The genjutsu theory turns out to be true afterall. I have to say that this death for Tobi was very unexpected. Then again, he shouldn't have lost this battle against Kakashi in the first place. I mean he used a basic C-Rank Katon ninjutsu against his opponent instead of the wide encompassing inferno that he displayed against Naruto. Surely I'm not the only who noticed that this "defeat" seemed very contrived and illogical.
That ending was very unexpected. So Tobi is actually going to die unreformed?! Kishimoto has actually managed to maintain the status of villainy for a tragic character when they die! Well, that's probably not going to be what actually occurs. I can foresee Tobi remaining alive for another chapter or so in order to use some retaliatory jutsu in his during breath so he can spite Madara. But on the off-chance that he dies without any sort of redemption whatsoever I think that Tobi can officially be branded as the most tragic character in the manga and any sympathy that Madara may have once possessed has now completely diminished.
Victimisation by Tobirama's prejudice or not these recent actions of his represent a side of Madara that corrupts his character to such an extent that he appears irredeemable. The only ones to have ever displayed such a callous disregard for their own comrade's lives are Orochimaru, Kakuzu, Hidan, and Gato. Despite what they may have done Nagato and Tobi at least had the decency to acknowledge the sacrifices of their fellow Akatsuki members.
Right now, I wouldn't be surprised if Naruto decided that he would fight for Tobi's sake as well after witnessing the heartless exploitation of this man's desperate wishes to see his loved one again at the hands of Madara.