Chapter 181: Tobirama Senju — How Does Konoha Compare to Akatsuki Village? Of Course, Konoha Is Number One! (Sad Face)
"Bastard! This guy doesn't play fair!""Gang up on him!"
Right now, Tobirama Senju's face was a ridiculous sight.His face had swollen to nearly twice its normal size — he really did look like a pig's head.
But despite that pig-like face, Tobirama's expression was… complicated.
Yesterday's fight, honestly, couldn't really be called a gang fight.After all, Tobirama was the envoy representing Konoha. Uchiha Makoto dared to fight him because he was the Light Shadow.The ANBU from Akatsuki Village were merely on standby, acting more like cheerleaders than actual combatants.
It was only when Uchiha Makoto mounted Tobirama and started pounding his face that the ANBU joined in — tossing in a few kicks for good measure.
Now, Tobirama was carefully reviewing that battle.This was, technically, the first serious fight between the two.But it wasn't a battle to the death.Neither used their ultimate techniques — Uchiha Makoto didn't summon Susanoo, and Tobirama didn't use his most destructive forbidden jutsu.
They fought in close quarters, relying on taijutsu, ninjutsu, and genjutsu — even including Flying Thunder God.
Although the Akatsuki headquarters' sealing barrier restricted space–time jutsu, Flying Thunder God was merely suppressed, not nullified — usable only within the building.It was as if someone had built an artificial cage — you couldn't get in or out.
So Flying Thunder God still worked… somewhat.But even so, it couldn't change the outcome.
After all — not everyone was Minato Namikaze.The Yellow Flash not only perfected the technique's casting speed but also had incredible battle analysis and reaction time — turning a single opening into a devastating Rasengan counterattack.
Tobirama, on the other hand… was just too slow.
Uchiha Makoto's Sharingan saw through all of Tobirama's moves, suppressing him the entire fight.Even the Flying Thunder God sneak attacks were easily dodged.
Eventually, Tobirama got drawn into close-quarters combat.After a hundred or so exchanges, his arms were sore, his breathing ragged — and in one split second, their eyes met.
That — was the fatal mistake when fighting a Uchiha.
Makoto's genjutsu activated instantly, his powerful ocular power disrupting Tobirama's chakra, leaving him dazed.
Although Tobirama snapped out of it within a few seconds, it was already too late.By the time he came to, Makoto was already on top of him, raining punches down on his face — and the Akatsuki ANBU joined in, beating him senseless.
"Sss… damn it hurts, that bastard!""It wasn't even a death match, I held back my forbidden jutsu… and so did he!""But I still got completely dominated!"
"His strength… I might not be his match anymore."
Tobirama wasn't the kind to make excuses.A loss was a loss.
Yesterday's fight had completely changed his assessment of Uchiha Makoto.
The man had enormous chakra, and his ocular power was extraordinary — clearly he'd awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.His reflexes, speed, and strength — all impeccable.
A true six-dimensional warrior.
At this point, Tobirama concluded:If he wanted to defeat Uchiha Makoto again, it would have to be like the time he beat Madara — by exploiting an information gap and using an unseen forbidden jutsu.
"I need to speed up my research…""If we ever face each other on the battlefield again, this could be trouble."
The sheer gap in power made Tobirama uneasy — Uchiha Makoto shouldn't be this strong!
Being a Kage was a burden.Administrative work consumed most of one's time, leaving little room for training.
Declining combat ability was natural — even regression wasn't uncommon.
Tobirama knew this well.His body was aging, his physical capabilities waning.He'd been buried in paperwork for years — maintaining his current level was impressive in itself.
So he turned to forbidden jutsu research — ways to compensate for declining physical prowess.
But Uchiha Makoto? He was… different.Before leaving the Uchiha clan, Tobirama hadn't even heard of his name. At best, he'd been an average jōnin.And yet — now…Makoto was not the same man.
"How can someone who just sits in an office all day, doing paperwork, keep getting stronger?""And then punch my face?!"
"And those damned Akatsuki ANBU — if it weren't for them, I wouldn't have looked this pathetic!"
Tobirama grumbled to himself again.
Just then, Uchiha Makoto appeared — bringing people with him — and walked straight into Tobirama's room.
"Tobirama, I came to check on you!"
"Makoto, you evil little Uchiha! You dare show your face here!"
"Why wouldn't I? You kicked my door down yesterday! Half my office floor's in ruins — you're paying for that! I'll deduct it from Konoha's canned-food factory profits this year!"
"You… I'll kill you!"
Tobirama's swollen pig-head face turned crimson with fury.Not only had he been beaten up — now he had to pay for damages?!
Was there no justice left in this world?!
But with that swollen, wobbling head of his, even his anger looked comical.
