Everyone obediently took their places and began to look over the exam papers. Naruto glanced at it as well and couldn't help but gasp.
"Damn it, what kind of questions are these?!"
Although Naruto's academic performance was now outstanding, he wasn't confident he could answer everything perfectly. At best, he figured he could manage a score of around seventy percent. If he was struggling, he could only imagine how others were faring. Still, that should be enough. This wasn't a graduation assessment that required a high ranking; as long as he passed, that's what mattered.
If he could pass, then Hinata certainly could too. As for Sasuke... that was another story. While Sasuke's grades had always been good, he had almost completely abandoned academic subjects in his final year, focusing solely on ninjutsu training. He probably wouldn't be able to answer these questions now.
Ibiki's words then left all the teams speechless.
"The Chunin Exams are conducted in teams. Therefore, if even one person fails to meet the requirements, the entire team will be eliminated! In addition, if anyone is caught cheating more than five times, their entire team will be eliminated as well! There are only nine questions on the exam paper. The tenth question will be revealed in one hour. You can choose to answer it or not, but of course... you will bear the consequences!"
If one person fails, the entire team is eliminated. If one person cheats clumsily, the entire team is eliminated. An overwhelming pressure instantly weighed heavily on everyone's hearts, and cold sweat began to drip down their faces.
With a voice devoid of any emotion, Ibiki Morino declared coldly, "The exam has begun!"
The terrifying oppressive feeling emanating from the proctor was like a mountain pressing down on everyone. The questions were beyond their scope, the conditions were strict, and the environment was harsh. The rule that one person's failure meant the entire group was eliminated was particularly brutal. Under such immense pressure, all the ninja participating in the written test couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.
Naruto squinted and reviewed the test paper from beginning to end one more time. *Well, with a little effort, I should be able to get around seventy percent. Absolutely no problem.* His academic level, even now, wasn't necessarily the absolute pinnacle, but aside from Sakura Haruno, probably only Hinata could compare. He glanced at Hinata, who was already writing furiously, and breathed a sigh of relief.
But looking to his other side, he saw Sasuke holding the test paper, his expression deeply unpleasant. *Oh no,* Naruto thought, *he wouldn't... be unable to answer, would he?!*
Sasuke broke out in a cold sweat after reading the questions. *Hmph, I see... I can't answer a single one.* Seeing his teammate's reaction, Naruto understood the predicament and couldn't help but cover his face with a grimace. Logically, Sasuke's academic performance was good, so why was this happening? It was the dividing line between a good student and a practical genius. If the test was straightforward, Sasuke could easily score high marks. However, if the entire exam consisted of complex, abstract problems, even someone as skilled as Sasuke would be stuck.
Still, Sasuke wasn't truly panicked. *Calm down. The Chunin Exams are ultimately about passing, not about eliminating almost everyone at the written stage. If I can't answer a single question, it must mean the vast majority of people are in the same boat. In that case, the assessment can't just be about the questions themselves...*
In that very instant, Ibiki's voice cut through the silence. "Caught cheating five times! Eliminated!" A proctor immediately escorted one of the examinees out. His two teammates could only leave as well, dejected and heartbroken. The room was shocked, and many abandoned the idea of cheating.
But Sasuke suddenly smirked. *I see... they're testing our methods of gathering information. If cheating were truly prohibited, the rule would be instant elimination. But it says elimination only happens after being caught five times. That means what's prohibited isn't cheating itself, but rather clumsy cheating!*
Having realized this, Sasuke immediately regained his confidence. "Sharingan... open." He activated his visual prowess, immediately taking in all the surrounding dynamics. He soon discovered the few individuals who were answering the questions with ease—they might be other examinees or proctors planted in advance. It didn't matter. Sasuke used his Sharingan to completely replicate their hand movements, and soon his pen was flying across the paper.
Naruto breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this. *He's awakened his Sharingan? Good, because that means he really didn't know how to answer!*
Soon, as more clumsy cheaters were dismissed, the remaining skilled teams also discovered the true purpose of the assessment. In an instant, the small classroom became a showcase of unique shinobi abilities. Ino used her Mind Transfer Jutsu to take over Sakura's body, memorized all the answers, and then returned to her own, helping Choji and Shikamaru complete their papers as well. Gaara used his Sand Eye, Kankuro his puppet, Kiba his ninja hound, Tenten her manipulation of ninja tools, Neji his Byakugan, and Shino his parasitic insects.
Soon, after it seemed most of the less capable teams had been eliminated, Ibiki announced the final question. It was a form of psychological torture, designed to torment the minds of all the candidates. They could choose to answer the last question or not. However, if one person on a team chose not to answer, all three were eliminated, though they could take the test again next year. If they chose to answer and got it wrong, they would be forever barred from taking the Chunin Exams again. This last question was bound to be twice as difficult, a choice that fairly tormented everyone.
Soon, some of the less determined individuals chose to withdraw, and the classroom descended into chaos. At that moment, Hinata and Sasuke both involuntarily looked toward Naruto.
"Naruto, what should we do?" Hinata asked.
*Hmph, that idiot... he wouldn't be thinking of giving up, would he?* Sasuke wondered.
For Naruto, there was no choice at all. *Only a fool would give up!* he thought. *If I quit, I can retake the exam next year, but the system has been pressuring me to become a Chunin this year. If I don't, it'll probably punish me! Answering gives me a glimmer of hope. Not answering means certain failure!*
Thinking of this, a surge of forced courage rose within him. He slammed his hand on the table.
*Snap!*
"Don't look down on me!" he shouted. "At a time like this, what's all this talk about giving up?! Besides, don't be fooled by him. Just because the first nine questions were hard, you're assuming the last one will be even harder. What if it's actually really simple?! Let's go all out!"
Hinata and Sasuke were taken aback for a moment, then both smiled.
"Naruto, well said..." Hinata whispered.
*Hmph, that loudmouth is the same as always...* Sasuke thought, a hint of a smirk on his face.
Naruto's words immediately calmed the hearts of the remaining ninja.
"That's right, the blond kid is right! What if the last question is easy?"
"Let's give it a shot! There might still be a chance!"
"You're right! Don't let that terrifying man fool us!"
Ibiki Morino never expected Naruto to be so brazen, but he couldn't help but crack a small, hidden smile.