would form in his head. Making him think he wasn't enough for her. "657...Then at least...I was honest." He said lowly.
Zetsu voiced his thoughts. "You'll scare her doing that so quickly." He said.
Obito shook his head continuing. "661. Oh what do you know about how to talk to girls?" He questioned not seeing how the creepy, plant-man could have talked to any girls in his life.
Zetsu, despite his many charming features, had talked to and was currently in a 64 different relationships with women and men. All fake of course, regardless of humans he was with. Part of Madara's planetary spy network was Zetsu impersonating civilian, male and female, old or young, married, single or gay, employed or un-employed, Shinobi or samurai, merchant or thief, murderer or doctor. Zetsu had clones everywhere in the world, even being on the shinobi councils of the all the hidden villages. Once every 2 weeks, Zetsu could make 60 solid clones of himself, but once made the clones would not fade from chakara lose, rather that would slowly regain chakara over time and would even develop skills on their own. His parasite clones were better than any clones that could be made making the wood clones and shadow clones laughable.
Zetsu was a sneaky, lying socialist psychopath, probably why he was so approachable while having cannibalistic tendances. "I know that someone coming back from the dead is a hard thing to accept." Zetsu said having the social experience to back his words. "And that she probably will need time to comprehend it." He finished.
Obito rolled his eyes. "668. So you're saying I should wait until she's comfortable to tell her my feelings. 669." He asked getting a nod.
"That's my advice." Zetsu said shrugging.
Spiral didn't try to hide his thoughts. "Don't listen to him bro-Obito. You got to tell her straight out before another guy swoops in there and takes her. You've already been separated for nearly 5 months now." He said enthusiastically.
Obito was confident that the time frame wouldn't matter. "679. That won't matter. She said when we were kids that she would always think of me and she would always be there for me." He said humbled. "She can't have forgotten me yet. 680." He muttered.
Zetsu deadplaned. "...And you just succeeded in jinxing it. What little hope there was for you is extinguished." He said humorously before becoming serious. "Once a human losses there partner it won't take long for them decide on a new one. Trust me I've lived among humans longer than you realise." He said having taken advantage of many moments of weakness after the loss of a loved one. Although truth be told, many of Zetsu's partner would say that he was probably the best thing that happened to them. He did act to be perfect to sell the deception.
Obito bit his lip. "688. She's not like that. And you perceptions of human are already twisted anyway." He snarled not trusting Zetsu's words at all.
This time Zetsu rolled his eyes. "Obito are we going to have the talk about winners and losers again?" He lectured.
Obito growled. "694. That talk is bullshit and you are too negative. Humans aren't as simple as you think they are. Why do you care so much about my life anyway?"He asked again having said it so many times that he couldn't stand it.
Zetsu shrugged giving him another poor excuse. "You know you're the first human in 40 years to speak to Madara?" He questioned.
"700. No, I didn't. He must be lonely." Obito noted not all concerned and being sarcastic.
Zetsu hummed. "Maybe. I think it would be seen as more insane than anything else. No human has such resolve as him." He commented.
Obito raised an eyebrow. "705. Resolve? You mean like "will"?" He asked confused on topics point.
Zetsu nodded. "Yep. Ask yourself this? Is an ambition worth the close to 80 years of your life?" Zetsu asked smugly.
Obito nodded. "710. I'd say so."
That caught Zetsu off-guard, he didn't expect Obito to say yes it was worth it. "What if you fail anyway?" Zetsu asked.
"Then try again." Obito answered.
"And if you fail again?"
"Try again."
"And again?" Zetsu continued to push.
Obito clicked at what Zetsu was trying to get across. "I know what you mean. It does sound stupid but I'd still do such a thing for what I want." He said. If you couldn't live life doing what you wanted what was the point? As long as you didn't harm others in any ways there was no reason not to pursue your dreams and ambitions.
Zetsu looked at Spiral who had continued to silently draw on the piece of paper, staying out of the conversation, before looking back at Obito. Obito was more like Madara, or more like the Kages that ruled over this world than he realised. Resolve was not as cut and dry as people believed. But again maybe these were just words.
"You know Madara has no nickname? That all shinobi only know him by his name and nothing else." Zetsu asked getting a nod but no words from Obtio. "But that not true, there is a name that people have given him." He said making Obito stare at him analysing what Zetsu was talking about.
"It a common belief under those loyal to Konoha and who happen to know something about Madara's history, that Madara was called...an eternal loser." Zetsu said with a dull expression.
"723. What? An eternal loser? I don't understand." Obiot said not seeing how that was possible. "He's the probably the world's greatest criminals. Heck, I knew about him and I don't even care about history lessons." He said solidifying the fact that most of everyone had at least heard of Madara.
Zetsu shrugged with strange smile. "You could say, that Madara is the definition of dead last." He said further confusing Obito. When Zetsu explained. "Before the age of 10, he lost his mother, 3 brothers and 24 family members. He killed his first man at the age of 5 and watched people die in ways that shinobi today wouldn't even be able to imagine. He trained hard to protect his family, clan and proved his efforts becoming renown throughout the world. His own brother, who was on his death bed at the time, gave his eyes to Madara before dying so that Madara could continue his efforts. And what happened?" Zetsu asked.
Obito did slow with his push-ups, shrugging at Zetsu. "740. He was greedy, arrogant and overly-proud. And he belittled everyone he talked to. That's why no one liked him." Obito said with a matter-of-fact attitude.
Zetsu smiled. "Obito, while you're right a little, you're still wrong." He said becoming serious. "I would like you to understand him Obito." Zetsu proposed to Obito who listened more carefully than one would think.
It was time for Zetsu to tell Obito who Madara was, instead of what people who had only heard of his accounts said.
"His clan betrayed him, accepting that they were inferior to the Senju and that Madara would never be able to overcome them." Zetsu said surprising Obito at his bluntness.
