248. Fight

After a brief and amicable negotiation, the four Tailed Beasts, led by Kurama, willingly signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Hashirama Senju to ensure mutual benefits.

“Release.”

“ROAR!!”

As Hashirama lifted the Four-Pillar Prison’s seal, the newly freed Tailed Beasts raised their heads and let out deafening roars. The soundwaves, accompanied by massive shockwaves, stirred up clouds of dust, forcing the onlookers to shield their faces.

At that moment of regained freedom, Kurama's eyes glimmered with cunning. Glancing at the temporarily distracted Hashirama, he stealthily took a step back, scheming for a chance to escape.

Help you humans fight? Dream on!

Just as Kurama prepared to bolt, thick wooden branches suddenly shot up from the ground, startling him so much that he instinctively clenched his tails, barely suppressing his panic.

Huh? I haven’t even moved yet, and this human already sensed something? How sharp is his perception?

Kurama inwardly complained but quickly shut his eyes, bracing for the suffocating grip of the incoming wooden restraints.

“ROAR!”

To his surprise, the expected binding never came. Instead, a familiar anguished cry rang out. Kurama snapped his eyes open to see the source.

There lay Kokuō, the Five-Tails, struggling on the ground. Its four elegant limbs were tightly bound by sturdy wooden branches, its pitiful cries sending chills through the hearts of the other Tailed Beasts.

“Integrity matters—whether as a person or a beast!”

With his hands clasped in a seal, Hashirama sternly admonished Kokuō, his tone carrying a sharp edge.

It turned out that Kokuō, the moment it was freed, had already been plotting its escape.

Confident in its speed as the fleetest of the Tailed Beasts, Kokuō had attempted to flee toward an unobstructed path, considering its prior capture a mere fluke.

However, it greatly underestimated Hashirama, who had long been prepared. The instant Kokuō lifted a hoof, wooden branches shot out and immobilized it, toppling it to the ground like a lamb to the slaughter.

“Cough, cough… I wasn’t trying to escape. Just… warming up!”

Sapped of its strength by the suppressive Wood Release, Kokuō barely lifted its head to feebly explain itself to the stern-faced Hashirama.

“Haha, you should’ve said so earlier! I thought you were running away.”

Hashirama chuckled, giving Kokuō a way out. With a wave of his hands, the wooden restraints receded, turning into harmless splinters.

“You guys better give it your all. True freedom is just within reach!”

Smiling warmly, Hashirama clapped his hands, encouraging the visibly shaken Tailed Beasts.

Leading the now-subdued Beasts, Hashirama approached Madara Uchiha. Seeing his friend sitting with his eyes closed, Hashirama scratched the back of his head sheepishly.

“Sorry, Madara, for keeping you waiting.”

“It doesn’t matter. Let’s begin.”

Madara opened his scarlet eyes, his typically stern face breaking into a rare smile. Filled with anticipation, he was eager to face Hashirama’s challenge.

At that moment, a blue lightning bolt streaked across the clear sky, heralding the dramatic entrance of a familiar white-haired figure.

“Then allow me to serve as the referee for this battle!”

With arms crossed, Tobirama Senju appeared between the two competitors, his crimson eyes glowing faintly as he declared his role.

“I, Tobirama Senju, will ensure absolute fairness!”

“Boo!!!”

To his dismay, the arena erupted in boos instead of applause. Even Izuna Uchiha made a particularly rude gesture, expressing his dissatisfaction.

Calmly, Uchiha Gin stood up from his seat, meeting Tobirama’s sharp gaze without flinching. Turning to the assembled clans, he spoke with an air of authority.

“It’s always a Senju as the referee. Don’t you think that’s unfair? Right, Sasuke-kun?”

Caught in the middle, Sarutobi Sasuke stammered nervously, “Uh… maybe a little?”

Raising his hand to calm Sasuke, Gin continued, “If fairness is truly the goal, then this time, let someone from the Uchiha clan referee. Don’t you agree?”

“Absolutely!”

Even Hashirama’s younger sister cheered, much to Tobirama’s silent dismay.

“Fine,” Tobirama finally relented, sighing. “This round, let the Uchiha choose the referee.”

Immediately, Izuna lit up with excitement, tugging Gin’s sleeve eagerly.

“Big bro! Let me do it—I promise to be biased!”

Tobirama’s icy glare immediately silenced Izuna, who coughed awkwardly.

“Let me do it,” Gin declared solemnly, gently shaking off Izuna. “As the eldest, it’s my responsibility to ensure justice!”

“Gin as referee?”

Tobirama raised an eyebrow, skeptical yet oddly resigned.

With Tobirama’s approval and Hashirama’s easygoing agreement, Gin leaped into the arena, dramatically brandishing a golden staff from his pouch.

“First rule: No personal vendettas!

Second rule: No missed infractions!

Third rule: Justice will be served beautifully!”

Standing tall, Uchiha Gin declared in a resounding voice:

“Uchiha Captain, reporting for duty!”

