The First Exam

Facing Kabuto Yakushi's proactive approach, Shikamaru, well aware of his role as the strategist, stepped forward to respond: "This... Senior Kabuto, is there something you wish to tell us?"

"Indeed, there is."

Kabuto smiled and adjusted his glasses: "It is embarrassing to admit, but this is my seventh time participating in the Chunin Selection Exams. Precisely because of that, I have a bit of experience I can share with you."

Shikamaru's expression remained unchanged, though many thoughts flashed through his mind; in the end, he decided to play along with Kabuto's intentions.

But before Shikamaru could speak, Naruto asked first: "Doesn't the Chunin Selection Exams rotate between villages? The content should be different every time, right? Is your experience actually useful?"

Kabuto's expression stiffened for a moment before he braced himself to explain: "Although the exam content varies, the goals of the assessment remain much the same. Furthermore, what I want to share with you is information regarding the other participants."

As he spoke, he pulled out a stack of cards: "I spent four years collecting these cards bit by bit. I have information on most of the genin participating in this exam."

"I don't believe you."

Naruto was blunt: "Unless you can produce my information."

"No problem."

Kabuto smiled confidently, drew a card, and spun it on the ground; data appeared on the card face: "Uzumaki Naruto, the top performer among the nine genin who graduated from Konoha this year. Skilled in taijutsu and ninjutsu, poor at genjutsu, and average in the use of ninja tools. Possesses a certain amount of Uzumaki lineage, with chakra reserves more abundant than the average ninja. Has currently completed 9 D-rank missions and 1 C-rank mission; his instructor is the famous Copy Ninja of Konoha—Hatake Kakashi."

"Hmm?"

Naruto tilted his head: "That's it?"

Kabuto's expression stiffened again: "Free information only covers this much. If you want to know more, you have to give me something in return, such as information I don't already possess."

"Forget it then."

Naruto slumped over the table: "This information of yours is of no help to this exam."

The others looked at Shikamaru and saw him wearing a pained expression, but since he said nothing, they understood and fell silent as well.

Kabuto cursed Naruto's difficulty in his heart, but having achieved his goal of becoming a familiar face, he feigned awkwardness, silently put away his cards, and returned to his teammates.

The classroom fell quiet once more, the atmosphere growing increasingly heavy.

Fortunately, this atmosphere did not last long; on the classroom podium, a burst of white smoke exploded, and over twenty proctors appeared simultaneously. None of their expressions were friendly—or rather, they wore "ill intent" plainly on their faces.

The man in the lead, not particularly handsome and bearing a long scar across his face, looked intimidating even while smiling: "My name is Ibiki Morino, the chief proctor for this first stage of the Chunin Selection Exams. Now, everyone follow the order, submit your registration forms one by one, then collect your number tags and sit in your corresponding seats."

Once everyone was seated, a proctor pulled out a stack of test papers, and Ibiki Morino wrote the rules and precautions for the exam on the blackboard, speaking as he wrote:

"First, no one is allowed to ask questions. Even if you are confused, you are not allowed to speak. I am the chief proctor, and I decide the rules for this exam. Those who cannot accept this may give up and leave the exam now."

Naturally, no one left.

Only then did Ibiki Morino continue his explanation, focusing on three main points:

1. The first exam uses a point-deduction system. Each person starts with 10 points. There are ten questions in total, and you have one hour to answer. You are in teams of three, and at the end, the total score of the three will be calculated.

2. The proctors will keep a close eye on everyone. If cheating or suspicious behavior is detected, 2 points will be deducted. If your points reach zero, you are immediately disqualified.

3. If even one person in a team is disqualified, the other two members of the team are also disqualified.

Upon hearing the rules, the atmosphere, which had finally eased, became tense once again. Especially for those not confident in their own abilities, the thought of potentially dragging their teammates down made them feel the weight of their teammates' gazes like needles on their backs.

However, Ibiki Morino showed no sympathy for these examinees; he finished speaking, handed out the papers, and announced the start of the exam.

Those with brains and the ability to think critically had already deduced the true purpose of the first exam based on Ibiki Morino's words—to test the examinees' ability to collect and transmit information as a ninja.

Subsequently, the examinees who had figured it out used their own methods to obtain answers directly from the test papers of "certain people" in the room.

However, before long, those whose skills were not up to par were forced to leave the exam room with their companions after their 10 points were fully deducted.

Naruto wrote on his paper with a relaxed expression, even appearing distracted: "Dad, do you know this Ibiki Morino?"

[I remember him; he is from the Torture and Interrogation Force of Konoha. I don't recall his specific rank, but since he can serve as a chief proctor, he is at least a captain.]

"The Torture and Interrogation Force, huh? No wonder he set such torturous rules. If nothing unexpected happens, this exam will eliminate at least half the people."

[It will depend on what his tenth question is. In the end, perhaps only a third, or even fewer, will remain.]

In the blink of an eye, forty-five minutes passed, and 36 people had already been sent out of the exam room. Those remaining were the ones who had realized the true purpose of the exam and possessed adequate skills.

"Alright, now, I will announce the tenth question."

Ibiki Morino said coldly: "But first, you must make a choice—continue the exam, or give up."

"Those who choose to give up are immediately disqualified, and their teammates as well."

"Those who choose to continue but answer the tenth question incorrectly will also be disqualified, and furthermore, will be permanently barred from participating in the Chunin Selection Exams."

Hearing this, someone finally couldn't help but speak out: "That's unreasonable! How can you ban someone from future exams just for failing once? Aren't there people here who have participated many times already!?"

"If you want to blame someone, blame your bad luck for having me as your chief proctor."

Ibiki Morino sneered: "But this is only for this time. As long as your luck isn't that bad, you should be able to encounter a more reasonable chief proctor when you take the exam next time."

Some clenched their fists in frustration, but they were powerless.

Ibiki Morino said coldly: "Now, make your choice—continue, or give up."

Faced with the massive "sunk cost," people began to give up one after another, unable to accept the stakes.

In three minutes' time, the number of people remaining in the classroom had been cut in half.

Ibiki Morino checked the time, his face cold as he spoke: "It seems you all intend to continue the exam. Then listen well, the question for the tenth problem is—"

Many people were so nervous that they subconsciously held their breath.

"Congratulations, you have all passed the first exam!"

Ibiki Morino suddenly broke into a smile as he offered his congratulations, and amidst the stunned expressions of some, he explained: "The choice I just had you make was the tenth problem itself, and the correct answer was to continue the exam. Therefore, you have all qualified!"

Following this, Ibiki Morino carefully explained the purpose of this exam and the true meaning behind the final tenth problem...