I do not own Naruto, Kishimoto does.
Just want to preface this by saying, its been a few months since Kakuzu joined the Akatsuki. When I started writing this story I failed to realize how much some of the age differences were between members. So there will be some time skips, so I can get to the point where I really wanted to write this story for. I want to eventually bring it to the start of OG Naruto, when the Akatsuki starts being a tad bit more active. I know they started during Shippuden but with the changes I made, and with how Obito is going to not wait as long we can get to the point where maybe Rin may be able to save Obito from himself. Right now Obito is doing what he needs to do with the Akatsuki while holding a small hope that he can remove that seal from his heart, which is why my Obito is delaying things by saying he needs to get more members and money, which is true.
I also want to clarify what is happening with Obito and Madara. Obito is currently going through some much strain mentally and emotionally that he needs to completely immerse himself in the Madara persona he developed so he can complete his objective. And since I don't really know what that seal does other than push him towards Madara's will I decided that a ghost of Madara will be the one to push him. That's why he is seeing Madara, because of how broken Obito is along with the seal, conjures the image of Madara. It's up to you to decide whether Madara planned it that way or its just Obito. I'll reveal which of the two it is eventually. Just know with the seal I have a lot more planned. Either way let me know what ya'll think and enjoy the new chapter.
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Obito ignored the cool breeze that softly shook his long hair as he laid against the tree, his right leg hanging off the branch. As much as he loathed to admit it, but he still is comfortable being in Hi no Kuni. This was his country, it was his home. Even years after he decided to not return to Konoha he still found himself drawn back to Hi no Kuni to help him relax as he planned for his future.
Currently he was here to figure a way to get inside the Yondaime's house to his private library. He has spent the majority of his time the past few years after he failed to capture the Kyuubi trying to solve the problem that was the seal Madara placed on his heart.
A year ago, after going through as much information on seals that he could, he decided to go to the ruins of Uzugakure to see if he can recover some of the lost information. Unfortunately for him the former Uzikage was excellent with seals and keeping their secrets hidden from intruders. Even with Kamui he couldn't enter certain rooms thanks to seals. He did however leave with a treasure trove of scrolls filled with information about sealing. None could help with his problem.
It's taken him the entire year to go over all the information, he won't deny that he now had a much better understanding of seals. Many that he could use, and some he created himself. He knew he still didn't have as much knowledge as the Yondaime and his wife.
Which is why he came here, sitting atop a tree a few kilometres outside of Konoha planning on getting some more information. He was tired of dealing with the seal. He didn't know how much the seal was affecting his personality. A shinobi even a rogue one who couldn't trust his mind was more than likely going to be killed. For Obito that wasn't the case, he always felt a sharp pain on his heart when he took on the persona of Madara. That pain would grow and envelope him until it was a numb feeling throughout his body. Then it was his feelings that left soon after. Keeping him as the emotionless unfeeling rouge nin that could kill hundreds without breaking a sweat or single tear for how he mutilated some before their deaths.
He wouldn't deny the fact that he enjoyed how strong he was now, in the four years since that boulder nearly ended his life he knew he was stronger than many of the Kage, possibly all. He'd still have trouble with the Yondaime thanks to his hiraishin, but he was confident that the way he is now Obito could beat him. He was a monster. His ninjutsu could be comparable to Madara's. His genjutsu was the strongest in all the elemental nations. His taijutsu was good enough to give Might Guy a run for his money. Combine with the abilities of his eyes, Obito was near unstoppable. He even could use the Susanoo; however, it still wasn't battle tested. Nobody has been able to push him enough to need it.
After years spent chasing after Kakashi, he now surpassed him sitting on a level where he was alone. The fact that he still could become stronger, put a smile on Obito's face. Even if the Akatsuki joined together against him, he knew he could still win. However, a problem that Obito has found that it was no longer fun to kill someone by using his long distance Kamui to take away certain body parts. He missed how his body felt when he fought someone that could get his blood pumping. He hasn't felt it since he attempted to capture the Kyuubi.
Obito has even debated going to find Orochimaru since he defected from Konoha, just to see if the Snake Sannin can pose enough of a challenge for him. Even if he knew he'd still come out on top.
He's thought about that another reason he wishes to find someone who could take him on; he wished to be defeated. If he was defeated or killed, he no longer would be forced to do the vile things he has planned or has done. He would be free. Free of this world of hell. Free from the seal. Free from Madara. It was a morbid thought that he kept buried down and rarely thought about, but it still popped into his mind when he fought someone.
A sudden memory of hard brown eyes full of worry filled his mind, "Don't act tough and hide your wounds. I'm always watching you know."