“Wow!!”

Itama clapped enthusiastically, clearly impressed by Gin’s flair.

Meanwhile, Madara’s face twitched as he struggled to maintain composure. Why do I feel like something’s about to go wrong?


"Big Brother Gin, why don't you set the rules?"

Senju Hashirama, with a sparkle in his eyes, cheerfully addressed the newly appointed referee.

"Hmm~ Since both sides have no objections, I now announce: the First Konoha Pokémon Master Tournament officially begins!"

Having gained approval from both contestants, Uchiha Gin felt the weight of responsibility settle on him. His dead-fish-like eyes glimmered faintly as he decisively formulated his plan.

He threw the golden staff in his hand into the air. It split into four pieces and landed precisely in the four corners of the arena.

In an instant, a mysterious and profound energy flowed from the staves into the ground. Golden ripples spread rapidly, enveloping the eight colossal tailed beasts in moments. The audience found themselves separated by this golden barrier, unable to interfere.

A blinding flash of golden light followed, and a massive arena, large enough to contain the tailed beasts, appeared before everyone's eyes.

The spectators were stunned by this magical scene, utterly unprepared for such an extraordinary display from the seemingly unserious Uchiha Gin.

When they touched the golden translucent barrier, they discovered its surface shimmered faintly with golden light. No amount of force could make it budge.

"What... is this?"

All eyes turned to Uchiha Gin, who stood there with a satisfied smile, admiring his work.

"Whoo~ That took some effort!"

Wiping imaginary sweat from his forehead, Uchiha Gin looked at the stage he had set and grinned with pride.

"Big Brother, where did you learn this kind of technique?"

Uchiha Madara finally set aside his usual aloof demeanor and asked his cousin. The golden barrier—what kind of jutsu was this?

Without hesitation, Uchiha Gin replied, "Hehe, see those staves? I spent a fortune buying them from—"

Before he could repeat his oft-used excuse, Madara cut him off.

"Let me guess: the Land of Craftsmen? Can you come up with something new?"

Madara had heard this explanation countless times. When he was younger, he had believed it wholeheartedly. But during a mission that brought him near the Land of Craftsmen, he learned that the items his cousin claimed to have purchased there were entirely unknown to its inhabitants.

"Uh-huh, cough, cough. As I’ve explained many times, these are exclusive tools crafted by a reclusive family in the Land of Craftsmen. They're unique. You won’t find them on the market."

Uchiha Gin coughed awkwardly, maintaining a straight face as he defended his claim.

Madara, seeing his cousin's sincere expression, began to waver. Could that mysterious man, Seimei, have been lying to him?

"Phew, my cousin's getting harder to fool," Gin thought, relieved to see Madara lost in thought.

The truth was that this golden barrier originated from the Four Red Yang Formation, an A-rank barrier technique Gin had picked up during his exploits. The original version was fiery red and infused with searing chakra, which made direct contact impossible.

Gin had modified it to use healing yang-release chakra instead of fire-release chakra, removing its offensive properties while enhancing its defensive capabilities. He also added self-repair functions and changed the color to gold.

This enhanced version was dubbed the Four Radiant Yang Formation, a significant upgrade from the original.

"To think ninja tools have reached this level!"

Unlike Madara, Hashirama believed Gin's explanation without question. He ran his hand over the golden barrier, marveling at the staves planted firmly in the ground.

"Can ninja tools really achieve this?"

Senju Tobirama, a foremost researcher in the Land of Fire, was less easily convinced. From the golden barrier, he sensed concentrated yang-release chakra. If this was truly the result of ninja tools, it was a development that needed to be strictly controlled. In the wrong hands, it could become a serious threat.

"Hey, Kurama, what’s with the daze?"

The other tailed beasts were also astounded by the Four Radiant Yang Formation. The Five-Tails, in particular, noticed that the usually boisterous Nine-Tails was uncharacteristically silent, its attention entirely focused on the curly-haired human.



"Didn't you sense it?"

Interrupted in its thoughts, the Nine-Tails turned around with furrowed brows, its yellow beastly eyes filled with deep confusion.

"We know your senses are sharp, no need to show off!"

The Six-Tails Saiken joined the conversation, wiggling its antennae before speaking.

"That human carries the old man's aura—no, wait, not just the old man, but also his perverted younger brother's!"

The Nine-Tails sniffed repeatedly to confirm, but the result remained the same.

"Uh, no way! Are you sure your nose isn't acting up? Chōmei, I told you to stop spreading your useless scale powder everywhere!"

The Five-Tails Kokuō shook its head, wearing a look of disbelief. After scrutinizing Uchiha Gin, it directly accused the Nine-Tails of having sensory issues, pinning the blame on the "traitor" Chōmei.

"I just think that human deserves a beating; he’s got nothing to do with the old man!"

"Indeed."

Even by simply observing with its eyes and blocking its nose, the Nine-Tails agreed—Uchiha Gin definitely had a punchable face. It began doubting its own senses.

