After Obito finished writing his report he arrived at the Hokage estate, dropping the report off, of course late at night. However, the Hokage was still awake and in his office, even at night. Obito creaked the door open and saw Hiruzen drowning in paperwork, "Mr Hokage, may I come in?"

Hiruzen looked up from his paperwork, "Tobi? I had heard you returned without Kakashi and Konan, is everything alright?"

Obito fully opened the door, "No. Our mission was a disaster. The Mizukage is dead and the six tails was sealed inside of Konan. They plan to use her like a bomb to destroy the village."

Hiruzen seemed perturbed, "Are you certain of this?"

"The information came from the Mizukage himself before he died to a Hidden Mist rebel," Obito replied. Obito looked to the ground, "I don't want to lose Konan, sir."

Hiruzen scrunched his face and rubbed his chin, "I see..." he stood up, "Where is she now?"

Obito didn't have a factual answer but he had an assumption, "She decided to get help from one of Jiraiya's other students, he lives in the Hidden Rain Village. But he's not a specialized sealer." The realization hit Obito that he probably should have at least tried to do something for her, but he didn't. He didn't so much as say goodbye. If she did die because he didn't help, then the regret would eat at him forever.

The Hokage stood up, "Very well. There are only two people affiliated with the Leaf who can reinforce a tailed beast's seal on such short notice, Jiraiya and myself. Let's pick him up before we leave."

Obito was taken aback. He felt Hiruzen was never the man to take initiative, always passive with everything. This was a first for Obito. "Leave, sir?"

Hiruzen walked past Tobi, "We don't know how long Konan has before the seal breaks, every second counts. Now come on." He opened the window and climbed out. "Hurry up, Tobi."

Hiruzen and Obito walked to a motel in the Hidden Leaf, this was where visitors and merchants stayed. Which included spymasters.

Obito knocked on a door, a few moments later and Jiraiya opened the door. He was shirtless and a little groggy. His grogginess was replaced by seriousness when looked upon Sarutobi. "Sensei, what's going on?"

"Konan is in danger. The Mist sealed the six tails into her and planned to use her as a weapon." Hiruzen said.

Jiraiya needn't hear anymore, "I'll get dressed."

In the Hidden Rain Village, Konan was sitting in a circle full of candles, her shirt adjusted to expose her seal. Nagato's Pain was reading a scroll of Fuuinjutsu, he placed the scroll down and sighed. "Fuuinjutsu is more complicated than I thought." Though Konan couldn't see it, Nagato was rubbing his forehead nearby. "Mother's scrolls only tell me so much about sealing. I'm going to need help from Kakuzu and Sasori after all." He thought to himself.

Nagato reopened his eyes to look through the Deva path, "Konan, this is beyond my capabilities. I'm going to need support for something of this caliber. I'm sorry." He watched Konan's expression grow sour then readjusted to understanding.

"It's alright, Nagato. I don't expect you to have every answer." Her words although not intended to be hurtful still wounded Nagato's heart, if he couldn't save Konan then he would be alone again. Just like when his parents died. He couldn't allow himself to fail in saving someone he cared for again.

Konan stood up and so did the Deva path, Konan opened a door to what amounted to a den with a small kitchen, a couch, a coffee table, and a sliding glass door that led to a balcony overlooking the village. Konan adjusted her shirt and walked out onto the balcony, the rain cascading over the veranda. A part of her worried that she was living her last few days. And the other part of her was questioning what was going on with Obito. "Why didn't he say anything?"

Nagato stared at Konan and then looked at the Leaf ninja that accompanied her. Kakashi was sitting on the couch reading a book, but when Nagato looked closer he realized what book it was. His pale face lit up red while the Deva path had no expression.

Kakashi looked over his book to see the Nagato guy staring at him, "Can I help you?"

Nagato shook the Deva path's head after clearing his mind, "Unless you're a sealer, then no."

"Okay then," Kakashi said returning to his book.

Nagato turned his gaze back to Konan but felt something elsewhere. Nagato had a special jutsu that let him sense chakra using rain, how ironic, it helped him know when strangers arrived in their land and better yet told him where they were. Right now he felt two strong chakra signatures, one was Jiraiya-Sensei, one was unknown, and the other was one that had multiple signatures in one. Nagato felt like he knew that signature but he wasn't certain.

Nagato looked to Kakashi, "Should I be expecting any more Leaf ninja?"

Kakashi folded his book, "Not that I'm aware of. But then again he probably thought to help too."

The he Kakashi was referring to was Tobi but Nagato wanted to be certain. "And he being?"

