DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO (DAMN, GOT A LARGE INFLUX OF READERS LATELY, THANKS! IN RETURN, HE'S A LONG ONE ;))
Ch.67 - The Chunin Exams: The First Trial!
- In Konoha -
(12:13PM)
The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the bustling streets of Konoha (Hidden Leaf) as Naruto, Shino, and Ino made their way towards the academy, their steps purposeful and determined. With the Chunin Exams (Chunin Senbatsu Shiken) looming on the horizon, there was a sense of urgency in the air as they headed towards Room 301.
Naruto led the way, his stride confident and determined, his mind focused on the task ahead. Beside him, Shino walked with his usual calm demeanor, his eyes scanning their surroundings with keen observation. Ino brought up the rear, her expression determined as she mentally prepared herself for the challenges that awaited them.
As they approached the academy, Naruto glanced at the clocktower looming in the distance, noting the time. "Apparently, it's still 12:13 in the afternoon... We still have plenty of time," Naruto commented, his voice laced with a hint of relief.
"Yeah, it's better to be safe than sorry... By the way, did you guys study?..." Ino asked, her voice tinged with concern.
Shino and Naruto exchanged a glance before nodding in affirmation.
"I was able to do some reading yesterday, though I fear it's not enough..." Shino replied, his tone thoughtful.
"Same here... I mean, I tried but... I'm not even sure if I read the right stuff, y'know?..." Naruto chimed in; his expression sheepish.
Ino let out a sigh, her frustration evident. "I just wish they at least gave us some pointers to review... But no, we got diddly-squat," she lamented, her voice tinged with irritation.
"Maybe it's intentional?... Kinda like weeding out those who're not smart enough to be Chunin, I guess?..." Naruto theorized, his brows furrowing in thought.
"If that's the case, then that'll be rough... It'll also be proof that we're too dumb to be promoted..." Ino said, her tone tinged with sadness as she shared Naruto's sentiment.
Noticing his team's morale dipping, Naruto decided to take action. With a determined gleam in his eye, he spoke up, his voice filled with conviction.
"Oh, come on! The tests haven't even started yet and we're already acting as if we've failed... Not on my watch! I say, let's just do our best, and hope for the best! Dattebayo!" Naruto exclaimed, his signature foxy grin spreading across his face.
His words resonated with his teammates, their spirits lifting at his unwavering optimism. With renewed determination, they quickened their pace, their steps echoing with the resolve to face whatever challenges awaited them in the Chunin Exams.
- Near The Academy -
As Shino, Ino, and Naruto approached the premises of the academy, they were met with two familiar faces.
"Izumo-san?... Kotetsu-san?... What're you guys doing here?..." Naruto asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Naruto-kun!" Izumo greeted with a warm smile, while Kotetsu nodded in acknowledgment.
"Yo! If it isn't Naruto-kun! I see you and your team are entering the Chunin Exams, huh?... And to answer your question, we were tasked to check each participant's approved registration form. Mind if we see yours?..." Kotetsu explained, his tone business-like as he gestured towards their scrolls.
Without hesitation, Shino, Ino, and Naruto handed over their scrolls to the two men, who wasted no time in inspecting them. Kotetsu and Izumo poured chakra into the scrolls, causing the ink used by the Hokage (fire shadow) to glow green, indicating that the registration forms were legitimate.
"Alright! All set! You guys know where to go, and make sure to do your best!" Kotetsu said with a grin, handing back the scrolls to their respective owners.
"He's right! You guys better be Chunin after this! We're getting tired of guarding the gates, haha!" Izumo chimed in with a chuckle, lightening the mood with his jest.
The trio bid farewell to Izumo and Kotetsu before heading inside the academy building, their spirits lifted by the encouraging words of the two gatekeepers.
"Let's just hope they make it past the first trial..." Kotetsu remarked to Izumo as they watched Team 10 disappear into the academy.
"Yeah..." Izumo replied, a hint of uncertainty in his voice, knowing all too well the challenges that lay ahead for the young genin (low/junior ninja).
- Back With Shino, Ino, and Naruto -
As the three of them entered the familiar halls of the academy, they couldn't help but feel a wave of nostalgia wash over them. It had been a while since they last visited, save for the time that their Asuma-sensei taught them how to write mission reports in one of the classrooms. Besides that, not much had changed since their academy days, except for the list of names posted on pieces of paper stuck onto each classroom door. Passing by their old classroom, they noted that Iruka-sensei still occupied the same space, now teaching a new batch of eager young students.
Ascending the stairwell, they were greeted by the sight of groups of genin gathered around, their murmurs filling the air with anticipation. Curiosity piqued, they ventured closer, only to be met with the sound of a scuffle and the collective gasps of onlookers.
"Oh?... You sure about taking the exams with that level of skill, bowl-cut?..." taunted a kid wearing a bandana, a toothpick dangling from his mouth.
"Maybe it'd be best if you runts just quit right now..." added another, his scarred face twisted into a sneer.
"Go home, piddly-ass brats..." the bandana-wearing kid jeered, his companion grinning in agreement.
Amidst the commotion, a girl with two Chinese-style buns on her head and short fringe-bangs stepped forward, tending to her fallen teammate.
"Please, just let us through..." she pleaded; her voice tinged with desperation. But before she could finish her plea, she too was met with a punch, sending her stumbling backwards.
The crowd watched in shock as she fell to the ground beside her teammate, a kid clad in a green bodysuit. The tension in the air was palpable as the onlookers exchanged worried glances, unsure of what to do next.
"That's mean..." one of the onlookers spoke up, his voice filled with disapproval.
"Ha?!... What was that, punk?!... Listen! We're doing you guys a favor! The Chunin Exam is fucking tough!" the bandana kid retorted, his tone defensive.
"We've seen lots of people quit being shinobi, hell! We even know people who're fucking disabled for life just because they took this exam!" the scarred kid added, his voice carrying a hint of bitterness.
"Also, a Chunin is at the level of a unit leader. Mission failures, death of subordinates, you name it. It's all part of the responsibilities of a leader! So, a brat like you?! Being a Chunin?! What a joke..." the bandana kid continued, his words dripping with disdain.
"And besides, what's so bad about weeding out those who won't pass anyway?! Just fuck off..." the scarred kid concluded; his expression hardened.
But then, the attention of the trio was diverted as Team 7 approached the scene, led by Sasuke. All eyes turned towards them, but their progress was halted by a group of genin blocking their way.
"Oi! Where do you think you're going, kid?..." the bandana kid challenged; his tone confrontational.
"None of your business," Sasuke retorted, his voice as cold as ice, his gaze unwavering.
"The exam room is behind us, idiot..." the scarred kid added, trying to assert his authority, but Sasuke paid them no heed.
"You two done yapping?..." Sasuke interrupted, his tone cutting through the tension, silencing both of them. He then turned his attention back to the genins in front of him, his gaze piercing.
"Move," he commanded, his voice brooking no argument.
"S-Sorry about that..." Hinata apologized on Sasuke's behalf as she followed behind Shikamaru and Sasuke. With Team 7 leading the way, they ascended the stairs, leaving the crowd behind them in a state of curiosity and speculation.
In the bandana kid's mind: "Heh... They noticed, huh?..."
As Team 7 disappeared from view, leaving the crowd in a state of confusion and curiosity, Naruto found himself pondering their sudden departure. His eyes darted around, searching for clues, until they settled on a sign above the doorway that had been blocked. The inscription read RM301.
A realization dawned on Naruto, and without a word, he turned on his heel and began descending the stairs, much to the surprise of Ino and Shino.
"N-Naruto?... Where are you going?... Exam's that way, dummy..." Ino exclaimed, gesturing towards the door they had just passed.
"Just give me a sec, I gotta see something..." Naruto replied, determination evident in his voice as he continued down the stairs. Ino let out a sigh of exasperation, while Shino remained his usual silent self.
As Naruto reached the bottom of the staircase, he confirmed his suspicions. There was only one flight of stairs, leading to a single floor below. "I knew it..." he muttered to himself, before swiftly turning on his heel and bounding back up the stairs. Motioning for Ino and Shino to follow, he urged them to trust him.
"Where are you taking us, Naruto?..." Ino questioned, her curiosity piqued. Naruto simply grinned and urged her to trust him, his determination unwavering. With a shrug, Ino acquiesced, and the trio followed Naruto as he led them onwards.
Team 10 then did the same thing as Team 7; they made their way through the crowd albeit in a les graceful manner as each of them squeezed their way through the crowd.
Team 10 maneuvered their way through the crowd, though not as gracefully as Team 7 had done moments earlier. Each member of the trio offered apologies as they bumped into individuals in their path, their focus solely on reaching their destination.
In the bandana kid's mind: "Looks like they caught on as well..."
"H-Hey!" a girl's voice called out amidst the commotion.
"Sorry!" Naruto exclaimed, continuing to push forward.
"OI!" a guy exclaimed in annoyance.
"Sorry 'bout that!" Naruto repeated, his tone sincere yet hurried.
"Watch it!" another guy shouted; his frustration evident.
"My bad!" Naruto responded; his voice slightly strained with the effort of navigating the crowd. Eventually, they managed to break free from the throng of people, just as another newcomer arrived on the scene.
"What are you two doing?... Get up, this is clearly the second floor..." the newcomer remarked, drawing Naruto's attention. The observation echoed Naruto's own realization, and he exchanged a glance with Ino.
In the bandana kid's mind: "And another one, but now it's out in the open,"
"Whatever... Come on, let's get outta here..." the bandana kid said as he and the kid with the scar left the area
"Second floor?..." one of the onlookers muttered in confusion.
