The humongous gates of Konohagakure loomed before Jiraiya and Obito, the carved emblems of fire etched into the thick wooden beams. Obito couldn't help but grin as the familiar sights and scents washed over him. He breathed in deeply, savoring the aroma of freshly baked anko dumplings wafting from a nearby vendor's stall.

"Ah, it's good to be back!" Obito exclaimed, spinning around with arms outstretched, his unruly hair whipping in the warm breeze.

Jiraiya chuckled, shaking his head at his former pupil's antics. "Careful, kid. You'll make yourself dizzy."

Ignoring the warning, Obito bounded ahead, weaving through the bustling crowds with effortless grace. He waved cheerfully at the familiar faces, relishing the opportunity to soak in the vibrant atmosphere he had missed during his travels.

"Obito!" Jiraiya called out. "I've gotta meet with Lord Third, I'll catch up later if I can."

Obito looked back and waved, "Alright, see ya Jiraiya-Sensei!" Obito rushed through the village, making his way to the Uchiha district with a smile.

Obito's first stop was going to be Shisui's house, he was the one he'd known the least and he didn't want to waste any time getting to be a big brother.

Obito walked through the village to the Uchiha district, where there was almost a different air about, like something had changed.

Continuing down the street, passing by the monotone homes he made his way to Shisui's house.

Upon reaching the house Obito walked up slowly, he knocked on the door preparing himself to see an older Shisui.

He waited and no answer. Obito folded his arms, "Hmm, no one's home. Wonder where Shisui is?"

Without finding Shisui, Obito thought he should visit Kushina first because he was unsure if he was ready to see Minato, just yet.

The aroma of freshly cooked food wafted through the air as Obito approached Minato and Kushina's house. His stomach growled in anticipation, the familiar scents stirring memories of home cooked meals from his childhood. However, the sight that greeted him upon entering the kitchen was entirely unexpected.

There, standing by the stove, was his younger brother Shisui, carefully tending to a simmering pot. The ten-year-old's brow furrowed in concentration, his movements methodical as he added a pinch of spice here and a dash of seasoning there. He grew, of course he did.

"Shisui?" Obito blurted out, his voice laced with surprise.

Shisui whirled around, his eyes widening as they landed on his older brother. "Obito! You're back! And taller!" He beamed, setting down the ladle and rushing forward to embrace him.

Kushina, slowly stepped through the hallway with her swollen belly, chuckled softly. "Welcome home, Obito," she greeted warmly. "I hope you don't mind, but we adopted Shisui the other day, and by extension you."

Obito's gaze darted between Kushina and Shisui, his mind struggling to process this unexpected development. "Adopted? But why?"

"With a little one on the way, Minato and I thought it would be nice to have an extra pair of hands around the house," Kushina explained, her hand resting protectively on her belly. "And Shisui has been such a great help, haven't you, dear?"

Shisui nodded enthusiastically, his cheeks flushed with pride. "I've been trying to learn all sorts of recipes to make sure you and the baby are well-fed, Kushina-san."

A lump formed in Obito's throat as he regarded his brother, now a part of Minato and Kushina's family. He had expected many changes upon his return, but this was not one he had foreseen. Yet, as he watched Shisui's beaming face and Kushina's contented smile, a warmth bloomed in his chest. His family had expanded even further, and he found himself oddly touched by the gesture.

Clearing his throat, Obito pulled Shisui into another embrace. "Well, I guess that means I'll have to stick around and make sure you're not slacking off," he teased, ruffling his brother's hair affectionately.

Obito then looked at Kushina, "Minato-Sensei's at the Hokage's office, right?"

Kushina nodded hesitantly, "Yeah, but just be prepared for some changes..." How little Obito could prepare for what changes awaited him.

Obito walked up the winding staircases of the Hokage estate, a little giddy to see his Sensei. When he reached the office door he readied himself with a smile.

The wooden door creaked open as Obito stepped into the bright Hokage office. His eyes immediately fell upon the figure seated behind the desk, shoulders hunched, face etched with weariness.

"Minato-sensei?" Obito's voice wavered, uncertain.

Minato raised his head, and Obito inhaled sharply. Gone was the vibrant, youthful visage he remembered. Instead, Minato's features seemed carved from stone, his hair streaked with one premature strand of grey. But most startling of all was the absence of his right arm, the sleeve of his Hokage robe hanging limply at his side.

"Obito," Minato acknowledged, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "You've grown."

Obito swallowed hard, his gaze flickering to the empty sleeve. "What... what happened, sensei?"

Minato looked to his right sleeve, "Oh, this. It's nothing really."

Obito narrowed his eyes, "I'm not a little kid anymore.

Minato sighed, "A masked man calling himself Madara Uchiha, or the 'Chainbreaker', ambushed me one night. He was highly skilled, even possessing both the Sharingan and the Byakugan. His power was unlike anything I've ever encountered."

Obito's eyes widened in disbelief. "The Sharingan and the Byakugan? But that's impossible!"

Minato nodded grimly. "I thought so too, but he was living proof it was possible, he truly was an anomaly. He knew the flying Raijin and had some sort of invisible defense unlike any I've seen before. But there was something else that bothered me, he knew a jutsu that was similar to Kakashi's chidori. It managed to clash with my rasengan, but the destructive power was so great we both lost an arm. After that it seemed like he lost control of his power and left himself wide open. I managed to hit him with a rasengan, just barely. Though I had to escape to the hospital. When the tracking unit arrived he was long gone."

A heavy silence hung in the air as the weight of Minato's words sank in. It had to have been the same man who killed Danzo Shimura and Hanzo, it had to be the same man who was in the Elder toad's vision, the man who he'd eventually face off against.