"When Madara did finally give in to Hashirama, they created the hidden leaf and he was promised the position of 2nd Hokage after Hashirama. Did you know that?" Zetsu asked causing Obito to frown and shake his head. "But the Uchiha and Senju clans weren't going to let him have such authority. Why? Well like you said his personality did deter him greatly, but a history of failure didn't help him either. His clan even lied about him, saying that his killed in own brother and stole his eyes from his corpse in pursue of power. All to keep their failure of a leader from repeating his mistakes within their new home." Zetsu lectured surprising Obito at how dark and isolating Madara's story was. Don't get it wrong though, Obito had about as much trust for Madara, as blade half way through his neck. But at least he was getting reason and explanations why it had come to such an end.
Zetsu continued. "And Tobirama never trusted the Uchiha, often telling Hashirama that he made the wrong decision in sparing those that surrendered. The fabled 2nd Hokage hated Madara more than anyone else in this world, and he took full advantage of the distrust people had for him and made a strong effort in having him exiled." Zetsu said noting how he had made the wrong impression on Obito, if Obito's glare was anything to say.
Seeing Obtio's glare Zetsu answered. "Don't act as if you know who the 2nd Hokage is. He wasn't as forgiving and kind as his brother and often Hashirama would have to silent his brother's actions. But Tobirama was no push-over when it came to deceit and working in the shadows, as shinobi do. It was that talent that lead him to create the Anbu Black Ops." Zetsu said seeing that Obito had somewhat accepted Zetsu's explanation.
"In regards to Maddara though, all Tobirama really did was finish off Madara's already tarnish reputation and probably kill him himself is he had the chance. The lesson here and let it be a reminder to you Obito, no one wants a failure as their leader." Zetsu said smiling. It was a reasonable thinking though, if not cruel in a way. Obito, never the less, understood the lesson.
But that couldn't have been all of it and there was no way of finding if what Zetsu was saying was true. "Even if what you say is true, you said it yourself that Madara's personality did influence his past. His strong will and pride became his undoing." Obito said.
Zetsu shrugged. "But understand this as well Obito. You learn more from failure than you from success. You just need the right resolve to continue." Zetsu said peering at Madara's sleeping form. "Madara is strong enough to say and do what he likes. He can belittle others so easy because the reality is that he is strong. Facts are real and matter, but you brush them aside for personal reasons. Facts make sense. Opinion can be a lie. They can be illogical. Many do not accept or realise this though." Zetsu said like a sneaky spider, twisting his words like a web.
Obito frowned at the twist and insult. "751. Then why does he say such things? Why has he not learnt?" Obito asked as if that were true, than Madara should have realised long ago that his communication with others was flawed. "For what reason does this great, man you envision have for talking down on people?" Obito asked as it still didn't make sense to him.
"A lesson in his past." Zetsu said cryptically, not answering Obito question. "All you need to know is that he hates weakness. He hates seeing the weak succeed while the strong fall. You could say he also hate seeing illogical scenarios that make no sense. Hence, why he has a strong hate for fate." Zetsu said only further confusing Obito.
"762. That's strange. He believes in fate because he hates it?" Obito repeated finding such a concept strange. It was like believing in god for the purpose of destroy and defying it. "Then why does he hate weakness? 763." Obito asked impatience wanting an answer instead of round about riddles.
Zetsu sighed and shook his head. "If you haven't figured it out yet then you have no right to judge him." He said pissing Obito off.
Every single time Obito thought he was about to get answers from these riddles, the fools that were suppose to help him change the subject, say his is an idiot or that he isn't ready to know. "Bullshit, I want an explanation!" Obito said sick of the looping conversations.
Zetsu wasn't going to give him one. "You can ask for one, but that doesn't mean you deserve one. Once again you seem to think this is all about you." He said half lidded. "You don't even realise how much of a hypocrite you are. Makes you sound more spoilt than you are orphan boy." Zetsu said before stretching suddenly.
Obito eye focused on the ground. "777. I wish I hadn't told you that." He said regretting revealing so much of himself to these fools. "That old man...is an asshole. And so are you." Obito said bluntly.
"Yes we are." Zetsu said not denying it. "Because we can be. There is no rule expect a moral one, against being one." He said before grinning. "It's a human thing." He said happily causing Obito to shake his head.
Zetsu sighed with a smile. "Don't be jealous because you can't be one." Zetsu said as if it were an achievement.
"785. What are you talking about?" Obito said further confused.
"What I'm saying is that you are incapable of hating someone. Incapable of seeing yourself as different to them. Incapable of caring for yourself over others." Zetsu said lightly.
"796. I tried to kill Madara. Isn't that enough?" Obito said feeling that it was something. But again he found it strange to be arguing about something like this.
"And failed to, and have given up."Zetsu replied getting a pause from Obito.
"..."Obito didn't say anything but without saying a word Spiral got off Obito and the boy begun to walk away. Taking a few breaths to control himself.
Zetsu shook his head. "Alright, fine. I'm sorry I said that. I didn't mean to offend you." He said as he had questioned Obito's resolve to kill someone. Obito himself had admitted that killing was something he didn't find easy to do. That taking someone's life as a goal wasn't something he was ready for.
Maybe that was why Madara and Zetsu belittled him so. He was a shinobi and he had yet to actually kill someone. And yes many shinobi back in Konoha made a big deal of it, saying how it could make or break a shinobi career. Was that why so many people took pride in killing at a young age? Madara must have taken pride in doing so when he was child, and he became one the most renown shinobi in the world.
"You didn't offend me." Obito said of course actually offended but wanting to just not talk about it. In truth, he was starting to see why Zetsu and Madara would talk down on him. He lacked the experience and life style that they had gained through their development. He couldn't understand their hardships and comprehension of life. He was just a kid who had spent the majority of his life in Konoha. And despite his seemingly bad social skills and his failures in shinobi training, life in Konoha wasn't that bad.
