The Chunin Exam [3]

The sudden proclamation from Ibiki had them all taken aback.

"We've passed already? What about the tenth question?" they chorused in confusion.

Ibiki, shedding his former air of mystery with a smile, answered: "Well, there was no tenth question. Or you could argue that the two options presented were the tenth question."

"What?"

"Then what was the point of the first nine questions?" Temari protested, her voice filled with indignation.

"They were not without purpose," Ibiki clarified, "they served the aim they were designed for."

A collective look of bewilderment crossed the faces of the young ninjas.

"The aim was to assess your individual information gathering skills," Ibiki expanded.

"Information gathering?"

"Let's go back to the rules: success in this test hinges on the performance of the team as a whole, putting pressure on each member not to fail their comrades. However, the questions were not those that could be easily answered by novice ninjas. I'm certain that most of you realized that to earn points, you had to resort to cheating."

"In essence, the objective of this test was to cheat. We had a handful of seasoned ninjas who knew all the answers mixed in among you to assist."

"Man, finding that guy was a real chore," someone muttered.

"I know, right?"

"But those who cheat poorly, naturally, fail," Ibiki continued, slowly removing the forehead protector that had been concealing his entire head, revealing a myriad of torture marks. "Because, in certain situations, information becomes more vital than life itself. On missions and the battlefield, people risk life and limb to acquire it."

The sight of the burns, cuts, and puncture wounds on his forehead turned their faces ashen. It was clear from his scars that he had lived through it all. All they could do was concur with his words.

Replacing his forehead protector to hide his scars, Ibiki continued his explanation: "If you're spotted by the enemy or a third party, the accuracy of the information is compromised.

Remember this well. Information is a potent weapon for your allies and your village, which is why we had you gather information through cheating. This efficiently separated those who lacked the necessary skills."

Temari, still puzzled, inquired: "But I don't understand the final question."

Shikamaru, hearing her, sighed and muttered, "What a drag."

Temari was piqued by his comment, assuming he was making fun of her, but she chose to ignore him, waiting instead for Ibiki's response.

"That? That was answered by the blonde kid earlier. It's the real objective of this test."

All eyes turned to Naruto, who sighed but patiently explained, almost mockingly: "It's about putting your life at risk for something."

Everyone nodded at Naruto's Comment in understanding.

"Exactly," Ibiki affirmed. "The question essentially boils down to 'take it or leave it', a tough decision for you all, no doubt."

"Those who opt for the latter fail, dragging their teammates down with them. Those who take it risk never having the chance to take the test again. It's a true leap of faith. You'll face some of the toughest decisions of your life on missions."

"Suppose you become a chuunin. Your mission is to steal a classified document. The number of enemy ninjas, their abilities, etc., all unknown to you. And there will be traps. Now..."

"Do you accept the mission or not? But the mission is inescapable, would you cowardly flee? No! Regardless of the danger, there are missions you can't evade. The courage to face and endure adversity... That's what it takes to be a chuunin captain."

They nodded in understanding, mentally simplifying Naruto's explanation.

"You've successfully completed the first hurdle, the first test of the chuunin selection exam. Good luck!" He wished them, smiling.

Their faces lit up with joy at the news, but their celebration was interrupted by a female ninja crashing through the window, instantly putting them on high alert.

With a flourish, she secured a banner to the walls and floor using kunais tied to a cloth, before boldly announcing, "This is no time for celebration! I'm the examiner for the second test, Mitarashi Anko! Let's go, follow me!"

All the ninjas were a bit surprised by the sudden intruder ninja coming through the windows of the room.

As Ibiki sighed "Bad.... Timing..."

Anko who was a little embarrassed by the comment as her face turned a little red but she quickly composed herself and looked at the ninjas "This many left after your exam ? You're getting soft." She commented in a mocking voice.

"It is not about getting soft , it's just this there are so many outstanding ninjas giving the exam." Ibiki replied Anko.

"Anyways.... Outstanding or not , I'll make sure to get the numbers down to less than half after my exam." Anko commented.

All the genin ninjas frowned at the comment "half ?! how hard the 2nd exam will be ? " Someone muttered from the crowd of Ninjas.

In between all the commotion Naruto was sitting calmly and was having a conversation with Hinata as Anko saw it.

Anko glared at them "silence." As she commented everyone including Naruto and Hinata looked at her direction. "I'll explain the exam rules , but not here..... Follow me.... We're moving to a different place for the 2nd exam..." Anko commented as she left.

"I thought there will be only one exam today , What a drag..." Shikamaru commented as he stood beside Naruto.

Naruto looked at shikamaru and just smiled.

All the genin ninjas followed Anko.

....

