Chapter 11: The Gamble
Chapter Summary: The Chunin Exams Begin!
3,573 words
Uploaded 28/03/2023
Chunin Exam Testing Room
After Ibiki's arrival, the genin had all received randomly-assigned seats and test papers; though some students were with their teams, others were separated, as if it were intentional design.
Teams 7 and 8 were two of the teams that had been split up, though Teams 9 and 10 were fortunate enough to avoid this.
This split had placed Naruto nearer to the front (though still some rows back) and center, Sakura was nearer to the back (though still some rows ahead), and Sasuke was off to the window side in the back.
Ibiki stated, "This exam is very simple; it's a test of your ability to give your superiors information. There are ten questions on each paper. Answer each question as best you can. The proctors will be watching; if you are caught cheating 3 times, your test is over and your team is disqualified from the exam. The exam begins on my mark.".
The hairs on the back of everyone's necks began to rise as they anticipated the beginning of the exam.
"The test begins... Now!".
The genin all flipped their papers over and began reading the questions.
Upon reading, many of the genin realized that the exam was much harder than they'd anticipated, and opted to try their hands at cheating.
Sasuke quickly made the decision to use his sharingan to copy the movements of the student's hand in front of him.
This is easier than I ever could have thought!
Similarly, Neji used his byakugan to analyze the chakra movements of another student's hand.
Tenten used mirrors she had propped up and hidden earlier.
Kiba used his dog, Akamaru, to look over students' shoulders.
Kankuro used a small hole in his puppet-holder to allow his puppet to receive answers from the student behind him.
Sakura was one of few genin not cheating. She was making quick work of the exam, filling out each answer with ease.
Shino communicated with a summoned fly to view Sakura's answers.
Ino, having chosen the same target, used her clan's secret technique -- an advanced form of telepathy -- to copy Sakura, hoping to transfer the answers to her own papers, as well as her team.
She made the appropriate handsign and aimed at Sakura, sending her psyche to her rival's mind.
Thanks for sharing your soul, Sa-ku-ra!
She exercised control of Sakura's body to read over every single answer to every question, memorizing every word and rereading to ensure there were no mistakes.
Gee, Forehead, you're such a nerd!
Ino thrust her psyche back into her own mind, and began to write down the answer to the first question.
Wait a minute... This isn't the question she had; the numbers and scenarios are completely different!
She corroborated her memory against her own test paper, slowly coming to a harrowing realization.
It can't be...
She sent herself back into Sakura's mind, and repeated the process of reading the questions and answers.
She then went back to herself and compared the papers.
It is! Is it?...
Thus, she went back to Sakura yet again, read her paper a third time, and returned once more.
It totally is! Unless... One more wouldn't hurt!
For the fourth time, she zoomed into Sakura, fervently read over the paper three times, and returned to herself.
It really is... What the Hell?
At the same time, Sasuke realized that in mimicking his peer's hand movements, he himself was writing answers over a question.
Akamaru whimpered, signaling to Kiba that something was wrong.
One by one, every student who copied from the genin directly in front, or behind, understood what was happening.
The exam papers are rotating with every table!
Whereas the first table in a column had a certain paper, the table behind them had a different one. The table behind those genin had the same paper as the first group, and the fourth group had the same paper as the second group. This pattern continued throughout the entire room.
When the cheating genin groaned, Ibiki smirked.
They're just giving themselves away with their reaction!
Naruto twitched as he continued to read his paper.
The exact trajectory of a kunai chipped on its tip and one side, over a period of 3 seconds when aimed at eye level from a mountain in the fog? What the Hell?!
A proctor commanded, "Team 4, fail!".
As two from the team begrudgingly left, one of them refused. He argued, "No, that's bullshit! I didn't even--". He was dragged out by the proctor.
Naruto was nudged by the student next to him -- Hinata Hyuuga.
She offered, "Naruto, you can-- you can... C-c-copy my-y-y exam...!".
Naruto whispered back, "What? No, that's crazy! I'm not gonna copy you...".
Hinata insisted, "I-I-it's okay, I don't mind...".
The blonde hissed, "Come on, think about your team! You could really be screwin' them over, y'know.".
Hinata recoiled as Naruto mulled over his exam.
Somethin' about this seems fishy... You'd have to be some kinda genius to figure this stuff out! And I know for a fact that chunin don't know this stuff, I've had Iruka and Mizuki as teachers!
Another proctor announced, "Leaf team 12, you're outta here!".
A trio of students got up and sullenly left the room.
