Teaming Up Again?

"What's going on?"

"So the whole points system was just a lie?"

"What the hell? Another hidden question that overrides everything?"

The room erupted in an uproar. Ao's words seemed to suggest that the earlier theory questions had just been a smokescreen, and the hidden question at the end was the real test. This naturally infuriated the

So many people had lost their chance to take the exam after being caught cheating. Everyone had gone to great lengths to watch how others answered and use all sorts of tricks to cheat. Had it all been for nothing?

"Everyone, listen." Ao patted the desk. "It seems there's been a bit of a misunderstanding. When I said I passed, I meant that I answered the hidden question fairly well, so I earned its twenty points. Whether I pass the written exam depends on my final score. But before I announce the results, I'll explain what this written exam was about, so you can understand the truth behind it. First, I'll tell you what this exam was testing."

"Everyone knows that when shinobi are carrying out a mission, everything must revolve around completing it. They must be willing to sacrifice their teammates—or even themselves. That's what we mean when we say we'll do whatever it takes."

"This exam tested many things. First, observation and intelligence-gathering. Since Zabuza, a member of the Anbu, was among the examinees, I deliberately made the questions much harder and seated him right in the middle, giving everyone a chance to cheat. I also eased up on the proctors. So anyone with a decent degree of observation and intelligence-gathering ability could spot him and obtain the correct answers. As for those who were thrown out of the exam room, their methods were simply too poor. They have no one to blame but themselves."

"Second, as everyone should know, a hidden question often appears in every few Chunin exams. Congratulations—you've won the lottery. The Lord Third approved the hidden question I designed, and you could consider it the most difficult one in ten years. It tested your judgment, your ability to assess and interpret intelligence, and your ability to observe your surroundings. Then, combining all of that, I set you a difficult problem: when you're in a desperate situation and must abandon one of your own, how do you choose?"

"Here, I have to bring up someone. Four years ago, Hatake Sakumo, the White Fang of Konoha, made the wrong choice between his teammates and his mission. He abandoned intelligence vital to Konoha Village, violating the shinobi code, and chose to save his teammates instead. Personally, I'd be glad to have a shinobi like that by my side. But from the perspective of the village and the country, the White Fang was unquestionably wrong. There can be no doubt about that! Afterward, not only was he held accountable by the village, but even the teammate he'd saved blamed him, until he broke down and took his own life."

"To a shinobi, life is precious. But burning yourself away and making the ultimate sacrifice for your village and country—that is the most glorious ending a shinobi can have!"

Kanna tilted his head, raising an eyebrow, his heart stirring with indignation.

The White Fang's story had spread throughout the Shinobi World, drawing both praise and criticism. Of course, people didn't interpret his actions from just one angle. They analyzed him from many different perspectives and at many different levels, and came to the conclusion that the White Fang's usual coldness had been only a mask. In truth, he was fragile and sensitive. Over the years, he had personally killed countless defenseless elderly people, women, and children during missions. The immense toll on his mind and body had eventually driven him to choose death as a way to make the world hear his cry.

Honestly, a man like that was difficult to judge. Emotionally, Kanna admired his resolve and the kindness that had awakened in him. Rationally, though, Kanna believed the White Fang should have lived. He'd had every chance, and the strength, to do something for the world and atone in the years that followed. But he had chosen the most extreme and tragic course: suicide.

A suicide that accomplished nothing. Perhaps it had awakened a few people, but it had done nothing to change the overall situation in the Shinobi World. Instead, his son, Kakashi, had spent nearly twenty years sunk in despair over it.

"Ahem, sorry. I got a little carried away." Ao steadied himself and smiled before continuing. "That's why I chose this question: to emphasize once again that life is full of color, but death isn't necessarily something sad. Giving up your life for something can, in fact, be a kind of transcendence."

"This question featured four kinds of roles: the 'teammates' discovered and captured by the enemy—in other words, the group I called out; intelligence operatives who held vital secrets—in other words, the examinees who used all sorts of methods to cheat and succeeded perfectly; those who dared to step forward, take responsibility, and accept the possibility of sacrifice—heh, that would be the examinees led by Kanna; and finally, the participants who were being protected."

"Now that you understand what each role represents, it should be obvious what the question was testing. That's right: on many missions, the most important person isn't the strongest or the leader, but the intelligence operative who can make a major contribution to the group. Keep this in mind for your future missions: protecting them matters more than protecting yourself!"

"All right, that's everything you need to know about this written exam. I'll now announce the names of all examinees who scored above sixty and passed. They'll advance to the next round, but due to certain rules, I won't reveal their scores."

"According to their serial numbers, those who passed are: Kyu Shichito, Kazama, Fuyuki Sanzenryo, Kirino Shishimaru, Yuji, Kawa Magarihito, Musen Kama, Tsukiyo Usagi, Asu Usagi, Momochi Zabuza, Tachibana Rei, Mujin Kurumi, Kanna, Yong Kong, and Amayuri Ringo."