"What the hell's he talking about?..." another bystander questioned.
"Wait... But isn't that Room 301, Naruto?..." Ino turned to Naruto for clarification.
"Nope, it's a trick," Naruto explained confidently, a foxy grin spreading across his face. "The reason I went downstairs is to check what floor we were on. That's when I noticed that we were still on the second floor. And since we were told that the exam room was Room 301, that meant it's on the third floor, which is where we're headed right now..."
Ino and Shino exchanged impressed looks, realizing they hadn't caught onto the deception. Had Naruto not noticed, they could have fallen victim to the trick and missed out on taking the exam.
Naruto's determination surged as he made a swift decision. "I was hoping to keep it a secret, but that guy over there blew it. Oh well... So, come on!" With those words, he bounded up the stairs, his strides purposeful and sure.
"Naruto! Wait up!" Ino's urgent cry echoed through the hallway as she sprinted after her fellow blonde, her determination matching Naruto's own.
Meanwhile, the newcomer observed the trio's ascent with keen interest. His gaze lingered on Naruto, his thoughts swirling with curiosity. "Naruto, huh?..." he murmured to himself, a hint of intrigue coloring his tone.
- In Room 301 -
As they stepped into the room, they were engulfed in a whirlwind of sounds—an amalgamation of voices rising and falling in a symphony of anticipation. The atmosphere crackled with energy, each chatter and whisper adding to the mounting tension.
Naruto, Ino, and Shino found themselves under scrutiny, gazes like icy daggers piercing through the buzz of noise. The weight of the stares bore down on them, an unspoken challenge hanging in the air.
Unease settled over them like a heavy cloak as they navigated the sea of unfamiliar faces. Hitai-ates adorned with various village symbols caught their attention, a mosaic of shinobi from different corners of the elemental nations. Among the crowd, Konoha's (Hidden Leaf) leaf symbols mingled with the sand motifs of Suna (Hidden Sand), the grass insignias of Kusa (Hidden Grass), the waterfall emblems of Taki (Hidden Waterfall), the rain patterns of Ame (Hidden Rain), and the sound markings of Oto (Hidden Sound), painting a vivid tapestry of diversity within the exam room.
In Ino's mind: "There are so many of them... These are all the applicants?... They... All look strong..."
Amidst the bustling room filled with anxious chatter and the occasional nervous laugh, Ino felt a familiar hand rest gently on her shoulder. Turning, she met Naruto's gaze, finding reassurance in his silent nod. It was a small gesture, but it spoke volumes. She took a deep breath, her apprehension easing slightly.
But their moment of quiet solidarity was interrupted by a familiar voice booming across the room, drawing everyone's attention. "Sasuke-kun, you're late!" the voice exclaimed, and Ino watched as Sakura hurried over to Sasuke, enveloping him in an embrace.
"It's been a while since the last time I saw you, I missed you so much!" Sakura gushed; her tone overly affectionate. Yet Sasuke's expression remained unchanged, a mixture of annoyance and discomfort evident on his face.
Ino couldn't help but roll her eyes at the display, but before she could retort, Sakura's attention shifted to her. "Oh?... Ino-pig, there you are! I knew I heard the snorting of a pig," Sakura teased, a mischievous glint in her eye.
Ino's temper flared at the insult, and she shot back with a barb of her own. "Sakura?! I didn't recognize you with how much light your giant forehead was reflecting!"
The exchange quickly devolved into a verbal sparring match, much to the annoyance of their peers. "Can you guys wrap it up already?... Listening to your bickering is a drag," Shikamaru complained, his usual lazy demeanor tinged with irritation.
Amidst the commotion, Hinata's soft voice reached Naruto's ears, drawing his attention. "H-Hey there... Naruto-kun..." she greeted him shyly.
Naruto's grin widened at the sight of her, and he greeted her warmly. "Oh, hey there, Hinata!" Naruto said which cause the Hyuga to be flustered all of a sudden.
However, their interaction was soon interrupted by Kiba's boisterous voice. "Oh?... Didn't expect to see you here, Naruto... I honestly thought you'd get lost on the way here," he teased, accompanied by the yip of his faithful companion Akamaru.
Naruto wasted no time in firing back, his retort laced with playful banter. "Shut up, Kiba... Why don't you go home and take a bath, you bum..."
Kiba's response was immediate, his tone filled with indignation. "Ha?!... What did you say?!..."
"Mendokuse..." Shikamaru sighed as he took his left hand out of his pocket and caressed the back of his neck.
"Forget it, I'm not in the mood to argue," Naruto interjected, hoping to quell the rising tension.
"Heh, chicken..." Kiba muttered under his breath, earning a sharp side-glare from Naruto.
Choji on the other hand, simply heard the word 'chicken', "Somebody say chicken?..." the boy said earning an exasperated sigh from Naruto.
"So, I guess this means all nine genin rookies are going to take the exams, eh?... Now then... How far can each of us go?... Sasuke?..." Kiba directed his question to Sasuke, his tone brimming with confidence, echoed by the enthusiastic barks of his companion Akamaru.
"Hmph... You're pretty confident, Kiba..." Sasuke responded coolly, while Sakura shot her teammate a disapproving look.
"We've trained a lot, so... We definitely won't lose to you guys," Kiba continued, noticing Naruto's irritated expression.
"Got something to say, Naruto?..." Kiba challenged, but Naruto's response was swift.
"Shut up, why don't we just let our skills do the talking-tebayo... I don't know about Sasuke, but I sure won't lose to the likes of you!" Naruto declared defiantly.
Before the exchange could escalate further, another voice cut through the tension. "Hey, you guys! All of you should be a little quieter..." It was a genin with gray hair and glasses, his tone authoritative yet tinged with exasperation.
"You guys are the 'rookie nine', right?... Fresh out of the academy... Acting like that with cute faces, quit it... This ain't a field trip, nor is it a holiday..." the guy reprimanded them.
"And who're you supposed to be?!... Acting all haughty..." Sakura retorted, her voice tinged with defiance.
"I'm Yakushi Kabuto, take a long good look around you..." Kabuto responded, prompting the 'rookie nine' to observe the room. They realized that the atmosphere had shifted, with others now casting menacing glares their way.
"Those guys behind you... They're from Amegakure, they're pretty hot-headed for guys who supposedly live in a village where it always rains... Pretty ironic..." Kabuto remarked, his tone matter of fact.
"Everyone's tense before the exams, I thought I'd warn you guys before you get your asses kicked... I guess it can't be helped... You guys are still rookies who don't know left from right... You guys kinda remind me of my old self..." Kabuto's words carried a mix of admonition and empathy.
"Kabuto-san... Does that mean this is your second time?..." Ino inquired, curiosity lacing her voice.
"*chuckles* I wish... It's actually my seventh..." Kabuto revealed, his laughter tinged with a hint of resignation.
"Huh?..." Shikamaru expressed his surprise, echoing the sentiment of the others.
"The exams are only held twice a year, meaning this is my fourth year..." Kabuto explained, offering insight into his extensive experience.
"Does that also mean you know how these exams go?..." Ino pressed further, seeking to glean any wisdom Kabuto might share.
"Kinda?..." Kabuto replied cryptically, leaving the 'rookie nine' to ponder the implications of his response.
"I guess what they say about the Chunin Exams being tough is true, what a drag..." Shikamaru lamented, his tone reflecting his characteristic indifference.
"Mind if you share some tips for us?..." Ino inquired politely, her curiosity piqued by Kabuto's apparent expertise.
"I don't see why not?..." Kabuto responded, a hint of intrigue in his voice as he reached into his pocket and retrieved a scroll.
"A scroll?..." Kiba queried, his interest evident.
"Not just any scroll, this scroll contains tons of information that can only be accessed with the use of my chakra... I spent years gathering the information, just for this exam..." Kabuto explained, his demeanor serious as he unfurled the scroll.
As Kabuto channeled his chakra into the scroll, the ink began to materialize, revealing a detailed diagram of the elemental nations. Markings and labels adorned the map, while the symbols of the participating villages—Sunagakure (Village Hidden in the Sand), Amegakure (Village Hidden in the Rain), Kusagakure (Village Hidden in the Grass), Takigakure (Village Hidden by a Waterfall), Konohagakure (Village Hidden in the Leaves), and Otogakure (Village Hidden in the Sound)—adorned the bottom margin.
"As you can see, these are the number of test-takers from each participating nation," Kabuto elucidated, gesturing to the diagram as he imparted his knowledge to the attentive 'rookie nine'.
- Kabuto's Information Scroll -
Sunagakure - 39 (19%)
Amegakure - 27 (13%)
Kusagakure - 9 (4%)
Takigakure - 9 (4%)
Konohagakure - 117 (57%)
Otogakure - 6 (3%)
Total - 207 (100%)
"There are lots of exceptional genins from those villages as well, and they've all come to take the exam this year as well... As far as Otogakure goes... It's a village of a small nation that just sprang up in recent years... So, I don't know much about 'em..." Kabuto added, his tone conveying a sense of uncertainty.
"Regardless, they're all hidden villages with nothing but crackerjacks..." Kabuto remarked, his words casting a somber tone over the room as the 'rookie nine' absorbed the gravity of the situation.
"D-Does that mean..." Hinata began, her voice wavering with apprehension.
"That's right... These guys are no pushovers, they're all the best genins from each nation... Meaning to say, this won't be easy..." Kabuto concluded, his tone grave as he emphasized the challenge ahead.
Suddenly, smoke materialized at the front of the room, followed by a booming voice that commanded everyone to be silent.