Obito smiled at the memory. He broke that promise the moment he thought she was killed. Now he always hid his wounds. Of course they weren't physical, but emotional. He was sure even now she couldn't help him the way she did when he was younger. Her current purpose was to unfortunately move his current plan forward. His smile dropped; he knew he would have to kill her. He could have captured her when he found Kakuzu, but he reasoned that they weren't ready for bijuu just yet. After his failure with capturing the Kyuubi, he decided that he needed to plan to capture them instead of being opportunistic.
He remembered their eyes when they were so sure they knew who he was, thankfully he henged into a younger version of Madara when his masked broke. Even then he couldn't get the disappointment looks on his former team's faces when their hopes of him being alive were destroyed thanks to his quick thinking.
He remembered the look Rin had when he took his mask off in front of her. He saw the happiness she held when he confirmed her thoughts. He was alive. He remembered the way his heart hurt, more than what the seal was capable of, when he used a genjutsu to remove him from her memories. In her mind he was truly dead. Killed in action when he saved Kakashi. That is what she now knew about Obito. He even had to kill the love she had for him so she wouldn't break the genjutsu when she saw him again. If that love remained than the hope would return, eventually destroying the altered memories.
Four chakra signatures entered his senses, causing Obito to freeze. He felt them pass him as they seemed to be moving towards Konoha. Obito tried to kill his curiosity, but it eventually won. He silently moved through the trees standing on a branch as he watched four Kumo shinobi sneaking towards the wall that surrounded Konoha.
His curiosity peaked even more as he followed them into the village. He didn't really care what they were doing, it was more to quell the boredom he felt. It was a welcome escape from his thoughts. He watched them move towards the Hyuga compound where they met with another three Kumo nin. Obito sighed when he realized that they just wanted the Byakugan. Not much fun in that, however he could push things enough to cause a stir that would bring the attention of the Yondaime. Two birds, one stone as they say.
The group entered the compound, Obito however walked towards one of the Hyuga guards.
"Is there something you need? I can't let you in, it's to late for visitors." The young Hyuga said, clearly confused by Obito's presence.
Obito quickly went through three seals, "Raiton: Inazuma no Yari." Lightning chakra enveloped Obito's hand forming into a spear, Obito threw the jutsu. The lighting spear tore through the Hyuga crashing into the wall with a loud crack.
Obito smiled, that should get their attention. Obito quickly fell into the ground appearing on one of the many trees that overlooked the Hyuga compound as shouts began to erupt in the buildings below. Even if the Kumo nin are able to get out without being seen, the lightning jutsu he used was one that was native to Kumogakure.
Obito watched the group leave the compound, a young girl no older than three in the arms of one. Two Hyuga members chased after them, Obito quickly used the same jutsu to kill the two before hopping off after the Kumo nin.
Obito felt a large chakra signature running on the ground behind them, he slowed down waiting for them to run past him. Obito was surprised to see the Hyuga clan head, Hiashi, running after the intruders.
He followed the eight shinobi outside of Konoha, as Hiashi finally caught up. Hiashi immediately took out two of the shinobis. The one with the young girl continued running forward, away from the angry Hyuga. Obito noticed Hiashi left the two shinobi alive as he chased after the others. Obito dropped down reaching underneath each of their chins. With a quick twist of his wrist, their necks snapped. He sensed more chakra signatures on the outside of his senses, including another large one that he recognized as the Yondaime. Obito quickly used Kamui to leave before Minato-sensei found him.
He swirled into existence inside the large office that resided in the Yondaime's house. Obito smiled, he managed to get a distraction and possible aided a possible diplomatic issue that would cause more tension between two superpowers.
"Eat your damn vegetables, 'ttebane!" Obito heard the voice of Kushina yell from downstairs.
"No, 'ttebayo!" a small voice yelled back.
"If you don't eat your vegetables than I won't take you to see Sasuke-kun tomorrow!" Kushina retorted.
"Okay." The small voice squeaked.
Obito couldn't stop the smile that crawled on his face hearing Kushina-nee arguing with her son. A few memories of him arguing with her flooded his mind before he shook his head. He had a mission to do. He quickly went over to the large bookcase that held hundreds of scrolls. He gazed over a few when he felt four chakra signatures approaching the house. Two were quite large, one was at least chunnin size, and the last two were incredibly small. Most likely children. One of the large signatures, stopped Obito in his tracks. Rin.
The knock at the front door broke Obito from his trance. He hurriedly looked over the scrolls.
"Ah, Rin-chan! Kaito-kun! What are you guys doing here?" Kushina asked.
"We are here to Kushina-chan." A female voiced.