Out of more than a hundred examinees, only twenty or thirty remained after the test—and this was only the first round!

"All right, those are the examinees who passed. Everyone else, please leave the exam room." Ao closed the register and spoke calmly.

"Damn it!"

"All the questions were at Chunin level! How were we supposed to pass?"

"Bastard! How dare you make things so hard for us!"

The disqualified examinees left the room, some cursing and others dejected, but all of them obediently filed out. The classroom suddenly felt much emptier.

"All right, before the second exam begins, I have something to say." Ao clapped his hands. "This exam isn't just a Chunin exam. It's also the first test of Kirigakure's revised examination system, so it's much harder than in previous years. Many important people are watching, too. This is a challenge, but it's also an opportunity. Don't let yourselves feel too much pressure. Give it everything you've got and do your best!"

After Ao finished, the remaining examinees applauded in unison. They were clearly a cut above those who'd failed, and their expressions remained calm.

"Good." Ao nodded and smiled. "Next, I'll lead you to the second exam site."

"Every year, the Chunin exam consists of a written test and a practical test. The practical portion is usually divided into team and individual sections. This exam will be an outdoor exercise in team combat."

Beside a broad river, Kanna and the other examinees gathered around a middle-aged man, listening quietly as he explained the rules.

"First, let me introduce myself. You can call me Long. I'm the chief examiner for this test."

"Long?" Kanna mulled over the name as he studied Long's appearance. The more he looked, the more familiar the man seemed.

Long looked to be in his thirties or forties. His eyes were deep-set, his nose bridge straight, and his sharply defined features looked as though they'd been carved with a knife and chisel. He was fit, and his entire bearing radiated confidence.

A cool male voice came from beside him.

"Eastern Dragon. That man is the Third Mizukage's son."

Kanna turned to look. Zabuza had appeared beside him at some point, but Kanna wasn't an unfriendly sort, so he nodded in greeting.

"Eastern Dragon? That's an over-the-top title," Kanna remarked.

Kanna knew that the Third Mizukage's age didn't match his appearance. He looked like a refined, middle-aged man, but in reality, he had taken part in the First Five Kage Summit as a bodyguard for the Mizukage about thirty or forty years ago. He must be around fifty now. But the chakra cultivation technique the Third Mizukage practiced was somewhat like Tsunade's Yin Seal; both could slow aging, so he still looked young.

And the chief examiner for this test was his son, a man known as the "Eastern Dragon."

On the world map, Kirigakure lay by the eastern sea, in the land where the sun rose. Still, Kanna felt that a title like "Eastern Dragon" was a bit too arrogant. He couldn't help it—"dragon" held a special place in his heart.

Hmm, maybe I should call myself Invincible in the East from now on. Kirigakure is in the east, after all, so when I travel the world, I can tell people, "The sun rises in the east, and I alone am invincible!"

Look at the people around him: his father was "Merciless Kanna," Zabuza was "the Demon of the Hidden Mist," Amayuri Ringo was "the Lightning Release Prodigy of the Hidden Mist," not to mention this "Eastern Dragon." And what did he have? Nothing. So, actually, "Invincible in the East" was a pretty good title. It wasn't as if anyone here would know what it meant anyway.

As Kanna was feeling a little out of sorts, Long got down to business.

"This outdoor exercise is quite different from those in previous years. Here are the rules."

"First, the exam will take place in a desolate area across the river. Everyone, take a look."

Everyone focused on the far bank. Beyond it lay a gloomy forest, and farther back stood a steep mountain.

"It's a remote, uninhabited place, and we've blocked off all the resources needed for people to survive there. There are no medium- or large-sized animals, no reliable sources of fresh water, and the edible fruit has been picked clean. We've set up supply points of various sizes in several locations, though. Each supply point is guarded by three to five Chunin. The exam area stretches from here all the way to the perimeter we've set up by the sea."

"The examinees will be divided into three groups: pursuers, pursued, and intelligence operatives. Now listen carefully. I'm going to explain each group's duties. Your success or failure—and even your lives—may depend on them."

"First, the intelligence operatives. At the start of the exam, they'll have to carry a thirty-pound package. It contains enough supplies for five people to survive for two days, a crucial topographic map, a Coordinate Locator that must be kept with them at all times, and passes for accessing the different supply points. Our guards will attack anyone without a pass, so keep the map and pass safe. That's my advice to you! Within seven days, successfully decipher the map and deliver the Coordinate Locator to the designated rendezvous point to complete the mission. Losing the Coordinate Locator during the exam means failure."

"Next are the pursued. The pursued must earn enough points to pass. The scoring system is as follows: first, earn five points for every day you survive. Second, earn ten points for each supply package you obtain while protecting an intelligence operative. Third, earn fifteen points for every attack from a pursuer that you repel. Fourth, earn twenty points for each intelligence operative you escort to the mission rendezvous point. At that point, you can either end the trial or return to the exam area and continue. Anyone who earns at least seventy-five points will have completed the mission."

