Chapter 431: Asura Cannot Become a Leader

“But someone like Asura has at least proven that he understands the common people, possesses compassion, and can win people’s hearts. Aren’t those also important qualities for a leader?”

“Indra may be powerful, but he’s too aloof. The people beneath him would fear him, but they might not genuinely respect him. How is he supposed to lead them?”

Arguments broke out everywhere, with everyone holding firmly to their own opinions.

“What is there to argue about? If the choice were between Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha, didn’t Konoha already make its choice long ago?”

“And so, in less than sixty years, the Shinobi World fought three Shinobi World Wars?”

Black Zetsu’s accusations were certainly shocking, but the differences between Asura’s results and Indra’s methods were a genuine contradiction laid bare before everyone’s eyes.

Within the Heavenly Curtain, the room remained deathly silent.

Indra had gradually recovered from his initial overwhelming shock, but his face was still filled with disbelief and inner conflict.

He shook his head repeatedly, as though trying to cast Black Zetsu’s dark “revelations” out of his mind. His voice was dry, carrying the last remnants of hope.

“Black Zetsu… You’re lying to me, aren’t you?”

“My father… Why would he do something like this? He founded the Ninshū and guided the people. His ambitions and ideals should encompass something far greater…”

“How could he… How could he use such… manipulative methods against his own son, against the future of the Ninshū?”

Indra refused to believe that the father he had always regarded as an immovable mountain, the man who had ushered in a new era, could possess such darkness in his heart or scheme so deeply.

“You don’t believe me?”

Black Zetsu let out a short, cold laugh, its voice filled with mockery for Indra’s “naivety.”

“If that’s the case…”

Its form leaned slightly forward, like a serpent preparing to strike.

“Then I’ll give you a reason… one you will never be able to refute.”

“A reason… I can’t refute?” Indra abruptly raised his eyes, staring at Black Zetsu with shock and vigilance.

His newly awakened Three-Tomoe Sharingan gleamed in the dim light as though trying to see through the truth or falsehood hidden within Black Zetsu’s words.

Instead of answering, Black Zetsu asked another question. Its voice returned to that unhurried rhythm, each word cutting straight to the heart.

“Indra…”

“Do you believe that Asura spending an entire half-year personally immersing himself in a ruined village—eating and living alongside those emaciated villagers, leading them to dig wells, clear farmland, and build houses… is truly something worthy of such praise?”

The question caused Indra’s brows to furrow once more.

He remained silent for a long time before finally sighing and admitting, “In that respect… Asura did well.”

“He showed patience and devoted time that I did not, and he gained something I failed to gain… the ability to unite people’s hearts.”

“I admit that when it comes to personally helping a specific village, I cannot do what he did, nor can I surpass him.”

For the first time, he openly acknowledged his younger brother’s superiority in a specific regard, even if his words carried resentment and resignation.

“Heh.”

Black Zetsu sneered again, but this time the mockery in its voice was even more pronounced.

Then its tone abruptly shifted. Like the sharpest dagger, its words stabbed directly at the heart of the matter.

“But… what does that have to do with selecting the leader of the Ninshū?”

“Does it have… anything to do with it at all?”

“?!”

Indra’s face instantly filled with confusion. His pupils contracted slightly, and he clearly could not understand the abrupt leap in Black Zetsu’s logic.

“What… do you mean?”

Seeing his bewildered expression, Black Zetsu knew its guidance was beginning to have an effect.

It began laying out its theory of leadership in a calm tone that almost carried the air of rational analysis.

“Indra, think carefully.”

“On the surface, the leader of the Ninshū manages its thousands of disciples, establishes its rules, and teaches the ways of Chakra…”

“But in reality?”

“What is the future of the Ninshū?”

“It is to venture into a broader world and allow the light of Chakra to spread throughout it!”

“But its ultimate goal is to become the guardian of order in this world—or even… the master and ruler of the entire world!”

It deliberately emphasized the words master and ruler, its voice filled with temptation and ambition.

“So, as a ruler—as someone destined to become the future master of the world…”

Black Zetsu’s voice carried a cold, calculated rationality.

“Where should such a person’s time and energy be spent?”

“Should he be like Asura, spending half a year—or even longer—personally helping a single village, mingling with its villagers, and handling trivial matters such as digging wells, farming, and repairing houses?”

Indra instinctively wanted to argue, but after opening his mouth, he found that Black Zetsu’s reasoning seemed… difficult to refute directly.

One village compared to the entire world…

Without giving him time to organize his thoughts, Black Zetsu continued its explanation in a cold voice, growing increasingly certain.

“If the leader of the Ninshū must personally involve himself in everything, then among the countless villages and towns throughout the world—and all the endless affairs that require assistance or administration—could he possibly manage them all?”

“Would he still have time to consider the Ninshū’s future strategy, explore the deeper mysteries of Chakra, or confront powerful enemies capable of threatening the entire world?”

“The answer is obvious—he could not manage it all, nor would he have the time!”

Black Zetsu’s gaze seemed to pierce through Indra’s eyes and stare directly into his soul.

“The leader of the Ninshū has always been a leader!”

“One who stands at the highest level, surveys the whole situation, determines the direction, selects capable people, and allocates resources…”

“The brain and heart that leads the Ninshū—and, in the future, the entire world—forward!”

“As for all those specific tasks below, those trivial matters like digging wells, clearing farmland, and settling disputes…”

“You need only select suitable, loyal, and capable people and let them handle them!”

“That is the art of leadership. That is the perspective a ruler must possess!”

Once again, it turned its attack toward Asura’s actions.

“And what exactly are the things Asura has done?”

“They are merely things that any ordinary person with a little patience and a willingness to endure hardship could accomplish!”

“Even a reasonably capable village head could do the same—perhaps even better than he could!”

“Such a person might earn the genuine affection of some people within a small community and unite a small group…”

“But!”

Black Zetsu’s voice suddenly rose, delivering its conclusion with absolute certainty. Every word struck like a heavy hammer against Indra’s already wavering defenses.

“Such a person can never become a qualified successor to… a great organization!”

“Much less a qualified… leader on the scale of the entire world!”

“Because what he lacks is precisely what a ruler needs most—the ability to rise above individual affairs and see the greater picture, and the skill to make efficient use of resources.”