"Oh, sorry Mikito-chan," Kushina apologized before she squeeled, "you brought Sasuke-kun with you! He is still so adorable. Why are you guys out this late?"
"Minato-sensei asked me to come over and watch over you and Naruto-kun. I don't have all the information but something happened." Rin answered.
"Yes, Fugako-kun asked to come over as well since he went to help Minato-kun." Mikito said.
"Thank you for having us over, Kushina-san." A small voice said.
"It's no problem Itachi-kun, come on in everyone we were just finishing dinner. Naruto-kun still needs to finish his vegetables then he can join us." Kushina replied, Obito could hear the smile in her voice.
"After you Rin-chan." A male voice said.
"Thank you, Kaito-kun." Rin replied.
Wait Rin-chan? Kaito-kun? Obito thought as he felt an anger bubble up. Who the fuck is Kaito?
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Minato traveled to where he could feel Hiashi's chakra fluctuating. Fugaku keeping pace steadily on his right side. Minato would have smiled, if he wasn't worried about what could cause such a commotion within the compound of one of the village's most prestigious clans.
He has enjoyed the friendship that has grown between himself and Fugaku. He made him his right hand man, after arguing with those idiotic elders for hours. Danzo was the major holdout, thankfully Minato didn't have as much patience in dealing with the Sandaime's teammates. He decided that he is the Hokage of Konoha, therefore, they needed to follow what he said no matter if they liked it or not.
In order to show that he wasn't going to bend over like the Sandaime, he forced Danzo to disband Root and retire. Homura and Koharu are next to be forcibly retire once he finds someone to take their place. He only has one person in mind currently, which is the aforementioned Sandaime. He already took his council in most things. Even when it was for things that he'd find uncomfortable.
Along with the changes in that council of elders, he removed some of the power the civilian council held. Konoha was a military village, therefore he believed that the civilian council should only hold enough power to help govern the civilian businesses.
One thing that the residents of Konoha were discovering over the years, was that the Yondaime Hokage may be the kindest person they'd ever meet but his decisions will be final. There'd be no room to argue against it.
Thanks to the finality of his decisions the village began to prosper even after loosing so much during the war. Minato increased the difficulty to graduate the academy even if it was a time of peace. He wanted capable shinobi in their ranks, he always preferred quality over quantity.
"What do you think happened?" Fugaku asked.
Minato looked at him with a thoughtful expression, "the only thing I can think that would rile Hiashi into action is some kind of intruders. They more than likely stole some kind of clan secret."
Fugako nodded. Minato finally caught up to Hiashi as he took down one of the enemies. Minato's eyes narrowed when he saw the hitai-ate. Kumo. Minato growled in his mind. Minato through a kunai that embedded into the ground next to one of the enemy nin who was coming behind Hiashi. Before he disappeared in a flash of yellow, a blue ball of swirling chakra formed in his right hand. Minato appeared before the surprised nin. His surprise quickly turned to horror when Minato sent the Rasengan into his stomach.
Minato turned around to see Fugako standing over another downed opponent, his sharingan glowing lightly in the night.
"Are you okay?" Hiashi asked. Minato was about to answer when he saw him hugging a young girl.
"They tried to take Hinata." Minato exclaimed.
"Yes," was the reply he got from Hiashi as he looked over his daughter.
"Minato." Fugaku called holding out a scroll. Minato took the scroll opening it. In there he found orders from one of Kumo's top officials to kidnap Hiashi's eldest daughter so they can discover the secrets of the Byakugan.
Three of his Anbu appeared, "Hokage-sama, orders." One with the dog mask asked.
"Take the bodies and send them to be autopsied, the ones who are alive take them to T&I for questioning." Minato ordered.
The Anbu nodded before collecting the bodies and disappearing in a swirl of leaves.
"Hiashi, take your daughter home make sure she is okay. We will discuss this tomorrow. I'll also write a letter to the Raikage demanding an explanation to this situation. I'd like you and Fugaku, along with the other clan heads there so we can decide our next move." Minato ordered.
"Thank you, Hokage-Sama." Hiashi answered picking up Hinata, "I'll see you two tomorrow."
Minato nodded, "We should head out ourselves Fugaku, I'm sure our wives and children are worried."
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Sorry for a short and late chapter, I've just been burned out from writing thanks to school. I wanted to make it longer but I figured this was a decent stopping point. I made some mistakes with my outline for the next chapters, and I came up with something better so I'm gonna plan the next chapters over again. It's not my best chapter but it helped me get back into the swing of things. Hopefully next chapter will meet my expectations. After I finish the outline, I'll start writing the next chapter. I hope to get it out within the next week.
Let me know what you think.
