Show me the way

XXXVI: Heartache

Tobi didn't move. He stood observing this new incarnation of Uzumaki Naruto, or Shizuka as he called himself now. It was fierce and intense. Shizuka's eyes were transfixed on Tobi. Those eyes, a cross between toad and fox, they had seen things, were seeing things, that not even Tobi could imagine. Or maybe he could, but he chose to see those things differently.

Shizuka seemed in control, kept a balance, of himself, the Kyuubi and nature all at the same time, but there was something about the control that felt dangerous. The red splotches of Chakra slowly dripping off of Shizuka, and the skin that burned and healed almost at the same time showed that the control was dangerously thin. Not much interference would cause Shizuka to lose control over the hatred-driven monster inside of him. There was something wild in Shizuka's eyes that pushed hard against his control.

Tobi wasn't sure whether to push Shizuka over the edge or to let Shizuka keep the control; both seemed to find their own unique dangers and both seemed capable of great destruction. For a moment his confidence seemed to lessen. Formidable. Driven. Dangerous. The man before him wasn't what Tobi thought he would be. Was it even possible for him to take on Shizuka?

But Tobi had a resolve that not even Shizuka could shake. Something was planted deep inside him and with every beat of his heart, he was reminded of his purpose for this life. Shizuka had ruined enough of his plans. He needed to be stopped. Tobi... No, Obito needed to make sure plans were still possible. He couldn't bear the heartbreak of losing Rin. Not after all this time. Not after everything he sacrificed already. For a moment his eyes were drawn to Kakashi. That was another sacrifice he had been willing to make.

The moment his eyes left Shizuka, Shizuka moved. It was like he sensed Tobi's lapse in awareness and with incredible speed, he was upon him. Tobi was barely fast enough with his Kamui to avoid the dangerous blows, but what was even more worrying was the fact that Shizuka seemed very aware of the fact that his hits wouldn't land. Slowly the realisation dawned on Tobi that Shizuka knew. He knew the weak spot of the Kamui. That's how he damaged Tobi's mask before. It wasn't that Tobi had allowed it to confuse Shizuka; Shizuka had already known the moment he could do damage.

Tobi gulped, realising Shizuka was driving him to the point where he couldn't use the Kamui anymore. It would be a mere moment, not even a second, but with Shizuka's speed, he would be capable of hurting Tobi. With each passing second, they got closer to the five-minute mark, and Tobi needed to decide his course of action before then. An uncontrolled beast would be easier to handle than a sentient beast. After all, he had controlled the Kyuubi before...

Actions followed his thoughts faster than was wise. They weren't thought out, but the time pressure was too much. He stopped his Kamui, catching Shizuka's first and using the given momentum to twist his body and let his knee collide with the side of Shizuka's face. It was sudden, catching Shizuka off-guard and crashing him into the wall.

Time froze in apprehension, Tobi hoping the hit was enough to imbalance Shizuka's control, and Kakashi wanting Shizuka to be alright. There was a pressing silence, only disrupted by settling dust and stone as it crumbled down.

It was like a dam broke. A flood of chakra, burning everything, pressing down on Tobi and Kakashi and leaving them breathless. Next, the gleam of red eyes slowly emerging through the settling dust, focussed solely on Tobi. Even now Shizuka was in control. The hatred of the Kyuubi wasn't strong enough to compete with Shizuka's will to protect. Kakashi, Konoha, the world, it all came down to this. Shizuka stood at the beginning of misery and was able to prevent it. He felt Kyuubi push against his mind once more and suddenly he seemed to relent, giving Shizuka an even greater grip on his power than before.

The shift in balance and control did not go unnoticed. Tobi took a step back. The sheer pressure radiating off Shizuka was far beyond that of just the Kyuubi. He knew. There was no uncertainty left. He had made a mistake forcing Shizuka's hand. He wouldn't survive this. Tobi's breath was uneven and he felt like he couldn't control his body. Why did it turn out like this? Madara promised him, left no doubt that it could be done, that his wish could be fulfilled, and now this man was crushing his resolve without even moving.