The Rules Are Different

The first test: written exam

Karot looked at the test paper in his hands. He recognized every word, but had no idea how to answer the questions they formed.

For Karot, who had only attended classes for a week—and spent even those classes sleeping—this was undoubtedly a tough one. He wanted to hand in a blank paper like Naruto Uzumaki, but he wasn't the Child of Destiny, so he didn't dare. Getting a zero would be embarrassing, and Kakashi would tease him about it for the rest of his life.

"Host, need some help?"

Now that was a lifesaver. Just when all hope seemed lost, a new path had opened up.

"Yes."

Easy enough.

With the system's theoretical cheat sheet, Karot scribbled away at the test. Just passing would be enough. Otherwise, he might get too proud of himself—and frankly, he'd be embarrassed to score too well.

As expected, everyone would pass the written exam, since not every ninja had asked for leave.

As everyone celebrated passing the first test, the classroom door was pulled open from the outside.

A man with long hair and a pale face walked in, radiating an aura that warned others to keep their distance.

The entire classroom fell silent at the sight of him. Everyone knew this man: Orochimaru, the "Cold Lord," one of the Hokage's three disciples. Anyone he fixed his gaze on felt as if they were being watched by a venomous snake.

"Lord Orochimaru, I'll leave the second test in your hands."

The Jonin in charge of the first test bowed to Orochimaru and spoke with utmost respect.

At this time, Orochimaru was a hero of Konoha. He had saved the lives of many fellow villagers on the battlefield and was greatly respected.

I didn't expect him to be in charge of the second test.

Karot guessed the Third Hokage thought highly of Orochimaru and was paving the way for him.

Orochimaru seemed to notice Karot's gaze and glanced in his direction.

What keen senses, Orochimaru.

"Not a single person was eliminated. I suppose the test was too easy. But don't worry. By the time my test is over, there won't be ten of you left."

Orochimaru's words put the candidates under immense pressure. After all, none of the ninjas who had come to take the test wanted to be eliminated.

In addition to his formidable reputation, Orochimaru was known for his ruthless methods and cold-blooded nature. His words left the Genin worried about the test ahead.

"Everyone, head to the second test site. If you don't arrive within ten minutes, you'll be considered to have forfeited."

With that, Orochimaru vanished in a puff of white smoke.

The Genin hurried to the Forest of Death, the site of the second test. Karot took his time. On the way, he even stopped to buy a few skewers of dumplings and try them. They were too sweet. He couldn't understand why the characters in Naruto liked them so much.

Karot still wasn't the last to arrive at the Forest of Death. Nearly a third of the candidates were late.

"Poof!"

The Cold Lord appeared. He got straight to the point.

"Now, I'll announce the rules for the second test. The first ten to reach the central tower will pass."

The simple rules left everyone bewildered. The previous test had been about finding the Heaven and Earth Scrolls, but this one was blunt and straightforward: whoever reached the central tower first won.

It seemed simple enough, but only the first ten would pass. The remaining fifty or so ninjas would be eliminated. Who would accept that willingly?

The ensuing battles were sure to be especially fierce. Anyone could be your opponent, and even your teammates could no longer be relied upon.

"Summoning Technique!"

Orochimaru bit his thumb, formed hand seals, and slapped his palm against the ground.

"Poof!"

Three enormous snakes appeared on the ground, each as tall as a three-story building. The ninjas below looked like lambs waiting to be slaughtered.

"To make this test a little more interesting, I've gone to quite a bit of trouble. You might get hurt, so don't let all my effort go to waste."

Orochimaru spoke with an amused expression.

Some of the Genin trembled, their faces tense and frightened.

"Lord Orochimaru, people could die!"

One of the braver Genin spoke up.

"When you set out on the path of a ninja, you never know when death will come. I'll give you a chance now. If you don't want to take the test, you may withdraw."

Orochimaru spoke.

Some of the ninjas, frightened by the threat of death, raised their hands to withdraw.

Looking at the three snakes, Karot imagined one steamed, one braised, and one grilled. His mouth watered. Kakashi, standing beside him, saw the drool and immediately understood what his brother was thinking. He quietly edged away from Karot, who was embarrassing him.

"Hey, Kakashi, come here."

When Karot snapped out of it, he saw his younger brother Kakashi moving farther and farther away. He quickly called out to him.

Orochimaru had summoned those snakes, and Karot wasn't about to let Kakashi act alone.

He didn't know how Kakashi had passed the Chunin Ninja Exams in the original story, but now that he was here, he wouldn't allow anything to go wrong.

"Tch."

Kakashi ignored Karot and continued to pretend he didn't hear him.

If the mountain wouldn't come to me, then I'd go to the mountain.

Meanwhile, in the Hokage Building, Hiruzen, the greatest peeping Hokage, watched the second test through a Crystal Ball.

Standing nearby were Jiraiya, one of the Sannin; Jiraiya's student and future Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze; the protagonist's father, Hatake Sakumo, "Konoha's White Fang"; and Danzo, "The Shadow of the Ninja World." The five of them crowded around the Crystal Ball, making quite a lively scene.

"Orochimaru, don't you think this is a bit too much?"

Jiraiya, one of Hiruzen Sarutobi's students and usually a carefree sort, spoke up.

"I think it's an excellent approach. In the world of ninjas, the strong rise and the weak are eliminated. Those who withdraw now can still live."

Danzo expressed a different opinion from Jiraiya. He had come here today to look for promising candidates to recruit into Root. His old rival Hiruzen had the Sannin; he wanted some of his own.

"I agree with Lord Danzo."

Hatake Sakumo rarely agreed with Danzo, which caught Hiruzen Sarutobi's attention. When he noticed Hiruzen Sarutobi looking at him, Hatake Sakumo explained what he thought.

"The situation in the Ninja World is unstable. War could break out again at any time. Sending ninjas with no preparation for what awaits them on the battlefield would be sending them to their deaths."

Although both his sons were taking the test, he still believed the test was right.

"What do you think, Minato?"

Minato hadn't expected Hiruzen Sarutobi to ask him. He was only at the meeting because of Jiraiya.

The four men present waited for Minato's answer. This was a test. Minato had immense potential and had already learned the Second Hokage's jutsu, the Flying Thunder God. His future achievements were boundless, so the other three were willing to hear what the young man thought.