He had nothing to argue with. He walked back to Spiral and Zetsu before getting on the ground to start the push-ups again from where he was before. "I just wish I could argue better. I haven't won an argument against you since the moment I ended up here. 803." He said bitterly.
"Experience is the seed to wisdom." Zetsu said wisely and seeing that Obito was starting to understand him. "A kid's wisdom is a just that. Immature, clueless and based solely on bias perspective. Just like you." Zetsu said wondering what he would say to that.
To Obito credit he was a lot calmer with his response. "812. That's a bit harsh don't you think? I'm a shinobi though." He lightly smiling.
"Says a piece of paper." Zetsu said as that was true. He'd seen it himself when he looked through Obito's background. From another perspective this was proof that Konoha along with many of the hidden villages also needed to protect the document's of their villages better. "Fact is you're not even a teen yet. Child soldiers really are used far too often." Zetsu said before taking a breath. "We know you want to be better Obito. But you can't just act on emotion all the time, particularly not with us. The moment an adult starts listening about advice from someone as young as you, is the moment they fail as an adult. An adult has to advise a child. Absolutely not the other way around." Zetsu said again sounding wise for a parasitic plant-man.
"831. And that's what you, Spiral and Madara are? The adults while I'm the child." Obito asked without any conflictions. Obito mind clicked. From day one, that was why Madara treated him so badly. Looking back Obito could see how he had been less than helpful. Madara had saved him and regardless of the reason, Obito was thankful for that. Madara had offered Obito a fast treatment in exchange for pain. Obito made the choice to do so, so he couldn't blame Madara for his pain and shouldn't have tried to kill him for it. He was angry that he let himself trust Madara when he shouldn't have, but even now Obito didn't regret it.
Obito had achieved so much in his time here, learning more about Ninjutsu than he ever had back in Konoha. He both was and wasn't the Obito that had sacrificed himself for his friends. He was better and it was just his choices that lead to that being so. They had done much for him and Obito would unfortunately be unable to pay back there decision to save him.
Zetsu nodded at Obito's earlier statement. "Yep. If it wasn't that way, you wouldn't have learnt what you have." He said.
Obito nodded at the irony of the anser to his thoughts. "836. You're right. 837."
Zetsu smiled. "He can be taught." He muttered proudly.
"838. Though, I'm not thankful for the times you nearly killed me." Obito said sheepishly.
Zetsu shrugged. "I'll accept it. We are going a bit a hard on you. But enough about personal thoughts and near deaths. How has that new technique you've been working on going?" The plant asked having seen Obito try to create some form of chakara in his hand. Not successfully from the looks by Zetsu. He wasn't even sure of what Obito was trying to create other than maybe a special punch.
"844. I've just about got that new technique down." Obito said having been working hard on the technique whenever he had the time. Which wasn't much really.
Spiral hummed standing next to Obito admiring his own drawing. "That punching technique. The one that's like a taijutsu and a ninjutsu to together?" He said lightly before calling Zetsu over. "Oh, hey Zetsu-senpi how's this look?"
Ignoring what was happening around him, Obito continued talking about this jutsu. "851. It's technically a ninjutsu. I'm sure of that." He said looking up to see Zetsu frowning at the drawing.
"Is that suppose to be me?" Zetsu asked. "That doesn't look anything like me and there are flies flying above me." Zetsu said dumbfounded.
Frowning but interested Obito finished one more push-up before getting up to look at the drawing. "860...HAHA! You look like a pile of shit." He laughed looking at the pathetic drawing.
"Its' your slime form." Spiral said innocently.
"I don't have a slim form." Zetsu said back dead faced.
Not at all affected Spiral shook his head at the answer. "This is what I imagined it would look like." He said modestly.
Zetsu sighed before turning to Obito who had gone back to doing push-ups. He went back to asking about the technique Obito was making. "Obito, would you mind telling me about it? Have you named it yet? Why and how'd you come with it?" He asked both interested himself and wanting to tell Madara about it.
"868. My teammate and sensei both have these cool jutsu that they can focus in their hands that does some serious damage. I made the technique thinking of matching there's." He said recalling the Rasengan and Chidori. Obito peered at Zetsu with a smirk. "That and you said that the only way to break the exit was to punch it." He said making Zetsu look at the barrier of stone at the exit. Knowing that Zetsu and Madara probably already knew about how he was developing his technique, Obito didn't think anything of telling Zetsu about it. "I basically use that chakara enhanced strength technique and focus a large amount of chakara into my punch. 869."
"That doesn't sound that unique." Spiral said. "Or hard." He continued before jumping on the spot. "Oh, I know! I'll be right back." He said before turning away, placing his pencil and paper on the ground and diving into the earth like it was water. And it worked.
"Did he just div—forget it. 879." Obito said not wanting to worry about it. "I haven't finished the jutus yet." He empathised. "I focus a large amount of fire element chakara into it and try to imagine a ball surrounding my fist. When I was doing the rock strengthening and rock melting exercises, I learnt how to focus a larger than normal amounts of chakara into my hand. And with the heating technique I learned how to focus fire element charkara to my hands for long periods of time. I'm trying to get the fire and earth style together but its taking a while to get down. 880." He said staring at his fingers for a moment.
"No application of water style chakara?" Zetsu questioned curiously.
Obito shook his head. " 882. That's impossible. I can't focus fire and water elements together. I'd need a bloodline for that." He said having found no way of combining the two during his training.
"You over-estimate how hard it is to control chakara." Zetsu said. "There are many collaboration Jutsu that combine opposite elements." He said noting that important piece of information.
" 885. Maybe, but for now. I'll stick to the fire and earth element stuff." Obito said wanting to focus on his strength for know. His goal was leave now, not train for the future.
