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This question contains spoilers

Tobi introduced himself as Madara to Nagato and Konan. Zetsu knows his real identity. He showed his real face to Kisame. Itachi at least knows that Tobi is not a goofball (if not his real identity). Why did he have to put up a goofball facade for Sasori, Deidara, Kakuzu and Hidan? There were reasons to keep his real identity hidden, but why did he not introduce himself as Madara to the whole group?

Masked Man
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    I don't think there's a proper answer to this one. Why? Probably to make us, the viewers unaware of his true identity. – Madara's Ghost Jan 02 '13 at 15:22
  • @MadaraUchiha Actually, that too can qualify as an answer. "The author wanted to make his character more mysterious, to get the readers/viewers excited in the later plotline of finding out his real identity." – Masked Man Jan 02 '13 at 15:29
  • Yes, only that isn't a *fact*, it wasn't told anywhere, that's my personal opinion, which does not constitute as an answer here on [se], – Madara's Ghost Jan 02 '13 at 15:31
  • Ah, right you are. – Masked Man Jan 02 '13 at 16:20

5 Answers5

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Tobi acted like a goofball to hide his true nature. Pein was the leader of Akatsuki, but

Tobi was the one pulling the strings behind everything so he had to mask his true identity and seem unworthy of investigation.

Tobi made himself look weak and useless, which is perfect for his disguise.

enter image description here

Arturia Pendragon
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    But *why*? What did he gain from hiding his true identity from *some* Akatsuki members? Also, what does the image have to do with anything? – Madara's Ghost Jan 06 '13 at 16:25
  • I don't know, but the members who knew his true identity were probably part of his "inner circle", with the exception of Itachi (who Tobi had to deal with directly). And it's a given that Zetsu, Pein and Konan know his identity (to various extents). For the other members, the fewer people know that he is pulling the strings, the fewer threats his plans will face. The image was an example of Tobi making himself look useless. – Arturia Pendragon Jan 07 '13 at 12:12
  • The question is still unaswered i feel. He did it to hide his true nature - thats all fine. But what did he gain by it? – debal Dec 06 '13 at 07:05
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Well, deidara did express some negative connotations and resentment towards the Uchiha clan and their sharingan. Since he was paired up with Deidara, if he had expressed his identity of Madara in the beginning, that may have created possible tension/conflict. But, that is only speculation and a small fragment of the possible answer.

Ian
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I think there might be just two key reasons from which other explanations to his fool facade come.

For one, the writing pov, it was an interesting plot device to remove viewers' attention from him as a relevant villain and focus on the Naruto-Sasuke overarching drama. His attitude also lightened up the atmosphere when sometimes it could get too dark (it is still a manga for shonen) and return hope to viewers that the good side will win (since the bad guys seemed to have an irredeemable idiot on their side). Further, when Tobi started showing his true colours (albeit in a slow tempo), the contrast between his joker-like attitude and his mysterious grand powers would make viewers confused, maybe slightly scared of him and scared for the well being of the good guys (since there is this weird goof who starts teleporting and becoming untouchable in the most stressful of situations). These emotions are pretty important to keep interest in the manga/anime, develop the plot, offer a more complex nuance to it and so on.

Now for the second reason, from Tobi's character pov, he adopted this attitude so he would not attract attention to him, since if anyone knew there was a roaming left-dead-but-still-alive Uchiha who was hat powerful Tobi would become a straight-up target. Now he still pretended to be Madara because that name evokes much fear so any potential hunt for him would be delayed until careful plans are developed (which would give him enough time to further his own agenda). Additionally, by appearing stupid, none of the Akatsuki would pay attetion to him, hence allowing him to observe the members and adjust the managing of the group.

Hope this helps!

Snuwiii
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Another possible answer (though it answered very well by others) -

In ep344-345 in Obito and Madaara episodes, we see one of "Hashimura clones" acting in very stupid way, or as this question title suggest - goofy way, he joked about poop things and such, and actually his shape has the same pattern of Obito "Tobi's" mask.

When seeing those episodes, you can see properly that Obito knows well how to play another role with another voice, and he copied that "goofball" personality as well as he copied Madaara's voice and personality. You can say that in some way Obito "merged" with that clone.

Now, this may answer why he chose the goofball personality on purpose rather than making new personality, but the other part of the question is answered by others.

USerNAme
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Madara told Obito/Tobi to use his identity until he is revived. Since he used Madara's identity, he had to wear a mask, otherwise some may had revealed that he isn't Madara.

Found in this Wiki on chapter "Moving the Plan Forward" and from Chapter 606 in the Manga.

Tartori
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  • Thanks, but that is not my question. The question already acknowledges that he had reasons to assume Madara's identity. For a short while, after he "officially" joined Akatsuki, he kept fooling around, especially with "Deidara-senpai" (which is where I got my display name, by the way). The question is why did he do *that* instead of just saying, "I am Madara"? – Masked Man Jan 02 '13 at 13:03
  • @Deidara-senpai He might wanted to test the Akatsuki members out to find out how strong they really are and maybe he just wanted to not pull to much attention to himself by saying: "hey, i'm Madara, sup bro?" but all of this is pure speculation from me, I've no prove for or against it. Time might tell. – Tartori Jan 02 '13 at 23:04