Naruto: Tobirama Reborn, Invincible in the Ninja World

So alike! Too alike!

How could there be two people in the world who resembled each other this much?

Uchiha Sasuke looked almost identical to Uchiha Izuna, as if he had been carved from the same mold. Even Madara, in a moment of distraction, mistook Sasuke in Itachi's arms for his own younger brother.

But only for an instant. Madara quickly collected himself.

That wasn't his brother—just someone who bore an uncanny resemblance.

"Hokage-sama... and First Ancestor Madara?"

Itachi, recognizing the visitors, hastily composed himself and adjusted his posture. He nudged Sasuke to sit properly as well, their manners flawless.

"Is that the Hokage?" Sasuke stole a glance at the man who had managed to convince Itachi to return to the village, his eyes brimming with curiosity.

As Sasuke studied Tobirama Senju, Madara was studying Sasuke in turn.

"Impressive... For someone his age to have this level of ocular power—he reminds me of Izuna in his prime," Madara muttered, his piercing gaze scrutinizing Sasuke from head to toe, occasionally nodding in approval.

That intense scrutiny irritated Sasuke, but mindful of the Hokage's presence, he merely huffed softly.

"Itachi, pardon the intrusion."

Tobirama grabbed Madara, whose attention was still fixated on Sasuke, and led him to the dining table.

"Ancestor Madara, I presume you lack proper accommodations?" Itachi saw through their intentions and addressed them directly.

"As the forefather of the Uchiha clan, our ancestral grounds are always open to you."

"Hmph..." Madara snorted but gave a small nod, signaling his agreement.

"Ancestor of the Uchiha? Him?" Sasuke muttered skeptically, glancing at Madara. Why was Itachi showing such respect to someone so blatantly suspicious?

"Sasuke, mind your manners!" Itachi quickly covered Sasuke's mouth. After all, this was the founder of the Uchiha clan.

'Even his personality resembles Izuna's when he was young,' Madara mused, finding Sasuke increasingly endearing. The thought stirred peculiar ideas within him.

Later, after Tobirama had finally settled Madara's lodging arrangements, he returned to the Hokage's office.

He chuckled quietly, imagining Sasuke under Madara's tutelage—a situation that Itachi had unexpectedly facilitated.

His musings were interrupted by an opened letter on his desk:

"To the Hokage of Konohagakure, from the Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumī…"

The letter was brief. Kirigakure had accepted the first condition Tobirama proposed—they would submit to Konoha's authority.

Tobirama showed little reaction. This outcome was well within his expectations.

With Madara's support and the power of the Rinnegan, uniting the entire shinobi world was no longer a distant dream. Alliances and subjugations would soon be relics of the past.

...

Meanwhile, elsewhere...

"Damn it! That old bastard Tobirama even brought back the First Hokage to protect the jinchūriki!"

Uchiha Obito, tearing off his spiral mask in frustration, seethed. The failure to obtain the jinchūriki had consequences he couldn't yet fathom.

Madara, resurrected by Orochimaru, had been defeated by Tobirama. Now, Madara was gathering the tailed beasts with unstoppable force to initiate the Infinite Tsukuyomi.

The Moon's Eye Plan no longer had any connection to Obito. He had been cast aside—a mere outsider in this grand scheme.

As he spiraled into his thoughts, the ground before him began to ripple. From it emerged Black Zetsu.

"What do you want?" Obito glared coldly at the intruder, his hostility apparent.

"Nagato is dead. These are his Rinnegan." Black Zetsu, ignoring Obito's animosity, presented the pair of eyes.

The Rinnegan's purple glow, rippling with power, illuminated the cramped cave.

Black Zetsu was frustrated too. His plans were in ruins. He had hoped to control Nagato to revive Madara after Tobirama was sealed. Instead, Tobirama had utterly crushed Madara.

Even worse, Madara seemed to have reached some sort of agreement with Tobirama, leaving Black Zetsu with only Obito to manipulate.

'Madara may have been placed under Kotoamatsukami by Tobirama,' Black Zetsu speculated aloud.

"And as his will incarnate, shouldn't you follow him?" Obito retorted, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Madara's dream has always been the Moon's Eye Plan. Controlled or not, that will hasn't wavered." Black Zetsu leaned in, his voice conspiratorial.

"The plan will succeed, Obito. You are the one destined to create the perfect new world!"

Obito stiffened at the mention of a new world—a world with Rin. He touched the scar on his face, trembling slightly.

"All right."

Obito snatched the vial containing the Rinnegan from Black Zetsu's hands, his voice resolute.

Black Zetsu smirked.

...

Konohagakure Prison

"Senju Tobirama! If you've got the guts, let me out! I'll offer you to Jashin-sama as a sacrifice!"

Hidan's disembodied head roared defiantly, his voice echoing in the dim cell. Sustained by regular meals, he still had enough energy to yell.

Nearby, his chain-bound torso rested, untouched.

The Konoha shinobi on duty paid no mind. They were long used to Hidan's outbursts, knowing he'd quiet down eventually.

"Tobirama! When I—"

"When you what?"

The cold voice startled Hidan. Tobirama loomed over him, tall and imposing.

"Damn you! I'll skin you alive!" Hidan snarled, eyes blazing with fury.

"I hear you can't die," Tobirama remarked calmly, ignoring the threat.

"Ha! Scared now? When you're dead, I'll dig up your grave and desecrate it!" Hidan laughed maniacally, his immortality fueling his bravado.

"Immortal, huh? Then what if I toss your head into a latrine? You'd still live, wouldn't you?" Tobirama's icy gaze bore into him, his words sending chills down Hidan's spine.

"What… What are you planning?" Hidan stammered, his bravado faltering.

"If you're truly immortal, then you can spend eternity eating filth and drinking waste. A hundred years, a thousand years—how does that sound?" Tobirama's tone remained even, but the threat was unmistakable.

"N-no! Don't!" Hidan's head shook violently, the chains rattling as he panicked.

"There's another option. Work for me."

"Fine! Tell me who to kill, and I'll kill them!" Hidan blurted out, eager to avoid his grim fate.

"I don't need you to kill anyone. I need you to save someone."

Tobirama unfastened the chains binding Hidan's head and torso, reconnecting the pieces with precision.