A Transmigrator’s Story in the Hyuga’s Main Branch

158. Unseen, Unheard: The Tale of Obito Uchiha (2)

"Let's go, I am ready!", Obito declared, his voice resonant with a new-found detachment. As he slowly emerged from the grip of his nightmares, he pushed himself off the cold stone bed.

Grasping his head, his eyes burned intensely—a vivid reflection of the rage and tumultuous emotions churning within him.@@novelbin@@

He directed his firm statement to Tobi, whom he saw approaching through the dimly lit cavern.

Tobi was one of the only three beings Obito had spoken to during the last few isolated and dreary months spent in this secluded building.

The environment was oppressive, a stark contrast to the life he had known, but it had become his reality—a place where he had transformed, hardened by betrayal and loss.

Tobi also observed Obito intently. The young boy's body was a patchwork of horror, with swathes of white, Hashirama cell-infused parts used to replace the areas too grievously wounded to heal naturally.

These modifications were not just functional but a stark reminder of the brutality Obito had endured on the battlefield.

Though Tobi lacked the partial Wood Release ability of his counterpart, White Zetsu, he was nonetheless considered the second strongest among the "white" beings that had emerged from the giant, life-giving tree at the Mountains' Graveyard. 

Obito's rescue had been dire. After the tragic events on the front lines, he was found and saved by White Zetsu, acting on explicit instructions from Madara.

Obito was brought to the Mountains' Graveyard, a place that had become both a sanctuary and a prison, where his severe injuries were treated with unorthodox methods.

The damaged parts of his body were removed and replaced with limbs and tissues cultivated from Hashirama Senju's cells, which were known for their regenerative properties.

Despite the extensive injuries and the trauma of war, one part of Obito remained untouched and intact: his Sharingan.

Soon, both Obito and Tobi made their way toward where Madara and the other Zetsu were located.

They shared a long, understanding look, both fully aware of the unusual yet necessary strategy they were about to implement due to Obito's young age.

To convincingly assume the guise of Madara in the outside world, Obito would need to appear much older and more imposing than his actual years allowed until he actually grew up naturally over time.

The plan was for Obito to envelop himself with Tobi's body, utilizing his unique ability to morph and manipulate its form.

This would alter Obito's physical appearance, increasing his height and changing his build to resemble that of an adult.

Obito also modified his voice to sound deeper and more mature through the controlled use of chakra. 

This disguise was crucial for Obito's upcoming role. He would impersonate Madara to interact with others while keeping his true identity and youth hidden.

As Obito and Tobi approached the dimly lit area where Madara waited, the air was thick with the weight of unfolding plans and the heavy history that hung over them. Madara, sensing their arrival, turned his focus toward Obito, his gaze sharp and assessing.

"Obito, you've come at a crucial time...", Madara began, his voice echoing slightly in the cavernous space.

"Your training has progressed; I passed all of my knowledge and techniques to you already; you will slowly conquer them, and the world outside is ripe for the taking. But before you step further into this role, you must understand the magnitude of what we are undertaking."

Obito nodded, his newly awakened resolve firming his expression, "I understand, Madara-sama...",

He replied, his voice steady despite the swirling emotions and the gravity of his mentor's words, "I've seen enough to know the world's true nature. I'm ready to do what must be done."

Madara scrutinized him for a moment, pleased with the determination but aware of the need to temper it with wisdom.

"You will not just be a warrior, Obito. You are to be a symbol, a force that will bring about the great change we seek. The world is broken, and through the Eye of the Moon Plan, we will mend it. But first, you must fully embrace the identity of the one you will impersonate. You must become Madara in more than just name and appearance."

Obito listened intently, his eyes fixed on Madara. The elder shinobi continued, "Using Tobi's abilities to alter your appearance is merely the first step. To truly succeed, you must absorb every aspect of the role. Your actions, decisions, and even how you think must reflect what Madara would do. This is not merely deception; it is transformation.",

"The world must believe that Madara Uchiha lives and leads...", Madara added, his tone both instructive and ominous, "They will follow strength, they will follow power. Your actions will ignite fear, respect, and ultimately, loyalty."

The conversation cemented Obito's resolve. As he stood there, already partially enveloped by Tobi, ready to step out as the fearsome Madara Uchiha, he realized that his past—marked by pain, loss, and betrayal—was the forge that had prepared him for this moment. His transformation was complete, not just in appearance but in spirit. 

When he responded, Obito's voice carried a new depth of calm resignation, a stark contrast to the fiery idealism that had once fueled his every word.

"After Rin's death, I realized that all the things I once held dear were just illusions—transient and fragile. My village, my clan, my very identity... none of these matter in the grand scheme. They are just parts of a flawed world that allowed Rin to be sacrificed by those she trusted.",

He paused, his gaze unwavering as he looked into Madara's ancient eyes, "I am committed entirely to the Eye of the Moon Plan. I believe in the world it promises—a world where no one else will suffer as Rin did, where peace isn't just a fleeting dream but a permanent reality. I understand that the path there is paved with hard decisions. Every act that seems cruel, every life taken, is a necessary step towards a greater good."

Madara nodded, a heavy satisfaction settling over his features. The transformation of the young boy before him was almost beyond belief. He recalled the reports sent by Zetsu, who had monitored Obito's progress from an eager, clumsy youth full of naive dreams and aspirations to this calculated and indifferent figure who now stood as a testament to the harsh realities of the ninja world. The contrast was stark, and Madara could scarcely reconcile the image of the untalented boy with the cold, calculating prodigy before him.

"It is remarkable...", Madara mused aloud, his voice reflecting a mix of admiration and contemplation, "what trauma can do to a person's brain and personality. Your evolution, Obito, is a perfect example of the drastic changes wrought by harsh realities. Or perhaps...",

He continued, eyeing the visible Sharingan with a knowing look, "This is also the influence of the Sharingan—a tool that not only grants power but also sharpens the mind and spirit in ways we can scarcely comprehend.",

Madara's experience had taught him that the Sharingan was more than just a physical gift; it was a catalyst for psychological transformation, often driven by trauma and loss. Obito's hardened demeanor and strategic mindset were the fruits of both his personal losses and the awakening of his ocular powers.

"Your transformation, while fueled by unfortunate events, has prepared you exceptionally well for the challenges ahead..." Madara added, his tone both approving and instructive, "The world we seek to create through the Eye of the Moon Plan requires a resolve that is forged in the fires of adversity. You, Obito, have been shaped into an ideal instrument for this purpose—capable of making the hard decisions and taking the necessary actions without hesitation."