I do not own Naruto, Kishimoto does.
Obito watched the sun slowly crawl from behind the horizon. He stifled a yawn before rising from the spot on the roof he has spent the last several hours sitting at. The words from his teammates were still fresh in his mind. Especially Sensei's plan of trade deals and peace treaties to achieve world peace. To Obito that plan still didn't seem like the most viable, however, he did promise to follow his Sensei's lead. At least for now.
The scarred Uchiha activated his Kamui slowly falling into the roof to the extra bedroom down below, then through the floor into the living room. Based on what he could sense he was able to notice that Minato was drinking a cup of coffee in the kitchen.
Obito took in a deep breath before walking into the kitchen. Minato looked up from above his coffee cup a smile on his face, "good morning Obito."
"Morning, Sensei." Obito responded with a curt nod.
"Did you get much sleep?" Minato asked.
Obito shook his head, "none. I read Asami's journal then I spent the rest of the night thinking about the current events."
"Oh, I'm sorry you weren't able to sleep. Any new revelations? Or what you plan to do now?" Minato questioned.
Obito sat across his sensei, "I'm still going to follow your plan, if that's what has you worried. As for what I plan to do to further those plans, I think first I have to steer the Akatsuki from capturing bijuu and maybe focus on bounties."
Minato leaned back into his chair, "you are not going to disband them?"
"No. They may prove useful in the future. Not to mention they are excellent at gathering information. It's never a bad idea to have an inside track into a group of S-Class rogue shinobi." Obito answered sitting down across from Minato.
"Is Orochimaru truly a part of your group?" Minato asked.
Obito nodded, "I came to him when I heard he had defected from Konoha. I needed strong shinobi who could fight jinchuriki, he fit the bill."
Minato nodded, "then I suggest you capture him and turn him over to us. I've spent some time last night thinking about how to explain your sudden return from death. I was thinking of saying it was an infiltration mission into the Akatsuki. If you can capture Orochimaru and bring him back to Konoha it will help cement that lie, and at the same time, one of Konoha's traitors will face justice. I believe that will keep the council from asking too many questions as to why they weren't informed about the mission, even when we've had many meetings about what to do about the Akatsuki's growing strength."
"Are you sure, Sensei? Maybe it would be best to tell the truth about how I've spent the years since my 'death." Obito responded, "if the council were to find out the truth then it's possible that it could cause such a stir that your political opponents may get enough to have you removed as Hokage."
"I don't think we have to worry about that. I haven't really faced much political opposition since Orochimaru defected and Danzo was killed. Right now the only ones who know that you are that masked man are our team, Fugaku, Hiruzen-Sama, and Akari. And at least from your memories, it doesn't seem like Akari will reveal that secret, and neither would anyone else." Minato replied.
"Then once again Sensei I shall follow your lead. I do have a question, however." Obito said.
Minato nodded, "go ahead ask your question."
"Did you know Madara was my grandfather?" Obito asked.
"No, I didn't. That came as a shock to me as well. I believe the only ones who knew were your grandmother and possibly Fugaku. But if he did, I don't understand why he wouldn't tell me." Minato answered, "or maybe she didn't. Madara did say he henged when he was with your grandmother."
"I believe she knew who he was, she was always great at seeing through disguises," Obito responded.
Minato nodded taking another sip of his coffee, "I've contacted Jiraiya-Sensei and asked him to return to Konoha so we can begin discussing how to bring the nations to the table to start establishing peace within our world."
"Oh, and you believe he will be of much help?" Obito asked.
"Of course, despite his character flaws, he still is one of the most knowledgeable shinobi in the world," Minato responded.
Obito frowned, "if you say so Sensei. I know he is strong, but to me, he seems to only be valuable in acquiring intel, and writing terrible books."
"His books are terrible, aren't they?" Minato chuckled, "however the first book he wrote I found very enjoyable. I think he'd surprise you with how much he can contribute to our cause."
"I hope so," Obito responded.