"SILENCE! YOU DEGENERATES!" the voice thundered, immediately capturing the attention of everyone in the room.
As the smoke dissipated, a man of imposing stature stood in the forefront. He wore a bandana with metal plating on his forehead, bearing the insignia of Konoha. Scars adorned his face, adding to his intimidating presence. Clad in a gray uniform and a black trench coat, he exuded authority. Behind him stood his subordinates, similarly dressed in gray uniforms.
"Sorry to keep you waiting... I'm Ibiki Morino, the head proctor for the first test of the Chunin Exams..." Ibiki announced, his voice commanding respect and attention from all present.
"From now on, you listen to me, you maggots... Which means, I own your asses... Before we begin the exam, get your asses moving and take a seat, or so help me God, I'll fucking fail all of you!" Ibiki's voice exploded, reverberating through the room and sending a jolt of urgency coursing through every participant.
In a flurry of movement, the genin scrambled to find available seats, their earlier nonchalance replaced by a sense of apprehension at Ibiki's intimidating demeanor. Seconds later, everyone was finally seated, their gazes fixed on the stern proctor.
Ibiki cleared his throat, his voice cutting through the tension in the room. "Now that everyone's seated, this is a good opportunity to say this. This is a written exam, meaning there'll be no battles, competitions, and the like without the permission of the proctors! AND! EVEN IF you get permission, actions that could lead to the death of an opponent will not be permitted. This is a written exam! Not a brawl fight! Any pig that screws with me will be disqualified. RIGHT. THEN. AND. THERE... Am I understood?..." he declared with unwavering authority.
"Heh... This'll be a cake walk..." a genin from Otogakure remarked, earning a few chuckles from the proctors.
"Don't get ahead of yourself, prick... NOW THEN! Turn in your applications and take one of these numbered cards in exchange. Once you have one, sit in the seat matching that number!" Ibiki announced, his voice commanding compliance.
However, a voice piped up with a question, "Then why did you tell us to take our seats if we're going to sit in a different spot anyway?..."
Ibiki's gaze turned icy, his expression darkening as he fixed his sharp eyes on the genin who dared to question him. "I DON'T REMEMBER ASKING YOU A GODDAMN THING... Stand up..." he commanded, his voice brooking no disobedience.
The genin hesitantly complied, feeling the weight of Ibiki's intense stare bearing down on him. "My exam, my rules... So let me ask you this, did I stutter earlier?..." Ibiki's voice was sharp, his tone uncompromising as he demanded obedience.
The genin swallowed nervously, realizing the gravity of his mistake, and shook his head. "Sit your ass back down..." Ibiki ordered, his attention shifting back to the room as he prepared to commence the exam.
"Where was I?... Right... After that, we will hand out the test paper for the written test!" Ibiki continued, his voice echoing with authority as he outlined the next steps of the examination.
- Minutes Later -
As Naruto settled into his seat, he couldn't help but notice the distance between him and his teammates. Ino was seated at the far left, while Shino occupied a spot at the very back of the room. He felt a pang of isolation amidst the sea of test-takers.
However, just as he was contemplating his solitude, a soft voice reached his ears. Turning to his side, Naruto found Hinata seated beside him, her gentle smile warming his heart.
"N-Naruto-kun..." she murmured shyly; her cheeks tinted pink.
Naruto's grin widened at the sight of her, his usual energy buoyed by her presence. "Oh, Hinata... I didn't see you there, hehe," he chuckled, feeling a sense of comfort in her company.
"L-Let's do our best, Naruto-kun..." Hinata said earnestly, her eyes shimmering with determination.
Naruto returned her determination with a thumbs up, his resolve bolstered by her encouragement.
As Ibiki tapped the chalk on the blackboard, the room fell into an uneasy silence, his words cutting through the tension like a knife.
"Listen up, imbeciles..." His voice boomed, commanding attention. "Before we begin, there are several important rules to this first test. I won't be entertaining any questions, so listen closely!"
He continued, his tone stern and unwavering. "First off! You are only given 60 minutes to finish the first portion of the written exam. Once you hear the sound of this bell,"
DING!
"Pass your paper. I don't care if you're not finished, just pass the damn paper. And IF I see your sorry ass still scribbling on your test paper, I'll come to you myself, tear your test paper to shreds, and drag you out of the exam room myself!"
The threat hung heavy in the air, sending shivers down the spines of the test-takers. Ibiki didn't mince words, and his authority was absolute.
"Second rule!" Ibiki's voice cut through the silence once more, commanding attention. "The basis of this exam is right minus wrong. Meaning to say that the number of items you answer incorrectly will be deducted from the number of items you answered correctly."
He pointed at a random genin at the front row to illustrate his point. "YOU! Let's say you get 8/10. You answered 8 correctly and 2 incorrectly. I'm assuming that all of you know basic arithmetic. 8 minus 2 equals 6. So, your final score would be 6/10. However, leaving a question blank won't count as an item you answered incorrectly,"
With each word, Ibiki's authority loomed larger, his presence casting a shadow over the room.
"Third rule!" Ibiki's voice thundered, eliciting shocked responses from the test-takers. "Pass or failure will be determined by the total average of the three-person teams. Failure to get an average of AT LEAST 65% would bar you from passing to the next portion of the exams..."
Sakura, visibly shocked, voiced her confusion. "H-Hang on a sec! What do you mean total average of the teams?!"
But Ibiki's response was swift and uncompromising. "Shut up!" he reprimanded, his tone leaving no room for argument. "There's a perfectly good reason for this! So shut your trap and listen! Or else I'll disqualify you right fucking now."
In Sakura's mind: "Kiba... Choji... Don't blow this for me..."
"This ties in with the fourth and final rule!" Ibiki's voice boomed, echoing off the walls of the room. "Those who are deemed by the sentinels as having committed an act of cheating or something akin to that... Will have two points deducted for each act! So, we better not catch you punks in the act... In other words, there may be those who will be dismissed during this test without waiting for test grading..."
His words hung heavy in the air, a stark reminder of the consequences of deceit.
"Know that those who commit awkward cheating... Will bring upon ruin yourselves..." Ibiki's voice carried a warning, laced with a hint of menace.
"We got our eyes on you..." one of the proctors interjected, his tone firm and unyielding.
"If you aspire to become a Chunin at all, know that shinobi should act like exemplary shinobi... Moreover, in the case of even one person on the team gets zero points, the rest of the team will fail..." Ibiki's warning was clear, leaving no room for misunderstanding.
"We still have 15 minutes left before we begin," Ibiki announced, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. "This is your last chance to go to the bathroom, discuss with your team, whatever, I don't care! Just get back here on time, or else..."
With a sense of urgency, the test-takers rose from their seats, each one mindful of the gravity of the situation. Time was ticking, and they couldn't afford to waste a single moment.
Naruto quickly approached Ino's spot, his expression reflecting the weight of the situation.
"This exam is harder than I expected," he remarked, his voice tinged with concern.
Ino nodded in agreement, her brows furrowed with worry. "No kidding... I mean... The rules are absurd!" she exclaimed; frustration evident in her tone.
"So?... What do we do?... I just don't think we can solely rely on stock knowledge..." Ino asked, seeking input from her teammates.
Naruto pondered for a moment, his mind racing with possibilities. "Hmmm... We cheat, I guess?..." he suggested, earning a shocked reaction from Ino.
"Weren't you listening?... They said that cheating wasn't allowed!..." Ino reminded him, her voice laced with apprehension.
"No-" Naruto began, but his words were cut off as Kiba's shoulder bumped against his, disrupting his concentration.
"OI! Choji! Give me some of that!" Kiba's voice boomed, lost amidst the din of chatter filling the room.
"Watch it!... *sigh* As I was saying... They said that each time someone gets caught, they'll lose two points... The solution to that is simple, we just have to avoid getting caught. This should be easy for us, I mean... You got your clan techniques, and Shino has his insects, just make sure not to be obvious, alright?..." Naruto explained, his confidence unwavering.
Shino and Ino exchanged glances, uncertainty flickering in their eyes. "But what about you, Naruto?... What would your strategy be?..." Shino inquired; his tone measured.
Naruto grinned mischievously, a spark of determination gleaming in his eyes. "Don't worry... Anyway, I gotta take a leak, be right back..." he said as he headed towards the bathroom, leaving his teammates to contemplate their next move.
In Ibiki's mind: "Let's see if they use this time wisely..."
Suddenly, Ibiki was jolted out of his thoughts by the sudden intrusion of a plume of smoke, accompanied by a chorus of coughs from the startled test-takers. Amidst the chaos, a boisterous voice could be heard, issuing profuse apologies.
"Oh, come on! Not my smoke bombs..." one of the genins complained, clearly annoyed by the disruption.
"Sorry about that! I didn't mean to!" the voice apologized; its tone tinged with regret as it owned up to its mistake.
As the smoke began to dissipate, Ibiki's keen eyes caught sight of something peculiar unfolding amidst the commotion. In the back of his mind, a sly grin formed as he pieced together the unfolding scenario.
In Ibiki's mind: "So all of that was just a ruse then, heh..."
Just then, Ibiki's attention was drawn to another proctor entering the room and taking a seat on the right-hand side. A sense of anticipation filled the air as Ibiki prepared himself for what promised to be an intriguing test ahead.
- Minutes Later -
As the 15 minutes allotted by Ibiki drew to a close, most of the test-takers returned to their seats, though an air of unease lingered.
"Ibiki-san..." a voice called out, prompting Ibiki to shift his attention to the speaker.
"What is it?" Ibiki responded, his tone curt.
"It appears that I haven't been given a test paper..." the individual explained, voicing a concern that was soon echoed by others in the room.
