Various reasons abound as to the reason behind the feud between Tonouchi and Kondo including: Tonouchi's less than fine character; he was the first person who was killed as a result of Kondo's ambition; it was a purge carried out by the Serizawa faction.
近藤との確執の原因は、諸説あり、殿内自身の人間性に問題があったとするものや、近藤の野心の犠牲者になった第一号、芹沢派による粛清など様々。