Yanbai's "Gift" ability?
Madara Uchiha's brow furrowed.
Why did Uchiha Itachi possess the ability granted by Yanbai's Gift, while he did not?
"The 'Gift' ability?" Madara Uchiha lowered his eyes. "I was just about to ask. Is it because your permissions have been restricted that you can't give me a 'Gift'?"
Yanbai turned toward Madara Uchiha and said, almost pityingly, "That power was born from my praise."
Praise?
Power?
Madara Uchiha could not understand.
He only wanted to know why Uchiha Itachi had it and he did not.
Although Madara Uchiha thought he was already strong enough, still... this was an ability granted by Yanbai's Gift. That made it different.
No, the point was that Uchiha Itachi had it and he didn't!
"I once told you that if a day came when you desperately wanted to kill me, it would mean your love for me had become undying. That would be when this 'Gift' power was born within you. The so-called 'Gift' is a curse."
The misery woven into Yanbai's weighty words left Madara Uchiha feeling slightly dizzy.
The two kept talking.
Madara Uchiha had followed Yanbai toward the inner room.
They passed through the lavish, stately living room.
In the end, they arrived at the narrow veranda where they often sat across from each other and drank.
Sitting down against a pillar, Yanbai brought out the wine and silently poured the pale green liquid into the porcelain cups, one after another.
"I'm not really in the mood to drink right now," Madara Uchiha said quietly. "Did you mean that my love for you isn't as deep as Uchiha Itachi's?"
"First, you need to understand what gives rise to this 'Gift.'" Yanbai raised his cup to his lips.
Madara Uchiha stared at Yanbai, his stubborn gaze filled with confusion.
Yanbai