My guess is he was on the verge of death and then someone like Orochimaru found him (if he has something to do with this I wouldn't be surprised at this point) and managed to restore his body (possibly hoping he would possess it). Fast forward a couple of years, Obito awakens his Mangekyou, gains his annoying dimension-warping ability, becomes crazy strong, and sets out on his revenge-take-over-the-world-peace-by-permanent-illusion plot. Then you know how the story goes. Just put the remaining pieces together and voila.
Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if Orochimaru has something to do with it.
I also think part of his motives have something to do with Rin's death.
This was my initial thought too, though I can't imagine Orochimaru would have ran away from Akatsuki if this was the case. Any chances Obito's Mangekyou Sharingan activated whilst under the boulder, making him able to slip out from the rocks? Maybe activating Sharingan and Mangekyou Sharingan all in one day is a bit much....plus there'd be no reason for Obito to not rejoin Kakashi & co.
Damn, too many thoughts about this!
Decent chapter though admittingly so many pages without text span me out a little bit. Loved seeing all the classic characters in younger form and a young Guy beating Obitio left me feeling nostalgic over Sasuke's defeat to Rock Lee all that time ago.
Thread Recap (last 10 posts from newest to oldest)
May 17, 13 at 7:25pm
Rondo
I guess I'm wrong then. But I don't see them doing that.
I can think of one series that says, no, Shaman King Flowers, and Shaman King.
May 17, 13 at 7:07pm
Rondo
Good guys never break the rules of death.
May 17, 13 at 6:57pm
Duncan Idaho
I wonder if Orochimaru will let the Kage's live, and iirc it was the 2nd who invented the jutsu that orochimaru uses so i wouldnt be surprised if he could figure a way to break orochimaru's hold over them, i am sure at least the first, second and third would part, the fourth will probably go too, but not before spending some time with Naruto, for once
May 17, 13 at 2:15pm
zanderman
I really wish the anime would get out of fillers.
About damn time Minato showed up.
May 17, 13 at 8:31am
magsasaka
what we learned so far from the recent chapters; leaf ninja are badass!
May 15, 13 at 1:27pm
Rondo
Hey look who's finally here!
May 09, 13 at 11:34pm
NARETO
When will Kishi stop stalling? I was so pumped for Sasuke's and the Hokage's arrival, but Kishi had to go ahead and stall, AGAIN. I understand why he would want to stretch out the series like this, but seriously. I want it to end. However, the whole Rin being a jinchuuriki thing ended up being a pretty cool plot twist. ^.^