Obito paced back and forth across the rough floor of the cave, one hand tugging fitfully at the lengthening strands of his hair. Somewhere in the back of his mind a half-forgotten memory played of when he 'd first met the sage Jiraiya and admired his wild locks only to earn himself a round of teasing as Kakashi told him he would look horrible with long hair. He had no idea if his old teammate was right. There were no mirrors down here in the cavern where he was slowly recovering from his near-death experience.

Shaking the memory away impatiently, Obito turned abruptly and marched over to the bed with determined steps. No time to waste on aimless reflection. As long as he stayed quiet he could do this without waking up old man Madara and be done before the Zetsu got back from wherever the hell they kept going.

He 'd been surprised to discover the journal in his bedside table ' nearly as surprised to discover he

had