I do not own Naruto, Kishimoto does.
Obito slowly walked over the slippery boulders and rubble. He ignored the rain or the loud winds that blew his cloak every which way, as he made his way up the cliffside. In the six years he's come here nothing has really changed since that night. Grass and shrubs refuse to grow in this part of the world, therefore the sin Danzo committed could never be hidden.
Obito stopped in front of the makeshift grave, before kneeling in front of it his went over her name: Asami. His first student, the first person who he let into his life after he thought he lost Rin. One of his lights that was snuffed away.
He has avenged her death by killing Danzo and getting rid of Zetsu, Nagato killed Hanzo, and yet he still could never shake the feeling of guilt he held. He failed her. She wanted to become stronger and despite his original judgement he allowed himself to train her, with a promise to only himself that he would protect her.
He didn't know if she'd still be alive if he never allowed her to join him, but even then, there was the possibility that she still would be. Of course, if he had his own way with things then she'd still be his student. She was the reason he found out he enjoyed teaching others. She was the reason he didn't fall into more of a depression after Rin's death. How could he be depressed when someone needed him? He always thought that he made her stronger, but truth be told she made him stronger by keeping him focus on the things in the future and the present. Of course, at the time the future plans were wrong, but nonetheless he didn't fall into that void because of her.
Obito reached into his cloak and brought out four stems of lilies, he never knew if they were her favorite, but he saw her pick a few one time when they were going after a bounty. He laid the flowers on her grave with a shuddered breath, he set some rocks on top of them to keep them from blowing away.
He leaned forward and set his forehead on the wooden plank that marked her grave, "I'm sorry," he whispered. Those same two words were all he said every time he's visited her. Obito returned to his feet and dusted off the dirt and grime that covered his knees. With one last nod towards the grave, he turned around to walk down the cliff.
After walking a few meters Obito sensed two chakra signatures coming up the same cliff. Thankfully he recognized who they were. Obito stood still as he waited for the two to come into view, once they did, he gave them a small wave.
Both Nagato and Konan gave him a small smile before returning with a wave of their own. The two groups continued walking until they were right in front of each other. "Sorry, I didn't think we would run into each other." Konan said.
"It's not a problem, I usually get here at an earlier time, but I got caught up in watching Sasori make one of his puppets." Obito responded.
"Does Kugutsu no Jutsu interest you?" Nagato asked, his ridged eyes set firmly on Obito through the long strands of red hair that was sticking to his face due to the rain.
"Not entirely, but the making of the puppet was interesting to watch." Obito responded. He looked over the red head before asking, "how are your legs?"
"You don't have to ask that every time we see each other, you know they work well since it's you used the same process on me that was used on you when you were crushed by the boulder." Nagato responded with a smile, "you truly do forget how to interact with people who are your friends."
Obito chuckled nervously, "you are correct, Nagato, I guess spending so much time with those rogue shinobi's makes me forget that there are people who I can have a conversation with."
"It does seem that way. Maybe you should come to Ame for a few days, you can see the great strides Konan has made with our infrastructure. Thanks to her soon we can be on par with the great nations in terms of economy. Militarily it's still years away but we are making good progress there as well." Nagato replied.
Obito ran his hand through his spikey hair, "that does sound nice, but we are close to finding the Nibi in Kumo."
Konan gave him a curious look, "wasn't the purpose of adding more members to the Akatsuki was so that you wouldn't have to capture all the bijuu yourself?"
Obito nodded, "yes, it is one of the purposes, however I'm not entirely sure I can trust any of them to such a task. Well, I'm sure they can capture one but bringing it to me may pose a problem."
"You believe one of them is going to betray the Akatsuki?" Nagato asked.
"Yes, I have a feeling that Orochimaru might become a traitor. While I have no proof, I do get this feeling he is only there to see what we are up too, and whether or not I am Uchiha Madara. Once he gets the answers, he wants I'm sure he'll defect. Not to mention the couple of times he has tried to steal my sharingan." Obito explained.
"Is he that much of a threat to you?" Konan asked.
"Not if we fought, but as you well know he is a sneaky one. So, there is no telling what tricks he'll pull." Obito answered.
"That may be true, but even with whatever tricks he'll still have to be able to hit you. And coming from personal experience, that is entirely its own struggle." Nagato responded.
"Maybe. I guess it's a good thing he can't move as fast as Minato-sensei, then I'd be sure to have problems." Obito joked.
"If that were the case then Konoha would be his already," Nagato chuckled.