"I seem to be missing one as well!" another chimed in.
"Could I also get one, please?" a girl added to the growing chorus of requests.
In Ibiki's mind: "Heh... Alright, I'll play along..."
With a nod, Ibiki signaled to his fellow proctors, instructing them to provide the necessary test papers to the three individuals who had spoken up.
Once everyone had their own test paper, Ibiki looked at the clock and noted that it was almost 3:30, and the moment the clock hit exactly that time, he spoke up catching everyone's attention.
"BEGIN!" Ibiki yelled causing everyone to start answering their test papers.
"Alright then, let's see what we're working with..." Naruto mused to himself as he went over with the test paper
- (Chunin Exams: Formal Exam) -
"Heed every word and letter of this verse.
Get caught cheating, you'd wish time would reverse.
With every line and stroke of your pen
Aim and strive to get a 10"
*First Page*
1. You intercept a coded transmission from an enemy shinobi, consisting of a series of numbers: 31, 36, 22, 22, 35, 36, 34, 27, 17, 29, 32, 32, 28, 18, 23, 23, 28, 25, 36, 35, 32, 23, 36, 32, 32, 23, 26, 32, 32, 23, 34, 25, 24, 21, 31, 24, 24, 31, 26, 34, 25, 25, 23, 34, 25, 24, 21, 15
Decode the message.
2. Discuss in detail the relationship between a Kage and a Daimyo in a ninja village. How do their roles complement each other, and what are the implications of their dynamic on the village's governance and stability?
3. The parabola labelled B in the diagram provided in the second page illustrates the greatest possible distance. Enemy Ninja A can throw a shuriken from a tree, 7 meters high. Predict and answer the Enemy Ninja's character inferred from the ellipse the shuriken forms. Also, answer the longest firing range in battle on flat ground, explain your basis.
4. Outline strategies for engaging enemy shinobi in a dense forest at night when outnumbered five to one. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each tactic and justify your chosen approach based on tactical analysis and strategic objectives.
5. Analyze the effectiveness of different defensive strategies against a powerful fire-style jutsu that creates a firestorm. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each strategy and propose a multi-layered defense plan that maximizes protection while minimizing vulnerabilities.
6. Reflect on a scenario where a team member is severely injured during a high-stakes mission. Discuss the ethical and practical considerations involved in deciding whether to continue the mission, adjust the strategy, or abort the mission to ensure the injured member receives medical attention.
7. On a long-term mission with limited supplies, what is the best resource management approach?
A. Strict rationing and foraging for additional food and water
B. Prioritize high-energy foods and quick medical fixes
C. Conserve supplies by minimizing physical activity
D. Trade non-essential items with locals for necessary resources
8. Diplomacy: Explore the complexities of diplomatic encounters with rival ninja villages. Discuss the potential risks and rewards of different diplomatic approaches and propose strategies for navigating these encounters while safeguarding your village's interests and maintaining operational security.
9. Discuss the challenges of identifying a spy within your team and outline effective counterintelligence measures. Explore the ethical considerations involved in suspecting and investigating team members and propose strategies for maintaining trust and morale while mitigating security risks.
10. You find yourself in a one-on-one duel with an opponent who excels in taijutsu, the martial art of hand-to-hand combat. Which of the following strategies would be most effective to gain the upper hand in the fight?
A. Engage in close-quarters combat, utilizing speed and agility to evade attacks and find openings for counterattacks.
B. Maintain a defensive stance, focusing on blocking and parrying the opponent's strikes while looking for opportunities to tire them out.
C. Create distance between you and the opponent, using long-range jutsu or projectiles to weaken them from a safe distance.
D. Analyze the opponent's fighting style and exploit their weaknesses or predict their next move to gain a strategic advantage.
Explain your basis.
- Naruto -
Naruto quietly contemplated his plan as he scanned the test paper before him. "Seems like I can only answer some of these... It's a good thing I planted clones in the crowd beforehand, hehe..." he thought to himself, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. The strategy was simple yet cunning: Naruto's clones, disguised as random genin, would cheat to their heart's content, ensuring they were caught in the act. Once apprehended, they would discreetly exit the room, dispel, and transfer their memories back to Naruto. However, he knew he needed to be strategic about it. Dispelling the clones one by one would maximize the effectiveness of his scheme. With a sense of determination, Naruto prepared to set his plan into motion, eager to outsmart the exam's strict regulations.
- Hinata -
Hinata, on the other hand, seemed to be navigating the test with ease. Her father had taken special care to ensure she was well-versed in advanced concepts from a young age, given her status as the clan head's heir. Countless hours of after-school studies had evidently paid off. While some questions proved challenging, she handled the rest with grace and poise.
- Sakura -
Sakura's proficiency in academics proved to be an invaluable asset during the exam. Her dedication to her studies and her innate intelligence enabled her to navigate through the questions effortlessly, ensuring that she completed the test with confidence.
- Team Gai -
Meanwhile, another member of the Hyuga clan, a relative of Hinata's, faced a different set of challenges. Neji, a fourteen-year-old with fair skin and long black hair, dressed in beige and blue attire, relied on their clan's most prize possession.
Neji's first objective was to identify a fellow examinee who seemed to have a grasp on the test's answers. Subtly scanning his surroundings, he pinpointed a candidate seated two rows ahead and one seat to the right. This individual appeared to navigate the questions with confidence, presenting Neji with a strategic advantage.
Internally activating his Byakugan (All-Seeing White Eye), Neji focused his chakra through his optic nerves. "Byakugan..." Neji thought inwardly, mindful of maintaining a discreet appearance, he ensured that the telltale bulging veins around his eyes remained subtle, lest he draw unwanted attention and incur penalties. With his Byakugan engaged, he cast his gaze forward, peering through the intervening bodies to the test paper and its contents. Each question and its corresponding answer became discernible, clear as day.
Neji proceeded with caution, keenly aware of the need to avoid detection as he transcribed the responses onto his own test paper. His movements were deliberate, calculated to minimize any suspicion of impropriety.
However, his teammates, lacking the inherent advantage of the Byakugan, had devised their own method of gaining an edge. Lee, the youthful boy who wore a distinctive green bodysuit, and his companion Tenten from earlier, had collaborated on a cunning strategy. It appeared that Tenten had masterminded the earlier smoke bomb incident as a diversion, providing cover for her clandestine actions. In the chaos, she swiftly installed a contraption she had hastily crafted for the purpose.
Utilizing materials such as a mirror extracted from her pocket mirror, kunais, and ninja wire, Tenten fashioned the device, embedding it discreetly within one of the ceiling light fixtures.
"Lee, above you..." Tenten whispered which Lee heard as he glanced above him and saw the same thing as Tenten.
Through subtle hand movements, she could manipulate this contraption, causing it to reflect the answers from nearby test papers onto a surface visible to both her and Lee. This ingenious setup enabled them to discreetly access the information they needed to complete the exam.
- Kiba -
While this was going on, the sound of hushed yipping and the sound of chips crunching could be heard. Though surprisingly, it was Kiba who appeared to be eating chips that he got from Choji earlier as well as feeding Akamaru some, who rested on top of his head. The duo also had their own strategy, Akamaru would discreetly look around and report back the answers to his owner through hushed yips and barks that only Kiba would understand.
*yip* *yip*
"I see... Check for number 4, Akamaru..." Kiba said quietly, and the crunching on his chips. His seatmate, however, grew irritated by the noise.
"Stop that! Why are you even eating during an exam?!..." the genin (low/junior ninja) complained loudly, drawing the attention of everyone in the room.
"Why do you care?!... When did they say that eating's prohibited, huh?!..." Kiba retorted, undeterred by the confrontation.
While Kiba was engaged in this argument, the others seized the opportunity to set their plan in motion.
- Shikamaru and Sasuke -
"Now's my chance..." Shikamaru mused, keeping his hands concealed beneath the desk, executed the required hand seals for the jutsu he was about to employ. "Hijutsu: Gyaku Kagemane no Jutsu (Hidden Jutsu: Reverse Shadow Possession Technique)," he murmured mentally, extending his shadow towards his teammate, Sasuke, who was also preparing for their next move.
Sasuke then felt Shikamaru's shadow connect to his, "Guess it's go time..." he thought as he focused chakra into his eyes.
"Sharingan (Copy/Mirror Wheel Eye)..."
With its heightened visual perception, he quickly identified another test-taker who seemed to know the answers. Mimicking the person's hand movements subtly, Sasuke adeptly replicated them.
Meanwhile, Shikamaru's shadow jutsu connected their movements, allowing him to mirror Sasuke's actions perfectly. Unlike traditional shadow manipulation, Shikamaru's technique enabled the person linked to his shadow to control him, facilitating their synchronized cheating strategy.
- Kiba -
Going back to Kiba, who remained in a heated argument with his seatmate, he gestured indignantly towards Choji, who had been eating steadily since the exam began. "What about him?! He's been eating since the moment we got here!" Kiba exclaimed, pointing accusingly at Choji, who had just finished munching on some chips.
"OI! SHUT UP, BOTH OF YOU!" Ibiki's warning silenced Kiba and his seatmate.
Refocusing on his exam, Kiba, aided by Akamaru, managed to tackle most of the questions, though the tougher ones still eluded him. Undeterred, Kiba surreptitiously slipped his hand under the desk and began jotting down the answers on a small piece of paper. His ambidextrous nature, honed through years of training, allowed him to write effortlessly with both hands. With practiced ease, he transcribed the answers onto the tiny sheet, rolled it up, and concealed it inside the bag of chips he had been snacking on.
