Okay, so here's a theory of mine that will blow your minds away. Literally. (Unless it has been suggested before, of course.)
Tobi is an Uzumaki.
WHAT?!
Yeah, I said it.
Now, I've put a decent amount of thought into this. Of course I could be completely wrong (as this theory is sort of 'out there') but I have some legit reasoning behind it, if you'd be so kind as to continue reading for a few moments longer. There is a method to the madness, I swear. The whole Zetsu, Obito, Rin, Madara/Izuna theories would be cool too, but... but... an Uzumaki!
I encourage everyone to poke holes in my theory, but I think it stands pretty well on it's own until we know more. There are also a couple holes that I'm aware of.
Now... yay for bullet points!
- No one knows a thing about what happened to Uzushiogakure, other than 'it was destroyed'. It was likely during the second war as Kushina was sent to Konoha because of her special chakra at about age 6 or 7 in order to be the next Jinchuuriki. It is unlikely that Mito had been the Jinchuuriki for long, but she might have aged at an accelerated pace because she was already too old when the Kyuubi was sealed in her. It's been stated multiple times that the new host must be young because only a child's chakra coils can adjust successfully to holding the chakra of a bijuu. I find it strange that no one in Konoha has mentioned a word about Uzushio after all this time. I smell cover-up. In other words, helloooooo Tobi's revenge motive. That's why he's such a good boy!
- But his hair? It's black! So you say. Isn't Tsunade also in her 50/60's? C'mon, a guy masquerading as Madara has to at least mostly look the part. The mask is so he doesn't have to constantly disguise the face. A little hair dye here, a genjutsu there, some cell grafting/transplantation over there... viola!
- But he has to be an Uchiha to keep the Sharingan active all the time! *cough cough* Massive chakra reserves would also work, in that regard. Kakashi made comments that he couldn't keep the Sharingan active all the time because while he had large reserves for a Jonin, they weren't
that large. Nagato, a confirmed Uzumaki, (with an implanted Rinnegan according to Tobi) had special chakra and massive reserves to be able to do everything he did with the Rinnegan - like bringing hundreds back to life after completely destroying a village using six different bodies. Karin, another confirmed Uzumaki, has large reserves and special chakra - in such a way that she was able to directly share it with others. Kushina had massive reserves and special chakra, she could form chains out of it. Naruto has chakra reserves even more massive than any other Uzumaki (that we are aware of) because his chakra has been compensating for the Kyuubi's since he was born, on top of the fact that the Uzumaki clan were chakra powerhouses in addition to longevity. That lends credence to the belief that a man who can teleport himself anywhere instantly, to any person, while keeping the Sharingan and Rinnegan active...
has massive chakra reserves.- But, how old must he be now to have
known Madara? The Uzumaki are confirmed to be a hardy, long-lived clan. Tobi's face has never been completely revealed, but what we have seen shows that he has age lines. Using medical grafting techniques, Zetsu's powers, etc... he has been able to replace limbs that would have been otherwise rendered useless on his original body. However in all fight scenes he has been in, he typically protects his head and torso better than any other body part. Besides that, he has commented about Nagato 'was supposed to save that technique for me' when referring to how the redhead had resurrected the entirety of Konoha.
- Madara knew Edo Tensei and how to gain the Rinnegan after being implanted with Hashirama's cells. Using the Rinnegan, he was able to make his Edo Tensei 'rebirth' a permanent one. Since the Uzumaki were relatives of the Senju, it's also likely that any Sharingan/Rinnegan chakra drain would be lessened.
- Madara isn't sure about Tobi following the 'plan' because Madara likely has a different plan than the Infinite Tsukuyomi. As a man obviously obsessed with power, I'm thinking he wants to become the new Jyuubi Jinchuuriki, straight up. Tobi may have been going along with this at first, but then something changed and now his plan is for the Infinite Tsukuyomi. It may in fact be Naruto vs Madara at the very end?
The biggest problem to figure out if going with this theory would be 'when did Tobi and Madara meet' and why did they agree to work together. Simplest 'guess' answer is why the destruction of Uzushio seems to be so hush-hush. Hashirama likely left Madara alive at the end, if he was at all like Naruto is, in order to teach his friend/rival a lesson and hope he comes out for the better. Unfortunately Hashirama died shortly after the fight, and Madara meanwhile settled in Uzushio. Konoha wasn't happy about that but they couldn't really do anything about it to their 'allies'.
Kushina is sent to Konoha (age 6-7, Academy age?) because of her special chakra, and to keep Konoha passive. She's made the next Kyuubi Jinchuuriki. The second war breaks out shortly after, the Second Hokage perishes near the beginning of the war. Hiruzen is not a Senju, does not have close ties to Uzushio like the first to Kage. He likely made a poorly-informed choice and decided to handle Konoha's own matters before worrying about any allies. The Uchiha may have even attacked Uzushio in retaliation for letting Madara stay there. Whatever the case, Uzushio is destroyed.
Madara has probably been talking with Tobi and filling his head with all sorts of things during the time he was there. Talking about Edo Tensei, the Rinnegan and the ability to bring someone back to life, among other things. When Uzushio is attacked and destroyed, Madara 'dies', and Tobi picks up his mantle while using his name. However Konoha leaves him alone because they have or saw Madara's body. That may explain why Tobi was so surprised when he saw Kabuto with it. Maybe he wasn't expecting Madara to really return, and was working on the Infinite Tsukuyomi instead. Somehow Orochimaru knew of their plans and Kabuto found out as a result. Kabuto having Madara's body, and using Edo Tensei on him, was very much blackmail material if this is the case.
Anyway... my thoughts can go on even further, but I'm getting tired and I think I've typed enough for now. I know there are probably plenty of holes that I'm too sleepy to pinpoint, but I find it amusing how I was able to piece all this together just from thinking Tobi was an Uzumaki. I mean, the guy can teleport to anyone and warp them to his little dimension if he chooses to. He's had how many opportunities now to do it to Naruto? There's got to be some other reason why he seems to be giving Naruto so many chances, other than just plot armor. (Other than being a legit plot hole, anyway.)
Edited by Paradox Jast, 15 August 2012 - 05:27 AM.