Suddenly Spiral burst from the earth taking a huge gasp of air for no reason as if he had been swimming. Crawling out of the earth, Spiral shook a red scroll in his hand. "OI! I got this. Have a read of this." He said marching over excited.
Noting the scroll Zetsu quickly came to a conclusion about its point of origin. "Are those from Madara personal library of Jutsu?" He asked hesitant.
Spiral nodded. "He wasn't using them so I thought we should have a look through and see what Obito can learn." He said thoughtfully.
"899. Thanks Spiral, but why did you only grab one?" Obito asked with naturally ease, wanting to know more about this library and what Madara had buried there.
Zetsu objected thought. "Grabbing one is enough to have to burned to charcoal you idiot. Are you trying to anger Lord Madara?" Zetsu said quickly.
"Senpai, why would Lord Madara be angry?" Spiral responded sitting down next to Obito to open the scroll.
"910. Give him a break Zetsu. He's only trying to help me. 911." Obito said.
Zetsu shook his head and slowly started sinking into the ground. "Whatever happens, I had nothing to do with. I'm going to scout the borders with myself. See you two later." Zetsu said wanting nothing to do with it.
"920. I'm nearly done with my push-ups. So what do we have here?" Obito said looking at the scroll.
"A scroll of high level fire style jutsu." Spiral said making Obito stop and scramble to see. Looking at it the symbols and writing they were small yet clear, as to hold the vast number of jutsu listed on the paper. Obito could see references to difference arts of fire style and difference ranks. Spiral gave it a one over before saying more. "It has a B, A and S-rank jutsu to look at, all fire style and all with detailed descriptions of their origin. But I doubt you want to know about that." He said opening it further.
"Seriously? Give it here, let me have a look." Obito said grabbing it causing Spiral to grab it back childishly.
"Hey, I was looking first."
Obito deadplanned at Spiral. "You said it was for me, you don't use fire style and you only want it because I want it." He said knowing Spiral too well consider the time here.
"...No I don't."
"I don't want it." Obito said causing Spiral to look at it a few times and subsequently hand it over.
"Thanks." Obito said looking through the jutsu listed. "Dragon flame song, Fanned flame vortex. Blast Wave Wild dance. Woah, Great flame Annihilation, I've heard about this one but never thought I'd find it!" He said eyeing the paper. Obito was so going to learn as many of this as he could before he left. Better yet, why didn't he just take the scroll? Like spiral said it wasn't like Madara was using it.
"Hey, hey, Obito. Look. S-ranked fiirre ssttyllle." Spiral said pointing them out dragging his voice out.
Obito looked saw 3 S-ranked fire style jutsu none of which he had heard of before. The amount of hands signs, the possibilities and risk of back firing, and the destruction and power they were capable of were mesmerising. It was every boy's dream to be able to create such explosions. Obito didn't shy way at the thought of blowing things up like most his gender and age. It would be a crime not to learn this jutsu.
"Wow, you are never going to learn these." Spiral said seeing the difficulty of the Jutsu almost reading as if reading Obito mind.
"Why wouldn't I?!" Obito said offended.
"You're nowhere skilled or naturally talented to learn these." Spiral answered not sweating or worried about saying that.
"Thanks that really helps my confidence." Obito said thinking of what he should do. "I'll start with one then. And when I've got it I'll start with the other two."
"So which one?" Spiral asked as Obito looked through in thought, thinking about which one to learn.
It had to be really impressive, something not common and at the same time simple enough to get the job done. "Hmmm. This one." He said eyeing the description. "Fire style: Chaotic Flames of Explosive Winds. 49 hand sign. Warning - High chakara consumption and moderate wind style skills required. Creates a forward wave of heated wind and fire that can combust upon anything it touches at users will. Warning: Stopping wind waves from leaving the body cannot be done within 40 seconds of activation. Once user combusts portions of air, flames cannot be subdued through the user's will but can be controlled in their movements and shapes. Flames will burn along wind currents created prior uncontrolled if user does not control them. Heated winds can however continue to explode at the user's will while flames caused by prior explosion continue to burn, explode and fly through the air. Most dangerous in a pressured area and also has variant uses including chakara consumption of enemy ninjutsu via the rules of elemental weakeness and strengths." Obito said all too excited to try the jutsu.
Spiral just nodded at the words amused. "If you're at all worried just know that this probably the weakest amongst the S-ranks." He said offhandedly.
"Spiral!"
"Heck you don't even know any wind style." He continued receiving a glare from Obito.
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One week has pass since Obito started trying to learn the fire style Jutsu from the red scroll and he had only mastered one jutsu from it. Although disappointing Obito hardly felt the need to worry about it. He's skills were better than they ever were and he was starting to see that the old bastard he hated was indeed an intelligent man when it came to Ninjutsu or more accurately when it came to being a shinobi. On more than one occasion Madara had asked him to stay and train under him but Obito knew that he was only doing it with hopes of changing his mind in regards to Madara's dream of peace.
Laying on the bed and facing the ceiling, Obito begun to wonder if he should indeed stay and learn more. It was probably part of Madara plan, teaching him so much as to keep him here and persuade him of his "innocent" intentions. Madara probably knew that Obtio knew what his plan was but it didn't matter because Obito couldn't help but feel thankful and even a bit of admiration for the man. It was a confusing thought no doubt.
But he was planning to leave and soon. His limbs were just about done if the pain of the bones growing inside him had anything to say. His muscles were developed and strong enough, but the bones at the core had yet to fill out and expand as much as they should have.
Just 3 more weeks and Obito would be free and returning home. He smiled and tensed his new leg and arm feeling them out as what pain there was, was slowly disappearing and dulling. His body had gained a tanned appearance with the last of the white pigment of his new flesh gone. He was content and satisfied but had had enough. He had stayed here long enough and his longer than normal hair was proof of that. He took one final breath thinking about Rin wondering what the future would hold, slowly trying to fall asleep without issue. Things were looking up.