Raising his hand, Kiba requested permission to use the bathroom. One of the proctors promptly stood up and escorted Kiba and Akamaru out of the room.
As they exited, Kiba discreetly disposed of the bag of chips before heading to the bathroom to execute the next phase of their plan.
"You better not mess this up, Choji..." Kiba mused.
- Team 10 -
As for Naruto's teammates, Ino and Shino, they had their own bag of tricks. Ino had been biding her time for her main target, Sakura, to finish the exam. Once she saw the pink-haired kunoichi complete her answers, Ino leaned forward with her elbows on the desk, feigning contemplation. In reality, she was aiming her jutsu at Sakura. "Hijutsu: Shintenshin no Jutsu (Hidden Jutsu: Mind Body Switch Technique)," she whispered, releasing her technique. Thanks to the position of her arms, she didn't slump over, keeping her jutsu discreet.
Ino then briefly took control of Sakura's body, scanning her test papers and committing the answers to memory. Once done, she released her jutsu and returned to her own body, jotting down the answers and awaiting Shino's signal.
As for Shino, he utilized a different type of insect this time, opting for a fly instead of his kikaichu (parasitic destruction insects). Shino commanded the fly to explore the room and gather answers. The insect returned to Shino, conveying its findings through subtle buzzing noises and movements that only Shino could decipher.
Ino discreetly scanned her surroundings to check if her teammates had finished gathering answers. Spotting Naruto's subtle hand gesture indicating he was done, and receiving a nod from Shino, she initiated another jutsu that their team frequently employed. "Hijutsu: Shindenshin no Jutsu (Hidden Jutsu: Mind Body Transmission Technique)," she murmured, linking her thoughts to Naruto and his clones, as well as Shino.
"Guys, can you hear me?..." Ino transmitted.
"Yep," Naruto affirmed.
"Yes," Shino replied.
"So, Naruto... What was your plan?..." Ino inquired.
"Alright, see that guy sitting over there?... The middle-aged dude in the third row..." Naruto began.
"Why did you make one of your clones look like that?! Are you trying to get us caught?!..." Ino interjected.
"Relax... There's no way they can trace that clone back to me. That's why I went to the bathroom with the others. I made clones in the stall and instructed them to blend in, finding spots beside people who seem clever," Naruto explained.
This further impressed both of his teammates due to his ingenuity when it comes to the usage of shadow clones, the Chakra Henso no Jutsu (Chakra Disguise Technique), as well as the Henge no Jutsu (Transformation Technique).
"Anyway... I told them to deliberately cheat four times, and soon, one of them will get caught..." Naruto said, but then suddenly a kunai soared right beside Naruto's head. He looked forward and saw that a proctor was staring at him. This then made Team 10 nervous – had they been caught?
And then suddenly, one of the genins yelled, "W-What was that for?!..." he complained.
Naruto glanced behind him to see that the test paper of the genin behind him had a kunai in the middle of it.
"I caught you five times, punk... You fail!" the proctor said, much to the disbelief of the genin.
"This can't be..." the genin muttered.
"Your two buddies as well... Both of you, get out of the classroom, right now..." the proctor commanded with a stern tone.
Two more genins then stood up, much to their dismay, and left the room. The genin who had been called out also followed suit.
"#23 fails!"
"#46 and #27, fail!"
"NOOOOOO! GET YOUR HANDS OFF OF ME!" another genin screamed as he was dragged out of the room, his protests falling on deaf ears. At the same time, Kiba re-entered the room alongside a proctor.
Then, another genin slammed his hand on the table, his frustration palpable. "Oi, oi, oi! Do any of you have proof that I cheated five whole teams?!... There's no way you chumps can check all of us!" he protested vehemently.
"I mean, seriously! Are you guys really checking properly?!" he continued, his voice rising in defiance. But his tirade was abruptly halted when a proctor's hand forcefully pushed him against the wall, the impact echoing through the room.
"Listen... Even among us Chunin, we're elite, selected solely for the purpose of this exam. Don't even begin to doubt us, you prick... In a matter of speaking, this strength is proof of the gap between us... Know your place, punk," the proctor asserted sternly, his words carrying the weight of authority as the genin crumpled to the floor.
Naruto felt a rush of relief flood through him as he realized he hadn't been caught earlier. Turning back to his teammates, he shared his thoughts.
"I honestly thought we were done for..." Naruto remarked, his voice tinged with relief.
"I know, right?..." Ino added, echoing his sentiment.
"Anyway, I'll signal to one of my clones to get caught, give me a sec," Naruto said, his mind already focusing on the next step of their plan. He discreetly communicated with one of his clones, passing on the necessary signal. The clone acknowledged with a subtle nod before deliberately glancing at the test paper of its seatmate.
"#192 fails!" a proctor announced, prompting the clone to stand up and exit the room. Moments later, Naruto felt a surge of memories flood into his mind as the clone dissipated. Sharing his findings with his teammates, they began comparing answers, their teamwork proving crucial in navigating the challenges of the exam.
- Otogakure Genin -
On the other hand, one genin from Otogakure (Village Hidden in the Sound) relied on a rather unconventional approach. With closed eyes and a focused mind, he honed in on the subtle sounds around him. The rhythmic tapping of a nearby pencil against paper became his guide, each stroke echoing a tale of answers waiting to be discovered.
"Judging from the rhythm, the stroke order, and the number of strokes..." he mused to himself, his pen dancing across his own test paper
- Gaara -
In the midst of the exam hall, Gaara's demeanor remained as serene as ever. With a calculated motion, he rested his left arm on his lap and closed his left eye, signaling the beginning of his silent manipulation of sand. As particles gathered in his palm, they coalesced into a remarkable construct—a sand replica of an eyeball, formed not of flesh and bone, but of the very substance he controlled.
"The optic nerve's connected... Third eye, open..." Gaara's inner voice echoed with a sense of focus as he crushed the sand eyeball, its granular form yielding to his will. Dust dispersed, unseen by the watchful eyes around him, as Gaara discreetly sent minuscule particles towards the ceiling.
Kankuro, observing his brother's actions, recognized the subtle shift in strategy. Gaara's silent command guided the sand, shaping it into a replica that found its place among the fixtures above. With his clandestine surveillance in place, Gaara's gaze pierced through the barriers below, granting him access to a wealth of information hidden in the test papers.
- Choji -
With Kiba back in his seat, Choji sensed the urgency to return to his own, but fate had a different plan. As he poised to raise his hand, another genin beat him to it. Kankuro's need mirrored Choji's, and soon both found themselves under the watchful eye of their respective proctors, being escorted to relieve themselves. Yet, instead of a swift journey to the facilities, Choji halted, a peculiar scent seizing his attention, drawing him towards a nearby trash can.
"Oi, where do you think you're going..." the proctor's voice sliced through Choji's investigation.
"Hold on... I smell something..." Choji's voice rumbled with curiosity as he retrieved a crumpled bag of chips from the bin.
"You can't be serious..." The proctor's disbelief hung heavy in the air as Choji plucked a lone potato chip from the discarded bag.
"Not finishing all the chips, is unforgiveable..." Choji's tone held a resolute edge, his eyes glinting with determination.
The proctor, resigned to this peculiar turn of events, issued a sigh, conceding to Choji's peculiar obsession. He waved a hand in dismissal, urging Choji to complete his business in the bathroom, if only to expedite the peculiar interruption.
- In The Bathroom -
"Tsss... This test is easier than I thought... None of them even realized that the proctors have increased by one... Isn't that right, Karasu?..." Kankuro whispered to the proctor accompanying him, who was, in fact, his puppet all along.
As Kankuro was about to speak again, the sound of the bathroom doorknob turning made him pause. He fell silent, not wanting to draw attention to himself. Moments later, the door swung open, revealing Choji and a proctor. Kankuro, deciding it was best not to linger, hurriedly finished his business and prepared to leave.
Feigning a conversation with his puppet, Kankuro spoke aloud, "Done," making Karasu nod in response. Without further delay, Kankuro and his cleverly disguised puppet exited the bathroom, blending seamlessly back into the flow of students as they returned to the classroom.
- Back Inside the Classroom -
- Kankuro and Temari -
Kankuro re-entered the room just as clusters of genin were being called out and escorted away.
"#59 fails!"
"#33!"
"#9!"
"This is the sixth group to fail..." Kabuto mused silently, wiping a smudge from his glasses.
"#41 fails,"
"#35 and #62, you're done,"
"No way!" #62 protested, only to be punched by a proctor, his protest ending in a groan.
Ibiki's smirk widened as he saw Kankuro re-enter the room. "Oh?... That was quick... I thought you'd take a while re-applying that makeup of yours... Do you also play with dolls, punk?" Ibiki taunted.
"T-This guy! He's caught on..." Kankuro thought, his mind racing.
"Hurry up and sit down..." Ibiki warned. Kankuro, masking his inner turmoil, obliged and made his way back to his seat. As he passed by, he subtly dropped a small piece of paper beside Temari, the sandy blonde who had been with him the other day. The silent exchange went unnoticed by the proctors, but Temari's eyes flickered briefly in acknowledgment before she focused back on her own task.
A couple more tense minutes slipped by until suddenly,
DING!
"Time's up!" Ibiki's authoritative voice reverberated through the room.
The test-takers ceased their writing immediately, and the proctors swiftly moved to collect their test papers. With practiced efficiency, the papers were gathered and sorted according to the predetermined three-man cells listed during registration.
The proctors then quickly began grading each test paper, announcing the results based on the team's average grade.
"Team Kenji! 69%! Pass!" a proctor shouted, his voice cutting through the tension.
