175. Chūnin Exam
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The rules of the Chūnin Exam prohibited private fights and required participants to remain in the classroom.
Candidates had to find a way to contact their teammates using ninjutsu, coded messages, or other methods.
Similar to the previous exams, they were expected to cheat like a true ninja.
As the clock on the podium began to count down, the room descended into chaos. Many candidates shouted their teammates' names, trying to assign tasks, but their efforts were in vain.
The classroom's walls, doors, and windows were soundproofed, and the cacophony of voices made it impossible to discern what anyone was saying.
Naruto took out two blank scrolls, scribbled a note reading, "You two answer 50 questions," and sent them to Sasuke and Sakura using a time-space barrier.
The sudden appearance of the scrolls in their ninja pouches was sure to catch their attention.
Naruto then turned to Hinata and asked, "Do you need help?"
Hinata shook her head, smiling softly. "No, Naruto-kun. This is my exam. I'll figure it out. Shino and Kiba must be doing their best too."
"Alright, good luck," Naruto said, respecting her decision. He then turned to Shikamaru and Haku. "What about you two? Need help?"
Shikamaru yawned lazily and waved him off. "No need. Ino can use her clan's mind techniques to contact me and Chōji."
Haku smiled politely. "Thank you, Naruto, but I have my own method." With that, he walked to the window, made a one-handed seal, and sent two lines of text, formed from ice, flying toward the windows of two other classrooms where Zabuza and Yakumo Kurama could see them clearly.
Naruto was about to ask Lee when the energetic ninja suddenly stood up and exclaimed, "I understand!"
Yukata blinked in confusion. "You know what to do?"
"That's right! I know how to solve the 50-point question!"
Other ninja scowled. "That's not the point!"
Lee clutched his test paper protectively. "I won't tell you!"
"Who cares?!" The other ninja snapped.
Yukata sighed. "Why does it feel like the three of us are just making this harder?"
The other ninja threw up his hands. "You two are hopeless!"
Meanwhile, other candidates began using ninjutsu to coordinate with their teammates. Some wrote messages with sand, others relied on swarms of insects, and a few communicated through sheer teamwork.
For example, Yukata's teammates, well aware of his lack of intelligence, chose the 50-point question without hesitation. Notably, one of them, a girl named Xiaoji, was Gaara's apprentice.
While waiting for time to pass, Naruto pulled out a set of poker cards and snacks, casually playing with those who had already finished their answers.
Even Sasuke and Sakura received a package of snacks and a deck of cards, though it was unclear if they joined in.
After thirty minutes, the voice of Shikaku Nara came through the loudspeaker:
"Time's up. Here's the second question. During a mission, if your team's location is compromised and one member must act as bait to escape the pursuers, who will it be? Assume the bait is doomed. Write your answer on the back of the test paper. Teams with matching answers will qualify, but the chosen bait will be eliminated. You have three minutes to answer."
This was a test of loyalty and strategy. Naruto mused that, given Konoha's style, the correct answer was likely "none" or "me." Sasuke and Sakura seemed to agree. Without hesitation, they wrote: "Uzumaki Naruto – Shadow Clone." Then, realizing how reckless Naruto's clones could be, they quickly erased their answer.
"Time's up," Shikaku announced. "Wait for the examiners to collect your papers. Those whose names are called, gather at the playground."
Naruto, true to form, handed in a blank test but still managed to pass.
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On the playground, all the familiar faces had qualified. Groups gathered in small clusters, chatting excitedly.
However, tension arose when some realized that teams missing a member were present, starkly contrasting the camaraderie of intact teams.
Before they could process the situation, Temari stepped forward. "I am the examiner for the second round, Temari of Sunagakure. Since too many passed the first round, further eliminations are necessary."
She continued, "First, any team with fewer than three members is immediately disqualified."
"What?! That's unfair!" protested some teams with only two members. Their disappointment was palpable, especially after breaking their bonds only to fail.
Ignoring their protests, Temari added, "The second test will take place in Sunagakure's Demon Desert. The meeting point is the Monitoring Station. The last 30 people to arrive will be eliminated. Private fights are still prohibited. Begin!"
Neji called out, "Lee, Tenten!"
Sasuke followed suit. "Naruto, Sakura!"
The six quickly set off, with other teams scrambling to follow. Temari smirked, planting her fan on the ground. "Why are you still standing around? I said, 'Begin.'"
Realization struck the crowd. "The test has already started!" shouted one candidate.
Naruto and his team sprinted toward their destination. Sasuke asked, "Where are we now?"
Naruto glanced at his map. "Third place. Neji's team is ahead of us, and first is the green-haired girl from earlier."
Sasuke grinned. "She must be strong. I can't wait to test myself."
Naruto sighed. "Be careful. She's a jinchūriki and can fly, just like the Two-Tails' host we encountered before."
"Another jinchūriki?" Sakura groaned. "Are they everywhere now?"
Naruto shrugged. "We could fight her, but there's no point. She seems nice enough."
Sasuke grumbled but kept running. After a while, Naruto suggested, "We don't have to run the whole way. I could teleport us directly to the desert."
Sakura hesitated. "Wouldn't that be against the rules?"
Sasuke agreed. "This is the Chūnin Exam. We can't rely on you for everything."
"Fine," Naruto relented. "Think of this as endurance training. Let's see who tires out first!"
And so, they continued their race toward the Demon Desert.
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