Meanwhile, Sakura sat with her elbows on the desk and her cheeks in her hands.
Ugh, that Yamanaka technique is so, so creepy! I'm never going to get used to it, I wish she'd stop...
She blew some hair away from her face and sighed.
And this exam... It was real easy, for me at least. But that's just because I studied jonin books and took advanced placement classes, along with private tutoring. How is an average chunin expected to know any of this? Are they raising the standards, in this economy? No way...
Her eyes widened.
Could I have missed something? I double-checked, and triple-checked, and even quadruple-checked! Oh, just one more won't hurt.
Just then, another team was removed from the room.
Naruto continued to grind the gears in his head.
Okay, so there's ten questions, and all we have to do is not get caught cheating three times. What's the point? Why would they allow us to cheat, but kick us out if they catch us three times? Does that mean if they don't catch us, it's fine? Man, this is so stupid! It's like they're grading us based on how many times we cheat without getting caught!
His eyes widened.
Wait, that could really be it, couldn't it?! When he said he was testing our ability to give our superiors information, he must've meant like a recon mission or somethin'! And in a recon mission, you have to make sure that you get good intel, so giving us these impossible questions must be a part of that, too. I've got it!
He put his head in his hands.
So, if I don't put anything on this paper, it's the same as failing a recon mission... But wouldn't it be better to not get any information in an impossible mission, than to get caught obtaining bad intel? So, maybe it'd be better for me to not write anything at all...
He gulped.
That's a pretty big chance to take, though. If I'm reading too much into this and hand in a blank page, the whole team is screwed!
He sat back in his chair and sighed, his leg shaking the whole time.
It's not just a temptation, either... It's more like compulsion! What is this?
Before he knew it, the hour was over.
Ibiki called out, "Pencils, down, the exam is finished!".
Naruto shuddered.
No turning back now...
Ibikj scanned the room as the genin obeyed his command.
It's a little fuller than I expected... Time for the culling.
He announced, "Now, before anyone does anything else, I need everyone to understand this: I am giving you one last question. If you answer correctly, you pass. If you answer incorrectly, you will be barred from ever attempting this exam in the future.".
As the shocked genin began to complain, Ibiki interjected.
"So, I am giving everyone one minute to decide whether you'll risk that, or if you'll quit right here and now, fail your whole team, and have an opportunity to return and try again.".
After the first five seconds, hands began to raise.
The quitters cried, "It's too much pressure!", "I'm sorry!", "I'm just not smart enough!", and other assorted excuses.
As the clock moved closer to the halfway point, more students gave up.
Eventually, half the room was empty.
With seconds left on the clock, Ibiki smirked, relishing in the pressure he was applying.
Sakura watched Naruto from behind.
He looks so nervous... And losing the opportunity to ever become a chunin? It'd completely destroy his goal of becoming hokage... But I know he's too prideful to give up...
A sad smile adorned her face as she made her decision.
Naruto, in the meantime, had his head in his hands again as he lost himself in his thoughts.
Oh God, I can't believe I'm doing this! I'm really gonna risk it all...!
He looked up at the clock and began counting down with it.
Twenty... Nineteen... Eighteen...
Ibiki stated, "Team Seven -- Out!".
Naruto jolted.
What?!
He stood up and looked to the back of the room -- first spotting Sasuke, then following to see what Sasuke was looking at.
Sakura had her hand held up high, her eyes watering, and herself just shy of sobbing.
It's for your crazy dream, Naruto - - I'm sorry!
Team 7 slowly shuffled their feet and left the room.
As the door shut on them, they stood in silence for a few seconds before the fallout.
Sasuke was the first to speak.
He ranted, "Come on, Sakura, what the Hell was that?! We would have passed!".
Sakura looked down in shame and meekly replied, "Sorry, I just... Sorry.".
Sasuke groaned, "Damn it! I can't even look at you right now!", and stormed off.
After Sasuke left, Naruto and Sakura were still standing in the same place, neither knowing what to say.
When Sakura sniffled, and a tear dropped, Naruto closed in, bring sure to not make any physical contact.
He whispered, "Hey, don't-- don't cry! It's okay if you got nervous, y'know. I was nervous, too. I almost gave up myself, honest!".
Sakura whimpered, "I-- I know, that's why I quit...".
"Yeah, because you were nervous...".
Sakura corrected, "No, because I knew that you were nervous!".
The blonde was taken aback.
"What?".
"I know that you want to be hokage, and I knew that you wouldn't give up, but I didn't want you to lose your shot at it, okay?".
