Enhanced Sense of Smell

As everyone knew, Fire Release had one weakness: it was slow.

The four Stone Ninja had clearly tried to dodge. Some moved sideways; others leaped into the air.

But once the six fireballs spread out, they covered too much ground. Two Stone Ninja failed to escape and took direct hits.

The last Stone Ninja had jumped high, keeping his eyes on the five fireballs behind him. He thought he had dodged them, never noticing another fireball hidden farther back, rising at an angle.

That was dirty!

Another turned sideways and slipped between two fireballs, thinking himself clever.

He watched the fireballs skim past and endured the waves of heat. Every Ninjutsu has a weakness.

In the next instant, the fireballs flared from orange-red to brilliant white!

Explosions erupted one after another, unleashing a terrifying blast of heat and shock waves.

The Stone Ninja between the two fireballs was swallowed by searing flames from both sides.

When the explosions ended, the Stone Ninja Squad had been wiped out.

Uchiha Ling's lips twitched into a smile.

Ever since he had worked out the principles of the Chakra meridians, he was no longer limited to using Fire Release Ninjutsu exactly as he had been taught. He had begun adding his own insights.

And not just to the Great Fireball Technique. In the future, he could make small innovations to techniques like Lightning Release: Lightning Spear, much as Sasuke had adapted Lightning Cutter in the original story.

Only then did Inuzuka Hara believe Tian Da had told him the truth: this three-Genin squad was strong.

Dule Jiong supported Inuzuka Hara as they followed Mitaraishi Anko away.

Inuzuka Hara saw Uchiha Ling standing to one side. He waited until everyone had passed before turning to leave. He meant to cover their retreat.

*Was he really