Chapter 44: An Unheard-of Way to Pass

After a brief explanation of the rules, the ANBU handed out pre-printed test papers to everyone.

The rules were simple: as long as they could achieve a passing score, they'd qualify for the next stage.

Uchiha Mirai glanced over the test and noticed it was filled with basic questions: the nature of chakra, the meridian system in the body, how to perform jutsu, and so on. Only the last two questions, which were about Kekkei Genkai and Kekkei Tota, required more specialized knowledge to answer.

"This is way easier compared to the one Ibiki Morino gave in the Chunin Exams in canon," he thought. "It seems… during times of war, they're more lenient on ninja's theoretical knowledge."

It took him only a short time to finish the test. Surveying the room, Mirai noticed that everyone else looked relaxed, as if they had no pressure at all.

Before long, time was up. The ANBU started grading right there, and in the end, only five people were disqualified for low scores. Just two others were eliminated for cheating, which showed how easy this exam was overall.

"All passing candidates, gather at the Forest of Death in three days," an ANBU proctor announced, providing some information about the next stage before leaving with the test papers.

With that, the first part of the Chunin Exams was over. And after a period of silence, the name "Uchiha Mirai" re-emerged in people's minds.

...

Three Days Later – At the Forest of Death

Teams of aspiring Chunin gathered outside the Forest of Death, signing waivers acknowledging the risks. Each team received one scroll: either a Heaven Scroll or an Earth Scroll. The test was simple: as a team, gather both scrolls and make it to the central tower to pass.

The forest was a dangerous place, filled with deadly beasts, poisonous insects, and a harsh environment where a single misstep could be fatal. To simulate the brutal conditions of battle, this part of the test allowed teams to use any means necessary—even ambushes and sneak attacks—against each other. However, if a team surrendered its scroll, the attackers had to stop.

The harsh rules made all the candidates tense—except for Mirai's team. Nearly every team had come to the same conclusion: if they ran into Mirai's team, it was just bad luck.

At noon, each team entered the forest from a different point. The second part of the Chunin Exams had begun!

The Forest of Death was barren, with bare tree trunks and yellowing vines—it was winter, after all. Compared to spring or summer, it was harder to find places to hide. A recent snowfall blanketed the ground, making stealth even more difficult.

"What's the plan, Mirai?" Kurenai asked, scanning the surroundings.

"Let's head straight to the central tower," Mirai said with a wave.

"What?" Kurenai looked confused. "But if we don't have both scrolls, we can't pass even if we reach the tower."

"We'll run into other teams along the way," Mirai replied calmly. "And if not, we'll just wait by the tower and take the scrolls from teams that get there first."

Kurenai's eyes widened in surprise. They could do that?

The more she thought about it, the more sense it made. For most teams, it would be risky to camp by the central tower—they'd just become targets for other groups. But their team was different! With Mirai's strength, they had nothing to worry about.

"Asuma, any thoughts?" Mirai turned to Asuma.

"I'm good with whatever you decide," Asuma replied quietly.

Mirai noticed that Asuma seemed unusually withdrawn since the first exam, but he didn't pry. As the rebellious son of the Hokage, Asuma's attitude was no surprise.

With their direction set, Mirai motioned for them to move out. "Let's go!"

Perhaps they were moving faster than expected. In just an hour, Mirai and his team reached the tower's entrance. According to the plan, they stayed put, silently waiting for other teams to arrive.

As time passed, more and more teams gathered at a distance, watching Mirai's team from afar, wary of approaching the entrance.

And so, a bizarre scene unfolded.

Three days later, a dozen teams were clustered outside the central tower, squatting and looking helplessly at each other. No one dared to make the first move.

"What's Mirai up to this time? Is he planning to stop everyone from passing?"

"He can't be serious. If that's his plan, the proctors will probably intervene."

"Maybe they didn't collect both scrolls and are waiting to ambush other teams coming to the tower?"

"That's… actually possible."

"Damn that cocky Uchiha brat…"

Nearby, Obito couldn't hold back any longer. "Kakashi, are we just going to sit here and wait? You could hold Mirai off, right?"

Kakashi shook his head. "You're giving me too much credit. As long as Mirai's guarding the entrance, no one's getting in."

Hearing Kakashi's answer, the others looked even more discouraged. After a pause, someone suggested, "If we all attack together, maybe he won't be able to stop us all."

But no one was willing to volunteer to go first. After all, Uchiha Mirai was known to be strong enough to take down a Jonin—who would want to test him?

Watching all this, Might Guy felt his spirit stir. Mirai was amazing, he wished his own youth could shine as brightly!

"Mirai, they seem too scared to come over. Are you sure this will work?" Kurenai asked, a little worried. The exam had a five-day time limit, and three days had already passed. She'd assumed they'd ambush the first team with both scrolls and be done, but not a single team had dared to approach.

"Don't worry, Kurenai," Mirai replied confidently. "Someone will give in eventually."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the sound of a scuffle came from up ahead. In the next moment, a pair of scrolls—one Heaven, one Earth—was thrown in their direction.

"Here you go. Mission accomplished." Mirai picked up the scrolls and walked into the tower.

Kurenai stared, dumbfounded. So there was another way to pass?

They had just been sitting by the door for three days, and someone had brought them both scrolls.

Unbelievable.

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