A familiar voice rang out. Uchiha Gin, who had only just left the dungeon, turned to look at the two boys nearby. After a quick thought, he had already figured out what to say.
"Izuna, Madara, do you know what it takes to be a qualified leader?"
"???"
Izuna had originally wanted to tease Uchiha Gin, but the counterquestion left him baffled. At his age, he had never considered such things.
"The strength to sweep aside everything?"
Uchiha Madara, who was more mature than his younger brother, stroked his chin and offered a tentative answer after some thought.
"That's right, but that's only one of the most basic requirements."
Uchiha Gin nodded, then shook his head. The expression on his face practically screamed that they were far too shallow, making the two boys grit their teeth in irritation.
"Then you tell us!"
Unable to hold back, Uchiha Izuna waved his little fists as he spoke.
"Heh heh, let me educate you on what a qualified leader needs."
Uchiha Gin looked around and, seeing no one else nearby, beckoned for the brothers to come closer.
The two brothers did not suspect anything. Driven by curiosity, they leaned in, ready to hear what grand insight Uchiha Gin had to offer.
"Besides strength, the most important thing is..."
"And?"
The two boys' eyes shone with the thirst for knowledge.
"This!"
Uchiha Gin mysteriously held out one hand, palm up, forming a circle with his thumb and index finger—the universal gesture.
The two boys were full of question marks.
"Tch. As a leader, you need gold in your hands. Only then will everyone follow you wholeheartedly."
Uchiha Gin spoke with the look of someone disappointed by their failure to meet expectations.
"That's way too shallow!"
The more impatient Uchiha Izuna immediately complained.
"Don't rush.