Suddenly the distinct sound of Zetsu moving through the earth caught Obito's attention making him sit up. "Obito!" Zetsu shouted in distress crawling out of the wall high above.
"What is it?" Obito asked noting Zetsu seriousness.
"Rin and the idiot Kakashi are in trouble. They've be attacked by mist shinobi on a mission!" Zetsu shouted making Obito pale.
"What? How do you know this?" Obito asked uncertain.
"You talked about them so much that I went to find out who they were a few weeks ago and have been keeping an eye on them." Zetsu answered. "They need help." He said solidifying the message.
Determined, Obito jumped of the bed hard enough to cause it to break under him as he stormed for the stone wall that block the entrance. "That's it. Time to leave." He said preparing to punch his way out as Madara had intended for him. But he stopped just in front of going still.
Zetsu raised his eyebrows. "Hey, why'd you stop?" He asked confused.
Obtio took a stand, his left fist pointed at the wall while his right fist cocked back at his waist. "I have to make sure I get out." He said having learnt how approach the situation properly. Madara had said Obito had no clue how to throw a punch during the two uchiha's one sided fight. For that reason Madara had drilled it into Obito he how to punch properly.
Obito took the lesson to heart and begun preparing and creating his own attack. His own punch to rival is friend and sensei signature attacks. Where Kakashi focused on lightning into his hand, Obito focused on fire. Where Minato focused on shape, Obito only focused on execution. His right hand went orange and bright as if it were on fire and builded as if absorbing light.
This was it. "Hi...No...Ishi (Will of Fire)!". He shouted as he punch the wall causing a red and orange light to glow up the cracks before a bright and warm heat filled the room, then it exploded bringing the sealed door down.
"You destroyed it with one punch." Spiral said amazed.
"So that's the technique he was trying to get down." Zetsu said aloud impressed at the destructive force of it. It was simple, but none the less impressive. The attack had 3 parts: the charge, the impact and the explosion. All the chakara control techniques Zetsu had taught him were what contributed to the control Obito had of the attack.
But it didn't fully work as Obito had intended. "Gack!" Gasping at the strange sensation running up his arm, Obito could see the arm had completely bended and deformed to the point of simply slipping of this shoulder. "No. No. NO!" He shouted looking at the arm that had fallen off him in a slimy form on the ground and was now burning on fire to boot.
Spiral looked at Obito who looked down at the burn synthetic flesh, seeing the young Uchiha breathing hard. "Obito..." He started approaching before Obito straightened.
"Screw it!" He said running pass the arm for the open entrance not caring about the loss of his new arm. He was out of time and wasn't going to let it get to him. Not now, when his friends needed him.
"Wait, Obito!" Spiral shouted as the boy stopped atop one of the large boulder that had piled at the entrance to look back with a rage.
"What! I can't wait around any longer!" He shouted not caring anymore.
"You've lost your arm." Spiral said reasoning with him and not wanting him to do anything foolish. "You won't be able to help anyone." He said feeling this was cruel. But it was part of the plan.
Obito shook his head. "It doesn't matter. I have to do something." He responded turning to run.
"It does matter!" Spiral shouted causing Obito to turn back.
"Then what?!" Obito shouted. "If you don't come up with an answer I'm leaving." He said staring at the plant man.
"Wear me and I'll become you're arm and skin." Spiral answered.
Obito frowned. "What?" He said confused.
Spiral leaped next to Obito as his bodies twisted form untwisted into a strange root like form. "I'll help you, so that you can help them." He said as Spiral's arm moved to Obito's empty arm before he started wrapping around Obito eerily.
Although finding it extremely uncomfortable and creepy Obito didn't resist because the thought of Spiral's giving his arm to him to use was just too good at this point. Although he did question something of it. "Should you be helping me?" Obito asked.
Zetsu grinned as things went the way they were suppose to. "Don't worry about it Obito. Spiral's a good boy."
Spiral head twisted around Obito's head and all could be seen was the sharingan Obito had peering through a spiralled, shadowed mask. "Thanks you guys." Obito mumbled.
Spiral interrupted though. "Don't thank me yet. Get ready cause this next part will hurt." Spiral noted as Obito felt an uncomfortable sting in his back.
"Rahammm...What did you just do?" Obito asked stretching from the feeling .
"I connect my nerves to your nerves, linking our minds and body." Spiral said in his head. Although Spiral was impressed with this too, being that he had just force the grow plant roots into Obito's body and more specifically his whole spine. Again it was more proof that Obito had changed being able to stand great physical pain.
"You're leaving?" Madara's hollow voice rung from his seat.
The mask of spiral open sensing Obito intent to face Madara as the boy turned to him. "Thanks for healing me and for the training. I probably won't return." He finished as he turned away to leave.
Madara shrugged. "I'm not going anywhere. I'll await you're return." He finished with a glare not needed to say anymore.
Obito looked up at Zetsu. "Zetsu. Where am I going?" He asked.
"Coast of the Land of Hot Water." Zetsu answered. "I've got clones that can direct you there. Don't forget me and spiral can talk telepathically." He said sinking into the earth to leave.
Obito ran out the door and noted the collection of weapons on the wall and saw a black cloak. He grabbed it and quickly put it on continuing to run. At the end of the tunnel he saw a large bone structure. Reaching it he jumped onto to and looked around. "So this it." He noted seeing the boxed hole he was in surprised it was such a flashy entrance to Madara's home.
"It will take a few hours to reach but we can make." Spiral said positively in Obito's head causing the young shinobi to jump up into the trees. Unknowingly running into Madara's trap.
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They had been running for what felt like ages to Obito as Zetsu spoke in his mind telling him every detail as he stormed through grasslands and forests. Rin had been captured for a few hours and it took Kakashi longer so to rescue her and being their escape. It tortured Obito hearing all this as constantly told Zetsu to help them. To which Zetsu replied, Madara orders are to not help anyone regardless of what happens. Obito knew though that he shouldn't have expected any better of the old man but was holding out some hope that Zetsu would. It didn't happen.
