Soon, the examinees took their seats one by one.
Each person's seat was assigned by the proctors.
Naturally, members of the same team were inevitably separated to increase the exam's difficulty.
After everyone was seated, the chief proctor, Morino Ibiki, head of the Torture and Interrogation Division, appeared.
"The first test is a written exam. You must finish within the time limit and achieve a passing score to qualify."
"You have three chances. Once caught cheating, you lose one chance. If all chances are lost, you will be disqualified."
"Understood? Now, the exam begins!"
Test papers were quickly distributed to all examinees.
Takumi looked at the answer sheet and revealed a smile.
Just as he thought, to test the examinees' intelligence-gathering ability, proctors were mixed in among the examinees to provide answers.
The examinees' main task was to identify these proctors mixed in with the examinees, then use imperceptible cheating methods to copy down the correct answers.
And this, for Takumi, was extremely simple.
Because…
He had Observation Haki!
With Observation Haki activated, instantly, formless energy formed formless eyes.
The entire classroom became Takumi's eyes!
He looked up at the scenes he perceived through his senses, but his hands didn't stop for a moment.
The pen moved across the paper with practiced ease!
And simultaneously…
"So hard!"
"Damn! Are these questions meant for humans?!"
Naruto, Kiba, Choji…
And other examinees, scratched their heads frantically.
Their faces were covered with nervous sweat.
Their expressions gradually crumbled.
They hadn't grasped the true meaning of this exam at all.
'What's the point of taking this exam! I don't know any of it!'
'How are the others answering?'
Naruto couldn't help but look around at the others.
He found a whole group of people were also in a state of confusion.
But just then...
'Wait...'
'Takumi... he, what is he doing?'
'He's already started writing?!'
'But, he's writing without even looking?'
'Is he just writing randomly?'
Naruto looked both curious and puzzled.
And just as Naruto was surprised, the others also noticed Takumi's bizarre behavior, his pen moving furiously.
"Damn! What's up with this guy? Writing without even looking?"
"What the hell? Is he just writing randomly?"
"Is this guy joking? Such difficult questions, and he can actually write answers?"
"Damn! That guy seems to be Konoha's current strongest, called Takumi!"
"Is that him? This is too unbelievable!"
…
Gaara, Kankuro, Temari...
Kabuto, Neji...
Everyone who saw Takumi felt filled with absurdity and incomprehension.
Because, the test papers had just been handed out, most people couldn't even understand the questions, but Takumi was already writing?
Moreover, Takumi's method of writing seemed utterly bizarre to them.
His eyes looked straight ahead, only his hand was moving.
Blind writing!
Just as the group was staring dumbfounded and extremely shocked, Takumi finally put down his pen and slowly raised his hand.
"I'm finished."
"Hmm?" Ibiki looked surprised.
'That was way too fast!'
He walked over to Takumi and briefly glanced at the answer sheet.
He was even more shocked internally.
'He actually... got everything right?!'
'Truly worthy of the genius reputation spreading through the village lately.'
'Others hadn't even finished reading the questions, and he was already done, and all correct answers at that!'
'This indicated he knew the exam's true content as soon as he entered!'
Ibiki wondered internally, 'Damn, should I even announce the additional questions now?'
"All answers are correct. Go out and prepare for the second exam."
'Whoa!'
Everyone looked at Takumi in surprise.
'Damn! He actually got everything right?'
'Wasn't he just writing randomly?'
'What the hell, he can answer correctly without even looking at the questions? How is that even possible?!'
'Is this Konoha's genius? Terrifying!'
The group was utterly dumbfounded.
And Takumi, under everyone's astonished gazes, made a stylish exit.
The exam then continued.
Finally, Ibiki asked that famous question.
And Naruto, taking advantage of it, successfully passed the first exam with a zero-score answer sheet.
Afterwards, the second exam, the Forest of Death, officially began.
Under the scorching sun, a large group of examinees gathered to listen to the proctor, Mitarashi Anko, explain the rules.
"The rules are simple. There are several entrances. You will enter randomly. The team with the higher overall score from the previous exam enters first, followed by other teams at set intervals."
"Before entering, you will randomly take a scroll. There are two types of scrolls: Heaven and Earth. To pass the exam, you need to collect both scroll types and reach the central abandoned tower."
"The time limit is seven days. You have seven days to collect the relevant scrolls."
"Understood? Whether you understood or not, the exam begins now."
After quickly announcing the rules, the hotly-dressed Anko said to Takumi: "Your team has the highest average score. Pick a scroll first, then enter."
Takumi randomly picked one, and the four of them quickly rushed into the forest, disappearing after a few leaps.
Once they were deep enough, Takumi quickly stopped.
Hinata and the other two also stopped immediately.
"Are we setting up a trap?" Shino guessed, simultaneously observing the surroundings.
The area was overgrown with bushes, indeed a good place for an ambush.
"Not exactly."
Takumi shook his head.
The three looked puzzled.
"I think if I'm with you, your evaluations won't be very high."
"Becoming a Chunin means you'll no longer operate solely in teams, and you'll likely undertake more solo missions. This tests our all-around abilities greatly."
"But with me here, do you think you'll have much chance to show your combat skills? Although you excel more in tracking, you've also worked hard in combat. Don't you want to showcase that?"
"So I believe we should split up. You fight in your own way. My role is to be the safety net, ensuring we can advance at the critical moment."
Takumi was making excuses to act alone.
After all, Orochimaru would definitely come for him soon.
He couldn't let Hinata and the others get involved.
Otherwise, they might get accidentally hurt.
"That makes sense too."
Kiba was the most eager to prove himself.
He immediately agreed with Takumi's idea.
'Hehe, my strength will definitely surprise the proctors!'
Kiba secretly rejoiced internally, because he had done a lot of secret training.
The Inuzuka Clan naturally had unique combat methods.
Similarly, the Hyuga Clan and Aburame Clan were the same.
Their unique combat styles meant they didn't rely on ordinary Ninjutsu.
Moreover, these unique styles were well-rounded, and they had trained in them since childhood.
Now was the time to showcase their abilities.
Even the shyest Hinata had a serious expression.
'I will work hard and absolutely must not hold back Takumi-kun!'
Hinata secretly vowed internally.
"Although somewhat risky, with you as a safety net, it is indeed feasible."
Shino analyzed calmly.
Perhaps the Aburame Clan was like this… calmer and more cautious compared to their peers.
But even Shino agreed with Takumi's reasoning.
Because Takumi's excuse wasn't really an excuse.
He was just stating the content of the third exam.
But the meaning of the second exam was teamwork, and Takumi leaving alone like this was actually the abnormal part.
However, Hinata and the others trusted Takumi, so they didn't think too deeply about it.
"Alright then, do your best. If you're in trouble, send me a signal immediately."
Takumi gave a signal flare to Hinata and reminded her seriously.
"Don't worry, Takumi-kun, we will definitely work hard."
Hinata nodded seriously, solemnly putting away the signal flare.
"Then I'll wait and see. I hope you won't disappoint me."
Takumi smiled and patted Hinata's small head, making her cheeks instantly turn bright red.
"Don't worry, even without you, we can easily pass the exam!"
Kiba's face was full of confidence.
"Woof!"
Akamaru responded happily.
"Alright then, I'm off. Be careful."
Nodding to the three, Takumi vanished from their sight with a flash.
Actually, ever since entering the Forest of Death, Takumi had felt a malicious gaze on him.
But the other party was very concealed, and if Takumi hadn't been constantly vigilant, he wouldn't have noticed.
No need to guess, the owner of this gaze was definitely Orochimaru.
That's why Takumi needed to separate from Hinata's trio immediately.