The boy who had once been only fifteen had changed. His hair, once spiky like Naruto's, now hung to his waist, a long mane that looked exactly like Madara's.
Obito stood beside the wooden bed, looking down at his feet.
He could move them.
He pushed hard against the ground and leaped up, kicking a few times in place in his excitement like a wild dog let loose.
"Finally... I can finally see you again."
His voice trembled a little.
"Kakashi, Rin!"
White Zetsu poked his head out of the wall, a malicious smile on his twisted face.
"Finally recovered, huh? We haven't charged you rent all these years. We've really lost out."
In truth, the injuries could have healed in six months.
Instead, they had been dragged out for three whole years.
White Zetsu had certainly played no small part in that.
"Smash that big rock at the entrance and let me out!"
Obito craned his neck and shouted upward.
"With what you can do now, you can't possibly break that rock. Merge with me."
Tobi poked half his head out beside Obito's feet. Then his body rapidly expanded like a blooming flower, wrapping Obito up completely.
"Are you planning to leave?"
Behind him, Old Madara, who had remained silent all this time, suddenly spoke.
"Yeah. Thanks for saving my life, but I won't be coming back."
Obito did not even turn his head.
"It's a little early for thanks. You'll come back sooner or later. I'll accept your gratitude then."
Old Madara's expression remained perfectly calm.
Obito did not answer him again. Drawing on the tremendous strength unleashed by Tobi's fusion with his body, he shattered the boulder blocking the exit with a single punch. Then he kicked off the ground and raced toward Konoha in the Land