"This is the effect of the ninja tools. Once chakra is infused, a barrier is deployed. People outside cannot enter, and attacks from within cannot harm those outside."

Uchiha Gin brushed over the explanation of the ninja tools' effects. Rolling his eyes, he raised his right hand and declared:

"Now, let me announce the competition rules."

The crowd, still studying the barrier, shifted their focus to him. Under their expectant gazes, Gin proclaimed loudly:

"The match will be a King of the Hill style competition. Both sides will send out one tailed beast at a time to fight. The loser steps down, and the winner remains to defend the stage. This continues until one side’s tailed beasts are completely defeated. The side with the last standing tailed beast wins!"

Everyone nodded in agreement. The simple and fair rules satisfied the crowd.

"I knew I could count on him," thought Tobirama Senju with relief. Watching Uchiha Gin’s messy curls sway lightly, Tobirama nodded in satisfaction.

"Now, contestants, please send out your first tailed beasts!"

After confirming no objections from either side, Gin raised both hands to signal the start of the match.

"Madara, you know the strength of a tailed beast is tied to the number of tails, right?"

With the competition beginning, Hashirama Senju teased Madara Uchiha, who seemed indecisive about his choice.

"Hmph! Nonsense!"

Naturally, Madara didn’t believe such claims. He looked down at the blue feline lounging at his feet. With a flash of red in his eyes, he asked,

"Do tailed beasts gauge their strength by the number of tails?"

"Utter nonsense, nya! Our tails are purely decorative; strength depends on individual skill!"

Even under hypnosis, Matatabi (the Two-Tails) repeated the age-old mantra that "tails are meaningless."

"Very well, you’ll go first. Prove it to me with your strength."

Since actions speak louder than words, Madara decided to let Matatabi test the waters.

"Nya~"

Under Madara’s control, Matatabi leaped onto the golden stage. Its crimson eyes exuded an invisible pressure.

"Madara, when will you ever learn?"

Hashirama sighed, shaking his head. "That Madara just won’t believe until he sees it for himself." He then turned to the four tailed beasts behind him and asked,

"Who wants to go first?"

"Fighting Matatabi? I’ll handle it!"

The Four-Tails Kokuō volunteered after a quick discussion with the others. It wasn’t happy about being picked simply because it had the fewest tails, but it didn’t protest.

With that, Kokuō transformed into a white streak of lightning, appearing on the stage in a flash.

"Alright! First match: Two-Tails vs. Five-Tails! Let the battle begin!"

Watching the rare sight of tailed beasts duking it out, Uchiha Gin enthusiastically waved a flag he had somehow acquired and announced the start of the fight.

"Roar!"

As soon as Gin lowered the flag, Matatabi vanished from sight.

In the next moment, its sharp claws slashed down toward Kokuō’s head, aiming for a swift, decisive strike.

"Hmph!"

Despite the incoming attack, Kokuō showed no fear. With a mocking glint in its eyes, it swung its four sharp horns upward, meeting Matatabi’s claws with overwhelming force.

Boom!

The clash sent shockwaves through the arena. In the stunned silence that followed, Matatabi was sent flying dozens of meters before crashing into the golden barrier.

The immense impact startled the audience, but the barrier didn’t waver—there wasn’t even a ripple.

"That’s it? That’s all you’ve got?"

Kokuō shook its slightly aching head and sneered at the panting Matatabi sprawled on the ground.

"Argh… damn it!"

Matatabi growled as it struggled to its feet. Glaring at the smug Kokuō, it opened its mouth and fired a massive fireball straight at its opponent.

"Who do you think you’re underestimating?"

Kokuō didn’t hold back either. Opening its mouth, it began forming a black Tailed Beast Bomb. Compared to Matatabi’s fireball, it was far more imposing.

"Fine, let’s settle this!"

Matatabi quickly formed its own Tailed Beast Bomb.

Boom!

The two bombs collided mid-air, creating a deafening explosion that filled the arena with smoke.

As the smoke cleared, the crowd craned their necks, eager to see the result.

"Who won?"

Both tailed beasts remained standing, their fur singed. However, the blue feline wobbled before collapsing with a pained cry. Its sharp eyes turned into spirals, signaling its defeat.

"Matatabi, are you convinced now?"

Though scorched, Kokuō smirked as it opened its mouth, exhaling faint wisps of smoke.

"Round one goes to the Five-Tails!"

After confirming Matatabi’s defeat, Uchiha Gin raised the flag, declaring Kokuō the victor.

"Haha! Sorry, Madara~"

Hashirama couldn’t hide his delight, waving at the scowling Madara.

"Hmph! Useless creature!"

Infuriated by Matatabi’s easy loss, Madara turned to the muscle-bound Four-Tails Son Gokū and asked coldly,

"Can you win?"

"A fight? This old monkey’s never backed down from one!"

Radiating raw power, Son Gokū pounded its chest with its massive fists, asserting its strength.

"Good. Go and crush that smug white-haired mule!"