But some hope did come when he questioned where Minato was, thinking that of course minato would save them. Said sensei was one of the strongest shinobi and human in the world. Obtio knew Minato better than Minato would ever relies as Obito knew that Minato could teleport anywhere in the world regardless of distance as long as there was seal point. Unfortunately for the positive boy it seemed he was wrong once again with Spiral telling him that Minato was on another mission.
"How much further?" Obito questioned in his mind knowing that Zetsu and Spiral could hear him. While asking the question Obito noted that it started to rain heavily around him almost as if i had come from nowhere.
"Not far. Just over the next few ridges." Spiral said still in control of the movements of Obito. "Obito. You know that you won't be in any shape to fight so for this just let me do all the work."
The rain became louder and heavier soaking everything, making it slippery and cleaning the air. It was as if a burden were building upon Obito's back from it. But he smiled, thinking the same way he always did. "You can relax Spiral. I remember Madara saying that a Uchiha full power can only be achieved with both of their eyes. Kakashi has my other eye and with it, together we'll save Rin." He said positive only to feel a shiver unlike any he had felt before. It was from the connect to Spiral as if Obito had felt something shift off with Spiral mind at the last words he said.
Then there was roar louder and unlike any cry of an animal Obito had ever heard, causing the rocky ridges and hill he was on to shake and move the wind and rain wildly. Wondering what it was Obito jumped to the top of the closest to tree to see what it was. In the distance Obito could see the next few ridges and beyond that the sea. He had reached the coast and what was happening over the other side definitly involved shinobi and a monster Obito had never encounter. Its cry's and moans of struggle and power were clear and caused eruption of water larger than mountains that continue into the clouds not stopping.
"This isn't really rain?" Obito questioned aloud realising that whatever was on the other side of the ridges was causing and creating enough water and wind to create a heavy rainstorm.
"They're on the other side. Rin and Kakashi. And the blood mist." Spiral said no longer speaking directly into Obito's mind. Obito nodded, a little unnerved but unfazed before he started jumping from tree to tree approaching.
It roars continued for a time causing more rain to fall making it colder and harder for Obito to stay calm. Then, the roars stopped, and Spiral and Obito heard Zetsu speak in their minds.
"What-Who is that?" He plant-man said clearly confused.
Obito frowned at the confusion and Spiral wondered what Zetsu meant. Before either of them could contemplate there was an echoing smash as the edge of one of the ridge exploded before something smash into the earth having been blown away from the other side. Dust and rain blocked there view of what had crash not far from them but at least 500 meters away. "What was that?" Obito questioned wondering if Zetsu had heard him.
"Someone from the leaf has come to help?"
Obito's eyes widened. "Is it Minato sensei?" He asked curious as if it was he could quickly help him from where he was and join him.
"No, it can't be. He is on another mission." Zetsu said again watching him from a distance within a tree. His clones that were among the mist shinobi didn't expect it and were just as surprised.
"Then who-" Obito didn't finish as new roar screeched across the valleys and ridges as from the other side of the ridge, from the beach Rin and Kakashi were at a shifting body of ice and snow shot over the hole on ridge and soared down the ridge side into the valley that the person from the leaf had landed.
The snow and ice shift into the a mouth covered in scales and rows of icy sharp teeth that was then followed by a serpents like tail of snow, water and wind. The body continued to shift until it was a chinese style dragon of ice curling around in the wind creating rings of ice, atop its fore head a single person commanded it. It was big enough to stand over the the Hokage mansion if it so chose and because of this the features of the dragon's face were detailed enough to show its master wrath and rage. But the master's face could not be seen from the white hood and cloak that cover his body.
"You shall not stop this, Anbu of the Leaf. Lord 3rd Mizukage had ordered it so and for too many of the people of world...it is overdue." The man monologued like a lord clearly enraged by the leaf anbu's arrival here. At least Zetsu got to know he wasn't the only one on the verge of killing someone because of the interference.
"NOW DIE! ICE STYLE: ICE RING DRAGON!"
The dragon readied itself before charging head first into the spot the leaf Anbu had landed causing the earth to quake, the rain to turn to hail, the wind to howl and another eruption this time of ice, that spread out from the impact of the attack. It didn't reach Obito but he couldn't find the energy or focus to stop watching.
All was silence until..."I never imagined that the blood mist would have such technology. Homura sensei was right to ask me to infiltrate the blood mist, despite my refusal. To be able to seal a Kekkei Genkai and use it without being born to that clan." The Anbu paused as the ice dragon straighten itself. "So the blood mist really has genocided the Yuki clan? I guess you no longer need the people when you could just take the power from them."
The Mist shinobi on the dragon's head responded. "They were traitors. Plotting against the land of water and Kirigakure. They had what was coming to them." He said.
Neither the mist shinobi, Zetsu, Spiral or Obito had seen the Leaf Anbu yet but they could hear his anger and disgust. "This is why I wanted to get out of the shinobi life. No one who lives the life a shinobi deserves a happy life. My last mission happened 2 months ago and I foolishly have let sensei drag me back into the world of madness, greed and pride. But I can't let those kids die...
...NOVA KING!" Obito hardly followed what happened next. At some point unknown to himself he had activated his Sharingan and had been able to see what happened. The dragon dodged, flying over the slash of claws, bursting from blinding flames and flares of light that had swung at it. Landing a distance away, the ice dragon curled up watching the land it had frozen burn before it ever saw it melt.
"A lion!" Obito said surprised as it crawled out of the fires that consumed the forest side of the valley. It was just as if not bigger than the ice dragon and it was made of fire. "What type of fire style is that?" Obito questioned.