Obito's smiled faltered, "Do you think we are on the right path?"
"I don't know if we can really say. At the moment it seems like the only path available, but maybe another could present itself." Konan answered.
"We have all fallen from the path we thought we'd walk, but each time we did we always found ourselves with a new path that seemed better than the last. I'm not sure about the current one, however what I can say is that I've enjoyed not being controlled by my vengeance. This current path has allowed Konan and I to bring Ame out of the war-torn poverty that Hanzo led us too. And I can honestly say that right now I'm happy for the first time since Yahiko died." Nagato added.
"I am as well. Are you happy Obito?" Konan asked.
Obito shook his head, "no I am not. Truth be told I haven't been happy since Asami was alive, and even then, it was few moments where I was. Since then, I can say the last time I felt happiness was when I freed myself from Madara and Zetsu, and before that was when I killed Danzo."
"Is that why you were asking if we are on the right path?" Nagato inquired.
"Maybe, I'm not sure. I guess after Madara, I'm constantly questioning whether I am doing the right thing, since its now my own actions. I do know the one thing I want in this world is for there to be peace. And I can't see any other viable option. For there to be peace, the great nations need to become united together in friendship. The constant hostility they hold with each other will eventually cause war to break out once again. The only way I can think of to unite them is against a common enemy who threatens all of them. All nations fighting together is bound to create bonds that'll be bridges of peace that will hopefully endure long after we are gone." Obito explained.
"And what of your own happiness?" Konan asked.
"If I can successfully bring peace then my happiness doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. Especially considering that I am already a broken man, who has stained his hands with the blood of hundreds." Obito answered.
Nagato frowned, "you are my friend Obito, and I want the same things you do. However, I want you to be happy as well. I'll continue to support you in this endeavor; however I won't lie to you and say I won't try to find something else. Because I will, I'll try to find another way. A way where you can keep your humanity."
Konan smiled, "and I will as well. We started out on shaky grounds, but these past three years getting to know the real you have created a bond with the three of us. You truly are our friend Obito, and we do want to see you happy."
Obito thanked whatever gods were out there that he was still wearing his mask, because they couldn't see the tears threatening to fall, "thank you both," Obito choked out. Holding back the tears he smiled, he could now add another happy moment in the sea of darkness that was his life.
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Kakashi groaned loudly staring at the chalkboard in front of him, "I don't know what the hell is planning!" Since he and Rin encountered Obito and had that conversation with him, the two of them along with Minato-Sensei and Kushina have been hard at work deciphering his words to figure out what his plan was. He didn't know whether to believe Obito, but he did know one thing, his friend was hurting over whatever decision he came too. Obito tried to hide it, and he did it well, but Kakashi could see it. Mostly because it was the same mask he put on after the death of his father, he recognized the look in his eyes.
Kakashi promised himself that he'd rescue his friend after seeing that, but in order to do so he needed to know what his plan is. So, he can stop him.
"It is frustrating, 'ttebane! It just seems he is collecting bijuu for no other reason than to do so!" Kushina yelled. "He isn't even doing it in a certain order, it's like he is just capturing whichever one shows up first."
"And then there's the problem that he would willing team up with Orochimaru. Obito more than likely knows the things Orochimaru has done, it just isn't like him." Minato-Sensei added.
"Well, we could have seen that coming thanks to him asking Kakuzu to join his group." Kushina commented.
"And he is calling himself Madara still." Rin said.
"I can't say why he would, but the name itself is power. It would cause many to throw caution to the wind just to attempt to remove him." Minato-sensei responded.
Kakashi sighed, "so we need to figure out why use that name? Why bijuu?"
"The only thing I can think of is he is consolidating power, in both from the bijuu and the name of Madara." Minato-sensei stated.
"But why would he need to consolidate power, he is plenty strong as it is." Kushina replied.
"I'm not to sure." Minato-sensei responded.
"If it was another nation doing this, we could just assume they are gearing up for a war." Kakashi commented.
"Hmm, if we looked at it that way, what would be the cause for war? And against who?" Minato-sensei asked the room.
Kakashi mulled over the question, Obito gathering bijuu from all the nations except for Konoha, him using the name Madara, Obito wanting to create peace. But how will war lead to peace? Unless… "Everyone," Kakashi blurted.
Three set of eyes turned to him, Kakashi cleared his throat, "he wants to go to war with everyone. All the nations, if he controls all the bijuu except the Sanbi and Kyuubi than he can have enough power to possibly defeat all the great nations in a war."
