Ibiki watched the candidates leave the examination room, unable to withstand the pressure, and couldn't help smiling at the success of his scheme.
Once most of those who were going to leave had gone, Ibiki announced the results.
"All right, everyone still here, you've successfully passed the written exam."
Ibiki's announcement sent the entire room into an uproar.
"I know there's a lot you don't understand. This exam was designed to test your ability to gather intelligence, as well as your willpower."
"On the battlefield, people with weak resolve like that would absolutely betray their teammates. I don't believe they're qualified to become Chunin."
"But everyone here has successfully passed."
Hearing Ibiki's explanation, everyone finally understood. Some felt lucky they had managed to hold out, while others basked in the joy of passing the exam.
Before they could celebrate, a striking figure appeared before them.
A banner unfurled, and Mitaraishi Anko made her entrance.
"Don't celebrate just yet. I'm the examiner for your second test, Mitaraishi Anko."
Wearing chain mail beneath a trench coat, the shapely Anko introduced herself with gusto.
"So many of you passed this time! Come on, follow me. We're heading to the site of the second test."
With that, Anko led everyone away.
Ibiki and the others were left to clean up. As he gathered the papers, he saw that quite a few candidates had filled every answer with guesses.
Then he found Naruto's blank paper and couldn't help chuckling.
But when he saw Meihui's paper, he lost his composure.
Hey, hey, hey, are kids these days really this bold? Damn, that's some serious nerve.
He had actually dared to write about the Third Hokage like that. Ibiki could only silently applaud Meihui's audacity.
At the Forest of Death, Anko explained the rules for this test.
"Everyone, come sign a liability waiver first."
Anko waved them over. The moment some heard they had to sign a waiver accepting the risk of death, they lost their nerve. My mom worked hard to raise me. I'm not about to throw my life away.
Quite a few more people left. Anko checked the remaining numbers, then continued her announcement.
"You now have twenty-six teams. Half will enter Training Ground 44 with a Heaven Scroll, and the other half with an Earth Scroll. To pass, you must survive inside and reach the tower at the center of the training ground, ten kilometers from its perimeter, with both scrolls within seven days. You fail if you can't do that, peek at the scrolls along the way, or have a team member die or become unable to continue."
"All right! Now that everyone knows the rules, let the test begin."
At Anko's command, everyone charged straight into the Forest of Death without hesitation.
Their week-long struggle to survive in the wilderness began.
Meanwhile, Meihui and his two teammates walked for a while before stopping.
Meihui began laying out the plan. Naruto and Sasuke were already used to having him as their leader.
"What we're missing is a Heaven Scroll. Once we find one, we can head toward the central area early and wait nearby."
"Also, we'd better stick together. I don't think this place is as straightforward as we imagine." Of course, Meihui was referring to Orochimaru. As for the other small fry, he could take them down with one hand each.
"Got it, got it, bro. Just watch me pound them into the ground." Naruto confidently threw a couple of punches.
Seeing Naruto like that, Meihui sighed helplessly.
Life sure isn't easy. My little brother got water in his brain during a bath as a kid. He's all grown up now, and he still hasn't recovered.
Of course, Naruto had no idea what his older brother thought of him.
Before you continue