No one knew what this stranger had experienced in the past.
However, from his calm yet helpless words, everyone could sense that what he had said was not empty talk.
Those words carried weight.
They came from real suffering.
The middle-aged man on the high platform smiled faintly. Then he turned his gaze toward the five people seated below him.
"What do you all think?" he asked.
One person spoke first.
"It depends on Senior Brother's arrangement."
Another nodded.
"This boy can be cultivated."
A third added,
"Since he was recommended by the Clan Leader, we should take him seriously."
"That makes sense."
A lazy voice followed.
"Ah… listening to you talk makes me sleepy."
You spoke a little, I spoke a little.
In just a few sentences, Naruto's basic arrangement had already been decided.
The middle-aged man nodded.
"Alright."
"I will use my authority as dean to activate the Attribute Testing Stone and test his elemental affinities."
As soon as he finished speaking, the stone tiles in the center of the hall suddenly split apart.
With a low rumbling sound, a massive black stone pillar slowly rose from beneath the floor.
It was about three meters tall, one meter wide, and one meter thick.
The stone surface was extremely smooth, as if it had been polished by countless hands over the years.
On its front was a clearly visible palm imprint.
It was obvious that many people had placed their hands there before.
"Yuko, guide him," the dean said calmly.
The girl who had brought Naruto in bowed.
"Yes."
She walked over to Naruto.
"Put your hand on it," Yuko explained. "Wait for about ten seconds. The stone will automatically detect your attributes."
Naruto nodded, took a deep breath, and stepped forward.
He placed his palm firmly against the handprint.
At once, everyone's eyes focused on him.
Ten seconds passed.
Then—
The black stone suddenly began to tremble.
This had never happened before.
Naruto was startled and subconsciously withdrew his hand.
But the stone continued shaking violently.
"What's going on, Senior Brother?"
"Should we report this to the Clan Leader?"
"Is this resonance?"
"Could it be that his attribute is the same as the Dean's—Fire Release?"
"No, it must be Metal Release! Otherwise, why would the stone react like this?"
"Hoo hoo hoo…"
Even the dean stood up slowly, staring intently at the stone.
After shaking for several seconds, the black stone finally stopped.
Then—
It began to glow.
Five different-colored lights burst out simultaneously, illuminating the entire hall.
Red.
Blue.
Green.
Yellow.
White-gold.
Five radiant beams intertwined in the air.
Naruto stared in amazement.
He could vaguely recognize them.
Fire, Water, Wood, Earth, and Metal.
The Five Elements.
Five Nature Transformations.
In the ninja world, this would be equivalent to possessing affinity for Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, and Lightning.
Complete elemental compatibility.
Naruto felt excited.
He thought he would hear praise.
Admiration.
Amazement.
But instead—
He heard sighs.
"What… just a common-type talent after all."
"This is difficult."
"Did the Clan Leader make a wrong judgment?"
"No way. Ichiro personally went to bring him back."
"Hoo hoo hoo…"
The dean frowned.
"A five-element mixed affinity?"
"Why would the Clan Leader choose someone like this?"
Naruto was completely confused.
Isn't having all five attributes amazing?
Why did everyone look disappointed?
Seeing the atmosphere grow awkward, the dean waved his hand.
"Yuezi."
"Yes."
"Take Naruto to settle down first. Arrange his room and give him his academy uniform."
"I will discuss this matter with your uncles and make arrangements tomorrow."
"Yes."
Yuezi bowed and led Naruto away.
After they left, the dean spoke in a low voice.
"All of you, return to your mountain gates."
"Yes, Dean."
The disciples dispersed one by one.
Soon, only six people remained in the hall.
The dean's name was Tsuchigen Takeo.
He was the direct disciple of the Clan Leader.
In other words, he was Ichiro Tsuchigen's grand-uncle.
The five people below him were all fellow disciples of the Clan Leader.
Takeo was their senior brother.
Thus, their ranks were as follows:
Fire Mountain Gate Leader – Tsuchigen Tianzang (First)
Water Mountain Gate Leader – Tsuchigen Xiaxi (Second, female)
Metal Mountain Gate Leader – Tsuchigen Gongshan (Third)
Wood Mountain Gate Leader – Tsuchigen Moriichi (Fourth)
Earth Mountain Gate Leader – Tsuchigen Yanshan (Fifth)
They were the strongest combat force on the Tsuchigen Planet besides the Clan Leader.
They were also the founders of the academy.
Takeo looked at them and said,
"Give me your opinions."
Tianzang spoke first.
"Since Master arranged it this way, he must have his reasons."
"The Five-Color Divine Light… perhaps he can master all five elements."
Gongshan looked at him.
"Big Brother, are you joking?"
Tianzang shrugged helplessly.
Moriichi stroked his beard.
"The Testing Stone doesn't lie."
"People with mixed attributes are common."
"Most of them remain mediocre their entire lives."
"They are too scattered and cannot focus on one element."
"Those who cultivate a single attribute usually go further."
Xiaxi twisted slightly and said,
"In my opinion, we should tell Master directly."
"Let him see if this talent can be transformed."
"Maybe it can be changed into Senior Brother's attribute."
Takeo glared at her.
"Nonsense!"
Yanshan snored softly.
"Huff… huff…"
Xiaxi was annoyed after being scolded.
She turned and poked Yanshan.
"Hey, Fifth Brother, wake up!"
Yanshan jumped up.
"Oh!"
"I'm leaving!"
Takeo's face darkened.
"Stop!"
His cold shout echoed.
Yanshan froze.
"Look at yourself!"
"You're already a sect leader!"
"And you're sleeping in meetings?"
"What kind of example is that?!"
Takeo's face was full of disappointment.
Yanshan was his first disciple.
He had personally raised him.
Seeing him like this always made Takeo angry.
Xiaxi laughed loudly.
"Don't laugh!" Takeo snapped.
Silence instantly returned.
After a moment, Takeo sighed.
"In that case…"
"We'll teach him one by one."
"Since he has five attributes, we'll cultivate all five."
"Each of you will teach him in turn."
"After that, he'll come to me."
"I'll teach him personally."
Xiaxi exclaimed,
"There's no precedent for this!"
Takeo replied firmly,
"Now there is."
"We'll start with Tianzang."
"Teach him in order."
With that, he dismissed the meeting.
The five mountain gate leaders looked at each other.
Then, they all sighed and left.