Ibiki got taught a lesson

Just then, the head examiner, Ibiki Morino, strode up to the podium, radiating an oppressive presence.

He announced the final question, the one that would decide everyone's fate:

"If you choose to withdraw now, you can try again next year. If you choose to stay, however, and are ultimately judged to have failed, you and your entire team will forever lose the right to take the Chunin Ninja Exams."

The immense pressure settled over the entire classroom, almost tangible.

Some began to waver. Others raised their hands and withdrew.

Naruto Uzumaki's heart was pounding too. He knew perfectly well that he had handed in what was practically a blank paper. By any normal standard, he was done for.

Yet in that suffocating atmosphere, as one person after another chose to withdraw, Naruto Uzumaki abruptly stood up and slammed his fist onto his desk with a thunderous bang.

"Don't underestimate me!" he practically roared, his voice trembling with emotion, though his eyes remained utterly resolute. "I'm not backing down now! I said I'd become Hokage, and I never go back on my word!"

"Even if I stay a genin for the rest of my life, I'll keep charging toward my goal of becoming Hokage! I'll never give up!"

His resounding declaration exploded through the examination room like thunder, shaking every examiner, Ibiki included.

In the end, Ibiki announced that everyone who had stayed until the very end had passed the first exam!

Once all the candidates had left with mixed emotions, only the examiners remained in the empty classroom.

Ibiki rubbed his brow, his gaze falling on the stack of exam papers.

After a moment's hesitation, he pulled out the paper bearing Naruto Uzumaki's name.

"So that kid shouting all those grand declarations is the future Seventh Hokage?" A barely perceptible