At this moment, Sakura's lips curled into a confident smile.
There was no doubt — for someone like Haruno Sakura, the ultimate theoretical student of her class, a written test was nothing to fear. Throughout her time at the Ninja Academy, Sakura had always ranked among the top three in theoretical exams.
A written test? Please, she thought. As long as it follows logic, I'll ace it easily.
Across the room, Menma, Sasuke, Ino, Hinata, Shino, and even Shikamaru looked relatively calm.
But for Naruto, Choji, and Kiba… it was a different story entirely.
"W–what? A written test!?" Naruto stammered, his face going pale.
Naruto Uzumaki — who could charge headlong into any battle without hesitation — was utterly defeated by the idea of sitting for a theory exam. His grades at the Academy were notoriously bad. Kiba and Choji weren't much better.
The realization struck all three at once: if this was a team exam and they failed, they could drag their whole squad down with them.
Still, the exam was unavoidable.
The only way out was through.
So, with grim determination, they lined up to hand in their application forms, received their numbered tags, and took their seats.
Menma, meanwhile, leaned back in his chair, unconcerned. He wasn't interested in the Chunin Exams for their prestige. What drew him in was the chance to reach the Forest of Death — and to encounter that snake-like man he knew was waiting there.
To him, this exam was merely a formality.
Up front, Ibiki Morino continued to explain the rules.
The moment he mentioned that the final score would be based on the team's average, a quiet ripple of tension spread across the room. Even Sakura and Shikamaru frowned slightly. Naruto gulped.
Menma didn't even blink.
"And one last rule," Ibiki said coolly. "The tenth question will be announced after forty-five minutes. Until then… begin."
With a rustle of paper and a chorus of scratching pens, the written test began.
⸻
The Hidden Test
The Chunin Exams' written test wasn't really about theory. Not at its core.
As Ibiki himself had hinted: "Don't use obvious cheating methods. Remember — ninjas should act like ninjas."
The true purpose of this exam was to assess information-gathering and decision-making skills.
In other words — how effectively could one cheat under pressure without being caught?
Anyone who listened carefully to Ibiki's instructions would understand his hidden message:
"Find a way to get the right answers — just make sure you do it like a shinobi."
As long as your methods were subtle, efficient, and undetectable, the proctors would turn a blind eye.
But if you were sloppy…
You were out.
Within minutes, the sound of shuffling papers and muttered curses filled the room.
"Second row, third seat — disqualified."
"Fifth row, first seat — out."
"Last row, fifth — you're done."
One by one, candidates were caught and eliminated. The sharp commands of the examiners rang through the hall, followed by the sound of chairs scraping as nervous genin were escorted out.
Ibiki's cold voice never wavered.
Even without torture tools, the man known as the Head of Konoha's Interrogation Unit had turned the entire exam hall into his personal interrogation chamber. His words alone — calm, precise, and merciless — were enough to crush weak wills.
The psychological strain was unbearable for many.
Sweat beaded on brows. Pens shook in trembling hands. Dozens of hopeful genin began to doubt themselves. And when one candidate broke, their entire team was automatically disqualified.
"Candidate No. 25, team disqualified."
"No. 79, team disqualified."
"No. 104, disqualified."
Within half an hour, nearly a third of the genin were gone.
Sakura scribbled furiously, confident as ever. Hinata peeked nervously at her paper. Shikamaru sighed, pretending to be bored while analyzing the hidden patterns around the room. Sasuke, meanwhile, activated his Sharingan — quietly copying the pencil movements of the genin in front of him.
And Menma? He simply closed his eyes, sensing the faint flow of chakra across the room.
He could feel who was cheating, who was sweating, and who was about to break.
⸻
The Tenth Question
When only half the room remained, Ibiki raised his head.
"Now," he said, his deep voice slicing through the silence, "it's time for the final question."
The words sent a ripple of unease through the genin.
Ibiki smiled faintly — a predator's smile.
"You can choose to take it… or not. But if you take it and fail — not only will you fail this exam, you'll be barred from ever taking the Chunin Exams again."
A stunned silence filled the air.
The rule hit like a thunderclap.
"You may also choose to quit now," he continued coldly. "But if even one of your teammates gives up, your entire team is disqualified."
It was a devil's bargain.
To take the risk, or to run away and live with the shame.
Ibiki leaned forward. "Now, decide."
At once, the tension in the room became unbearable.
"No. 25, team disqualified."
"No. 79, team disqualified."
"No. 104, disqualified."
One after another, hands shot up. Some stood shakily, whispering apologies to their teammates as they left.
Naruto's fist clenched on the desk. "I'm not running away," he muttered through gritted teeth.
The room grew quieter and quieter.
Sweat dripped from brows. Dozens had already withdrawn, unable to bear the mental pressure. But those who remained were the ones whose resolve would not break.
Ibiki smirked slightly. "Still here, huh? There's one minute left. If you don't quit now, there's no turning back once I reveal the tenth question."
His gaze swept across the room — a final wave of psychological warfare.
But no one moved.
Sakura glanced at Naruto, then smiled softly as she saw his determined expression. Ino nodded at Choji and Shikamaru. Even Kiba, trembling slightly, refused to raise his hand.
Menma watched them quietly — the fiery determination in Naruto's eyes made something deep inside him stir.
⸻
Resolve Recognized
The classroom was silent. Not a single chair moved.
Ibiki's brow furrowed slightly — then he nodded.
"Very well," he said, his tone softening for the first time. "It seems all of you… are ready to face the worst."
He paused, scanning the remaining candidates. Then, unexpectedly — he smiled.
"Congratulations. All remaining candidates… pass."
The words struck the room like a shockwave.
"Eh!?"
"W-what!?"
"Did he say… pass!?"
Naruto blinked, completely bewildered. Even Menma looked mildly surprised, though he'd already suspected the true purpose of the test.
Ibiki folded his arms, his smirk widening slightly.
"The true purpose of this test wasn't to measure your written knowledge," he explained. "It was to measure your judgment, your teamwork, and most importantly… your resolve to face the unknown.*"
"If you don't have the guts to take on a challenge you can't predict — you don't deserve to be a chuunin."
He turned toward the windows, where sunlight began streaming through.
"Those who stayed until the end — you've already proven you have the heart of a true shinobi."
Menma leaned back in his chair, eyes half-closed, a faint grin forming on his face.
"So that's it, huh… a battle of wills."