Obito's Return

Madara looked at Obito in the coffin, his body exposed just like when he himself had been Impure World Reincarnated—torso bare, black trousers, bare feet, hair a grayish white.

Obito's body, preserved by Impure World Reincarnation in its state at death, could be defined as—[Six Paths · Ten-Tails Jinchuriki · Release].

Moreover, both eyes housing the power of Kamui were perfectly intact, though they were now clouded over, devoid of any spirit.

Obito's soul was in a state of 'dormancy.'

Madara's eyes brimmed with intense curiosity as he turned to Chen. "How did you find Obito's life matter?"

"When I decided to make Obito my pawn, to prevent anyone from learning his fate through Impure World Reincarnation, I specifically ordered White Zetsu to dispose of the bloodstains on the boulder at Kannabi Bridge that crushed his lower half!"

"And when Obito operated as 'Madara,' he had Kamui to protect him, plus his cautious nature—hard to imagine he'd leave blood behind!"

As Madara had estimated, in the decade-plus after his death, Obito had lost arms to Minato Namikaze, Torune Aburame, and Konan in succession. But those severed arms were White Zetsu's limbs, carrying none of Obito's own blood—not usable as life matter for Impure World Reincarnation.

Furthermore, Obito had always been quite careful about protecting his own biological material. After all, Hidan of the Evil God, who could curse through blood, was a member of the Akatsuki—an organization Obito himself had run!

In this vast ninja world, it was hard to guarantee there weren't others with similar abilities.

Better safe than sorry.

Chen said with a smile, "Forgot, Uncle Madara? Near the end of the Fourth Great Ninja War, Obito deliberately let Kakashi Hatake wound him with Chidori to destroy the curse seal you'd left on his heart!"

"Oh!" Madara's expression cleared as he recalled more details. "But I remember that blood was supposed to have splattered onto the Ten-Tails' back!"

Chen said, "So, I was there at the time. I just had Haniyasu active, so no one could detect my presence."

Ah, so you were already there then...

Now the whole story was clear.

Madara sighed, "You really are a schemer!"

He crossed his arms over his chest. "Obito's soul has sunk into slumber now—why is that? Don't tell me that guy didn't buy into your deal?"

Chen smiled wryly. "No, no. Though it took some effort, negotiations with Obito went smoothly."

"But he said he wanted to go back to the afterlife first and say hello to 'Rin' before coming."

"He also said that when he opens his eyes, he's really looking forward to seeing the look on your face, Uncle Madara~."

"Hmph. Been a Six Paths once, and he's gotten cocky~."

Though Madara verbally jabbed at Obito, deep down he resonated with him.

Obito, you agreed to help Chen... it seems your regrets are no less than mine.

You too were ashamed to die burdened with sin, having accomplished nothing?

In front of your beloved Rin, you also want to be a true hero for once, rather than... just being gently tolerated and cared for by her, right?

"So, should I wake him now?" Chen formed a hand seal, seeking Madara's input.

"Yeah." Madara lowered his arms from his chest, welcoming the man he had once appreciated, redeemed, used, hurt, abandoned... crushed every shred of their shared past, only to stand on the same starting line again!

Uchiha Obito awoke from Impure World Reincarnation!

"Creak!"

"Chen, why did you close the coffin again?"

"It was a small request from Obito—when I wake him, I must close the lid!"

"Crack!" The coffin lid shut, fissures appearing!

Chen drifted back to the side!

—"Boom!"

"Hm?" Madara's pupils contracted as he instinctively raised his hand... to shield himself from the bursting storm and debris!

"Clatter!" Debris settled. Madara lowered his hand from his face, fixing his gaze on the figure emerging from the dust ahead.

"Obito, your entrance... carries a bit of personal grudge, doesn't it..."

From the dust haze came Obito's relaxed, resonant reply: "I played you for decades~, always wearing a mask, tail between my legs... that arrogance of yours, honestly, I always wanted to try it once~."

Madara brushed the dust off his God Robe. "Tried it. How does it feel?"

Stepping out of the dust haze, in Uchiha Obito's eye sockets, a pair of dignified Kamui Mangekyo shone with a sharp, brilliant light!

"Indeed, someone else's is ultimately someone else's—whether it's an entrance or eyes, one's own are the most comfortable to use..."

Hearing the edge in his words, Madara said with a smile, "Of course, the Rinnegan isn't something just anyone can handle. That time you transplanted one must have been rough, huh?"

Obito shot back: "Speaking of which, is that nauseating face still bulging out of your chest?"

