A True Leader 2

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(Chapter 28)

....

The mindset of a true leader? I said to myself inwardly as I edged closer to General Minamino's residence.

"Thanks for your escort but, I think I'll be fine from here on". I told the guard that followed me to ensure that I got to General Minamino without missing routes.

"Okay young general". He said with a slight bow before leaving.

Young general? I asked myself as I chuckled in an unnoticeable manner. People really expected much of me right from the very beginning.

It seemed every militant cowered in fear at the mention of the generals. They even feared them than death itself.

Even I felt it recently. My encounter with Kiirito was nothing near pleasant. I knew of a surety that the other generals have their own monsters including my own dad.

But, they are just like humans when I see them doing their normal activities, except General Kiirito who had a different way of doing things.

If there's someone I envied the most in my entire life span, it would be Yamamoto my deceased elder brother.

He was allowed to join the marine on merit, and his test scores were just flawless. Dad liked him a lot and he emphasizes on the fact that he was 'a chip off the old block'.

On the other side, I wasn't even interested in any of the military's sect. I chose to enroll in the army out of jealousy.

I couldn't sit and watch my big brother hogging all the spotlight, so I decided to enroll in the sect where my dad belonged to.

Although that competition ended five years ago.

I haven't been in a piece since then, my mind shattered here and there like the shards of a molded pot waiting for its potter to remold.

My head hurts every time I try to remember past memories. It's like my memories are locked in the clouds. I try to retrieve them but to no avail.

"And who might you be looking for?" A husky voice asked.

I looked up and saw a guard placing his hands on his sword, ready to unsheathe at any slight movement.

Crap! Do these guards have numbers? They were everywhere.

"I'm here to visit the head captain if you will permit". I echoed in a humble manner.

"And what do you take us for?" He asked blankly as he unsheathes his sword, before dashing down the stairs to where I was standing.

Like my body expected this to happen, I dashed towards him fearlessly with a punch.

He puts his sword back in it's sheathe, then blocks my attack with his hands.

"Tssch, that hurts". He said while making the gesture to usher me in.

I nodded in agreement as I followed him quietly. Why did he pull his swords out if he was going to sheathe them almost immediately? Was it to show off? No I don't think so. It was probably a preventive measure.

^_^

"General Minamino is right behind this door".

He pointed towards a white door with no handles.

'Creak' the door opened itself as we got near it. The head captain was really in there.

"You really gave him a tough time before allowing him in didn't you?" He asked with a smile.

"I'm sorry sir!" *He echoes with fear as he fell to his knees in respect.

"Well, you did the right thing, you aren't meant to allow any individual who isn't a high ranked soldier in but, this case is different.

He is Hiroshi's son, and you know the respect I have for my fellow generals". He shot a tight glare at the guard.

"I'm really sorry sir!" The guard was sweating profusely in no time.

Unsurprisingly,General Minamino chuckles heartily:

"I'm well aware that you didn't know the general's (Hiroshi) son. There's no need to be afraid. You can take your leave".

"Yes sir!" The guard echoed as he exited the room hurriedly.

How did he see us while sitting here? This is literarily the highest place in the building.

"Wondering how I saw both of you?" He asksled as he puts his legs on the table while crossing them, it was as like he read my mind plainly

"Huh?" I wasn't really interested on how he saw us, though I was surprised on how he could tell from such an angle.

"It's through CCTV (Closed circuit television)." He sighed in disappointment, before he spoke. It was like he expected me to guess.

"Oh!" I said with relieve, I thought it was really one of his abilities.

"So, what brings you here?" He asks with a smile.

"Um- I want to ask you few questions to clarify my intentions." I closed my eyes while talking to avoid unnecessary eye contact due to fear.

"That's nice to hear, ask all you want, you might not get this opportunity again". He says as he walks towards a shelf in the far corner of his office,

bringing a bottle of wine and two cups.

"Care for a drink? We have sakes, boozes, barons, and many more".

"I'm sorry but, I'm a lightweight". *I said while staring at my feet in embarrassment.

"There's no cause for alarm after all, this one's non-alcoholic". He points the wine to me which I couldn't refuse.

I emptied the wine into my stomach hastily, before summing up total courage to ask my question.

"Sir, who do you think a true leader is?"

"A true leader?" He asked with surprise.

"Yes. A true leader". I replied.

"Who do you think a true leader is?" He throws the question back at me.

"U--Um, well I think a true leader is the one capable of running his pack. The one with the talent of leading the led".

*Immediately I answered, he throws another question at me.

"I'm I a true leader?" He asked with a serious look.

"Huh?" *His second question threw me off balance as I was short of replies. I waited patiently to confirm if I heard the wrong thing.

After few seconds of assumption, I knew he really asked me that question.

"Y..Yes, a..after all you're the strongest of the captains."

"And who told you that I am the strongest of the captains?" He asked sharply.

I was completely speechless this time around. Isn't he the strongest?

Giving me no time to recover, he asks another question.

"The world is in danger, you only have two options, save yourself and destroy the world or sacrifice yourself by dying for the peace and stability of the world?"

"I will die for my country at any time!" I shouted with a firm rooted salute.

"*sighs* This is where many of you get it wrong".

Huh? What the hell is head captain saying? Who wouldn't want to die for the protection of humanity?

"Have you ever thought of the reason you were the only one required to put your life away for the sake of the world?" He asked

"Why wasn't it a group of people? Why not a whole city? Why does it have to be you dying for the sake of others? It's because you're special."

"I'm sorry, it seems I don't understand." I asked, while stroking my chin in confusion.

"Why does a man sell his one and only diamond to buy acres of land? It's because he knows its worth. This world is full of heroes, and heroes are the one who saves the world from villain's right? That is what most people think. Whether a villain, hero or dark hero, a true leader is the one that can make split decisions in a limited amount of time.

That true leader is the real hero. Whether it be an enemy of mankind or not". *He said passionately before retiring into his chair.

I wasn't even sure if Head general Minamino what he was saying.

"So you mean a true leader is the one that can make split decisions in a limited amount of time?" I asked while scratching my head in a funny manner.

"Yes but, everyone has their opinions. And I just told you mine."

_*_

After few minutes of chatting further, I took my leave humbly, after bowing slightly in respect. I was really surprised he accepted to talk to someone like me.

He explained further on the roles of leadership and other things that would ensure the progress of me as a militant.

He also gave me few training routines that would sharpen my fighting skills.

Guess dad was right after all, there really is no answer to who a true leader is, just opinions.