The 'rookie nine' held their breath, anxious to learn if their efforts were enough to meet the 65% passing threshold.
"Team Tsubasa! 62%! Fail!"
"Team Koji! 66%! Pass!"
"Team Naoki! 32%! Fail!"
"Team Shota! 64%! Fail!"
"Team Isamu! 30%! Fail!"
"Team Sho! 68%! Pass!"
The room buzzed with mixed reactions. Some teams erupted in joy, celebrating their success, while others were crestfallen, having failed abysmally. The most devastated were those who had narrowly missed the mark, their averages just shy of the required 65%. The emotional toll was palpable, but the exam continued, the stakes as high as ever.
Minutes stretched into eternity until finally, "Team Dosu! 79%! Pass!" The proctor's announcement elicited a shocked response from the crowd; it was the highest team average thus far.
"Team 8! 81%! Pass!" Another wave of astonishment swept through the room as the previous best had been surpassed.
"SHAAAAANNNAROOO!" Sakura exclaimed triumphantly to herself, her determination shining through.
"Nice!" Kiba and Choji echoed the sentiment silently.
"Team Masato! 68%! Pass!"
"Team Kazuya! 33%! Fail!"
"Team Hayato! 63%! Fail!"
"Team Yuto! 67%! Pass!"
"Team Riku! 70%! Pass!"
"Team Shiro! 31%! Fail!"
"Team Jiro! 64%! Fail!"
And then, another bombshell, "Team Gai! 80%! Pass!" The crowd reacted with impressed murmurs.
"Way to go! We did it!" Tenten cheered, her eyes gleaming with pride as she addressed her teammates.
Lee responded with an enthusiastic thumbs-up and a wide grin, his energy infectious.
Neji, ever stoic, remained silent in his seat, but a faint hint of satisfaction could be detected in his demeanor, a subtle acknowledgment of their accomplishment.
"Team Gaara! 82%! Pass!" Despite Gaara's stoic demeanor, the achievement didn't go unnoticed by the crowd, who marveled at his team's success.
"Heh... Beat that, punk..." Kankuro's inner voice taunted as he cast a glance at Sasuke.
"Team 7! 84%! Pass!" The proctor's loud proclamation surprised everyone; this was now the highest team average. Speculation rippled through the room, wondering if this record could be surpassed.
Shikamaru remained unfazed, his laid-back demeanor unchanged as he prioritized his team's success, even if it meant just scraping by.
Hinata couldn't contain her relief and joy as she reflected on her team's passage through the first portion of the exam, a gentle smile gracing her features.
Sasuke's smirk widened, a subtle expression of confidence and satisfaction at their achievement, his competitive spirit fueling his determination to excel further. Yet, beneath his veneer of self-assurance, a flicker of curiosity ignited within him. He couldn't help but wonder what team average Naruto's team would achieve.
And it seemed he wasn't alone. Kiba, and Sakura shared the same curiosity, their minds momentarily drawn to the enigmatic blonde and his team.
"Team Keisuke! 62%! Fail!"
"Team Taro! 30%! Fail!"
"Team Daiki! 69%! Pass!"
"Team Makoto! 32%! Fail!"
"Team Toshi! 65%! Pass!"
And finally, the climax, "Team 10! 85%! Pass!" The proctor's words sent shockwaves through the room, prompting an eruption of stunned responses from the entire assembly. The bar had been set higher than anyone could have imagined.
Sakura, Kiba, and Sasuke were left utterly stunned as they heard that Naruto and his teammates had achieved the highest team average thus far. The revelation sent a jolt of disbelief through them, their expressions a mixture of shock and incredulity.
Meanwhile, Naruto struggled to contain the surge of joy welling up inside him. Despite his outward calmness, inwardly, he was bursting with pride and elation at their unexpected success.
"WE DID IT!" Ino's triumphant cheer resounded in her mind, a surge of exhilaration coursing through her veins at their remarkable accomplishment.
On the other hand, Shino remained stoic as ever, his expression betraying nothing of his inner thoughts, his focus undeterred by the revelry around him.
After a few more tense minutes, the proctors concluded their announcements, delivering the final breakdown of results. Before the first exam even commenced, a total of 15 genins were unable to locate Room 301 due to the subtle genjutsu (illusionary techniques) ensnaring the second floor, amounting to 5 teams disqualified from the onset.
During the exam itself, 18 genins were caught cheating, resulting in the disqualification of 6 teams. Additionally, 21 genins failed to achieve a team average of 65% or better, leading to the elimination of 7 more teams.
Overall, these infractions culled the initial 207 genins down to 153, with a total of 54 genins failing. This failure accounted for 18 teams falling short of the mark, drastically thinning the ranks of contenders.
The faces of the remaining 153 genin reflected signs of relief, but Ibiki swiftly quashed any premature celebration as he commanded the room once more with his authoritative voice.
"Don't celebrate just yet, punks... There's still a second portion of the exam, so settle down!" Ibiki's voice boomed, cutting through any burgeoning jubilation. The proctors efficiently distributed another batch of test papers, this time with the front side facing down.
"Once again, here are the rules, so listen up!" Ibiki commanded, demanding the full attention of the room.
"First rule! You are not allowed to talk to any of the proctors. If I see any of you so much as utter a word to them... Your whole team is cooked! Got it?!..." Ibiki's warning was met with solemn nods from the assembled genin.
"Second rule! You are only given 45 minutes for the second portion. Same rules apply! Whether you finish or not, PASS. YOUR. DAMN. PAPERS!"
"Third rule! Under no circumstance should you ruin your test paper. Even the smallest speck, the tiniest smudge, or the most UNNOTICEABLE crinkle... The entire team fails..."
"And lastly! I'll be giving you guys two options right here, right now..." Ibiki's announcement elicited shocked responses from the crowd, whispers and murmurs spreading like wildfire among the genin.
"Options?... What's he talking about?..." Some of the genin voiced their confusion aloud, uncertainty clouding their thoughts as they awaited Ibiki's next move.
"Here are your choices..." Ibiki's voice cut through the murmurs of the crowd, commanding attention once more. "You can opt out of the second portion, but you'll fail... Not only that, your two teammates would fail as well..." His words hung heavy in the air, eliciting a wave of concerned chatter from the assembled genin, much to Ibiki's irritation.
"W-What the?!..." Some of the genin exclaimed in disbelief, while others questioned the legality of such a decree.
"SILENCE!" Ibiki's sharp command quelled the rising tumult, restoring order to the room.
"Here is the second choice," Ibiki continued, his tone grave. "IF you decide to take this portion of the exam and fail... You'll be barred from taking the Chunin Exams for the rest of your life..." The severity of his statement sent a shiver of fear through the majority of the crowd, the weight of the consequences sinking in.
"What kind of ridiculous rule is that?!" Kiba's voice rang out, his outrage palpable as he pointed accusingly at Ibiki. The room fell silent, all eyes turning to the source of the protest.
"And besides! There are plenty of people in here who've taken the exams multiple times!" Kiba's fervor was echoed by Akamaru's sharp yip of agreement. However, Ibiki's response was not what they expected. He simply chuckled, a sinister edge to his laughter that sent a chill down the spines of those present.
"Then you're just unlucky," Ibiki stated matter-of-factly, his gaze unwavering as he locked eyes with Kiba, the implicit threat hanging heavy in the air.
"As I've said earlier... My exam, my rules..." Ibiki's final words carried a weight of authority that left no room for argument, compelling Kiba to reluctantly take his seat once more, the sense of unease settling over the room like a suffocating blanket.
Ibiki then cleared his throat, commanding attention once more. "Don't say it's unfair since I gave all of you the option to back out... If you're a coward, feel free to leave right now. Just take the exam again next year, and the year after that, and so on... And for those who ARE confident... Just hope you picked correctly..." His laughter echoed ominously, sending a shiver down the spines of those gathered.
Anxiety rippled through the room as each genin grappled with the weight of the decision before them. Should they risk it all, or retreat to try again another year, hoping to avoid a similar fate with Ibiki as the proctor?
"This is bad..." Ino's thoughts raced as she surveyed the room, her gaze falling on Naruto, who seemed unusually quiet. Acting on instinct, she employed the same jutsu as before.
"Naruto... Shino..." Ino's voice echoed in their minds, filled with uncertainty.
"What is it, Ino?..." Naruto's response came, his tone laced with concern.
"What do we do?..." Ino's question hung in the air, laden with desperation.
"What do you mean?..." Naruto's confusion mirrored Ino's own turmoil.
"I mean... What the hell are we supposed to do?!... I don't want to be a genin forever!..." Ino's frustration spilled out in her words.
"I share the same sentiment..." Shino's calm voice interjected, his presence a stabilizing force amidst their uncertainty.
"Well, neither do I!" Naruto's determination rang out, his resolve unwavering in the face of adversity.
"Exactly! So, what now?!..." Ino's voice wavered, her mind racing for a solution.
"I don't know about you guys... But I'm taking the exam because I trust the both of you, but if any of you wants to leave, I understand... And even if we fail, I'm sure there are other ways to become a Chunin-tebayo!" Naruto's proclamation echoed in their minds, his unwavering determination shining through.
Both Ino and Shino found solace in Naruto's resolve, though the fear of the unknown still lingered. Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by Ibiki's booming voice, cutting through the tension in the room.
"So?!... Anyone want to bow out now?..." Ibiki's question hung in the air, a final opportunity for the genins to make their decision.
Minutes stretched into eternity until finally, one genin from Amegakure made a decisive move. He raised his hand and opted to leave, unwilling to gamble his future on the uncertainty of the exam. Ibiki's grin widened as he gestured for the proctors to escort the genin and his teammates out of the room.
