Madara stared at Obito inside the coffin.
Just like when Madara himself had been revived, Obito's upper body was bare. He wore only black trousers, stood barefoot, and his hair had turned grayish-white.
The state preserved by Edo Tensei could be defined as—
Perfect restoration.
Both eyes that housed Kamui remained intact.
However, they were dull and clouded, devoid of light.
Obito's soul was in a "dormant" state.
With deep curiosity in his eyes, Madara turned to Akira.
"How did you find Obito's biological material?"
"When I decided to use him as a pawn, I deliberately had White Zetsu erase all traces at Kannabi Bridge."
"Even the blood on the boulder that crushed half his body was removed."
"And when he acted as 'Madara,' Kamui protected him."
"With his cautious nature, it's hard to imagine he ever left blood behind."
Madara's assessment was accurate.
In the decade after his death, Obito lost arms to Minato, Torune Aburame, and Konan.
But those were White Zetsu limbs.
They contained no usable DNA.
Moreover, Obito had always guarded his biological information carefully.
After all, Hidan—who could curse using blood—was once a member of Akatsuki under his management.
In a world this large, similar abilities might exist.
Better safe than sorry.
Akira smiled.
"Did you forget, Uncle Madara?"
"At the end of the Fourth War, Obito deliberately let Kakashi hit him with Raikiri to destroy the seal in his heart."
"Oh!" Madara suddenly remembered.
"But I recall his blood was splattered on the Ten-Tails' back."
"Exactly," Akira replied.
"That's why I was there."
"I activated Boinyasu. No one could sense me."
So you were there back then…
Everything made sense now.
Madara sighed.
"You're really good at planning."
He crossed his arms.
"But why is Obito's soul asleep?"
"Did he refuse you?"
Akira chuckled.
"No, no. It took some effort, but he agreed."
"He just wanted to visit Rin in the afterlife first."
"And he said…"
"When he opens his eyes, he's looking forward to seeing your expression."
"Heh."
"So becoming Six Paths really made him bold."
Madara teased him, but felt deep resonance inside.
Obito…
If you agreed to help Akira,
Then your regrets must be no less than mine.
You don't want to die buried in sin and failure either.
Before Rin…
You want to be a real hero.
Not just someone quietly forgiven.
"Shall I wake him now?" Akira asked, forming seals.
Madara lowered his arms.
"Do it."
He prepared himself to face the man he had once admired, redeemed, exploited, hurt, and abandoned.
After crushing the past—
They now stood at the same starting line.
Uchiha Obito awakened from Edo Tensei.
Creak.
"Akira, why did you close the coffin again?"
"It was Obito's request."
"He said I must seal it when waking him."
Crack!
The lid slammed shut.
Cracks spread.
Akira drifted backward.
Boom!
A violent explosion erupted.
Madara raised his arm instinctively to block debris and wind.
Rumble!
When the dust settled, he stared ahead.
"Obito…"
"This entrance is personal, isn't it?"
From the dust came Obito's relaxed voice.
"I played Madara for decades…"
"Always hiding, always restrained…"
"I've wanted to try your arrogant entrance for a long time."
Madara brushed dust off his robe.
"And?"
"How did it feel?"
Obito stepped out.
His Mangekyō—true Kamui eyes—shone brilliantly.
"As expected…"
"Your own is always better."
"Your own entrance."
"Your own eyes."
"They feel right."
Madara laughed.
"Of course. Rinnegan isn't for everyone."
"Transplanting it back then must've been hell."
Obito shot back,
"Speaking of disgusting things…"
"Is that face still on your chest?"
"Sharp tongue, Obito."
"Want to spar?"
"Sure. I'm barefoot. Not afraid of someone in shoes."
Crackle!
Sparks seemed to collide between their foreheads.
In life, they were rivals.
In death, still sharp-tongued.
With Edo bodies, neither could truly kill the other.
Wait…
Madara's Rinnegan could counter him.
But Kamui could counter Madara.
Still—
Please don't fight here.
Or Akira and Hikari won't have a place to sleep.
"Yay! Grandpa Obito is back!"
A childish voice rang out.
Akira nearly collapsed in relief.
Thank heavens.
Hikari and Yuki had returned.
The tension vanished.
Both men reined in their killing intent.
Obito turned and smiled warmly.
"Hikari, Yuki. Long time no see."
Madara: …So Akira even brought Obito home?
"Waaah, Uncle Obito!"
"You're finally back!"
"I thought you'd never come again!"
Yuki ran over.
Obito bent down and lifted her easily.
"Of course I'd come back."
"I've been wanting to see you too."
Madara grumbled inwardly.
Damn it. I haven't even hugged her yet.
Hikari stepped forward.
"Did you say goodbye to Rin?"
Obito nodded.
"Yes."
"She said that when the ninja world is in danger, we must step up."
"She told me to follow my heart and act boldly."
"She'll be watching me, like always."
Hikari lowered her head in admiration.
"Rin is amazing…"
"The world hurt her so deeply…"
"Yet she still loves it so purely."
"Compared to her, I…"
Her gaze flicked to Akira's chest.
Akira squeezed her hand gently.
Don't go on.
Obito smiled.
He understood.
Madara thought silently:
Looks like Obito knows more about Hikari than I do.
Obito handed Yuki back to Hikari and walked up to Akira.
He gripped his shoulder firmly.
In a voice only they could hear:
"Akira."
"When I was torn apart, I still wanted to be Hokage."
"Uchiha Obito."
"But for the blueprint you showed me…"
"I abandoned that dream again."
"Madara standing here means you've earned his approval."
"But if you want mine…"
"Prove it with actions."
"Show me you're more reliable than Naruto."
Akira met his gaze.
Obito's will was unshakable—even Ten-Tails power couldn't shake it.
Akira had spent a month persuading him.
Convincing him that Naruto and Sasuke's path was insufficient.
A full month.
Like Madara, Obito carried deep regrets.
He wanted to atone.
Then return to Rin's world—
As a man worthy of her.
Akira gripped Obito's cold wrist.
Looking into his weathered face.
"If there's ever a moment you find me untrustworthy—leave."
"Past, present, future."
"Everything I do is for our children and their descendants…"
"So they can live with dignity under peaceful skies."
"…Good."
"If you never waver from this."
"I'll follow you anywhere."
Obito released him and glanced at Madara.
"Now that everyone's here…"
"Do we start immediately?"
"No rush," Akira replied.
"Slow is smooth."
"Tomorrow, I'll take you somewhere."
"First, to welcome you properly."
"Second, to let you truly understand me."
"The real you?" Obito asked.
"Yes."
"I know you and Uncle Madara well."
"But you barely know the real me."
"Where is this place?" Obito asked.
Akira's gaze drifted southwest.
"My private domain."
"Our true rear base."