"When Jiraiya-sensei arrives we'll also bring in Hiruzen-Sama, and Fugaku. I think with the five of us can come up with something to bring all the kage to the fold." Minato said.
"What of the other nations, Sensei?" Obito asked.
"We will work out something for them as well, just after we get the five great nations into a peace agreement. At the moment another war between us five will continue the trend of violence and death." Minato answered.
Obito nodded, "okay. Make sure to contact Nagato as well, he will be delighted in helping us bring world peace."
Minato smiled, "I thought you'd be the one to contact him."
"I could, but I think it would be better for the Hokage to be the one to contact him. He is the leader of Ame after all." Obito responded.
"Then I'll be sure to do so." Minato replied.
"Okay," Obito stood to his feet, "I'm going to head to the Akatsuki and have them focus on bounty contracts. And I guess capture Orochimaru as well."
"I'm still not sure how I feel about you keeping that organization intact? How do you know they won't betray you?" Minato asked.
"Because each of them knows that if they did, I could end their lives easily enough. Don't worry sensei they don't know the extent of my abilities or my true identity. Well only Akari, but she'd never betray me. Truth be told I think she loves me." Obito answered.
"Yes, I got that feeling from her as well. Either way, be careful. No matter how strong you are all it can take is underestimating your enemies just once and that light inside will be snuffed out." Minato said.
"I'll be careful, Sensei. Please let the others know where I have gone. I shouldn't be more than a few hours." Obito said activating his mangekyo sharingan.
"Oh wait," Minato called reaching into one of his pockets, "I almost forgot to return this to you." The Hokage brought out a damaged Konoha Hitai-ate, "this was yours. It was the only thing I found after I searched the area for your body." Minato extended his arm offering the scratched metal to Obito, "welcome back, Obito."
Obito swallowed the lump in his throat as he grabbed the Hitai-ate, "thank you, Sensei." With a small smile, Obito swirled out of the Namikaze's kitchen.
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Rin softly groaned as she opened her eyes. Expecting to see the sunlight signaling the start of a new day, instead, she was met with the blueish darkness of her shared mindscape.
"Isobu, why did you bring me here?" Rin sighed, turning her head to see the large Sanbi staring at her with his one crimson eye.
"I brought you here, child, for two reasons. The first is that it would seem that both of us will not be able to have our revenge. Since the one who sinned against us is dead, left in the void for eternity." Isobu answered.
"Yes, you're correct in that. However, that doesn't mean we can't still be partners." Rin responded.
"As much as I loathe to say it, I have enjoyed the time spent with you. I could do with a little less of the relationship drama, however." Isobu replied.
"I think the old age is making you senile. I need to have a relationship, in order for there to be relationship drama." Rin argued.
"Is that so. Hmm, maybe I am mistaken on how you characterize the association you have with that Uchiha." Isobu said.
Rin scowled at her long-time friend, "we are just friends. It is true I wanted more in the past, but I no longer trust him. And it seems I never truly had his trust either. Yet he is still my friend, and it does make me happy he has found his way back home."
"It did seem as he was twisted by Madara more so than us. I do not envy what he had to go through to get to this point." Isobu replied.
"He did go through a lot, didn't he?" Rin took a deep breath, "what was the second thing you wanted to talk to me about?" Rin asked.
"The second thing is that one of my brothers, the Yonbi has been killed. It is odd since I know your Uchiha friend is the one to capture him and his jinchuriki, but he did not kill him according to his memories. Therefore, I can only assume that one of those in his group has been hiding their true strength. A hidden strength that is powerful enough to kill a bijuu." Isobu explained.
"Wait are you saying that Obito was betrayed by someone in the Akatsuki?" Rin asked.
"It appears that is the case. Yet even with his memories, I cannot begin to suspect who it is. None seem to have enough strength to kill a bijuu, subdue yes but not kill. We are creatures of pure chakra, therefore someone would need to have enough chakra to dismantle ours leading to our death." Isobu responded.
"Could they do it if they worked together?" Rin asked.