Ibiki was taken aback as he collected the exam papers, particularly by Naruto's responses. The queries revolved around secret codes and various ninja combat tactics, knowledge normally only acquired through extensive battle experience or inherent genius. Yet, despite only spending five minutes on the test, Naruto had answered every question correctly. Notably, he hadn't cheated, as the embedded Chuunins hadn't even finished some sections, implying that he relied on his own understanding. It's important to remember that Naruto was only a Genin who had completed the bare minimum of D-rank missions and one B-rank mission. "Uzumaki Naruto... Intriguing," Ibiki muttered, a smirk spreading across his face.

The Forest of Death....

.

.

Team 7 reached first at the place of the 2nd exam where Anko was standing , a little surprised seeing 3 genins were quick enough to come here this quickly.

After some moments every ninja who qualified the first exam came to the place.

Anko stood tall, her back against a fence warning 'Danger! Keep Out!', as she briefed the Genins. "Welcome to the second test's battlefield, Training Ground 44, also known as 'The Forest of Death'."

"Why's it called "The forest of Death" ?" Sakura Asked.

Anko managed a smile and looked a little annoyed as someone interrupted her while explaining the rules "Soon enough, you'll understand why it's named the Forest of Death."

As Anko continued with her explanation, Naruto was again a little not concentrating on the rules and Anko.

In reality Naruto was experiencing some kind of dark chakra near them, he never felt this kind of chakra ever before & was trying to point out the person or ninja possessing the dark chakra.

Anko's face reddened in fury at Naruto's lack of concentration. She hurled a Kunai at him in an attempt to teach him a lesson.

Naruto who was was concentrating on finding the dark chakra's source was a little startled by the kunai thrown at him but caught the kunai just in time.

Anko's smile was faded as she saw Naruto catching the kunai that easily even without giving full concentration.

Suddenly Naruto body flickered In front of Anko , "Here's yout kunai and sorry for not concentrating." Naruto said as he returned the kunai to Anko.

Anko and the genins standing there were startled by the speed Naruto reached Anko , they didn't even saw him move.

"He's really fast and has good reflex.... So he is Uzumaki Naruto... the ninja those jounins were talking about..." Anko thought in her mind.

"Ok.... Return to your place and try to concentrate to the rules I won't repeat them..... " Anko instructed Naruto and Naruto nodded as he returned to his previous place he was standing.

Naruto was still experiencing the same dark chakra nearby them , but he concentrated to Anko their exam instructor.

"Now before we continue with the 2nd test I would need to give you something. " Anko said as she passed each printouts to every genins standing there.

The genins looked at the printouts given to them which looked like a form , "You need to sign these agreement forms just in case you die inside the forest during the test I won't take responsibility for your death." Anko continued her instruction.

The genin were frowned hearing the possibility of even death during the test.

Anko disregarded their responses and continued, "I will clarify the details of the second test, following which you can sign the agreement. Then, each team will register at the booth that's situated behind me."

"In essence, the second test involves a survival challenge of the highest degree. First, let me outline the terrain of the examination. The exam will be held in practice arena No.44, surrounded by 44 sealed gates. The arena comprises a forest, a river, and a central tower. The distance from the gates to the tower is approximately 10 kilometers.

"Throughout the survival challenge, you will be assigned a specific task. You will compete in a scroll battle utilizing your weapons and jutsu. There are no set rules!"

"A Scroll Battle?"

"Correct," Anko affirmed as he revealed a scroll labeled 'Heaven' and another labeled 'Earth.'

"We have 78 participants here, forming 26 teams... Half will receive the heaven scroll, and the other half will receive the earth scroll.

"To pass this test, you must reach the tower with both scrolls."

"Which means, 13 teams will lose their scroll, and half of the teams will undoubtedly fail."

Anko agreed and elaborated, "However, there's a time constraint. This second test will last 120 hours, precisely five days."

"Five days?!"

"What about meals?!"

Anko scoffed and responded, "You'll have to fend for yourselves. The forest is teeming with food. Just be cautious of carnivorous creatures, poisonous insects, and toxic plants... and it's unlikely that all 13 teams will pass. As the days progress, the distance to the destination will increase, and the rest periods will decrease. The area is swarming with adversaries; you won't have much time to sleep."

"Therefore, some will fail due to losing the scroll, while others may succumb to the severity of the course."

"Now, let's discuss the disqualification criteria. First, those who fail to reach the tower with both scrolls within the stipulated time will be disqualified. Secondly, those who lose a team member or those who have a teammate killed. Quitting midway is strictly prohibited; you will remain in the forest for five days. Additionally, you are forbidden to peek inside the scroll."

"What if we do?" A genin inquired.

Anko grinned and replied, "That would be an unexpected surprise for anyone who does. As a chuunin, you may occasionally be required to manage confidential information. This is a test of your trustworthiness. That concludes the explanation. Exchange your three forms for your scroll, and then select a gate to prepare for the commencement of the test."

"A word of caution... Don't die."

[Drop power stones for getting a new chapter tomorrow, short chapters I know but I think from next or the next chapter I'll have at least 3000 words , I hope ]