Chapter 102: A Video Foretelling the Future
[Video Playback Started]
The screen slowly came into view—
Inside a classroom, shinobi from various nations were seated, exam papers laid out on their desks.
…
Outside the venue,
Asuma's heart clenched tightly as he stared intently at Uzumaki Naruto—more precisely, at the reward from his Golden Critical Hit.
Up to now,
Both Kirigakure and the Akatsuki, who had won clan tokens at the auction, had yet to establish any clans. After all, Silver Hearts were extremely rare and hard to collect, and the Merchant was waiting for the highest bidder.
However, based on Asuma's deduction, it was likely both forces would be establishing clans very soon.
His own low-quality token had long since given him no hope of being among the first to establish a clan—but Naruto's sudden surprise changed everything.
If he answered correctly, the requirements to activate the clan token could be fulfilled. Could Konoha actually become the first faction to establish a clan?
"You have to answer correctly!"
Asuma focused all his attention on the video.
"It's the silver material needed to activate a clan token—five hearts, each worth six figures in reward points!"
The surrounding players went wild,
Their jealous gazes practically devouring Uzumaki Naruto alive.
Everyone had paid the same 500 reward point entry fee—why did he get special treatment?
"Don't worry, didn't the Game Merchant say that if the yellow-haired brat answered wrong, we'd get a chance too?"
One player consoled himself.
Silently, everyone prayed that the seemingly clueless, air-headed blond wouldn't get the right answer.
The video continued playing.
The scenery outside the window flashed by briefly, but sharp-eyed players caught sight of the Hokage Rock, carved with four stone faces.
Next appeared the scarred face of Ibiki Morino,
Explaining the rules of the first round of the Chūnin Exams—the written test.
"Chūnin Exams?"
"Aren't we taking the Konoha Chūnin Exams right now? Then when is this footage from?"
Even the Five Kage in the stands looked intrigued.
Especially so when
The video showed a distressed Uzumaki Naruto, squirming in his seat as if holding back from using the bathroom.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, on the other hand, showed a look of realization—
Recalling what had happened during the night in the Forest of Death.
Mei Terumi turned to him curiously and asked, "Hokage, do you understand what this is?"
The Raikage didn't speak, but slightly leaned over, turning his ear toward Hiruzen.
"Is there something you can't say, Hokage?"
Onoki looked up, sizing up the immense form of the Game Merchant.
Even someone like him, who had witnessed the power of Susanoo, found the Game Merchant to be utterly overwhelming—like a mountain dwarfing a chick.
"If the Game Merchant hadn't appeared in the ninja world, this might've been the original course of events…"
Hiruzen thought for a moment and chose not to hide it.
By the time this video ended—or after one or two more like it—these sharp-minded Kage would figure it out anyway.
There was no need to keep it a secret.
After his explanation, the Kage fell into silence.
"So this is… foreseeing the future?"
Mei Terumi looked gravely at the Game Merchant.
That meant a Golden Critical Hit not only granted rewards, but also gave a glimpse into the future of the ninja world.
Even though the arrival of the Game Merchant had already changed the world's course, there was still valuable intel to be gained.
With that in mind,
Mei Terumi focused even more intently on the video.
The footage continued, showing scenes of various exam candidates, until it finally froze and presented the question:
[Question: How did examinee Uzumaki Naruto pass the test?]
At that moment,
A countdown appeared above Naruto's tile—two minutes to give an answer.
"Huh?"
Naruto blinked in confusion. The video's already over?
He didn't expect the footage to feature himself. And since when did the Chūnin Exams include a written test?
Seeing Naruto standing there, dumbfounded, Sasuke grew anxious and shouted, "Answer quickly! You're running out of time!"
But his voice was blocked—it couldn't reach Naruto at all.
[Outside Assistance: 50 reward points]
[Hint: 50 reward points]
"I'll use Outside Assistance—Uchiha Sasuke!"
Naruto chose without hesitation to spend 50 reward points and call for outside help.
He knew full well he wasn't good at this sort of observation-based question.
Buzz.
The tile Sasuke stood on expanded, drawing everyone's attention.
A two-minute countdown appeared for him as well.
"You idiot. The video showed Ibiki Morino as the proctor—maybe the key lies with him. Choosing me for help means your brain must've turned to mush."
Sasuke frowned, unable to understand Naruto's train of thought.
Still, he furrowed his brows and began to analyze the possible answer.
"I passed the answer to Naruto."
That was the answer Sasuke ultimately gave.
The exam rules stated that if one person gave up, the entire team failed. There was no way Naruto would have passed alone.
It was likely someone passed the answers to him in secret—that would've let him pass.
[Incorrect Answer. Golden Critical Hit becomes a Public Question. Now everyone may attempt to answer, one chance per person, at the cost of 50 reward points.]
"Shikaku, can you think of the answer?"
From the stands, Hiruzen called down to Nara Shikaku, who was serving as chief of security below.
Despite the recent strain in their relationship due to Danzo's actions, the Nara clan had long been a close ally of the Hokage.
Nicknamed the "Brains of Konoha," Shikaku closed his eyes in thought.
"When the video played, the exam paper lingered onscreen for two seconds. I feel like there's something important there…"
"Something hidden?"
The other Kage could hear his analysis and looked thoughtful.
Finally, Shikaku said seriously, "It's the difficulty. The exam questions were too hard for Genin to solve. And knowing Ibiki's interrogation methods, I believe this wasn't a simple written test—it was designed to test cheating skills, or rather, the ability to gather intelligence."
Players grew restless.
They feared others would beat them to it, but also dreaded answering wrong.
Fifty reward points per try.
But the prize was a massive jackpot—even the Kage were tempted.
"He has a Kekkei Genkai! That yellow brat must have some spying ability!"
[Incorrect Answer]
"Yellow hair? That's it—it's Mind Transfer Jutsu!"
[Incorrect Answer]
Dozens, then hundreds of wrong answers filled the screen. Players scratched their heads in frustration.
In the blink of an eye, several thousand reward points were pocketed by the system.
Onoki thought for a moment, then leaned over to whisper something to his personal guard.
Earth Style: Burrowing Spider Technique.
A puff of dust scattered, revealing a tiny, sand-grain-sized spider, which scurried up the arena wall.
It quickly made its way up Kurotsuchi's pale thigh.
Receiving the intel, Kurotsuchi's eyes lit up with understanding and she gave her answer:
"Uzumaki Naruto didn't pass the test."
All the players had been focused on answering how he passed—but maybe that was the trap.
In the video, Naruto looked completely clueless—maybe he never passed in the first place.
No wonder Grandpa Onoki figured it out.
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