"It not just fire style Obito." Zetsu said in Obito mind watching himself from a distance. "It is a collaboration based ninjutsu, being performed by one person." Zetsu said.
"But aren't collaboration based ninjutsu done by two people." Spiral asked.
"Usually. But there are those that can use two elements at the same time and not use a bloodline. He's combining fire style and wind style." He said surprising Obito. "The outside of the lion is fire but the core is pressured wind style, he's keeping them harmonized with his chakara. Look closely and you'll see the Anbu standing inside the chest of the lion." Zetsu said although not at all happy. Who was this man? No normal shinobi could use collaboration ninjutsu without a partner unless they were elite jonin or higher. So then, who was this man?!
Looking closer with his Sharingan Obito could see the Anbu inside. He had a white Anbu uniform? White uniforms were for the truly strong and amazing shinobi, Minato had even show his one to Obito and the team when he received it. And giant lion made of fire and wind? He'd never heard of anyone with such abilities.
"Nova King, Roaring Awakening." The Anbu said with the lion causing it open its mouth and blast high compressed blast of fire and wind, burning far too intense and violent as the blast incinerated through forest for kilometres on end.
But before it hit the dragon the blood mist ninja made his move going through hand signs and cause one of two medallions on his hip to glow. "Ice style: Woven Ice Wall..." He shouted causing ice to surround him trying to protect himself. But then the second medallion he had glowed and start doing some different hand signs. "And, Steel style: The Iron Surface." He said causing iron to surround his skin and clothing.
Though he wasn't so sure if it the two bloodline Medallions he had would be enough when with the very blast that surround him, it would explode several time cancelling the blast but finishing whatever was left in the blast.
"Obito we should be moving on." Spiral said despite himself wanting to watch and marvel at the land that was burning brightly and consuming the ridge of hills and valleys. But they needed to move over this last ridge to the beach to reach Rin and Kakashi.
Obito much like spiral didn't want to stop watching but the reminder of Rin was a quick fix causing him to nod in agreement before leaping quickly from tree to tree moving faster than any bird could fly.
With his thoughts returned to him, he couldn't stop thinking the phrase, wait for me I'm coming. It was a constant as he got over the last ridge. He saw no monster that could cry and roar storms worth of water into the sky. But he hardly paid any attention to such as he was so close now, he could see the torn up beach, steam and smoke, and black figures of people in the area. There were people there.
He continued moving, constantly reassuring himself he would make it. But still he grabbed his missing eye feeling an irritation like pain that spreading through his head causing him to grunt and cringe seeing something that wasn't in front of him. But it appeared as if in his mind while at the same time appeared right in front of him.
It was distorted by black patches liking to when you rub your eyes hard and cause the colour and images you see to blur and flash. But it was enough of an image for Obito to know what he was seeing. Rin in absolute fear and despair, shock and in pain as blood dripped from her lips and something the size of an arm piercing her chest causing a large amount of blood to cover her. There were tears and fear on her face in the rain and fog, what was Obito seeing?
He shook his head in anger and frustration. Why was he seeing this? It had to be his thoughts and anxiety laughing at him with a sick joke. He wouldn't believe the images. They weren't real. As he approached his stomach tightened seeing steam and smoke wondering what he would see.
'Are they alright? Are they okay? Please let them be okay. I don't want to lose them. Ever.' Obito thought. But just as he was going to make the final stretch from behind him the earth broke and the forest and trees around him were blown away and crushed. A mountain of rolling ice and fire smashed through the ridge Obito had left behind him uphill. If there was a dragon and lion in the mix of elements flying towards him, their shape had clearly been lost. The earth had become a tidal wave of bending rock, tree tops, fire and ice folding upon him.
For Obito though he activate his sharingan and thanks to Marada's training he used the avalanche to his advantage. Although a bit unstable, he was able jump, land and jump of a rolling piece of ice before jumping from flying pieces of earth, trees and ice. Bouncing and rebounding around with the grace of an expert and experienced shinobi. There was no denying that Obito would have been crushed and killed if faced with it before the rescue mission for Rin in the land of grass. Although, he didn't realize this to focused on the action around him.
But on one of the flying trees he landed on upside down, he misjudged the force it was moving at and as he tried to jump from it he was thrown into an uncontrollable roll that flung him on to the rocking beach. Just beyond the vegetation line. Landing on his chest ice, burning trees and rocks thrown onto the beach and sea smashing and panicking the blood mist shinobi that were gathered.
On Obito's right side a distance away the body of the leaf anbu in white, landing on his back with his mask broken. The body of the proclaimed ice style and steel style user landed in the sea having been punched at the last second by the leaf anbu during avalanche that torn a hole big enough for a biju to walk through the ridge.
Shaking his head, the numbness and ringing in Obito's head and body silenced immediately. Again an unnatural speed of recovery happened with this healing factor playing effect. He forced himself up wondering what had happened but upon standing saw something impossible. Something that in all his imagination never thought would happen. He would be certain that no one who knew his team would ever think of it happening either.
The blood mist shinobi that were around hadn't seen it yet but were attending to the shit storm that had nearly killed them. They had not expected things to escalate to the level they had. The girl escaping and them chasing her to the land of fire was all part of the plan. What wasn't was the leaf anbu in white crippling them as they chased the students of the yellow flash and then the demon almost escaping before arriving at konoha. Most of them were chunin, part of the hunter nin division, given the mission of escorting the shell to the land of fire. The only Jonin with them was the captain, Cang Du. Not a member of the hunter nin, but a high ranking member of the Military Science division. He along with a few other sealers did the difficult part of sealing the demon before they left, but Cang Du despite orders remained with them. The sealer and test subject didn't want to disappoint the Mizukage.
If not for him, the leaf anbu would have stopped them before ever leaving the land of frost. If that had happened maybe the girl would have gotten back and caused the destruction of konoha.
"What the hell was that?" One questioned with his mask on. "Where's Captain Cang?" he continued looking around.