Kakashi lazily looked into the Rinnegan, "Tobi." Kakashi shrugged, he assumed that no one besides himself and Konan knew the truth.

Just as Nagato expected, but why was he with Jiraiya and someone else who seemed to have aged chakra? Nagato would have to leave to go meet them so a national incident wouldn't happen.

Obito took to the right side of Hiruzen, one so he could defend Sarutobi from any attacks, and two because he could only see out of his right eye. Which still hindered his awareness and perception from time to time.

The three had been traveling for a couple of days and now they were walking on the bridge to Rain Village. Obito could see Nagato's Deva path approaching the two guards stationed there. Jiraiya saw the orange hair and he almost thought it was Yahiko but then he got a glimpse of the Rinnegan, it was Nagato but how?

Hiruzen saw the man wearing the black cloak and assumed he was someone of high political stature in the village.

Nagato stepped in front of the two guards, "Master Jiraiya, it's been a long time."

Jiraiya just stared at the Pain, "Are you Yahiko or Nagato?" He blurted out.

"Yahiko died some time ago," it sounded like Yahiko but it had a distinct difference in tone.

Obito to move the situation along, "This is nice and all but what of Konan?"

Nagato's gaze switched to Madara, "Let's talk about that when we get there." He looked at the Hokage, "I'm sorry that we're meeting under such short circumstances. I was not informed you were coming."

Hiruzen waved his hand, "You don't have to apologize, it was my choice to come. Tobi only asked for any skilled sealers, and fortunately, I know every sealing jutsu there is to know in the Leaf. So please let me help secure this seal."

Nagato nodded, "Very well. Please, follow me." The guards stood at attention as the Deva path walked passed them toward the village. Hiruzen followed first and then Jiraiya, while Obito stood still feeling regret of not even trying to help her at all. Maybe she'd forgive him, or she wouldn't. At this point as long as she was safe and alive he'd be happy. He followed after the others. "Konan, I'm sorry."

Konan still looked over the village, wondering if she'd ever see Obito's face again. She hadn't seen his scarred face since that time. She wanted to see his face one last time if she could.

"How does it feel, to have a tailed beast in you?" Kakashi asked stepping out onto the veranda.

Konan turned around, "I would say intoxicating. Saiken's chakra feels warm and volatile, but soothing."

Kakashi leaned his back against the railing, "Saiken?"

Konan shrugged and smirked a little bit, "That's the name of the six tails. He's very nice."

Kakashi decided to look out over the village, "You're communicating with it already? Someone I once knew took many years to fully speak with a tailed beast."

Konan knew it wasn't the Rin girl, "Who were they?"

Kakashi reminisced, "My sensei's wife, Kushina Uzumaki."

That name, Uzumaki, Konan had heard it before. "I'm sure she was very strong."

"She was. You're no different." Kakashi smiled under his mask.

There was a knock on the glass pane behind them, which was caused by Nagato's Deva path. Kakashi looked over and saw Jiraiya and Sarutobi, "It seems Obito brought the heavy hitters for your sake."

Konan turned around to see the two older men and the infamous orange mask. She wondered for a second why Obito brought the Hokage here, but it all made sense after a moment. "Who are they?" Saiken asked.

"My master is the one with white hair, meanwhile the man in the white robe is the Hidden Leaf village's leader."

"You really must be important for a leader to help."

"I guess so," Konan replied not sure if it was actually true.

She and Kakashi walked inside to see what was going to happen next.

Hiruzen smiled at Konan, "Glad to see you well." He looked toward Pain, "Nagato wasn't it? How well are you with fuuinjutsu?"

"Well enough, but a tailed beast far exceeds my expertise." He replied.

"Hmm," Hiruzen stroked his beard. "Do you have an open room?"

Pain nodded, "Yes. Please, Master Jiraiya, Lord Hokage, Konan, follow me."

With the others preoccupied with Konan's seal, that left Kakashi and Obito in the den. Kakashi sat on the couch reading his erotica. Obito sat on the other side of the couch and he was unsure to speak to him. His mind felt at odds. On one hand, his mind felt free since the removal of his cursed seal, on the other it made his choices feel more impactful. It was all Madara's doing. Well, he couldn't blame everything on him. After all, he merely guided Obito down his current path. And now Obito had to choose his own path, one without the ten tails. "Kakashi..." He said.

Kakashi put his book down and looked over, "Yeah?"

Obito sighed, "Thank you."

Kakashi looked away, "You have no reason to thank me. I know I wasn't a good friend to you back then and I even failed to keep Rin safe. My word as a Shinobi means nothing."