Naruto blushed.
He responded, "Oh. I mean, that's really nice of you...".
"...".
He tousled his hair and added with a sheepish chuckle, "I should'a known that you wouldn't be nervous. You're too smart for that, hah!".
In turn, Sakura gently grabbed his arm and said, "I'm sorry... I know you were looking forward to becoming a chunin.".
Naruto told her, "Hey, it's alright. At least now we can be more ready for the next time this exam rolls around...".
Just then, the door to the room opened, and Ino alone walked out.
"Oh, thank God you haven't left yet!".
She looked dejected.
Sakura asked, "Hey, Ino, what happened? What was the last question?".
Ino sighed.
"No one knows...".
"What?".
"Well, after you gave up, the time ran out, and Ibiki was about to reveal the last question. But then, more people started putting their hands up! Before we knew it, at least one person from every team had given up on the whole thing! All because you couldn't tough it out and catch the last question, and you're the smartest one in the room!".
The pink-haired girl questioned," So why are you coming out here? ".
Ino answered, "Ibiki had some phone call, then he sent me out here because he wants you back now, Forehead. Well, not just you, but also Sasuke.".
Naruto explained, "Sasuke left. He stormed off.".
Ino urged, "Then bring him back!".
Naruto sighed.
"Fine.".
He promptly turned around and ran in the direction which Sasuke had left.
After he was gone, Sakura turned to Ino.
She inquired, "You said Ibiki wants me and Sasuke... What about Naruto?".
Ino shrugged.
"He didn't mention Naruto. I brought him up too, but Ibiki just waved it off.".
Just then, the door opened again.
It was Ibiki.
He spotted Ino and Sakura easily, then stated, "Oh, it's good that you're here. I just wanted to let you know that we also need Naruto here -- the whole team.".
Ino asked, "Huh? What's changed?".
"You'll see.".
Naruto and Sasuke finally returned to the room, to Ibiki's satisfaction.
They were all ushered back into the room, and took their original seats.
Ibiki stood at the desk in the front and began to speak.
"I've spoken with the hokage, and he's decided that I shall give the final question to everyone who is in this room right now.".
He sighed heavily.
What an intense ripple effect... And having to play politics for the Uchiha kid, no less? This is unprecedented.
Ibiki placed his hands at the back of his head and unwrapped his bandana.
In a swift move, he pulled the cloth off, revealing a scalp covered in deep, darkened scars.
Most of the genin gagged.
The man explained, "These scars are the result of a time, many years ago, in which I had been captured by enemy forces. It was a suicide mission, but it was vital. Even as the enemy cut inches deep into my head, I had to avoid revealing anything about the Leaf, while getting them to reveal the information that I needed. You don't remember this, but the information that I obtained ended up turning the tide in an espionage operation that allowed the Leaf to expand its borders.".
The genin were all drawn in to the story, wondering where it was going.
Ibiki continued, "The final question of the exam is this: You had to answer ten questions earlier -- why?".
Shikamaru groaned and answered, "To test our knowledge, obviously!".
Ibiki laughed.
"Wrong! Come on, anyone else?".
Naruto felt the man's eyes land on him.
Ibiki bore a nefarious smile, as if he tried to burn into Naruto's mind.
All the while, none of the other genin answered the question.
Naruto found himself in conflict.
I mean, I have a hunch, but I don't wanna look like a damn fool in front of everyone if I'm wrong.
The room was still silent.
But since I've already handed in an empty paper...
Naruto raised his hand, and Ibiki called on him.
In an almost robotic fashion, Naruto answered, "The purpose of the test was to see if we could obtain information without getting caught. We were graded based on how many times the proctors saw us cheating, rather than our accuracy. It's a simulation of a recon mission.".
"Now, pray tell, why did you leave your page completely blank?".
"I figured it'd be better to not have any intel, than to be in possession of bad intel.".
Ibiki chuckled.
"You know who the last person was to make such a big gamble like that?".
Naruto questioned, "Uh... No; whom?".
Ibiki shouted, "The fourth hokage of the Village Hidden in the Leaves, Minato Namikaze!".
The genins' jaws dropped.
The fourth hokage?! And Naruto pulled off the same trick he did?! That's insane!
The boy suddenly began to feel very shy, as he sunk in his seat, uncontrollably smiling.
Fourth hokage... That's like my hero!...
Nearly choking, Ibiki lauded, "That's correct, Naruto -- and just like that, your team passes this exam!".
Kiba whined, "Hey, what about the rest of us?!".