His teammates, though disappointed, understood his reasoning. After all, who could blame him? The prospect of being banned from the Chunin Exams for eternity was a risk few were willing to take lightly.
"Anyone else?..." Ibiki's voice cut through the tense atmosphere once more, and this time, more hands rose into the air, each departure further thinning the ranks of contenders.
After that, a total of 12 genins left, equivalent to 4 teams being disqualified. With each departure, Ibiki's smirk grew as it hinted at his satisfaction.
Naruto, turning his attention to Shino and Ino, flashed them a foxy grin, a silent reassurance and a sign of his trust in them. Together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead, united in their determination to overcome the obstacles before them.
"Any questions... Let us now begin..." Ibiki's authoritative voice broke through the tension, snapping everyone back to the present moment. He ordered everyone to flip their test papers, and as they complied, a collective gasp filled the room. The test paper lay before them, blank and devoid of any questions—a daunting enigma, signaling the beginning of a new challenge.
"Wha the hell?! Why the fuck is this test paper blank?!..." A genin from Kusagakure erupted in frustration, his outburst echoing through the room.
"Kenji! You idiot!" His teammate berated him, exasperation evident in his tone.
"Just great..." Another teammate sighed, a sense of resignation settling over them.
Kenji, realizing his grave mistake, quickly covered his mouth, but it was too late. Proctors swiftly rose from their seats and approached Kenji and his team, escorting them out of the exam room. The scene elicited murmurs of shock and pity from the surrounding crowd.
Meanwhile, another team speculated that perhaps the blank test paper was intended for an essay-type response, a chance to articulate why they deserved to progress to the next phase of the exam. Nodding in agreement, they set to work, scribbling their thoughts onto the paper before them. However, their efforts were interrupted as a proctor's hand landed on their shoulders, their grin ominous. Their hopes dashed, the three genins met the same fate as Kenji's team, escorted out of the room with confusion rippling through the crowd.
Time was running out, and the genins found themselves faced with a puzzling challenge and little guidance on how to proceed.
"So, we're not allowed to talk to the proctors... But does that mean we can't talk to one another?..." Sasuke pondered aloud, his mind already formulating a plan.
With a decisive flicker of his Sharingan, he tapped the back of the person in front of him.
The unsuspecting genin turned, only to be ensnared by the hypnotic gaze of Sasuke's Sharingan, falling swiftly into a genjutsu. Now under Sasuke's control, the genin unwittingly voiced Sasuke's question to his teammates, his voice echoing loudly in the room.
"KENTARO! DO YOU THINK WE'RE ALLOWED TO TALK TO ONE ANOTHER?!" The genin's booming voice cut through the air, drawing the attention of those nearby.
"Keep your voice down, Keisuke..." Kentaro's reprimand was swift, his tone filled with exasperation. Much to Sasuke's surprise, the genin and his team remained unscathed, escaping disqualification.
The room buzzed with murmurs as others took notice of Sasuke's tactic and began to follow suit. A voice, emboldened by the newfound camaraderie, rang out above the din.
"Everyone! I'm certain that none of us know each other very well, however! I believe that right now?! We all share the same goal, and that is to pass this test! But in order to do that, we must find out what the solution to this test is! So, can we all help each other out, just this once?!" The voice resonated with conviction, eliciting nods of agreement from the majority.
However, skepticism lingered among some. While the man's words seemed sincere on the surface, doubts crept in about his true intentions. After all, as he himself admitted, none of them knew each other well, and the shared goal of passing the test could lead some to desperate measures, even at the expense of others.
"Oi! How do we know you're not duping us, asshole!" A voice rang out, skepticism tainting the air.
"Yeah!" echoed the sentiments of others, their suspicion growing palpable.
"Why would I dupe you guys?... It's not like I have any personal grudges against any of you... I barely know you guys..." The voice reasoned, its tone earnest.
"He does have a point," some genins interjected, their voices offering a tentative agreement.
"Exactly! You barely know any of us, which is more reason for you to dupe us! Why would you care if we passed or not?!..." The retort was swift, its accusation striking a nerve.
A back-and-forth argument ensued, giving rise to a palpable division among the remaining genins. With time ticking away, the urgency of the situation weighed heavily upon them. They were trapped in a maze of uncertainty, with no clear path forward and the elusive solution to the test still out of reach.
Amidst the weighty revelations and explanations, a sudden commotion erupted from the opposite side of the room.
"WHAT THE FUCK?! WHY'D YOU DO THAT?! YOU ASSHOLE!" a genin from Suna (Hidden Sand) erupted, his voice laden with anger and frustration as he gestured at his crumpled test paper.
"YOU WANNA KNOW WHY?!" his fellow Suna genin shot back, equally incensed.
"YEAH!" the first genin challenged, his fists clenched in fury.
"BECAUSE FUCK YOU! THAT'S WHY!" the other genin retorted, his voice dripping with venom.
"OH, YEAH?! LET'S SEE HOW YOU LIKE IT!" the first genin bellowed, lunging to snatch the other genin's test paper and crumple it in retaliation.
Shock and dismay painted the faces of both teams as they watched their teammates' confrontation escalate. Before a full-blown brawl could erupt, however, shinobi guards swiftly intervened, escorting the two teams out of the room.
"What should we do?..." Tenten whispered urgently to Lee and Neji.
Lee shrugged, his face reflecting his uncertainty. Neji, however, activated his Byakugan, scanning the room for any hidden clues or tricks related to the blank test paper. He hesitated to risk damaging his own paper, so he quickly took a test paper from the desk of the recently disqualified Ame team, now vacant.
With his Byakugan active, Neji scrutinized the sheet thoroughly, seeking any hidden clues invisible to the naked eye. Despite his thorough inspection, he found nothing out of the ordinary. His next theory was that the paper might be made of chakra paper. Although he knew it was a long shot, it was the only idea he had left. Carefully, he channeled chakra into the test paper, but again, nothing happened.
Seeing Neji's efforts, the others in the room began to experiment as well. With 24 genin already disqualified, there were now 129 genin remaining, equivalent to 43 teams. The crowd decided to divide the 24 sheets of paper from the disqualified teams into two, resulting in 48 sheets. Each team received a sheet to test their theories.
The teams tried various elemental chakra natures to see how the paper would react. However, their efforts proved futile. Some papers were burnt, crumpled beyond repair, torn to pieces, and soaked in water, but none revealed any hidden secrets.
Genin from Otogakure attempted sound-based techniques, hoping the paper would react to different frequencies. Despite their efforts, they met the same disappointing results as the others—nothing. The room buzzed with frustration and desperation as precious minutes ticked away, and no solution appeared in sight.
Team 8 used Kiba and Akamaru's innate sense of smell but found nothing. When Choji suggested eating some of the paper, he was promptly smacked by Sakura for the ridiculous idea.
Team 7 utilized Sasuke's Sharingan, yet they too came up empty-handed.
Team Gaara, on the other hand, remained silent, as if they held some hidden knowledge.
Team 10 used Shino's kikaichu bugs to investigate the paper, hoping the insects would detect something unusual. However, they found nothing.
One of the proctors announced that only 12 minutes remained, shocking everyone with how quickly time had flown by.
"What now?... Is this it?..." Ino voiced her despair, a sentiment shared by Shino.
"No... Not like this... There has to be a trick... And based on our findings, the trick isn't in the paper..." Naruto's voice carried determination, catching the attention of Ino, Shino, and even Shikamaru who was sitting nearby.
"Naruto... Mind if our teams collaborated?... This test is a drag, but I know none of us wants to fail... So?... How about it?..." Shikamaru proposed, his laid-back demeanor hiding a sharp intellect.
Naruto glanced at Shikamaru, then at Sasuke who was watching him with cold, analytical eyes. His gaze fell on Hinata, quietly standing beside Shikamaru, her expression filled with silent encouragement.
Turning back to his teammates, Naruto asked, "What do you think about teaming up with Team 7?"
"Sure, why not?..." Ino agreed without hesitation.
"I don't have any complaints..." Shino remarked, his usual stoic demeanor masking any underlying tension.
"Great…" Shikamaru muttered, a hint of exasperation coloring his voice. Just as they were about to dive into the mystery of the test, they were approached by Team 8 and Team Gai. Both teams, eager to pass the exam together, echoed the same request for collaboration. Shikamaru couldn't deny the logic—more brains might just crack this puzzle.
Thus, the 'rookie nine' plus Team Gai decided to join forces, pooling their intellect and abilities.
"So, we all agree that we can't find anything odd or unique about the paper then?" Shikamaru inquired, his gaze sweeping over the assembled group. Sasuke and Neji, ready to offer their insights, exchanged a brief, intense look.
Shikamaru chose to listen to Neji first, knowing Sasuke's findings already. In addition, Shikamaru wanted to compare Hinata's findings against Neji's.
"It doesn't seem that the paper has any tricks to it. I didn't see anything that would indicate that the paper has any chakra-related properties," Neji reported with his usual calm confidence.
Hinata nodded in agreement, sharing the same sentiment.
Sakura then spoke up, adding her team's observations to the mix. "Kiba wasn't able to smell anything funny about the test paper," she said. Kiba, his keen sense of smell a reliable asset, nodded in agreement.
"The paper's clean… There's nothing to it," Kiba affirmed.
The group fell into thoughtful silence, the weight of the challenge pressing down on them. Each team had brought their unique skills to bear, yet the paper remained an enigma, its secrets frustratingly out of reach.
