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Tobi is a mysterious individual and is an associate of Zetsu, whom he has been an associate of for an unknown time.

When Akatsuki member Akasuna No Sasori was killed, Tobi was very eager to get his ring and replace him. And in turn, he found it with Zetsu's help and was eventually allowed to become a member of the Akatsuki Organization. He was assigned to work with Deidara, and was given the task of capturing the Three Tailed Bijju, Sanbi. He shares a testy relationship with Deidara.

After this event, Tobi and Deidara's screen time and importance in the main plot was limited until Deidara picked a fight with Sasuke Uchiha. Deidara kept Tobi on the sidelines until he was needed to place clay mines. Then Deidara told Tobi to flee, since he was using his C4 attack, Tobi was supposedly caught in the crossfire and killed.

Akatsuki's leader remarked that Tobi was easily replaceable. However, later on, Pein is seen ordered to capture the Kyuubi. The figure is none other than Tobi, who was speaking in a rather ominous and more serious voice. It is also revealed that his right eye is a Sharingan (chapter 395 of the manga), and he claims to have "the power of Uchiha Madara", who is the founder of the Uchiha Clan. And while this in itself doesn't necessarily mean that he is actually Madara, in chapter 397, page 16, Tobi flat-out states that he is in fact Madara.

He seems to be interested in Uchiha Sasuke's Sharingan, but his true motives are as of yet unknown.

Editor's Note:

There is a discussion among fans that Tobi may be Obito Uchiha, the one who gave Kakashi his left sharingan eye, as Tobi only has one eye hole on the right side of his mask and has the same hair style. Others dismiss this as nonsense, especially with the reveal that Tobi is Madara. Personally, I am just staying out of this whole debate until absolute proof is given one way or the other. But if you want to fuel your flame of curiosity, here are a few links for you:

• http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_obito_tobi
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9w6RvlbwgE
• http://www.animationinsider.net/forums/showthread.php?t=20807
• http://forums.narutofan.com/showthread.php?t=323258

Express yourself! Post questions and comments in the Absolute Anime Forums, or contact me about any corrections.

Madara Uchiha was one of the founders of the Hidden Leaf Village, and ancestor of Sasuke Uchiha. He battled the First Hokage and was immortalized in stone at the Valley of the End. But prior to this, Madara achieved the Mangekyou Sharingan and perfected it by killing his younger brother. As a result, Madara became immortal in a way, assuming various false guises over the years and creating the Akatsuki Organization to act in his stead with him as its power before the throne. Madara was also the one who forced the Nine Tailed Fox demon to attack the Hidden Leaf Village and aide Itachi in the slaughter of the Uchiha clan.

When Sasori died in action, Madara assumed the guise of Tobi to be Sasori's successor and Deidara's new partner when capturing the Three Tailed Bijju, Sanbi. But once Deidara died fighting Sasuke, Madara orders Pein to capture the Nine Tailed Fox while beginning his own intent to recruit Sasuke, revealing to him the truth behind the Uchiha clan's slaughter and bringing Hawk into the Akatsuki. But Madara's true motives are as of yet unknown.

Express yourself! Post questions and comments in the Absolute Anime Forums, or contact me about any corrections.