Isobu nodded, "if they were to work together then yes. But from what we saw it doesn't seem they are all inclined to betray someone they believe to Uchiha Madara. Especially not that blonde woman, she has taken a liking to your Uchiha friend. Truth be told the only one who could kill a bijuu on their own is your friend." Isobu took in a breath, "best case only two have betrayed him, the worst case is they all betrayed him."
"Then I need to go warn Sensei and Obito right away." Rin said standing to her feet. "Oh and Isobu, I'm sorry about your brother."
Isobu smiled, "don't worry about it child, he'll reform soon enough. Now go and warn your friend."
Rin returned Isobu's smile, before letting the mindscape fade away into one of the Namikaze's spare bedrooms. Rin quickly jumped to her feet and ran down the stairs into the kitchen where her Sensei was currently sitting enjoying a cup of coffee.
"Sensei, is Obito awake yet?" Rin asked.
"Yes, he just left." Minato answered.
"Where did he go?" Rin asked panic in her voice.
"Rin what's wrong?" Minato asked.
"Please sensei tell me he didn't go back to the Akatsuki?" Rin responded.
"That's exactly where he went. He is going to have them stop hunting bijuu and go after bounties instead."
"Oh no. Isobu just told me, that the Yonbi was killed. That means that someone has-"
"Betrayed Obito," Minato finished, "someone who is much stronger than he originally thought."
"Good morning, everyone, is that idiot still asleep?" A still sleepy Kushina asked as she walked into the kitchen with the blonde-haired Kasumi in her arms. Kushina's eyes darted to the other two in the kitchen quickly noticing the tension, "what's going on?"
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Obito appeared into the Akatsuki's base. Immediately a scowl formed underneath his mask. His eyes wandered over the destruction laid before him. What the hell happened here?
"It's about time you came back Obi-kun," the annoying voice of Akari said.
Obito groaned inwardly, "didn't I tell you not to say my name while we are here?" Obito turned around to continue to scold her but stopped. Akari hung on the wall a wooden rod similar to his embedded deep into her chest keeping her pinned in place.
"It doesn't matter at the moment Obi-kun, they all know who you are now," Akari answered.
Obito quickly walked closer to her, "Akari, what happened?"
"As you predicted, Orochimaru has betrayed you," Another voice answered.
Obito turned his head to his right seeing a heavily damaged Kisame leaning against the wall.
"Are you saying Orochimaru did this?" Obito asked. He has gauged Orochimaru's strength himself, to him he was no where near strong enough to fight off the entirety of the Akatsuki.
Kisame shook his head, "he wasn't alone. He had an accomplice who could use Mokuton, she destroyed all five of Kakuzu's hearts with one jutsu. Right before Orochimaru told us your true identity Uchiha Obito."
"Did anyone else survive?" Obito asked.
"Only the two of us here, Sasori is out meeting with a contact who knows the identity of the Hachibi." Kisame answered.
"Obi-kun take this fucking thing out of me, I'm losing feeling in my legs," Akari said.
Obito nodded and ripped the rod out of Akari letting her fall to the floor. Akari quickly began performing Iryo Ninjutsu on herself. "I swear next time I see that bitch I'm going to repay her tenfold for what she did to me," Akari growled.
"Where is Orochimaru now?" Obito asked.
"I'm not sure, he said this was only an experiment. That the real test will come after." Kisame replied.
"I'll go look for Orochimaru and his friend later, for now," Obito placed a hand on each of their shoulders, "you two need to rest and regain your strength."
"Where are you going to take us?" Akari asked.
"Back to Konoha. I have a friend there who will heal the two of you." Obito answered.
"You may have forgotten Obi-kun, but I'm not welcomed in Konoha," Akari responded.
"It'll be fine, Minato-Sensei will keep it a secret for me, I hope," Obito shrugged.
"So, you told them you were alive?" Akari asked.
Obito nodded, "I did. Thankfully Minato-Sensei has agreed to let me continue keeping the Akatsuki active despite his misgivings."