Obito was annoyed, "Kakashi, if anyone is the dark and brooding type it's me. You shouldn't feel guilty for things out of your control." Obito's voice was hoarse and comforting.

Kakashi couldn't help but notice Obito was acting differently than normal. He adjusted his shoulders and looked back at his old friend, "You seem different. You okay?"

Obito leaned back and looked up at the ceiling, "Truthfully? No. My life since my brush with death has been a lie. I thought the Mist was cruel in using Rin as a weapon but I didn't realize Madara used both of us."

The end of Obito's sentence lit a switch for Kakashi, "Madara, you were saved by him right?"

"If I were to use 'saved' it would be very loosely," Obito replied.

Just then Jiraiya walked into the room, he looked at the two boys and saw Kakashi reading one of his books. "So, what'd ya think?" He leaned onto the back of the couch.

Kakashi turned around and then back to his book, "Oh, umm. I haven't finished it yet but I enjoy the dynamic of the sexual tension between the two rivals. I'm almost worried you'll throw me a curve ball and nothing will come from it."

Obito turned slowly, wishing he'd never heard a conversation about Makeout Paradise. The look in his eye just asked one question, "Why am I here to suffer?"

"That is the way of the world," Madara's voice just hummed in Obito's mind.

Sarutobi walked out as he did so he took his hat off and smiled, "I have good news. Konan's seal is safe and secure." Obito's shoulders softened up, relief sweeping over him. Hiruzen noted this and knew his assumption was correct, Tobi did have feelings for Konan.

Somewhere deep inside, Obito felt that the universe was laughing at him. The irony that Hiruzen was helping secure Konan's tailed beast. When Obito killed Hiruzen's wife when he was trying to steal the nine tails. There were certain things that proved Madara's words correct, if Obito was ever revealed then he could no longer have that normal life of a Leaf Shinobi, no matter if it was not something he wanted entirely. No amount of words could ever make up for his sins.

Nagato walked out as his Deva path, "Konan's going to need time to rest. I recommend she stay here for a day or so. You're welcome to stay as well for the time being."

Hiruzen turned around and placed the Hokage hat back on, "I thank you for the offer but I must return home as soon as possible. My departure was unannounced due to the urgency of Konan's status. Now that it's dealt with I am no longer needed. I hope that someday we can meet under better circumstances, Nagato. But for now farewell." He looked at Obito with a small smile and walked out of the room, disembarking back to the village. Whatever they were talking about was not something Jiraiya and Kakashi weren't privy to.

Obito stood up and walked to the veranda, the Deva path followed him outside. Pain closed the glass door behind him.

Kakashi and Jiraiya looked at the two outside. "You already know who he is don't you?" Jiraiya asked.

Kakashi looked at his book, "If I did, would you tell me who you think he is?"

Jiraiya shrugged, "My guess a while back was that he was just an ordinary Shinobi who had undergone an experiment that messed with his body. However, only recently did I consider your new behavior towards him."

Kakashi snapped his head to Jiraiya, "My behavior?"

Jiraiya smirked, "When it comes to people, you treat everyone the same, even your friends. You act as if they aren't there like you're a ghost. But with Tobi, it seems like he's someone from before your heart turned completely cold, someone you knew well. There are four names on the list and all four are dead, three of them being confirmed." Jiraiya paused for a moment, "You think he's Obito right?"

Jiraiya just walked around the couch and plopped onto a chair facing Kakashi. "Or am I wrong?"

Kakashi debated his answer. Jiraiya probably didn't see Obito as a threat so there would be no danger in saying anything about Obito. "I do think Tobi's real identity is Obito, but I have no evidence to support my theory. Because their personalities are too different from one another." A lie with built in truths.

Jiraiya leaned forward, "True. But it's plausible as Obito's body was never recovered after the incident and it's possible that someone recovered him and experimented on him. Now, whether or not he remembers his life before his 'death' is entirely in the air."

Kakashi scratched his neck in an attempt to avoid speaking anymore.

Jiraiya looked over to the glass door and saw Nagato enter inside again. He nodded at Jiraiya, "Jiraiya-Sensei, you must have questions."

Jiraiya stood up, "I do, so take me to the real you."

"Very well," he walked through the door Konan was resting, Jiraiya followed and noticed that Nagato was placing his palm on the wall until a wall retracted into the ground. What lay behind the wall was Nagato, frail and crippled. Black rods protruding from his back, his body almost malnourished.

"Hello, Jiraiya-Sensei." Nagato's voice was soft and quiet. He didn't want to wake Konan because the reopening and resealing took a toll on her. Nagato coughed a little before he said, "This is the real me."