The First Chunin Exam (Part 1)

The difference between ninjas lies not only in their strength but also in their willpower!

Simply put, newly graduated Genin who have never been on the battlefield often freeze in fear just from the killing intent of a Jonin-level enemy, even before any real action takes place.

Take Naruto and Sasuke, for example. When they first encountered Zabuza, even though his killing intent wasn't directed at them, they were still paralysed with fear. If Kakashi hadn't been there, their fate might have been dire.

This is what's commonly known as "rank suppression"!

And Zhang Miao's strength far surpassed that of Zabuza. He had killed far more people, and the killing intent he released was something many Chunin couldn't withstand.

As Zhang Miao stood at the podium, enveloped in a visible red Nine-Tails chakra and exuding a menacing aura, every candidate in the room was filled with fear, rendering the hall deathly silent.

After scanning the room and observing the candidates' expressions, Zhang Miao narrowed his eyes and spoke.

"You should be grateful that you are here as examinees today. As the proctor, I can forgive your ignorance and rudeness. But if it happens again… hmph!"

With a cold snort, Zhang Miao retracted his red chakra and turned to Morino Ibiki.

"I'll leave the rest to you. Do it your way."

"Yes, Lord Ryunosuke!" Morino Ibiki replied promptly, feeling relieved.

Although the pressure and killing intent Zhang Miao had released weren't directed at him, being the closest to Zhang Miao, he still felt considerable pressure.

Now that Zhang Miao had returned to normal, the pressure on Ibiki disappeared, allowing him to focus on the candidates.

"Candidates, I am your assistant proctor, Morino Ibiki. Before the exam begins, I need to lay down some rules. First, no fighting without the proctor's permission. Even with permission, you cannot kill your opponent!"

His expression turned highly stern as he spoke, and his aura intensified.

"Anyone who defies me will be disqualified immediately. Understood?"

Faced with Ibiki's words, the candidates fell silent, except for a young boy wearing a Sound Village forehead protector who chuckled softly.

"Heh… seems like we can't take this exam lightly."

He seemed to voice what many candidates were thinking, so no one disputed him, while the proctors behind Ibiki showed meaningful or malicious smiles.

"Hehehe…"

At this moment, Ibiki spoke again.

"We will now begin the first part of the Chunin selection exam. Submit your application forms and collect your number tags. Sit in your designated seats, and you will be given a written test."

"A written test? Exam papers?"

Hearing this, Naruto, crouching at the back, looked puzzled. When he saw the stack of exam papers in Kotetsu's hands, he exclaimed in shock.

"There's a test?"

For Naruto, whose physical prowess far exceeded his mental agility, taking a written test was undoubtedly daunting and painful. So his shock wasn't feigned—it was genuine.

Seeing this, Zhang Miao couldn't help but grin.

"Hehe, of course, there's a written test. But considering many aren't good at this, I've decided to give you a little advantage."

"Really?" To Naruto, Zhang Miao's words sounded like a divine promise, and he immediately perked up, his eyes wide with hope. "Does that mean I can pass without taking the test?"

"Hey, don't get ahead of yourself!" Seeing Naruto's hopeful expression, Zhang Miao rolled his eyes. "The advantage I'm talking about is your luck!"

"Luck?" Naruto looked confused again. "Does good luck mean I can pass?"

"Of course, luck is part of your strength!"

Zhang Miao took a paper from Kotetsu and held it up.

"I'll be taking this test myself. If any of your answers match mine, your entire team will pass this exam. In other words, if you're lucky, you'll pass directly!"

"What? There's such a benefit?"

Zhang Miao's words brought joy to many candidates, but some frowned, lost in thought.

They doubted there could be such a simple benefit and suspected more to it.

Seeing the varied expressions, Zhang Miao grinned again and pulled over a chair, sitting down to start writing on the test paper.

Ibiki stood beside Zhang Miao, and his expression turned strange as he glanced at the pig head drawing on the test paper.

Sensing Ibiki's gaze, Zhang Miao looked up and smiled. "Don't mind me. Continue explaining the rules."

"Yes!"

Hearing Zhang Miao, Ibiki immediately turned to the candidates and began.

"In the first exam, there are several important rules. I won't accept any questions, so listen carefully!"

As Ibiki spoke, he wrote on the blackboard.

"First rule: Each of you starts with ten points. There are ten questions on the test, each worth one point. This exam uses a deductive scoring system. For every wrong answer, one point is deducted. If you get three questions wrong, you'll have only seven points left!"

The rules Ibiki announced were simple, so the candidates understood quickly; even Naruto nodded.

"Hmm… if I get ten questions wrong, I'll have zero points left!"

Seeing the candidates understand, Ibiki continued.

"Second rule: The exam is evaluated by the total score of each three-man team. If any candidate is caught cheating or suspected of cheating by the proctors, two points will be deducted each time from their total score. This means that even before the results are announced, some people may be kicked out of this exam. Anyone who attempts to cheat clumsily is digging their own grave!"