Obito clenched his fists, his jaw set with determination. "Sensei. I feel as though my destiny is intertwined with him, Madara Uchiha."

Minato grimaced, "Obito's determination is concerning, he thinks he'll defeat the chainbreaker." Minato sat forward, "Obito, I discovered something while you were gone, Shisui knows about it so it's time you should too." He sat up and walked over to Obito. "Grab onto my cloak."

Obito listened to his sensei, grabbing onto the white and red cloak.

In an instant they appeared in a dark cave, torches flickering. Obito looked around and saw a man wearing blue armor, fur lining his collar. But his features were strange.

Minato cleared his throat, "Obito, this is Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage." Obito's eyes widened, he knelt down and bowed his head. "Obito, you don't have to bow. Lord Second's been wanting to meet you."

Obito was confused then he noticed that the Second Hokage didn't exactly look alive, his skin was pale, cracks all throughout his body, and his eyes lacked the whiteness of life, just darkness with his red irises.

"So you're the one I've heard so much about." Tobirama looked Obito up and down, "You have his face and her eyes."

Obito's eyes mixed with curiosity and confusion, "What?"

Tobirama folded his arms, "The Fourth tells me you're very promising."

Obito looked at Minato and then back to the Second, "I guess I am."

Tobirama stepped forward, "Your Mangekyou, show me."

Obito was surprised but nodded, his Sharingan activated and evolved into his three pointed design. "My umm abilities involve space-time ninjutsu, or at least that's what Minato-Sensei thinks."

Tobirama leaned in, examining the Mangekyou, "Hmm, not a pattern I've seen. Which isn't saying much as they're all unique." He restored his posture, "Space-time ninjutsu is some of the most powerful and dangerous things a Shinobi can have, you're both lucky and unlucky to have it as your Mangekyou."

Obito knew what the Second meant, "If I use it too much I'll go blind."

Tobirama glanced at Obito curiously, "While that is true, I must ask you a question. How did Madara's eyes not go blind after countless years of use, I wonder?"

"Huh?" Minato asked, "What are you saying, Lord Second?"

Tobirama continued to watch the Uchiha, "There's a third stage to the Sharingan, an evolution of the Mangekyou."

Obito's eyes lit up with hope, "So does that mean there's a way to prevent the decay of blindness?"

Tobirama felt horrible for what he was gonna say. He sighed, "Not without sacrifice." Obito's hope diminished in an instant, Tobirama continued. "If an Uchiha takes a close relative's Sharingan they can obtain eternal light within their Mangekyou. Achieving the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan."

Obito shuddered, "You're saying I'd need to take Shisui's eyes in order to never go blind."

"Yes," Tobirama answered. "But..."

Obito and Minato snapped to the Second Hokage, "But?" They said together.

Tobirama held a finger in the air whilst folding his arms, "You might be an exception."

Minato was confused, "Lord Second, I get the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan but what other way could Obito circumvent the toll the Mangekyou would take on him?"

Tobirama grunted and closed his eyes, "While Shisui shared a combination of their traits, Obito feels different. Like he is the combination of their greatest strengths."

Tobirama opened his eyes and focused them on Obito, "Before I continue there is one thing you must know. You are one of my brother, Hashirama's, descendants."

A whirlwind of information overloaded Obito's mind. Excitement, fear, anger, sadness, and then curiosity. "Wait, does that mean..."

Tobirama held his hand up, "Kagami Uchiha was my nephew, and his mother was, of course, an Uchiha."

Now even more questions swirled, one trumping the others. "The First Hokage fell in love with an Uchiha lady? Wouldn't that go against their clans ideology?"

Tobirama flinched for a moment, reconciling with the fact the boy was right. At that time it was frowned upon, Tobirama remembered scolding Hashirama for it. Now, he might've done something different. "You're correct. That's why not even Kagami knew about his father."

Obito felt like that was a cop out answer, "If Hashirama was already the First Hokage then the Uchiha wouldn't have minded, unless..." Something didn't add up, like a large puzzle piece was missing. "Unless the Uchiha lady didn't want to be public. Or if the First was already married to Mito Uzumaki, but that one doesn't add up because of Kagami's age." he started pacing.

Tobirama found Obito's deduction skills interesting, he was both so close and so far. "I guess that happens when you're related to a genius... and Hashirama."

Minato scratched his head, Obito was a teenager and already was guessing what the truth was. But if Lord Second hadn't wanted to tell Shisui and now Obito that Madara was their great grandmother, then Minato would help guide Obito off the trail. "How does it feel to be related to the Hokage?"

Obito shrugged, he wasn't facing either of them. "I don't know." This was a very different reaction than Shisui, "I've read a lot about the First Hokage and the warring states. The union of Senju and Uchiha was what Hashirama wanted, it was his idea of furthering peace. But unless he didn't know about it, which he should have, maybe there was a genjutsu at play but only a high level genjutsu specialist would have been able to cast the First Hokage under it."

Tobirama didn't want to reveal the details involving Madara but it was only a matter of time until he figured everything out. "Obito, I'll tell you everything else at a later date. Just for now know that the Will of Fire courses through you, like the Fourth, like Sarutobi, like me, and like Hashirama. There is no greater honor to know you're comparable to the Hokage."

It was an honor, truly. But Obito couldn't shake that he wasn't being told something important, so vital that when he discovered it his world would be shifted forever. But the Second wouldn't tell him today, for now all Obito could do was learn of his ancestors. Obito turned to Tobirama, "Lord Second, what was the First Hokage like? What truly made him unique?" Obito knew some answers, but hearing them from the Second Hokage was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Tobirama closed his eyes, chuckling. "My brother Hashirama... If you want to know about him truly, then I must take you to the beginning... The day our younger brother, Kawarama died..."