"Your mouth's gotten sharp, Obito. Want to spar?"

"Sure. I'm barefoot, but I'm not afraid of you wearing shoes."

"Crackle!" The two faced each other, and it was as if fierce sparks of lightning were colliding between their foreheads!

These two were practically 'rivals' in life, and meeting after death, they couldn't avoid a round of verbal sparring—or even Chakra cannon output.

After all, both were Impure World Reincarnation bodies; neither could probably kill the other.

Ah, wait... Madara had the Rinnegan; the 'Human Path' could probably counter Obito. But if Obito used both Kamui eyes well, Madara would have no opening either.

"Hey, you two can't fight here—me and Hikari won't have anywhere to sleep tonight..."

"Ah!! Uncle Obito's back like an old grandpa!" Muji's childish voice drifted from behind! Chen breathed a sigh of relief!

Thank goodness!

Hikari and Tsuki, who had gone out for a walk, were back!

The blazing sparks of lightning vanished without a trace.

Both men tacitly reined in their tense, sword-drawn auras.

Obito turned his gaze, smiling warmly. "Hikari and Tsuki, we meet again!"

"Hm?" Uncle Madara thought to himself: So Chen's brought Obito home for a meal too?

"Boo hoo, Uncle Obito, you're finally back! I thought you weren't coming anymore!" Tsuki ran quickly up to Obito.

Obito naturally bent down, scooping Tsuki up vertically, and said with doting affection: "How could I not come? Uncle Obito was looking forward to seeing you again too!"

Uncle Madara grumbled inwardly: Damn Obito, I haven't even held Tsuki yet!

Hikari smiled and stepped forward to greet him: "Did you get to talk with Rin?"

Obito nodded. "Mm. Rin said that when the ninja world is in trouble, it's our duty to step up. She told me to follow my heart, act boldly, and not carry any mental burdens. She'll be watching over me, just like always."

Hikari lowered her head in admiration. "Rin really is an incredible girl. Even though this world hurt her deeply, she always holds onto the purest love for it. Compared to her, I..."

Her gaze flicked to Chen's chest.

Chen timely grasped her hand, signaling with his eyes for her to stop.

Obito smiled faintly, as if he fully understood the meaning behind the couple's gesture.

Uncle Madara grumbled inwardly: Seems like Obito knows more about Hikari's situation than I do...

Just then, Obito looked at Chen, handed Tsuki to Hikari, stepped forward, and gripped Chen's shoulders firmly.

In a voice only the two of them could hear, yet profoundly deep, he said:

"Chen, even in the moment I was shattered to pieces, I was still Uchiha Obito, wanting to become Hokage! But for the blueprint you sketched out for me over a month, I abandoned my former ambition once more."

"The fact that Madara stands before me means you've already earned his approval. But for me to truly acknowledge you, you'll have to prove through action that you're more trustworthy than Naruto—understand?"

Obito possessed a will so unyielding that even the Ten-Tails tearing his body apart couldn't shake it.

To get Obito to stay and lend his strength, Chen had spent a whole month persuading him, convincing him that Naruto and Sasuke's current approach couldn't handle the future crisis of the ninja world.

To make Obito stay and stand by his side, Chen had worked for an entire month.

Just as Uncle Madara thought, Obito carried deep regrets within.

He wanted to atone for his past sins, then return to the other world, becoming a man truly worthy of standing beside Rin!

Chen gripped Obito's cold wrist firmly, staring intently at the weathered face beneath the flower-white hair.

"If at any moment in the future you find me untrustworthy, you can leave me! Past, present, or future—everything I, Uchiha Chen, do is so that our children and their descendants can bathe in the rain of peace and live with dignity!"

"Good... If you can uphold this resolve without wavering, I will follow you through heaven and earth!"

Obito lowered his hand, glanced sidelong at Uncle Madara, and said to Chen.

"All the elements to launch the plan are in place. Should we start immediately?"

"There's no need to rush. Haste makes waste. Tomorrow, I'll take you all somewhere. First, to formally welcome you. Second, to let you understand the real me."

"The real you?"

"Yes. I said I'm looking for like-minded comrades. I claim to know everything about you and Uncle Madara, but you only know a fraction of the real me."

"And that place you're taking us—can it truly let us understand you?"

"Yes. It's the only way."

He successfully piqued Obito's curiosity. "Where?"

Chen's gaze leaped toward the southwestern edge of the ninja world.

"My private territory—the true rear base of our faction: the Shadow Hidden Ninja Village!"