"If that is so, then what did he mean sensei is the key to peace?" Rin asked.
"Maybe he wants Minato-sensei to lead everyone to peace after Obito defeats them all. If he completes his goal of gathering bijuu, only leaving you two, then Konoha would be the only superpower left. Therefore, everyone would look to Minato-Sensei to lead them." Kakashi responded.
"That is a sound theory, but I'm not sure. Something still feels off. Is he going to declare war one at a time, or all at once?" Minato-sensei said.
Kusnina gasped, "no its going to be all at once! Think about it, he is using Madara's name which causes fear into the heart of any shinobi no matter what nation. With the thought of Madara capturing bijuu, its very likely that all the nations would join together to destroy Madara."
"Therefore, creating a bond of peace between the nations if they succeed!" Minato-Sensei interrupted. "There are very rare bonds that are stronger than the ones forged in combat."
"So, he is planning to unite the nations against him. And hope that we kill him to create peace after he is gone." Rin stated.
"He did say he was planning to die." Kakashi added. "He is betting his life that the great nations will come together in peace."
"Which is why I think he said Minato-Kun is one of those keys of peace. He is one of a few people who can keep an established peace after such a war. Especially even before if he can highlight the fact that things would be better if everyone can work together." Kushina said.
"That's why he said he was going to try to keep the violence from Konoha. Not only are the people here needed for the future, but he doesn't think he can complete this mission if he has to fight against us once again. Which means he is fine with killing tons of shinobi he's never met, but he doesn't think he can kill us for the sake of this peace." Kakashi said.
"So, in the end that sweet boy is still trying to create peace even if its in a terribly round a bout way." Kushina said placing her hands above her heart.
"I wish to know what happened to him. What could be the reason that drove him to such extreme measures for peace." Minato-sensei said.
"He probably didn't see another way. That's why he didn't want to tell us. We would try to stop him." Kakashi stated.
"He's not wrong, but I don't care what he wants! I'm not going to let that idiot throw his life away, dattebane!" Kushina yelled.
"I won't either, but first we need to explain to him that we can find peace another way." Minato-Sensei added.
"Is there another way?" Rin asked, her voice barely louder than a whisper.
"Yes, I think there is a way. I've been giving this a lot of thought, along with Jiraiya-Sensei. One way we came up with that may work is by getting the great nations to work together not against an enemy but for a betterment of the people of all nations. I know that its easier said than done, but I think eventually we can move to that direction. And the first step is coming up with something that I can bring to the other four kage, that would be beneficial for everyone. More than likely trade agreements. I'll talk to Fugaku and see what we can come up with." Minato-Sensei explained.
"Will that work Sensei?" Kakashi asked.
"We won't know until we try." Minato-Sesnei replied. "Once we come up with something we can tell Obito our plan, and maybe get him to reconsider his."
"How will we get in touch with him?" Kushina asked.
Minato-Sensei smiled, "I've been hearing an interesting rumor of a new leader in Ame. Apparently, this man has purple rippled eyes."
Knowing who sensei was talking about brought smiles to the room. They now knew what Obito was planning, and a way to stop him from getting himself killed. Hopefully everything will work out and soon they can have their friend back, and that in itself made Kakashi happy. He's failed his friend twice but now he was sure he wouldn't fail him again.
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"What are you thinking about, Sensei?" Naruto asked, looking at Obito curiously.
Obito turned his eyes from the sky to the blonde, "I was just enjoying the breeze while I still can."
Naruto's puzzled face deepened, "can't you just enjoy the breeze anytime?"
Obito shrugged, "yes, but there will be a time when I can't, so might as well enjoy it now."
"I don't get it, why couldn't you? Are you going somewhere that doesn't have a breeze?" Naruto asked.
His sensei gave him a small smile, "I'm not sure if where I'm going has a breeze or not. So instead of worrying about that, I'll just enjoy the one I have in the present."
Naruto still didn't understand but just nodded. He enjoyed these talks after training with his sensei. He would admit that half the time he didn't understand what his sensei was talking about, but the stuff he did understand helped him learn more about his sensei.
One thing he learned was that Obito-Sensei was always thinking of the future, he seemed worried about things that may come. But for Naruto that seemed to be something he had in common with all the adults he knew. His parents, Kakashi-niichan, and Rin-neechan were always looking to the future.
"How is Kasumi doing?" Obito-Sensei asked.
Naruto frowned, "why are you asking, do you want to train her too, 'ttebayo?"