"Really the Hokage is okay with you being a part of a group of rogue shinobi?" Akari questioned.
"Yes he is," Obito answered.
"Fine I'll go to be healed, but I ain't staying. I left Konoha for a reason," Akari responded.
"I wasn't expecting you to stay, either of you," Obito grunted.
"Are you still working for a peace without lies?" Kisame asked.
"That will always be my goal, for the moment at least we may be able to accomplish that without me using Madara's identity," Obito answered.
"If that is the case, then I'll still follow you," Kisame responded.
"Thank you. Thank you both for continuing to remain loyal to me. I promise Orochimaru will pay for what he did," Obito said.
"I know he will. I'll be sure to help with killing that two faced snake fucker," Akari growled.
Obito was about to respond when a flash of yellow shined behind him, "I guess you'll have a different ride to Konoha," Obito said turning around to see his sensei along with the other two members of his team. "What are you three doing here?" Obito asked.
"Isobu told me that the Yonbi was killed. We figured out someone may have betrayed you, so we got worried," Rin answered.
"The yonbi?" Obito turned to the two Akatsuki members, "where are the other jinchuriki at?"
"They escaped when Roshi transformed fully into the Yonbi," Kisame answered.
"Rin these two need medical attention, can you help with that?" Obito asked.
"Um," Rin turned to her sensei who nodded, "of course." Rin hurried to Akari.
Obito stood and walked over to Minato, "they said it was Orochimaru who betrayed us. Worse is that he had help from someone who can use Mokuton."
"A mokuton user like you?" Minato asked.
"Not entirely like him, Yondaime. I would say a more organic mokuton user," A familiar slithery voice replied.
Immediately they all turned toward the voice. Orochimaru stood with a smug smile on his face. A masked woman with almost black, brown hair stood next to him.
"That's the bitch who attacked us," Akari said.
Obito looked the woman up and down, his eyes widened when deep in the holes of the metal mask were two sharingan eyes that stared back at him. "She's an Uchiha," Obito whispered to the others.
"That she is. This here is the pinnacle of my research, that the Sandaime almost ruined for me. But thanks to you Obito I was able to get the missing links needed to create such a fine specimen." Orochimaru explained.
"What did I have to do with your experiments?" Obito asked.
"I could explain it to you, but I'd doubt you'd understand. Just know that I owe you a great deal of gratitude for bringing my research this far." Orochimaru answered, "now Mirah he is your true test. Kill him." Orochimaru commanded.
Mirah nodded before quickly going through hand signs. Obito identified what jutsu she was about to use thanks to his own sharingan. Obito quickly jumped in front of everyone activating his mangekyo. "Stay behind me," Obito ordered as large wooden tendrils erupted from the ground right in front of Mirah. The tendrils traveled at fast pace towards them.
Obito gritted his teeth as he remembered the similar situation where Asami was killed. But this time he had both his eyes, and with that something incredible that will keep him and those behind him safe.
Light blue chakra swirled around Obito as the wooden tendrils crashed into it. The chakra continued to swirl around him and above him forming into the top half of a humanoid with a long nose and two bright yellow eyes that starred at Orochimaru and Mirah. Small scars littered the right side of the humanoid almost mimicking Obito.
"What the hell is that?" Akira yelled.
"I'd like to know as well," Minato replied.
"I think it's coming from Obito," Rin said.
"It's called the Susanoo, I was able to create it after I got my other eye back from Kakashi. Madara was right when he said that only with both does the true of power of the sharingan unleash." Obito responded.
"I didn't see that in your memories," Kakashi said.
"Well, it's my first time using it," Obito replied.
"How did you know you could?" Minato asked.
"Shit, I guess I didn't show you Madara's memories as well as mine," Obito responded.
"Wait you have Madara's memories? All of them?" Rin asked.
