As Jiraiya announced that astonishing figure, shock spread across everyone's faces.
"A ninety-nine percent elimination rate? Lord Jiraiya, isn't that..."
Before the man could finish, however, Jiraiya waved a hand and addressed them with an air of profound wisdom.
"I know what you're going to say. You probably think I've been away from the village too long to understand the rules, so the requirements I've set for the Genin candidates are too harsh?
"No. This is actually what I've learned from traveling the Shinobi World. The path of a ninja is far too arduous. Only One-in-a-hundred talents can make it far. As examiners, our job isn't to watch them march to their deaths, but to make those who aren't yet qualified recognize their limits and turn back."
Perhaps reminded of the untimely deaths of several of his students, Jiraiya felt a genuine pang of grief and let out a long sigh.
Then he composed himself, adopting the air of a master alone at the summit. "These Genin taking the exams are embarking on a path where life and death hang in the balance! The road to greater strength is inevitably paved with blood. Resolve, endurance, strength, and luck are all indispensable. Only by setting high standards can we make the vast majority recognize their limits and turn back! Events with high elimination rates also help prevent excessive deaths. That's my reasoning..."
"No, Lord Jiraiya, you've misunderstood. What I meant was..."
The examiner who had spoken earlier cleared his throat and adjusted his sunglasses, then reminded him in an utterly serious tone, "Although participation in these exams far exceeds that of previous Chunin Ninja Exams, the total number of applicants is actually under three hundred... With a ninety-nine percent elimination rate, by the final stage, there wouldn't even be enough people