"Finally, the pursuers. There are fewer of them, and they know one another's identities, but their identities won't be made public. They're responsible for tracking and attacking the others. The same point system applies. They'll earn points as follows: first, five points for every day they survive. Second, twenty points for every attack they make on someone other than themselves. Third, thirty points for every Coordinate Locator they seize. During the exam, pursuers can call a proctor to obtain an intelligence operative's coordinates, which will remain available for six hours. Each call costs ten points. Anyone who earns at least sixty points within seven days will have completed the mission."

"Finally, I'll hand out badges according to each person's serial number from the first exam. Each badge is worth ten points!"

At that, Long paused to watch the examinees' reactions.

"I see..."

"So the first thing we need to do is figure out who the pursuers are?"

"I wonder which role I'll get."

Long nodded to himself, then raised a hand to draw everyone's attention. "I've finished explaining all the rules. Is everything clear?"

"Clear!"

"No problem!"

"Then..." Long smiled faintly. "It's time to assign your roles. Based on your scores on the written exam, you'll each receive a different role. Everyone, line up and take turns going into the room behind me to receive your assignment!"

A crude wooden hut stood behind the group, its windows covered with black cloth. A bespectacled shinobi stepped out when he heard Long speak and said calmly, "I'd like the first examinee, Kyu Shichito, to come in."

"I'm coming!" Kyu Shichito answered and walked inside. Less than a minute later, he emerged holding a small bronze plaque with "Number One" written on it.

The examinees went in one after another, in order of their serial numbers.

Kanna noticed that Yuji, the chubby guy wearing goggles; Musen Kama, the boy who'd used Water Style to copy his exam paper; the twin sisters Tsukiyo Usagi and Asu Usagi; and Tachibana Rei all came out carrying huge, bulging backpacks. It looked like those were the supplies the intelligence operatives had to carry.

In other words, those five were the intelligence operatives!

Of the three roles, only the intelligence operatives' identities were public. They would have to persuade the other examinees to protect them, while also guarding against pursuers trying to infiltrate their ranks. It was a real test of their abilities.

"Next, Kanna."

At the call, Kanna went into the hut. The bespectacled shinobi first handed him a bronze plaque marked "Number Thirteen," then told him his role.

"You're a pursuer. Remember, the others are Number Three, Fuyuki Sanzenryo; Number Ten, Momochi Zabuza; and Number Fifteen, Amayuri Ringo."

The bespectacled shinobi took out a headset and a black box and handed them to Kanna.

"These are the pursuers' communication devices, for contacting one another or calling the proctor to find the intelligence operatives' locations. Don't let anyone else see them. That's all. You can go."

Kanna's expression turned a little strange. Were they going to team up again in this exam?

As for Fuyuki Sanzenryo, Kanna only remembered him as a quiet boy. He'd also passed by reporting someone and then turning himself in, earning an extra twenty points. Judging by how the examiners had assigned everyone's roles, it seemed to be related to their written exam scores. Were the four of them the top scorers? Could all of them have reached a hundred after those extra twenty points?

Apart from the four of them as pursuers and the five intelligence operatives, the remaining twenty-five were the pursued. It was practically four against thirty, which made things difficult. But the other side would inevitably mistrust one another, while his own group had a common goal and no internal conflict. They could also obtain the intelligence operatives' coordinates, so they had an advantage.

Kanna left the hut and waited at his leisure. Soon, the last examinee had received their assignment, and everyone gathered around Long once again.

"Finally, remember a few prohibitions. Don't attack any of the surveillance devices in the exam area; they're the main way we evaluate your scores. Don't cause disasters, such as setting the mountains on fire or attacking a dam's sluice gates. And don't kill opponents who have lost the ability to fight without cause. However, since someone could fake surrender, anyone who says 'I surrender' will be disqualified. All right, the exam is about to begin. Enter the exam area. I hope to see you in the final individual match. That's all—dismissed!"

At his command, everyone rushed across the bridge over the broad river and ran into the forest.

Kanna took his time. Once he entered the forest, he waited until no one was watching, then slipped away from the main group and hid in the canopy of a large tree.

"Ahem... Everyone, can you hear me?" Kanna adjusted the communication device and cleared his throat.

Soon, Amayuri Ringo's voice came through the headset.

"I can hear you. Where are you?"

"Let me see." Kanna opened the black box and took out the locator. He wiped the screen, then said, "Rabbit Sector, location A06, in a brown coniferous tree. Come meet me here. How does that sound?"

"Sure."

"I'll be there soon."

Zabuza and another unfamiliar voice came through. Kanna put away his communications equipment and waited calmly.

Five minutes later, all four of them met up successfully.

"Right, what do you all think we should do for this exam?" Kanna asked, folding his arms.