"Most of them," Obito answered before lurching his imperfect Susanoo forward, swinging the large sword in its right hand. Despite its size, the movement was quick. The blade of chakra sliced through the air as Mirah and Orochimaru jumped up avoiding the attack. A small smile formed on Obito's lips, as his eyes settled where Orochimaru's jump will apex. As soon as the smiling sannin's face was in view Obito activated his Kamui. Quickly a vortex formed over the snake's head distorting it. The sannin's smile faded away along with the head leaving only a headless corpse.
"You got him!" Akari yelled from behind.
"Maybe, can you sense his chakra?" Obito asked.
"Give me a second," Akari answered.
Obito nodded, "you guys stay here," channeling his chakra two wooden clones climbed out of Obito, "my clones will stay here keeping the Susanoo active. I'm going to go see how strong that woman is." Obito jumped out of his Susanoo rapidly closing the distance between him and Mirah. Upon reaching her Obito struck out with a punch, that the female Uchiha blocked seamlessly. Obito twisted his body sending his left leg into her side, with a loud boom the Uchiha flew into an already crumbled wall, flying through it.
Obito faced the wall setting into his taijutsu stance, he could easily send a jutsu strong enough to destroy that wall and possibly kill her. Or even using his kamui the way he did with Orochimaru, however, to Obito he could feel some kind of resonance with her. Like him, she was being used as a tool for someone else's gain. Like him, she was made to only be a puppet. However, unlike him she has no one that will save her.
In the darkness of the hole, an orange light began to shine deep within, "Katon: Goka Messhitsu!" Mirah yelled. Obito frowned she was dead set on killing them, that jutsu is strong enough to burn the flesh straight off the bones in a wide attack. Thankfully, his Susanoo will protect his comrades and he has his Kamui, Obito thought as the searing flames washed over him.
Using Kamui Obito moved through the flames and through the Mirah. Deactivating his Kamui Obito swung the back of his fist into the side of her head, once again sending her through a different wall that lead to outside the Akatsuki's base.
Obito quickly followed the female Uchiha into the bright sunlight and soft breeze of the outside world. As soon as he exited Mirah was on him. A quick exchange where Obito blocked all her attacks forced Mirah to back away. Obito quickly deduced that while she was excelling with ninjutsu her taijutsu was incredibly average. As if she has only trained for a couple of years.
Jumping back Mirah wove hand signs, "Katon: Goenka!" she rapidly spat out large balls of fire that sped towards Obito. Obito followed suit weaving his own signs, "Suiton: Daibakufu no Jutsu!" a large torrent of water erupted from his feet swirling around him and up above him exploding overhead, sending a large wave of water spouting in all directions. Obito's water jutsu collided with the many fireballs extinguishing them from existence, yet continued towards Mirah tearing through trees and whatever was in the speeding waters way.
Obito used his Kamui to travel through his own jutsu, stringing together more signs. Obito stopped right behind Mirah, "Futon: Reppusho!" Obito extended his right hand as a large gust of wind hit Mirah forcing her into Obito's suiton jutsu. Mirah crashed into the wave of water, the force knocked her into the ground.
Obito sped towards her readying his chakra to restrain her with mokuton. Suddenly something wrapped around Obito's legs, thanks to his forward momentum Obito fell face-first into the ground.
"Ku, Ku, Ku, Obito you almost had me," Orochimaru's voice stated.
Obito used his Kamui to escape from the snakes wrapped around his legs. He quickly sprung up into the air and turned to where Orochimaru was. "I was hoping you were dead," Obito grumbled.
"Unfortunately for you, I'm quite difficult to kill. Mirah if you would," Orochimaru responded.
Obito turned around in time to use his Kamui to avoid the wooden spikes that Mirah sent towards him. His eyes widened when a dark blue chakra hand almost hit him. Obito jumped back a few yards to face the large dark blue Susanoo staring at him, "Madara?" Obito whispered.
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Here's the new chapter hope you like it. Sorry it was a little later than usual. I went on vacation and then suffered from a bit of writer's block, so this chapter really isn't up to my standards. But I got over it and have already started writing the next chapter.
Anyways thanks for the support, see you guys when the next chapter drops!
Have a good one!
