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"Next, I will announce the content of the tenth question. But before that, you must make a choice…"
Just like in the original story, Ibiki presented a choice before revealing the tenth question.
If they chose to answer and got it wrong, they would be barred from becoming chunin for life.
If they chose not to answer, they would be disqualified, and their entire team would be eliminated.
This ultimatum immediately caused an uproar in the room. Some of the examinees, who had gone through great lengths to cheat for answers, stood up in anger and protested.
However, when Ibiki removed his headband, revealing a scar-covered bald head and the imposing aura of a jonin, the entire room fell silent under the intimidation of the Torture and Interrogation Force captain.
The oppressive atmosphere weighed heavily on the examinees, especially those with fragile minds or lacking confidence in their abilities.
"I… I forfeit!"
Before long, one examinee couldn't take the psychological pressure anymore and raised his hand to quit.
As he left, he tried to justify himself: "I'm still young. I can always try again next time. I'm not willing to gamble my entire ninja career on an unknown question."
His words became the final straw.
One after another, examinees who lacked confidence raised their hands and forfeited. The once-packed examination hall soon had many empty seats.
As more and more candidates dropped out, Sasuke and Sakura—who had little faith in Naruto—stared anxiously at his back. He was sitting in the front row next to Hinata, and they feared the dead-last might raise his hand.
When only five minutes remained, Naruto, trembling all over, slowly lifted his hand under the uneasy gazes of Sasuke and Sakura.
BAM!
The next second, his hand slammed onto the desk, drawing everyone's attention.
"Don't underestimate me! I won't run away! Even if I have to stay a genin for the rest of my life, I'll still become Hokage! That's my ninja way! Bring it on, tenth question!"
His loud, resolute voice echoed throughout the room.
The hesitant examinees, who had been on the verge of quitting, suddenly felt a surge of determination. At that moment, they were all inspired by Naruto's willpower. The fear in their eyes vanished, replaced by unwavering resolve.
The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly.
Seeing this, Ibiki and the proctors looked at Naruto with astonishment.
Ryūsei, resting his chin on his hand, smiled as he watched Naruto's back.
So this is the power of Talk No Jutsu? Such incredible influence!
For Ryūsei, this was good news.
He didn't know whether Asura's chakra contained any lingering will of the Otsutsuki Asura. But if it did, he was now certain that Asura's will still resided within Naruto.
The Asura chakra Ryūsei had obtained was pure energy—free from any interference by the Sage of Six Paths!
The game system's power far surpassed that of the Sage.
"Time's up. I declare… all of you have passed the first exam!"
Seeing that his psychological torture had failed, Ibiki didn't waste any time and announced that everyone had cleared the test.
This result shocked the room once again.
The examinees, who had just steeled themselves to risk their futures on the tenth question, were dumbfounded. Many of them couldn't hold back and stood up, demanding answers:
"Then what was the point of everything we just went through?!"
Even as Ibiki explained that the first exam was merely a test of their resolve as shinobi, many still couldn't accept it.
Only Naruto, who had just rallied everyone with his words, was overjoyed.
The first exam… passed just like that?
Even Hinata beside him looked at Naruto in disbelief.
As his desk neighbor, she knew full well that Naruto hadn't written a single answer—except for his name.
Passing the exam with a blank paper… That's amazing!
Hinata decided to bring this up later when talking to Ryūsei and Ino.
CRASH!
The sound of shattering glass rang out as a kunai flew into the room.
The second exam's proctor, Mitarashi Anko, made a flashy and exaggerated entrance, successfully diverting everyone's attention.
"Ibiki, why are there still so many examinees left? Whatever. In the second exam, I'll cut their numbers by at least half."
When no one reacted to her entrance, Anko didn't seem embarrassed. After mocking Ibiki, she scanned the room like a predator eyeing prey.
Her words sent a chill down many examinees' spines.
Soon, Anko announced the time and location of the second exam:
It would begin the next day at 15:00, in Konoha's 44th Training Ground—also known as the Forest of Death!
After the exam concluded, Ino and Sakura immediately said goodbye to their teammates and went to Ryūsei's side.
The lively and proactive Ino even hooked her arm around Ryūsei's, drawing envious looks from Hinata and Sakura.
"Ryūsei, can I come over for dinner? It's been so long since I've tasted your cooking after graduation."
"Of course. Everyone's welcome."
Taking advantage of his height, Ryūsei patted Ino's head before smiling at the three girls.
The sight of one guy surrounded by three cute girls attracted plenty of attention.
Older Konoha shinobi and foreign ninja alike watched with envy and jealousy.
Handsome, strong, and surrounded by girls…
'Damn it, is this guy some protagonist from a novel?!'
Meanwhile, the kunoichi were equally jealous of Hinata, Ino, and Sakura—especially Hinata, who drew many hostile glares.
Some girls even muttered under their breaths:
"There's no way someone her age is that well-endowed! She must be stuffing her clothes. What a shameless woman!"
Ryūsei and the others didn't hear these comments, nor would they have cared. They were used to it.
After leaving the academy, the four of them—who hadn't been together in months—went to the market to buy ingredients before heading home to cook.
Like in the real-world Japan, women in the ninja world usually became housewives after marriage, rarely taking on missions. For them, letting a man into the kitchen was almost an insult.
Logically, girls like Hinata, Ino, and Sakura—who were all future wife material—should have objected.
But they never stopped Ryūsei from cooking. In the kitchen, they only acted as his assistants.
Because the dishes Ryūsei made were completely different from what they ate at home or even in restaurants.
Today was no exception.
After preparing a lavish meal to satisfy Ino and Sakura's cravings, Ryūsei didn't quiz them on their training progress. Instead, he brought out a deck of cards, and they spent the evening playing games while sharing stories from the past few months.
When Ino heard that Ryūsei, Sakura, and Hinata had encountered one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen—a jonin-level opponent—she gasped in shock, her face pale with fear.
But when Ryūsei mentioned killing a jonin like Raiga, Ino and Sakura gazed at him with admiration, their eyes practically sparkling.
Especially Sakura, who had witnessed Zabuza's strength firsthand. She knew all too well the gap between a genin and a jonin.
Naruto and Sasuke's combined efforts had only managed to evade Zabuza's water clone.
But Ryūsei had killed such an opponent.
As expected of Ryūsei!
None of the three girls realized just how blindly they had come to admire Ryūsei's strength and excellence.
Watching them practically molded in his image, Ryūsei felt a deep sense of accomplishment.
Once his plans came to fruition, the only obstacle between him and the three girls would be their age.