Ibiki promptly replied, "Well, seeing as we'd found ourselves in quite the embarrassing situation earlier, I decided to switch up the system. The true final question was whether you'd give in to your nerves, which you all unanimously did when Team Seven left. So, officially, to avoid a scandal, I'm letting the lot of you pass and sweeping that under the rug.".
Shino asked, "Is that... Ethical?".
Ibiki answered, "The highest level of ethics is that which regards the Will of Fire; getting you all to pass serves that purpose, and is therefore the most ethical decision.".
The genin nodded in affirmation, as Ibiki shook his head.
What a damn mess...
The door next to Ibiki was kicked open, and Naruto watched as Anko marched in.
Oh, right, she's working on this exam, too...
She analyzed the room and remarked to Ibiki, "There's more of these little boogers here than I thought there'd be. You sure your proctors don't need glasses?".
Ibiki waved her off and walked out of the room.
Standing at the front desk, Anko announced, "Listen up, twerps! Now that you've passed the first stage of the chunin exams, it's time for the next one: the Forest of Death!".
The genin winced.
Death?! She's crazy!
Anko ordered, "Follow me.".
.
.
.
Forest Entrance
After following Anko for about an hour, the group arrived at an empty lot, where they awaited instruction.
Anko stated, "The next part of the chunin exams -- the Forest of Death! There are two great scrolls of knowledge in this exam: Heaven and Earth! Your mission is for your entire team to survive long enough to take the Scroll of Heaven and the Scroll of Earth to the tower in the center of the forest; your time limit is five days, and if any member of your team doesn't make it, you fail! Any questions?".
Naruto raised his hand.
He asked, "I'm just wondering, what exactly does the 'Forest of Death' entail?".
Anko chuckled.
Without any warning, she tossed a kunai straight at Naruto's face, scratching him across the cheek and breaking his skin.
Almost just as fast, Anko snuck up behind Naruto and licked the blood off of his cheek.
She hissed, "That's what I mean: a brush with death itself... This ain't a joke, you can die here!".
She slowly rose, and was given the kunai back by a student.
Naruto shuddered.
I'm so conflicted...
Anko walked back up to her station and said, "Come up here and take a scroll, one per team.".
Thus, one genin from each team walked up in random order to receive their assigned scroll.
... Sasuke from Team 7 was first.
And so it went on... Kiba from Team 8, Neji from Team 9, Ino from Team 10 ...
After all was said and done, the teams were ushered in to the forest.
However, Choji from Team 8 approached Anko.
As he chewed his potato chips, he informed, "Hey, crunch Miss, we didn't get our scroll.".
Anko argued, "Don't kid me. I just gave Ino an Earth Scroll a while back.".
Ino made her presence known and replied, "Uh, no I didn't...".
Anko smiled.
"You've been had, Team 10. Clearly, one of the other genin disguised himself as you and received an extra Earth Scroll.".
Ino asked, "So, what're we going to do?".
Anko told her, "You're going to have to find both scrolls instead of just one. Tough luck.".
Shikamaru groaned, "What a pain...".
.
In the Forest
As Team 7 walked through the forest, Sasuke spoke, "We already have a Heaven Scroll, so we just need the Earth.".
Naruto then brandished a Scroll and said, "Actually, we don't need anything; I used a transformation technique to disguise myself as Ino and I just happened to nab an Earth Scroll!".
Sasuke scoffed.
"Great. So now, we're not just the team that doesn't deserve to be in this part of the exam, we're also the team that had to cheat to get past it...".
Naruto argued, "Hey, don't get all bummed out just because I found an easy way to win!".
Sakura reminded, "Well, we still have to reach the tower, so it's not like we've won just yet.".
Sasuke added, "Yeah, what she said. Dumbass.".
Naruto whined, "Aw, whatever, Emo freak! I'm gonna go take a piss, maybe your period's gonna be done by the time I'm back.".
As Sasuke growled, Sakura bemoaned, "Hey!...".
The blonde walked off behind a tree, and proceeded to deal with his business.
In the meantime, Sakura tried to strike up conversation with Sasuke.
"So, how's things, Sasuke?".
Sasuke snapped, "Shut up, I'm still mad at you! You're a damn fool for giving up like that...".
Sakura recoiled.
As she wistfully stared at the ground, the sound of rumbling caught her attention.
Naruto, having emptied his bladder, was waddling back to his team, when all of a sudden, a giant snake thrust up from the ground and attempted to devour him, carrying the boy across the forest.
I will make the next chapter longer.
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