Chapter 86: Red Flash

At this moment, Sakura couldn't help but stand up and ask in confusion, "Wait a minute, what's going on? Suddenly passing the test—what was the tenth question?" She voiced the doubt in everyone's hearts.

Morino Ibiki grinned, showing his teeth, and explained, "That kind of question never existed to begin with. To be honest, the choice you were just forced to make—that was the tenth question."

As soon as Ibiki finished, someone else asked, "Then what about the nine questions before that? Were they completely pointless?"

Ibiki shook his head. "Not completely. The first nine questions already served their purpose—to test each of your intelligence-gathering abilities."

"First of all, the key points of this exam were already mentioned in the initial rules. The rule of passing or failing as a team of three puts immense psychological pressure on you—it affects not only yourself but your teammates as well."

Menma spread his hands when he heard this, clearly unbothered, while his shadow clone just gave an expressionless shrug. (Clone: ￣□￣｜｜)

"Of course, the questions in this exam weren't something you could realistically answer. So naturally, it came to this—most of you realized it was impossible and resorted to cheating. This exam was designed around cheating. So as targets to cheat from, I placed two Chūnin who knew all the answers among you from the very beginning."

Menma: Nani (ω)! So I didn't cheat off the wrong person after all. Although I've read the original, I didn't remember every detail.

"But those who only know how to cheat in foolish ways were, of course, eliminated."

As he spoke, Morino Ibiki removed his hat, revealing a forehead full of gruesome scars—burns, knife wounds, even puncture holes. These were clearly the marks of torture.

"Intelligence can be even more important than your life. It's something you must be willing to risk your life for during missions and on the battlefield." Ibiki's words hit home, driving the lesson into the hearts of all present.

Many people couldn't help but swallow nervously when they saw the horrific scars on Ibiki's head.

Seeing their expressions, Ibiki smirked in satisfaction and put his hat back on to cover the unsettling sight.

"I hope you remember this: possessing incorrect intelligence can be fatal—not just to yourself, but to your comrades and your entire village."

Upon hearing this, Menma muttered that Ibiki was only half right. Intelligence was important, yes—but so was overwhelming strength. After all, in the face of absolute power, all plots and schemes fall apart.

Ibiki continued, "That's why we let you cheat—to evaluate your capability in gathering intel and distinguish the capable from the incompetent."

"But the tenth question is the true essence of this exam." Everyone's expressions turned serious.

"Let me explain. The tenth question was whether or not you were willing to accept the challenge. A question that attacks you at your core. Those who chose not to answer dragged their teammates down and were eliminated. Those who answered and failed were permanently disqualified from ever becoming Chūnin."

"That sounds cruel? Well, let me ask you this—what if you do become a Chūnin? You're given a mission to retrieve secret documents. You don't know how many enemies you'll face, what abilities they have, or what traps they've set. Do you still accept the mission or not? If you hesitate—if you choose to protect your life and abandon your comrades—how can you be trusted to face life-threatening tasks?"

"No! As a Chūnin, you must have the courage to take on missions no matter how dangerous they are. You have to lead your teammates and find a way through. Those who hesitate and pin their hopes on 'next year' or an uncertain future—those weak-willed cowards have no right to lead others."

"Those of you who chose to answer—you're the correct ones. You've shown the courage to face the challenges that await you. Congratulations, you've passed the first round of the Chūnin Exams. Good luck in the next stage."

Upon hearing these words, the group was just beginning to feel joy when, in the very next moment, a figure crashed dramatically through the window and landed in front of Ibiki.

Attached to four kunai, a banner unfurled on the blackboard.

It read: "Mitarashi Anko, Examiner of the Second Test."

At this moment, Mitarashi Anko was a stunning beauty, and Menma couldn't help but think to himself: If I remember correctly, she won't stay this gorgeous for long.

"Now's not the time to celebrate!" Anko declared. "I'm the examiner for the second exam—Mitarashi Anko! Everyone, follow me. It's time for the next round!"

A few crows cawed dramatically in the background.

Everyone was momentarily stunned by this second-stage examiner's eccentric entrance.

At that moment, Menma stood up and clapped with a grin. "Now that's some passion."

Seeing his brother stand and applaud, Naruto joined in, followed by Sasuke, Sakura, and the others. Soon, the whole room echoed with applause.

Clap clap clap clap clap.

"Not bad, red-haired brat. I'll remember you," Anko smirked as she licked her lips, casting a glance at Menma.

Looking at the number of people left, Anko frowned. "Seventy-nine? Ibiki, there are still 26 teams? The first test was too soft."

Ibiki corrected her, "There are 27 teams."

"Twenty-seven? Seventy-nine people? That means... there's one solo candidate?"

Ibiki nodded. "Yes. This year, there's one special case. A candidate participating alone—as a one-man team."

"Oh? Interesting." Anko grinned at the crowd. "Well, in the second round, at least half of you will be eliminated."

Her words sent chills through the group.

Anko continued, licking her lips again, "I'll explain the details tomorrow. Ask your Jōnin instructors for the location and time. That's it for today—dismissed!"

The moment the word "dismissed" left her mouth, Naruto bounced over to his brother excitedly. "The test's over, big bro! Let's go eat barbecue!"

"Got it. Gather the others and wait for me at the gate," Menma replied, walking ahead.

Naruto rushed off to notify everyone else.

Menma then approached Ibiki and Anko. "Thank you for your hard work."

The two looked at him in slight surprise.

Anko smiled. "Thanks for earlier, brat."

"No problem, Anko. I hope you stay just the way you are," Menma said cryptically.

Anko blinked in confusion. "What do you mean by that?" But before she could ask further, Menma turned to Ibiki.

"Hey, Instructor, I wanted to add something to what you said earlier."

"Oh? What's that?" Ibiki asked.

"Strength. Absolute strength," Menma said simply, then turned and walked to the classroom door where Naruto and the others were waiting. In just a few strides, he was already at the front of the group.

"Alright, let's go. Time for barbecue!" he declared, leading the way with everyone else following behind.

Ibiki watched them leave, the corners of his lips curling up slightly.

"Who is that kid?" Anko asked.

"You don't know?" Ibiki replied with a grin. "The red-haired one? That's Menma. Who else? The Red Flash is back."

(End Of Chapter)

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