Phew!
In the familiar underground cavern, a swirling vortex appeared out of nowhere. Obito, formerly Yamato Arata, returned to the base using Kamui's space-time technique—this time bringing Orochimaru and Kabuto with him.
Kamui required a "mark" for travel, but unlike the Flying Thunder God technique which used seals, Kamui's marking was done through the eyes. As long as Obito had visited a place once, he could teleport there freely.
Standing before the enormous Gedo Statue, Orochimaru's expression turned solemn, even awestruck. He had roamed the Five Great Nations, encountered countless jutsu and powerful shinobi—but this was the first time something made him feel insignificant.
"This power… it doesn't belong to this world," Orochimaru muttered. "Coming here was the right choice."
His eyes glowed with obsession—for knowledge, for truth. Obito had opened a door to a new world for him.
"Orochimaru," Obito said, turning to him, "you've seen the artificial body of the First Hokage. What do you think?"
Orochimaru's gaze fixed on the replica of Hashirama Senju embedded in the Gedo Statue. "Perfect," he whispered in reverence. "So close to the real Hashirama. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes…"
"You have good taste." Obito looked at him sharply. "I want to fuse with it. Fully. Perfectly. Is there a way?"
Orochimaru's eyes lit up. "There are methods. The simplest would be to graft the body onto yours like an organ transplant, but that would result in rejection and instability. You wouldn't be able to wield its true power—and worse, it might backfire."
Obito nodded. "Like what happened to Danzo when he fought Sasuke?"
"Exactly," Orochimaru replied. "He overloaded the cells. In the end, they consumed him."
"So what's the advanced option?"
"Integrate Hashirama's native cells directly. Let them proliferate within you, gradually replacing your own. It's like a caterpillar breaking free of a cocoon. Painful. And the success rate is… close to zero."
"You've tried this?"
"I once collected tissue remnants from Hashirama's grave. I managed to extract degraded cells and implanted them into sixty newborns. Only one survived. One in sixty. And that was using degraded material…"
Obito knew exactly who the survivor was—Yamato, the only success from those experiments. Unlike other users of Hashirama's power, Yamato could truly use Wood Release, even if it was weaker than the original.
As the saying went: The First Hokage's Wood Release conquered the world. Yamato's Wood Release landscaped it.
"And if it succeeds?" Obito asked.
Orochimaru grinned, eyes glowing. "Then the God of Shinobi will be reborn."
"Do you think you can extract perfect native cells from this replica?"
"It's nearly perfect. If I had just a tiny catalyst, an 'introduction' cell to guide the process… then yes. But such a thing may no longer exist."
"What kind of introduction?"
"A cell from that one child who survived the early experiments. I left him behind, assuming he died…"
Obito exhaled deeply in relief.
So the key… was Yamato.
He remembered that Yamato had been rescued and trained by Danzo, later joining Konoha's ANBU under the codename "Tenzo." At this point in the timeline, he was still under Danzo's control.
Danzo… you've committed countless sins. But for once, you did something useful, Obito thought.
"No need to worry about the introduction yet," he said aloud. He had already decided—he would retrieve Yamato from Konoha.
Suddenly, White Zetsu figures emerged from the walls.
"Lord Orochimaru!" Kabuto pulled a kunai, ready to fight.
"Calm down, Kabuto," Orochimaru said. "They're not enemies."
"They're my friends," Obito said. "They've collected your experimental tools from your other bases. If you need anything, just ask them."
Orochimaru chuckled. "You're quite thorough, Obito-kun."
A White Zetsu spoke, tone sharp. "We've heard all the rumors about you, Orochimaru. If you try anything funny, you won't leave this place alive."
"Oh my… how flattering." Orochimaru's smile turned sly. "Relax. This lab is far too valuable to lose. Don't worry, Obito-kun…"
"Heh." Obito smirked. "Jue, take Mr. Orochimaru and Kabuto to their rooms."
"Your accommodations are ready. Follow me," one of the Zetsu said.
As Orochimaru followed, his eyes scanned the White Zetsu around him. All of them… filled with degraded Hashirama cells. How much of the truth does Obito already grasp?
Later that night…
Obito sat on the towering bone-like spine at the cavern's entrance, Madara's iconic fan resting in his lap. He looked up at the moon—brighter, rounder than he remembered from his old world.
Back then, he was an average high school student. Mediocre grades. No talents. Introverted. Alone.
His parents had divorced in middle school, started new families, and left him with only court-ordered support payments. No love. No attention.
If he disappeared… they probably wouldn't even notice. Or just report him missing and move on.
He had fallen into depression. Thoughts of suicide haunted him. Then… he discovered anime.
Naruto. One Piece. Dragon Ball. Bleach. Fairy Tail. One Punch Man.
But Naruto stood above them all.
It gave him hope. Adventure. Emotion. Power.
His classmates called him a loser. A "2D-obsessed freak." Teachers said he'd never survive in the real world.
Maybe they were right… but they never knew that anime saved me.
He often dreamed of being born in that world. And maybe… his yearning, combined with his despair, gave him the chance to transmigrate.
If this was a dream… he hoped it would never end.
Even in a world full of war and bloodshed, he felt freer than ever.
"This is where I belong," he whispered to the moon. "No more chains. No more looking at others for approval. I want power. I want freedom. And I'll get both."
Zetsu, still wrapped around him like a second skin, could feel the sincerity in his emotions—a raw loneliness unlike the original Obito.
The old Obito had connections. Friends. Teachers. A village.
But this new Obito… had nothing.
Only ambition, and a burning will to live by his own rules.
Zetsu realized it clearly: This was no longer the boy who once loved Rin, admired Kakashi, and followed Minato.
This was Uchiha Obito, the transmigrator, the seeker of truth and power.
And I want to see where he goes…
The wind blew through the cavern, rustling the fan in Obito's hands.
Snap!
Zetsu's head split open, transforming into a brand-new mask—black with two eye holes, both glowing.
Obito stood.
"Let's go to Konoha."