The first round of the Chunin Ninja Exams had not actually eliminated many people.
Because it tested intelligence gathering rather than being a real examination, anyone with something to offer could pass. Even Naruto, who had handed in a blank answer sheet, was allowed through. This left many of those who had been eliminated feeling deeply dejected.
The moment the first exam was announced to be over, Mitaraishi Anko, the proctor for the second exam and Orochimaru's former Direct Disciple, appeared before the many Genin in her own bold style and with a unique entrance.
"There are still this many people left? Forty teams? This is really disappointing. In the next round, I think I'll eliminate at least half of you."
Mitaraishi Anko glanced at the remaining teams and bluntly revealed her intentions. Her words immediately caused the survivors to worry in secret...
The second exam was held in the Forest of Death. Each team was given one scroll. Only by defeating another team, obtaining both the Heaven and Earth Scrolls, and bringing them back could they pass the second exam.
After the various squads had divided up the Heaven and Earth Scrolls, the many Genin entered the Forest of Death examination grounds in batches.
Every group had to preserve the fighting strength of all its members and collect a complete set of Heaven and Earth Scrolls. That was the requirement for passing the exam, as well as a test of teamwork. If abandoning a teammate caused the team to lose a member, they could not pass the examination.
In the second exam, the strong and weak teams chose different methods. Powerful teams could search for prey at will, while weaker teams could only use terrain and traps to lie in wait.
Every team had to go through at least