"I also used my kikaichu, and they weren't able to find anything either," Shino added, his quiet voice cutting through the group's murmurs.
"Now that we're all on the same page, Naruto... What do you think? I heard you say that the solution isn't in the paper, but where?" Shikamaru turned his attention to Naruto, hoping for a fresh perspective.
"I mean... think about it! The first test is a prime example of it! Ibiki-san said that getting caught awkwardly cheating would be punished, but what he really meant was that we're allowed to cheat but we shouldn't be caught while doing so! It's probably all in the way he phrased what he said," Naruto explained, his eyes alight with understanding. The others nodded, their expressions brightening with realization.
"So, what did Ibiki-san say earlier?" Shikamaru pressed, needing to confirm the specifics.
Sakura took a deep breath and recounted Ibiki's words, capturing every detail, including the exchange between him and Kiba. She concluded with, "Any questions? Let us now begin..." repeating Ibiki's exact phrasing.
"That's it?" Shikamaru asked, and Sakura nodded, confident in her memory.
"Hmmm..." Shikamaru mused, deep in thought.
"Maybe that's the solution?..." Naruto suggested, prompting raised eyebrows from the group.
"And why do you think that, Naruto?..." Neji queried, skepticism in his voice.
"Wait... Who are you?..." Naruto wondered aloud, but his confusion was cut short by a sharp smack from Ino. Hinata flinched at the sudden movement, drawing Ino's attention.
"OW! HEY!" Naruto yelped, rubbing his head.
"Now's not the time, Naruto," Ino scolded him, her tone firm.
"*sigh* Fine... We'll talk later... Anyway, based on how Ibiki-san talks, I have a feeling he's not the type of guy to mince his words... Maybe we should take it at face value? He asked if we had any questions. Did we have any?..." Naruto asked, looking around at the group. They all shook their heads.
"Then maybe that's the question itself. Maybe the purpose of this test is to make us feel pressured and panic," Naruto suggested. Almost on cue, several teams broke under the strain, declaring their defeat to the proctors.
"Like that..." Naruto noted, as they watched three more teams disqualified, reducing the number of remaining participants from 129 to 120.
"If you look at it that way, it does make sense..." Shikamaru noted
"So, that's it?... We answer nothing?..." Neji contested
"We won't answer 'nothing' because the answer IS nothing... Wait... Does that make sense?..." Naruto said which elicited an eye roll from both Ino and Sakura.
"Just as Naruto said, that's our answer. Do you have a better idea?... If so, we're all ears," Shikamaru said but Neji just gritted his teeth and relented, Tenten then placed her hand on his shoulder
"Then it's settled then... We got with Naruto's answer..." Shikamaru said but before concluding their discussion he made sure to clarify one thing
"And that we agree that we won't blame Naruto if we're wrong..." Shikamaru added to which no one had any complaints
Naruto nodded at Shikamaru, and Shikamaru reciprocated, then suddenly,
DING!
"Time's up!" Ibiki's voice boomed through the room.
Twelve minutes had passed, marked by the same bell, catching everyone off guard. Panic rippled through the genin as they realized they were still unprepared. Ibiki, unfazed, ordered them to pass their papers regardless.
He strode to the front of the room and cleared his throat, commanding everyone to bring their test papers forward. The silence was heavy as the genin complied, handing over their blank sheets. Ibiki quickly scanned through the stack, confirming they were all empty.
"Hmmm... I see..." Ibiki's voice trailed off, increasing the tension in the room.
The rookie nine plus Team Gai waited, their anticipation and dread growing with every passing second.
"I'll be announcing the results," Ibiki stated, his tone enigmatic.
He stacked the blank papers in his hand and, with a sudden burst of flame, incinerated them using a fire jutsu, reducing the stack to ashes. Gasps and whispers spread through the crowd; confusion evident on every face.
"You all pass," Ibiki declared, causing a wave of shock to ripple through the room.
"All of you answered correctly. The answer is nothing... Albeit some were just lucky... Hopefully, your luck won't run out soon. However, I did notice some teams who caught on," Ibiki noted, his sharp eyes scanning the room.
The genin exhaled collectively, relief washing over them as they realized they had passed. The test had been a psychological trial, a test of their composure and ability to think under pressure.
Once again, Naruto's peers found themselves both shocked and impressed by his insight.
"The purpose of the first exam was to test your intel gathering skills," Ibiki explained, his voice cutting through the murmurs of the crowd.
"Intel gathering skills?..." Temari echoed, her brow furrowing in confusion.
"Yes. The focus of that test was based on the system of determining pass or failure based on the three-person groups proposed in the first rule. By grading you as a group, I added the unimaginable pressure of being dead weight and dragging your teammates down. Moreover, I provided absurd rules and regulations for the first exam. In addition, the questions on that test weren't things that you Genin would have been able to solve, though I did notice that some of you were able to answer some of 'em... Anyhow, with those two factors combined, I imagined that most of you here would come to this conclusion: 'In order to score points, I'll have to cheat.' In simpler words, this exam was created on the premise that all of you would cheat! That being said... I planted multiple Chunin in the crowd who knew all of the answers from whom you could cheat off," Ibiki revealed, gesturing to the four Chunin who stood up, their presence now acknowledged by the shocked crowd.
"Going back, those who just foolishly cheated naturally were disqualified," Ibiki continued, his tone grim as he began to remove his bandana, revealing what lay hidden underneath.
Gasps of horror echoed through the room as the crowd beheld the sight of Ibiki's head, covered in horrifying burn marks, scars, nail punctures, and scratches. Each mark bore witness to the horrors of physical torture.
"That is because... Information, depending on the time and situation, is more valuable than life! And in a mission or on a battlefield, you will always have to risk your life to fight for it!" Ibiki declared, his voice carrying the weight of hard-earned wisdom.
"So, when information is gathered and the enemy or a third party finds out about it, that information is no longer guaranteed to be correct. And remember this. To be given the wrong information can bring the demise of everyone around you. Which is why, out of necessity, we forced you guys to cheat in order to test your abilities in gathering information... And in the process, we filtered out those who were clearly lacking in those abilities," Ibiki concluded, his words leaving a profound impact on all who heard them.
"But... The second portion doesn't make sense..." Temari voiced her confusion, her brow furrowed in contemplation.
"Allow me to explain... The second portion of the test was the main issue of this first exam," Ibiki responded, his gaze steady as he addressed the group's concerns.
"What do you mean by that?..." Sakura inquired, her curiosity piqued.
"The second portion was to test your mental fortitude, as well as another thing. Needless to say, it is a painful decision to make. Those who cannot take it would be failed immediately, along with their whole squad! Those who chose to stay and made a mistake would be robbed of their chance to take the exams forever..." Ibiki explained, his words carrying the weight of harsh reality.
"It really is an unfair situation. But that is how the shinobi world works. There are missions that would require you to put your life on the line... With that being said, will you take it? Or not?... There could be missions you cannot avoid, no matter how risky or dangerous it may be! And by showing courage and trust in your teammates in a tight spot, and the ability to overcome difficult situations. This is the quality that is needed in a Chunin troop leader!" Ibiki conveyed, his tone solemn yet filled with conviction.
"In a pinch, there are those who cannot risk their own fate, and those who waver and give up their chances, those who mess up because they think they'll have another chance. I believe that such idiots who don't have the will and guts have no right to become a Chunin!"
"With that being said, for those who are still here... I would like to congratulate each and every one of you for passing the first test of the Chunin Exams! However, you are not out of the woods yet, as there are more challenges you need to overcome after this. I wish you well," Ibiki concluded, his words resonating with the group as they absorbed the gravity of their accomplishment.
But then, a plume of smoke materialized beside Ibiki, dissipating to reveal a woman with black hair clad in a custom-made outfit, exuding an aura of confidence and strength.
"Oh?... So the first exam is finished, huh?..." the woman remarked, addressing the crowd with a hint of amusement, noting the still sizable number of 120 genin remaining.
"What the fuck is this?... Why're there still 120 of 'em... You let 40 teams slide by?... Don't tell me you've gone soft and made the exam way too easy, Ibiki..." the woman, identified as Anko, commented with a smirk.
"How about consider the fact that there are a lot of excellent candidates, Anko..." Ibiki retorted, his voice calm yet firm.
"Tch... Whatever... I'll just drop more than half of them in the second exam..." Anko declared, her tone confident and brash.
"More than half?!..." Sakura exclaimed, her eyes widening in shock.
"Exactly... More... Than... Half..." Anko responded, her tone shifting from playful to serious in an instant.
"Got a problem with that?..." she challenged, her gaze locking with Sakura's, who shook her head in response.
"*sigh* I'm getting excited already..." Anko admitted with genuine enthusiasm.
"Anyway... I'll give you guys the details tomorrow... We'll be changing locations, so get the information from your jounin-senseis... That's it. Dismissed!" Anko announced before vanishing in a shunshin (body flicker), leaving the genin to digest the impending challenges of the Chunin Exams.
(A/N: Gosh this is another long one, second longest chapter in this fic, 4k shorter than FPII (Forest Pandemonium 2), this chapter is a 14,555 words long. So if y'all see any wrong formatting and wrong spellings, let me know, I'm getting dizzy HAHAHA. Also! I changed things up for the first exam, I mean I removed the quote-on-quote last question and replaced it with something akin to it but requires more thought and whatnot. Also gave Naruto his own way of cheating and not just be a sitting duck. Anyway, I wanted to split this into two but thought it would be annoying to split the chunin exams chapters into multiple chapters (though the next ones, I'll be dividing it since I'm already expecting it to be really long. Anyhow, I'll be resting for a bit and continue working on the next exam)