Conspiracy Theory

The eight Stone Ninja Forehead Protectors proved that Uchiha Ling had hunted down every last Stone Ninja. He had even had time to retrieve the most important proof of his battle merits.

One Forehead Protector bore traces of Fire Release. The rest were spotless—genuine Stone Ninja Forehead Protectors, barely used. Rare finds.

Dule Jiong said, "Fifteen Forehead Protectors in all. The Stone Ninja who ambushed Zone 81 were wiped out."

"No need to praise me," Uchiha Ling said. "It was all thanks to Captain Anko's leadership. She's the one you should praise."

"I wasn't praising you!"

Dule Jiong thought Uchiha Ling was shameless. He had simply assumed Dule Jiong would praise him.

Then again, thinking back on Uchiha Ling's performance in battle, having him around had felt incredibly reassuring.

Mitaraishi Anko had a feeling that the student Orochimaru wanted to recruit wasn't her, the one with connections. It was Uchiha Ling.

Sarutobi Miyagi couldn't hold back any longer. "Uchiha Ling, how did you train yourself to wield all five Chakra natures?"

"It's easy. I just sat there and thought, I want a new nature, and suddenly I had one. Wait, Sarutobi Miyagi, isn't that how you got yours?"

Sarutobi Miyagi's eyelids twitched. His breathing quickened.

Honestly, if he hadn't been injured, he would have challenged Uchiha Ling to a Ninjutsu duel right then.

Chakra natures depended heavily on luck. Some people worked at them for ages without the slightest result, while others woke from an afternoon nap to discover they had gained a new one.

Besides training in Taijutsu and Ninjutsu, Sarutobi Miyagi had devoted most of his effort to cultivating another Chakra nature. So far, he had nothing to show for it.

Uchiha Ling asked, "Sarutobi Miyagi, do I look like a suitable heir to the Five-Style Great Combo,