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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 Uchiha Sasuke. 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 his is actually Madara, in chapter 397, page 16, Tobi flat-out states that his is in fact Madara.

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

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