A few days later, the Chūnin Exams officially began.
The first stage, the written test, was held in Konoha.
This time, the proctor wasn't Morino Ibiki from Konoha's Interrogation Division, and there were no mind-breaking trick questions. Instead, the one who designed the test was Shikamaru.
Yes, that Shikamaru kid.
The questions for the first exam were all his idea.
Each squad's members were separated through a random draw and sent into one of three exam rooms: Room 1, Room 2, and Room 3.
The exam halls had been specially modified. Once the doors closed, there was no way to break them open with force. The rooms were also soundproof—unless you screamed at the top of your lungs, no one could hear what was being said inside.
The test had only three questions, worth thirty, forty, and fifty points respectively. Each person only needed to answer one question, and as long as the total score of the three teammates exceeded one hundred, they would pass.
Inside the rooms, monitoring equipment allowed Shikamaru and Temari, the two examiners, to observe everything. The test had been carefully prepared.
After the rules were explained, no one knew what to do. After all, no one knew which point value they were supposed to pick.
If anyone chose wrong, the whole team would fail.
The difficulty was based on the point value. Most people could probably solve the thirty-point question, but the higher the points, the harder it got. The fifty-point question was practically unsolvable for the average genin.
And if a team was made up entirely of slackers… well, their chances of passing were basically zero.
What Shikamaru wanted to see wasn't whether they could solve the problems, but how they would transmit information to their teammates under closed-off conditions.
The questions themselves weren't important. The real test was communication.
After a brief silence, the genin from the different villages began leaving their seats and gathering together, trying to figure out how to approach the exam.
Shikamaru didn't forbid this. As long as no fights broke out, plenty of things were allowed.
Everyone huddled together, analyzing the questions, debating strategies, and figuring out how to transmit signals to their teammates—letting them know which question to attempt.
For sensory-type ninja, this was child's play. They could sense where their teammates were, then use ninjutsu to tell them which question to write down. Some even went as far as relaying the exact answers to their teammates.
None of that was prohibited.
Others tried shouting loudly to give directions, but the result was a mess of overlapping voices that made the room even more chaotic. With the soundproofing muffling everything, it was impossible to hear clearly.
"Arghhh, my head hurts! I don't know how to do this one!!! It's way too hard!!"
Naruto grabbed his head and wailed.
He was still the class dunce—these problems were basically torture for him. He couldn't solve a single one.
Behind him, Hinata and Neji sighed. They both knew exactly what Naruto was like. Of course he couldn't handle this.
Even though cheating wasn't forbidden, they didn't let Naruto copy. They understood his pride. He wouldn't lower himself to do something like that.
A little while later, Neji stood up. He began analyzing the test questions, then struck the wall in a deliberate rhythm to send signals to his teammates, telling them which problems to choose.
Sound changed as it passed through walls. Once transmitted, the signal would let his teammates know what to do. Naturally, because no one else in the other rooms could tell who was sending the signals, they all assumed it was their own teammate and followed the instructions.
This meant that, aside from those who truly couldn't write anything, most people would end up following the signals.
And so, everyone's scores were effectively manipulated to stay above the passing line.
If Shikamaru didn't interfere, the result would be universal success.
"He saw right through it, huh… tch. As expected of Neji."
Shikamaru muttered to himself. Among the Konoha Twelve, if Naruto was the one with the greatest influence, then Neji was the one with the strongest leadership. His sharp analytical mind and calm demeanor let him exploit the exam's loopholes and steer the entire outcome.
Of course, some tried to interfere, but Neji outmaneuvered them every time. No matter how they disrupted, he neutralized their efforts and bent the test back to his will.
"Alright, next comes the final question."
That's right—just like Ibiki before him, Shikamaru had prepared an additional question.
"As everyone knows, in missions, when things reach a crisis point, someone has to stay behind to cover the retreat and draw the enemy's attention. Now then… on the back of your exam sheet, write down the name of the person you'd choose to stay behind. Begin."
"What kind of joke is this, Shikamaru?! There's no way I'd abandon my teammates like that!!!"
Naruto slammed the desk, shouting in protest.
"Objection overruled! Continue the exam! Don't cause me trouble! Keep it up, and I'll cancel your qualification!"
Shikamaru warned him sharply. Naruto's tantrum was already factored into his expectations.
Naruto was about to argue again when Neji stopped him.
"Don't."
Naruto froze. He noticed Neji wasn't writing anything either.
His expression tightened. Then, with arms crossed, he slumped back in his chair, sulking without answering.
"Alright. The exam is over. Those who have finished may leave. Anyone whose name was written down will remain."
Just like before, leaving the sheet blank was acceptable.
Inspired by Naruto, Shikamaru designed this last question to measure how much they valued their teammates, as well as their ability to analyze the situation. In the end, only a small number actually took the question literally and sacrificed a teammate.
And so, those unfortunate teammates lost their right to continue in the exams.
Sasuke and Sakura both sighed in relief. Thankfully, neither of them had written Naruto's name.
They knew his personality—Naruto would have wanted them to write him down. But they would never abandon a comrade for the sake of advancement.
As expected, Temari and Shikamaru explained the results to the successful candidates. Those who gave up a teammate were left with only two members to face the trials ahead.
That was the punishment for abandoning comrades.
But because so many teams still passed, a sudden addition was made to the second stage of the exam: they would have to rush from Konoha to Sunagakure, and anyone who failed to arrive within the time limit would lose their qualification.
As soon as Temari announced they could leave, no one reacted at first.
Then Neji bolted out the door, with his teammates right behind him.
"Sakura! Sasuke! Let's go!!"
Naruto shouted, chasing after Neji.
"Idiot! Wait for us!"
"Come on!"
Sasuke sprinted out, Sakura right on his heels.
Once the others realized what was happening, they all scrambled out at once, the scene quickly descending into chaos.
"Alright. Time for us to begin the escort mission."
Kiyosuke glanced at Asuma and Guy as he spoke.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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