"I don't know. He's probably dead after that explosion." Another said. "This mission is failure. Grab the girl, the seal won't last the trip to konoha."
A sound unlike anything hummed on the ocean as ice rapidly froze the water faster than naturally possible. The hooded figure of Captain Cang slowly moved up as he controlled the water and ice into lifting him. Frowning with a fresh, bleeding cut, splitting his lips he eyes scanned the beach for the enemy and girl.
"Seems this mission is a failure. If we cannot deliver the demon to konoha then we must capture it." He said suddenly appearing on the stone beach, the ocean rocking and turning wildly behind him and masked, blood mist ninja.
Cang knew exactly what had happened here. The 3 tails had awakened far earlier than it should have. Whoever the fuck placed the lullaby seal had clearly done it wrong. No, no one would fuck up like this. An S-rank mission where some fucks up an easy B-rank seal wasn't and couldn't have been accident. Someone had infiltrated them and didn't want the girl to make it to konoha. A konoha dog was among them. Or someone who simply wanted the mission to fail. There could have been a number of reasons. But all that matter now was recapturing the suicide jinjurki. What happened next would have to wait.
Scanning the beach he spotted the leaf Anbu. "I'll handle the anbu. Activate the third emergency cripple seal. We can't have the girl running any further and I'd rather she not explode into a demon during the trip back." He said staring at the man who been a thorn in his side. He had to kill him. This Anbu was good, better than most. Safer to kill the enemy now than later. If the leaf anbu did have any tricks or technique he hadn't seen yet, then now was the time to kill him.
Looking at the man he noted his features now that mask had been destroyed. The lion-like mask was clearly because of giant-sun lion he spawned, but he never heard of or seen such mask in the bingo books for anbu of konoha. It was a bad omen as his eyes meet the face of enemy.
'Strange. From this distance his hair looks almost pink'.' Cang thought.
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This was suppose be an infiltrate, spy and verification mission. With his skill it would only take him one day to find the bloods mist rumoured labs against nature. Oh yes, labs against nature that spawned impossible jutsu and monsters. It was the rumour going around the elemental nations.
He left his wife to manage his jewellery business while he went on the mission and honestly he did not want to go on the mission. He retired 2 months from the Shinobi gig, having hidden his shinobi status since becoming a genin. No one, not even his wife knew, that the peaceful, genin with a pathetic record of 131 E-rank missions and simple jewelry business was in fact a top secret Anbu that only worked for Homura Mitokado one of the 6 elders of Konoha. And he liked the fact no one knew this. The serious life of a shinobi wasn't worth the effort, risk and morally questionable actions. He'd rather sit at his store, watching people come by and sell the occasionally piece of fine jewellery. Who wouldn't? He got to sit on his ass and do nothing all day.
But no he wasn't there now. He was face first the in dirt because he wanted to see what business deals he work out at the city of Edo in the land of frost before going to the land of water. And it just so happened that Minato Namikaze's, known as the yellow flash's, surviving students were running from mist shinobi. How the hell did they get into such trouble when the third shinobi war was taking place in the land of grass, on the other side of the world? OK the world was chaotic right now but still. What mission did they go on to end up where they are now?
He shook his head and stood up before turning to blood mist hunter nin surrounding him. Standing at the beach's end he could see the white and hooded mist shinobi he had been fighting. The mist had to have labs against nature if this man could attain ice style through some form of sealing art. Sealing a jutsu then reusing it later was a possible sealing art but to use the style sealed unrestricted? You could be an academy level shinobi who could seal a fireball then fire that exact fireball, but you can't miraculously use fire style from it. That was what the blood mist had been working on.
With such a weapon, bloodline clans would no longer have the same value they once had. It made sense that mist village would want such a tool. He had to capture this hood man and interrogate him. But again he still had to get those to kids out of here.
All of a sudden, said anbu from the leaf felt an uncomfortable chill run down his spine. Was it even a chill? Because what it felt like, he would compare to the feeling of being stalking, being watched or the feeling of something big near him that may or may not know his presence. But was he very aware of it.
He's senesi was a sealing arts master that often relied on seals and scrolls to win battles. One such seal was the Soul sensing seal that the anbu was currently using, allowing him to sense the intent of others. His sensei had developed a prototype seal in memory of Mito Uzumaki, the 1st hokage's wife, who had such an ability.
He turned to the source and saw something unexpected. A person in a black cloak with its hood down covering their face. But underneath the black hood there was a second white hood. The second hood didn't look normal, appearing to be made from some sort of plant he was unfamiliar with. But he could just see the side of the person face. This person had long, black hair running down their face, but did not hide the deformity on the side of his face. The anbu looked and noted that he was still, unmoving and staring something.
Honestly in his life, Kizashi Huruno hadn't seen many graphic or sickening things. But the image the boy teammate impaling his arm through the chest of his female teammate was not a picture he thought he would see when he turned in the direction the person in black was looking.
"No...Why? Why Kakashi?" Kizashi mumbled as he could it would be too late. Rin was as good as dead at this point and with her the 3 tails. "No. I can save her." Kizashi said softly to himself. "The 3 tails should be more than capable of healing wounds like that but that's only if Rin can will herself to stay alive long enough for it to do so." He continued as pulled out a small scroll from his back pocket.
"I can make it." He mumbled as the smoke cover the two disappeared and the mist saw what had happened.
"Kakashi..."Rin muttered unaware of what was around her as Kakashi stared at her squinting and uncertain of what was going to happen next as he was slowly losing consciousness.
"No the Sanbi...I must act now!" Cang shouted storming towards the girl staggering back about to keel over and die.
Obito watched with this gritted his teeth and his face screwed in a disturbed rage as his sharingan changed.
"Ice Style: Cryostasis."
"Sealing Art: Cripple Reality."
"I won't...ACCEPT ANY OF THIS!"
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