"Your sister is only two, how are you already this jealous," Sensei chuckled, "no I don't want to train her too. Just one Namikaze is enough for me." Obito reached over and ruffled Naruto's hair.
"I'm not jealous!" Naruto exclaimed folding his arms over his chest with a pout.
This only made Obito laugh, "Okay I believe you. No need to pout." When Obito's chuckling died down he looked back to the sky, "I think it's time you head home, if you stay out later again, I don't think the 'I got lost' excuse will work this time."
Naruto frowned, "I don't want to go yet."
"I know but remember we can't let anyone know I'm training you. Go on, I'll be waiting here same time tomorrow." Sensei said waving him away.
"Okay, bye Sensei!" Naruto yelled with a wave.
Naruto made his way home and quickly opened the door, "I'm home!"
"Welcome home, Naruto-kun," Kaa-chan said with a smile. "Go get washed up dinner will be ready shortly."
"Okay. Where's Tou-chan?" Naruto asked.
"He's in his study, he'll be down in a bit." Kaa-chan replied.
Naruto went to his mother and gave her a hug, before heading upstairs. He quickly ran into the bathroom and started washing his hands. He turned the water off and started down the stairs when the voice of his mother traveled up the stairs, "I still can't believe it."
"Yes, it's hard to think that Obito would go so far as to give up his life." Tou-chan replied, causing Naruto to freeze. Did his sensei want to die? Naruto shook his head, that can't be true his sensei was always excited to teach him things. He's even told him some of the things that he wanted to teach him within the next year.
"We are going to have to work fast because, the completion of his suicide plan may come inside two or three years." Tou-chan added.
No! Why is Tou-chan saying that?! He knew if he asked his parents, they would lie to him. He needed to know the truth. He truly enjoyed being trained by his sensei. He couldn't even think of a day where he'd never see his sensei again. Without much other thought Naruto took off down the stairs and out the front door. He ignored his parents' yells.
He ran into the woods towards the area Obito trained him, tears running down his cheeks. He needed to know if he was going to lose his sensei.
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Obito leaned against a tree as he watched the setting sun. He's now been all over the Elemental Nations, but the sunset in Konoha still held a very special place in his heart. He let a smile creep on his face, now that he thought about it, he did feel happiness when training Naruto. Somehow that blonde ball of energy wormed his way into his heart.
Maybe it was because Naruto reminded him so much of how he was when he was younger, or maybe it was just because he was his sensei's son. Maybe it was combination of the two and other things, but either way he did care for the kid.
Obito decided to close his eyes and enjoy the fleeting warmth, when he felt the chakra of the blonde he was thinking about.
"I thought about him too much," Obito sighed.
Obito stood up when he felt Naruto get closer, "what are you doing h-"
"Please don't leave me sensei!" Naruto yelled, crashing into Obito with a hug.
Obito gaped in surprise, "Naruto what's wrong? I told you I'm going to be here tomorrow."
"But Tou-chan and Kaa-chan think you are going to die!" Naruto cried.
Obito frowned, inwardly cursing the fact he probably said too much when he talked with Rin and Kakashi. "I'm not going to die, Naruto. Well at least not yet."
"So, you are going to die." Naruto said through sniffles.
"Well yes, we all will die someday. What I'm saying is no time in the near future will I die. But when I do, I promise you'll be one of the strongest shinobi inside of Konoha." Obito replied, trying to calm the crying boy.
"But I don't want you to die." Naruto responded.
"I'm sorry Naruto, but it's something that is going to happen. But even so just you shedding tears at the thought of my death lets me know how much you care." Obito knelt in front of Naruto with a smile, "and guess what? I care about you just as much. That's why I want you to be stronger, so when I'm gone you can defend yourself and everyone you love."
Naruto hugged him again, "I'm not ready for you to go."
Obito's smile fell, "honestly neither am I," he whispered.
A flash of yellow light shined through the area causing both Naruto and Obito to turn to a stern-faced Minato, "I'm going to have to ask you to step away from my son, Obito."
Well, none of this is how I planned, Obito thought.
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And here's the first chapter I think that we've been able to see Obito's true personality without the burden of being Madara. I've been looking forward to writing this chapter for a bit, because I just wanted something where it was just Obito being Obito.
I also made everyone figure out Obito's plan a bit quicker than I planned because I wanted to write that scene with Obito and Naruto. I also was excited to write the scene with Nagato and Konan to show that they did in fact become friends after everything.
Any ways I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter, and please let me know what you think!
Until next time!
