"Madara, so this is the Imperial Capital! It's completely different from the cities in the Shinobi World!" Bored out of his mind, Hashirama had insisted on dragging Madara out to explore the Imperial Capital.
"It's nothing but a gilded facade." Madara calmly surveyed the plainly dressed people passing by.
"Haha! If it weren't, we wouldn't be here! Come on, let's take a good look around a city in the Otherworld. This is a rare opportunity!" Brimming with excitement, Hashirama threw an arm around Madara, his head swiveling in every direction.
"I don't think you're interested in the cities here. You're looking for this world's gambling dens!" Madara saw straight through his friend's ulterior motive.
"Don't put it like that! It's my only hobby." Hashirama stiffened, then laughed it off.
"Hmph!" Madara turned his head away disdainfully.
"By the way, how did your last mission go?"
"Boring beyond belief."
As they talked, the two reached the central square of the Imperial Capital.
"Madara, look! What's going on over there?" Hashirama pointed at a fighting platform surrounded by a crowd.
"Who knows? Probably some boring variety show," Madara said indifferently.
"Come on, let's take a look." With that, Hashirama dragged Madara toward the crowd.
"Friend, what's going on here?" Hashirama asked a heavily bearded man.
"Haha, another outsider, huh? Well, I'm in a good mood today, so I don't mind telling you." The man grinned heartily, then pointed at the mature beauty in a white military uniform seated above the platform. "See her?"
"Yes! A very beautiful woman." Hashirama nodded.
"That's not what I meant!" The man gave Hashirama a speechless look. "Do you know who she is?"
"No!" Hashirama shook his head blankly.
"That's General Esdeath, the Empire's strongest fighter. She's holding this tournament to choose the strongest man in the