In another Timeline

Chapter 40- The yellow flash of the leaf

Yamato left soon after. He probably didn't want to get in more trouble than he already is. But it's nice to know that the Hokage did in fact not have a Anbu watch him. You would think Yamato would have just knocked. And not stalked Tobias. But if Tobias ever saw himself being curious about someone and not knowing how to approach them, perhaps he would do the same thing.

"I'm sorry to interrupt your chat." Minato said while looking away from Tobias. Tobias shrugged in response. Minato's gaze was dark. Nothing about his expression was happy. It was grim and dark.

How can a person switch emotions so easily? All Tobias can do is say how he is feeling, he shows no signs of any emotions on his face most of the time.

"You see, when you first got here I was skeptical. Whenever we met anyone like you, things never ended well." Minato said with a sigh. "They either killed themselves before we could get to them, or they would try to kill us." Tobias didn't speak.

"Were you told to do such things?" Minato asked his first question and undoubtedly not the last. "Yes." Tobias kept his response short. He doesn't want to talk to the Hokage.

Minato nodded. "Why didn't you?" Tobias was again silent. "I don't know." Minato studied Tobias's face expression. Tobias waited for the next question.

For some reason... Minato's questions were pissing him off. Something in his stomach bubbled angrily at the way he spoke. How he talked about him like he was a different species entirely. Like he wasn't human. His questions were insensitive.

He understands. Tobias understands that the questions need to be asked. He understands that he is the odd one out when it comes to himself and the Hokage. Tobias can't stretch this enough. He understands that he knew this was going to be the outcome when he came back to the village. But something in him... Something in him understands that this is just plain disrespect.

Perhaps it was his old self. His old self trying to make himself known, to release what his old self believed. But he doesn't know.

"Tobias?" Minato asked. Tobias nodded. He must have been having an inner dialogue.

Minato nodded as well. "You said there was others. Do you know where they are now?" Tobias shook his head. "They left. They might be dead they might not be. That knowledge isn't mine." Minato's eyebrows furrowed. "You seem to not be told anything."

"What makes you think I would be?" Tobias finally said. Minato seemed surprised by the passive aggression in Tobias's voice. Tobias himself was surprised by the tone in his voice, but he didn't apologize. He enjoyed that he was able to raise his voice at all.

Minato nodded slowly. "Well I suppose." Minato grew quiet. He observed his surroundings purposely trying to avoid eye contact with Tobias.

Tobias's hand twitched.

Minato darted his eyes towards Tobias and his own hands looked ready to create a jutsu.

That's when Tobias finally understood. He wasn't trusted. He knew why he wouldn't be. But the things he had done for the leaf at this point... He had done things that should have gotten him killed. And now. He just might be. Either by the Hokage or Bee. It was a question of who would do it first.

Minato looked regretful of his actions. Tobias narrowed his eyes. Neither Minato or Tobias spoke. Tobias might be quiet. He might be accepting. But there are just some things he doesn't let slide, and this is one of them.

Tobias didn't speak. He didn't bow his respect for the Hokage. Nor did he say goodbye. He turned around and left. The Hokage didn't let him leave unfortunately.

"Tobias." The Hokage's voice was stern. Tobias stopped but didn't face the hokage. "I'm sure you understand the security." Tobias furrowed his eyebrows despite the Hokage not being able to see his facial expression.

But he didn't respond to the Hokage's poor reasoning. He didn't want too.

"I say... That this question session is over. You have more than enough information I'm sure."

Minato's eyebrows furrowed. "I'm afraid that-" but he was cut off.

Tobias turned around. "You don't need to worry about me betraying you or the village. But you won't see me for a bit." Minato was about to speak but the activation of Tobias's eye shuts him up. "I doubt you ever asked Fugaku about the strange shape."

That was the last words Tobias left before disappearing into his own eye a swirl pattern twisting and disfiguring Tobias's shape before he was completely gone. 

Minato stood shocked. The place where Tobias stood now empty. "This... This guy can teleport?" Minato was stunned. He had never heard of the Sharingan to be capable of such things. This must have been what Tobias called the 'Mangekyou Sharingan'.

But now he was another problem. Tobias may be right. He knew enough to be able to invade the base. But... The other Kages need more information. They don't know much like he does.

He doesn't worry about what Kushina will say. This was the second time Tobias had left. Before he didn't even want to go the leaf village. He wanted to stay where he knew he wouldn't be killed even if that meant being at the base. Tobias mind has been trained to follow the instinct that screams his own survival.

But what made Tobias different is that he tries to ensure others survival not just his own.

Minato felt guilty. He felt horrible. He knew Tobias twitched. He always had ever since he first saw him he twitched. But maybe that specific twitch was a test. To see if Minato would react. And he did.

He reacts fast, that is what he is known for, but now that specific trait was his downfall.

Minato took another glance at where Tobias stood. He thinks he gets it now. He understands why Kushina sees Obito in Tobias. And it makes Minato nervous. This Tobias guy can't be Obito right? Rin and Kakashi watched as his body was... Minato does want to finish his thought. He kept a straight face when they had his burial, when they told him what happened. But Obito's death made it feel like a part of Minato died. Everyone probably felt that way.

In no way was Minato's grief special, everyone goes through grief. And people get over ones death. They may wish the one who died was still around, but if a person hears that the person they knew to be dead, guilt rises and erupts like a volcano. One question erupts with the guilt.

Why couldn't I have done anything? Why couldn't things be different?