Chapter 19

"You all, knock it off!" Ibiki continued. "Who told you that you could fight? You want to fail the exam before it's even begun?"

"You can get failed for stopping a fight? Well, whatever." Karma replied as if he didn't just threaten to start a war.

"Hmmph. I'll say this once. There will be no combat between candidates. No attacking each other, unless you're given permission by your proctor. Even then, the use of fatal force is strictly forbidden. Anyone who even think of messing with me will be disqualified immediately.

Now, if we're ready, we'll proceed to the first stage of the Chunin Exam. Hand over your paperwork. In return, you'll each be given a number. This number determines where you'll sit. The written test will start once you're all seated."

""""We're gonna fail.""" The three Nekotsume and Kushina said at the same time. Still, everyone did as instructed. Soon, everyone was seated in their designated seats. The proctors sat around the perimeter while Ibiki himself stood in front.

"Everyone, eye's up front. There are a few rules you need to be made aware of." Ibiki started. "And I won't answer any questions, so you better pay attention the first time around. Alright. Rule number one is this: The written exam is conducted on a point reduction system. Contrary to what some of you may be used to, you all begin the test with a perfect score of 10 points."

'So if I don't answer anything, I have a perfect score? Easy!' All the Nekotsume thought.

"One point will be deducted for each answer you get wrong. So if you miss three, your final score will be 7." Ibiki continued, unaware of the three's intentions.

'Yup! Can't get it wrong if I don't answer!' They all thought.

"Rule number 2! Teams will pass or fail based on total score of all three members."

'Figured.' Kushina thought. While Sakura was yelling a question, she looked around and found her team, trying to mentally implore them to try. They seemed to get the message since they both gave her a thumbs up sign.

"Rule number 3! The sentinels you see around the room are there to watch you carefully for any signs of cheating, and for every incident they spot, they will subtract two points from the culprit's score. If they catch you five times, you'll be dismissed before the tests are even scored. Anyone fool enough to be caught cheating by the sentinels doesn't deserve to be here. If you want to be considered shinobi, then show us what exceptional shinobi you can be.

One more thing. If any candidate should get a 0 and fail the test, the entire team fails."

Even Sai and Rin were looking at Ibaraki pleadingly now. They received the same response as Kushina.

"The final question won't be given out until 15 minutes before the end of the testing period. You'll have one hour total. Begin!"

Immediately, the three Nekotsume went to sleep. Rin and Sai facepalmed, while Kushina had the urge to just leave. 'They didn't even bother reading the questions...' she thought sadly. 'Well, at least I can say I would've passed without them.'

Then she read the first question and decided sleep was a good option too. She quickly fell asleep on her desk, like her teammates. Anyone who had been paying attention to them decided they weren't worth anything and ignored them from then on.

Even the rest of the rookies were surprised. Suddenly, Ino and Choji, as if struck by lightning began to search for Shikimaru. When they found him, he nodded his head at them before going to sleep too. Even Naruto began to contemplate sleeping, but he felt cold stares on his back that made him decide not to.

Then, the most shocking of all, Neji also decides to sleep. 'If they couldn't do this and pass, their Clan Head would still be a genin. I know she's not, so I'll just follow along. Anyway, their way seems like the most comfortable one.' He thought as he drifted off to sleep.

Things went about the same for almost everyone else throughout the 45 minutes before the final question.

"All right, listen up!" Ibiki yelled, waking everyone up. "Here's the 10th and final question. But before I give you the question, there are some more rules you need to be aware of."

'More rules!' Everyone thought. Then Kankuro walked in.

"Huh?" He said when he saw the situation in the room, everyone looking at Ibiki.

"Ah, made it just in time. I hope you found your trip to the bathroom enlightening. Well, take your seat." Ibiki said.

Kankuro did, dropping off a small paper with the answers when he passed by his older sister, Temari.

"These rules are unique to question 10. Listen carefully and try not to let them frighten you." Ibiki said and waited for a bit. "Very well, then. Rule number one. Each of you is free to choose not to be given the final question. It's your decision."

"So what's the catch?" Temari asked. "Let's say we decide we don't want to so it. What happens then?"

"If you choose not to take the 10th question, regardless of your answers to the other 9, you'll get a zero. In other words, you fail." Ibiki smirked. "And that means, of course, both your teammates fail as well."

A lot of examinees began to question Ibiki. Some even yelling their opinions.

"Not so fast. You didn't let me finish. If you do accept the question, but answer it incorrectly, you will not only fail, you will be barred from taking the Chunin Exam ever again!"

"Hey! That's ridiculous! What kind of bogus rule is that?!" Kiba stood up and asked. "There's lots of people here who've taken the test before!" Akamaru barked in agreement.

"Ahahahaha!! I guess you're just unlucky." Ibiki laughed. "I wasn't making the rules before, but I am now. Of course, if you don't want to take it, you don't have to. If you're not feeling confident, then by all means, skip it. You can come back and try again next year."

Everyone who had a teammate that slept through the beginning looked at their teammates. Kushina also looked at Karma and Ailane. They were all puzzled how every single one of them looked completely confident and carefree. As if this test was the easiest thing in the world to them. "Well, whatever. At least we'll all be stuck at genin together.' Kushina thought.

"Now then, if you're ready. The 10th and final question. Those who don't want to take it, raise your hand. Your number will be recorded and then you're free to go."

Author's Note: A lot of stuff happened today since I'm renovating. Anyway, this chapter is pretty much what I got from watching the anime, since I'm doing that for things I forgot. It's mostly for the finer details and I'll be doing that for every world, even if it's like a web novel I'll just read the novel for some things.