Even Sakura wasn't entirely confident she could answer the additional question correctly. Despite being the top student in Konoha, she'd struggled with the previous questions and doubted she'd even scored above 90 points.
The additional question sounded like it would be multiple choice or true-or-false. One wrong answer—no second chances.
And if they failed… their entire team would be barred from the Chunin Exams for the next ten years!
At that moment, Naruto was completely numb.
His head dropped onto the desk, and his legs trembled beneath him.
Ten years! If he failed, Sasuke and Sakura would also be disqualified—for a whole decade!
I couldn't answer a single question earlier… wouldn't the additional one be even harder? If I mess up, I'll drag them both down!
But… but…
If I give up now… I can try again in a year.
Just one year.
I…
Naruto spiraled into despair. The thought of giving up gnawed at his resolve, consuming him bit by bit.
Around the room, some Genin clenched their fists, loosened them, then silently stood and walked toward the back exit.
Others wrestled with indecision. But the moment one teammate stood up, the burden seemed to lift from the rest.
"Good, he gave up. I don't have to carry this shame…"
"Sorry, I…"
"It's okay. We'll try again next year."
"Yeah! Next time, no matter what, we won't give up!"
Nearly a hundred candidates exited the exam room in silence.
Kurenai glanced at the clock, then turned toward the remaining examinees.
And then the countdown began.
"Ten!"
"Nine!"
…
"Three!"
"Two!"
"One!"
Just as the final second was about to tick down, Naruto suddenly slammed his hands on the desk and raised his right hand high into the air.
His face twisted with struggle—eyes squeezed shut, brows deeply furrowed, lips trembling.
From where she stood, Kurenai looked at Naruto with a flicker of disappointment hidden in her eyes.
You're the Fourth Hokage's son… sigh. I hope Uchiha Hikaru won't be too disappointed…
Up in the observation room, Tsunade drove her fist through the wooden round table, fury boiling over.
"YOU LITTLE—!"
"You were one second away from making it!"
All eyes turned to Tsunade, stunned by her sudden outburst.
Uchiha Hikaru reached out and held her back.
"Calm down! I get it—you're mad. But hold on a little longer!"
"Wait until Naruto actually opens his mouth before you storm down there."
Back in the exam hall, Sakura watched Naruto slowly rise, her gaze slipping away from him.
Thank goodness… Naruto gave up. That means I don't have to worry about choosing the wrong answer anymore...
Sasuke, on the other hand, clenched his fists so tightly that the veins in his hands bulged.
His Sharingan, which had displayed one and a half tomoe, now spun into two tomoe.
He muttered under his breath, voice low and sharp:
"…What the hell are you doing, you idiot…"
"I really despise you…"
There was no relief in his heart—only burning disappointment and frustration.
Even Gaara was staring at Naruto, wide-eyed.
He hadn't expected Naruto to back down.
A thin veil of sand floated around Gaara's face, forming a pale mask that looked like ordinary human skin.
Friends? Ridiculous. You can't even overcome this...
Kurenai's voice broke the silence as she addressed Naruto directly.
"Have you given up?"
"Even though time's up, I can make an exception and—"
Before she could finish, Naruto slammed the table again, loud enough to startle everyone in the room!
All the hesitation, all the fear, all the inner turmoil—it vanished in an instant.
Those deep sapphire eyes now burned with unwavering resolve.
"WHO'S GIVING UP?!"
"Even if I fail!"
"Even if it means staying a Genin for life!"
"I—Uzumaki Naruto—WILL NEVER GIVE UP!"
"Facing forward with courage, staying true to my word—that's my ninja way!"
"Bring it on! No matter how hard the additional question is, I'll answer it right in front of you!"
His shout echoed through the room like a thunderclap.
And just like that, the hearts of many other Genin, who had been on the edge of giving up, steeled with sudden determination.
All eyes turned to Kurenai, waiting for her to reveal the final challenge.
Naruto folded his arms, huffed, and sat down again like nothing had happened.
Sasuke blinked, then let out a quiet chuckle.
Why did I even worry about this total moron? Of course he's the last person who'd give up.
Sakura's eyes, too, lit up with renewed determination.
If Naruto believes he can do it, then I can too!
Even Gaara, behind his sand mask, showed a faint, childlike smile.
In the observation room, Tsunade pumped her fist with a grin.
"That's more like it! You're the Fourth's kid, alright!"
Uchiha Hikaru shot her a look.
Who was the one about to charge down there and smack him senseless just now? Hmph~
Back in the hall, Kurenai glanced over the remaining examinees, her eyes pausing on their serious, resolute faces.
She smiled.
And then announced:
"The additional question is…"
"Congratulations."
"You've all passed."
Dead silence.
Then:
"EH!???"
Dozens of jaws dropped simultaneously—Naruto's almost hit the floor.
Up in the observation room, Uchiha Saya, Kisame, and Maruboshi Kosuke all smirked.
Saya: These kids... timid, but kinda cute.
Kisame: Pfft. You guys couldn't even think through something this simple? Hilarious.
Maruboshi Kosuke: Haha… ah, youth.
Naruto blinked rapidly, then raised a hand.
"Huh?! But… but we didn't even answer the question yet!?"
Kurenai smiled and spread her hands.
"Well, if I must explain... your decision to stay was the additional question."
"You're ninjas from different villages—not all of you belong to Konoha."
"If you thought about it a little, you'd realize something…"
"As Konoha's proctor, how could I possibly have the authority to ban foreign Genin from taking the Chunin Exams for ten years?"
"This question was simply a test—to see if you had the courage to face uncertainty and pressure."
"But be warned: if two or more members on a team fail the actual test questions, you still won't advance to the second exam~"
The exam room erupted in realization.
Meanwhile, a group of Chunin quickly scanned and marked the test papers from the roughly 200 candidates who remained.
By the end, only two teams were disqualified due to multiple failing scores.
…
…
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Send Power Stones
Bonus Chapter at 150 Power Stone
Second Bonus Chapter - 300 Power Stones
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