Makoto couldn't help but smirk, his lips curling upward.
That only infuriated Tobirama further.
Makoto stepped back — he wasn't going to fight again. What would be the point?
"Relax, Tobirama. I brought a medical-nin for you.""The Mist and Stone envoys are arriving tomorrow. You can't greet them looking like that."
"Hmph… at least you have some conscience left."
Grumbling, Tobirama lowered his hands from a half-formed hand seal.
The medical-nin stepped forward and began treating his face with healing chakra.After more than half an hour, the swelling subsided significantly, and a special ointment was applied — by tomorrow, he'd look fine.
Then Makoto waved the others away, sitting down across from Tobirama.
"Alright. Let's talk business.""The Mist and Stone are arriving tomorrow. We've discussed things before, but I want to finalize the details."
"Fine. Business it is."
…
They spent the rest of the day discussing the meeting.By afternoon, Makoto stood up.
"That's enough for today.""I'll head back. See you tomorrow."
The two exchanged their usual gesture — flipping each other off — and parted ways.
The next day.
Makoto stepped out of his mansion wearing his Godly Vestments, with Tobirama beside him, and headed for Akatsuki Village's front gates.
It wasn't long before the Iwagakure delegation arrived.
After a brief welcome ceremony, there was polite small talk.
"Long time no see, Tsuchikage.""Ah, Light Shadow — still as impressive as ever. Truly admirable!"
The First Tsuchikage and Uchiha Makoto had met before — they greeted each other like old friends.
Though in truth, the refined Makoto was secretly itching to send the old man on a night flight.
Then Tobirama led the Iwa delegation through Akatsuki Village's core district — toward the Six Shadows Tower.
But as they walked through the busiest streets…The First Tsuchikage's worldview started to crack.
"T-this… this is Akatsuki Village?""Impossible…"
He knew Akatsuki was strong — but not this strong.
They'd just fought a massive war!Surely the place should be in shambles!
Even though the Cloud Village suffered huge losses, Akatsuki's campaign had been a long, resource-draining war fought far from home — they should have been devastated.
Their legendary "Explosive Tag Warfare" was costly beyond belief — each detonation was literal gold.
And yet, during that war, the Akatsuki army had ice cream rations in summer — as if their soldiers were pampered noble heirs.
That kind of campaign should've drained every last coin!
With thousands dead or wounded, the compensation, pensions, and retraining of shinobi would've bankrupted anyone.
Sure, the Cloud paid two hundred billion in reparations — but in installments!That money wouldn't have solved anything immediately.
By all logic, Akatsuki Village should've been struggling — taking years to recover.
Yet what he saw was prosperity — streets bustling like a capital city!
"This… this can't be just a shinobi village…"
They'd all founded their villages around the same time, and the Land of Earth was one of the Five Great Nations — so why was Akatsuki so far ahead?
"Hmph. Now this makes me feel a little better," Tobirama thought, watching the Tsuchikage's stunned expression.
Even he, when first visiting Akatsuki, had been shocked.
So yes — let you taste that same humiliation!
"Don't be surprised," Tobirama said smoothly. "Surely Konoha is even more prosperous."
The Tsuchikage's face stiffened.
Moments ago, he'd looked around like a country bumpkin seeing the capital for the first time — utterly embarrassed.
And now Tobirama had reminded him — Konoha was supposedly more advanced.
He could only force an awkward laugh."Ha… ha… of course! Yes, of course!"
"Come, let's proceed to the meeting hall," Tobirama said quickly, covering his own discomfort.
"Soon… Konoha will rise again.""One day, Konoha will surpass Akatsuki — even if they call me a copycat dog, I don't care!"
He swore silently to himself as they continued walking.
Moments later, the Mist delegation arrived too.
After another round of greetings, Uchiha Makoto personally led the First Mizukage into the Six Shadows Tower.
Inside the conference hall, representatives from all over the ninja world whispered among themselves, speculating about the upcoming talks.
The First Mizukage, meanwhile, looked utterly dazed.
Akatsuki Village's prosperity was unreal — even Konoha, the richest of the five great villages, couldn't compare, much less Mist.
And the meeting itself — the scale, the decor — it was overwhelming.
Makoto didn't explain. He simply scanned the audience.
According to his design, the Six Shadows Conference was to be held regularly by the six great villages, setting the future direction of the ninja world — with other smaller powers as observers.
And today's crowd of representatives had gathered precisely because of that.
Everyone knew: this meeting between Mist and Stone would determine the future balance of power.If things went poorly… war could erupt again.
To them, this was an opportunity — a chance to anticipate the next shift in the ninja world.
"Good," Makoto thought, smiling faintly."The more who come, the better. One day, Akatsuki will speak — and the entire ninja world will listen."
(End of Chapter)