Just like in the original story, Chunin Exams Proctor Ibiki Morino presented the infamous choice before the tenth question: "challenge or surrender." Regardless of whether the previous nine questions were answered correctly, if one failed the tenth, the entire team would face immediate elimination—and worse, be barred from ever taking the Chunin Exams again.
On the other hand, choosing to surrender meant elimination too, but it would allow candidates to participate in the next exam cycle.
As soon as this rule was announced, many candidates—who had painstakingly cheated their way through the previous questions—were shocked into silence. But under Ibiki's overwhelming presence, the exam hall quickly quieted as everyone wrestled with the decision.
"I surrender!" someone finally declared, eyes shut and teeth gritted.
"I surrender too. It's not worth the risk—I can try again next time."
"I'm not gambling with my future!"
More voices followed. One surrender meant an entire team was eliminated. In no time, another third of the exam room emptied out, the already sparse space looking even more barren.
Izanami, who was leaning his face on one hand while secretly holding Hinata's hand under the desk, was curious—what would Uzumaki Naruto do?
If Izanami had turned to look, or activated his Reincarnation Eye, he would've seen Naruto calmly sitting, arms crossed, his expression confident.
Looking closely, Naruto's exam sheet was already filled with answers.
Unlike the blank paper he had in the original storyline, this time Naruto sat next to Uchiha Sasuke, and didn't need to do anything. Sasuke, using the Uchiha Clan's String Puppet Jutsu, had effectively turned into a puppeteer, controlling Naruto's hand with chakra threads to answer every question perfectly.
Naruto, naturally, was completely unfazed.
Without Naruto's iconic morale-boosting speech, the number of people eliminated in this exam was significantly higher than in the original tale.
Still, it wasn't a major issue.
Several foreign candidates realized something important: being disqualified from Konoha's Chunin Exams didn't mean they couldn't become Chunin elsewhere. After all, they weren't Konoha ninja. If they performed well enough, their own villages could promote them directly.
Quitting now would only disappoint their village leaders.
With that in mind, many chose to resist the psychological pressure Ibiki exerted.
When the time limit was nearly up and it was clear no one else would surrender, Ibiki finally broke his stern demeanor and offered a rare smile.
"Congratulations," he said. "You've all passed the first exam."
"Eh?!"
The room erupted in shock.
Those who were bracing themselves for a final question were frozen in confusion.
Several candidates, refusing to accept what they'd just heard, began questioning Ibiki.
"What do you mean by this?"
Ibiki then calmly explained the nature of the first exam. The first nine questions were designed to test a ninja's knowledge and ability to gather intel—both crucial skills. The tenth question, however, was a test of team cohesion and psychological endurance.
Still, many participants remained stunned.
Bang!
Just as their minds were still processing what they'd heard, a kunai shattered the window, drawing everyone's attention.
Anko Mitarashi made a dramatic entrance, one that reminded Naruto of himself—a mirror image of reckless flamboyance.
Many candidates stared in disbelief.
But it was the ensuing exchange between Anko and Ibiki that really caught everyone's attention.
"Ibiki, what's with this? Why are there still so many left?" she asked, clearly annoyed.
"This batch of Genin is exceptionally skilled," Ibiki replied.
"Hmph, no matter. In the next exam, I'll make sure at least half of them are eliminated."
Anko's voice turned cold as she swept her gaze across the room, her aura chilling.
Unlike her exaggerated entrance, the sinister smile on her lips and the snake-like presence she exuded made everyone tense up. No one dared to take her lightly.
Just like Ibiki, her presence proved that Chunin Exam proctors were not ordinary individuals.
"Everyone, report to Training Ground 44 by 3 PM tomorrow. If you're late, you're out."
With that, she left the room, signaling the end of the first phase.
"Yo, long time no see."
Team 8 and the Seventh Class were exiting the building together when a familiar voice echoed in the corridor.
They turned to see Nara Shikamaru, hands folded behind his head, walking leisurely with Akimichi Choji and Ino Yamanaka.
"Sasuke, long time no see!" Ino said, eagerly attempting to pounce on him—only to be met with a sidestep.
"Ino Pig, what are you doing?!" snapped Sakura Haruno, eyes blazing.
"Forehead Girl, this is none of your business! Wanna fight?" Ino snapped back.
The former best friends—now rivals—bumped heads, ready to argue at the slightest provocation.
Izanami and the others ignored them.
"Long time no see, Shikamaru, Choji," Izanami greeted casually.
"You too," Shikamaru replied, stretching lazily.
"I thought someone as lazy as you wouldn't bother with the Chunin Exams," Izanami teased.
"I didn't want to, but Asuma-sensei and my dad insisted," Shikamaru sighed. "Also, Ino wanted to participate. I'm sure you noticed something strange about the application forms."
"Yeah," Izanami nodded thoughtfully.
Soon after, Shino emerged from the building, joining the group.
As they walked, Ino—having wrapped up her fight with Sakura—appeared beside Hinata, her attention drawn to Hinata's white kimono.
"Hinata, your new outfit is beautiful—it really suits you," Ino complimented.
"Thank you," Hinata replied shyly.
"Um…" Ino hesitated, tugging at Hinata's sleeve. She glanced around at the boys before leaning in to whisper in Hinata's ear.
"Hinata, how did you do it?"
"What?" Hinata blinked, confused.
"This—how did you do this?" Ino gestured subtly at Hinata's chest, which was noticeably fuller, even under her loose kimono. Glancing down at her own chest, which was... adequate but not impressive, she continued: "Hinata, what do you eat?"
Hinata's face flushed crimson. She lowered her head, whispering, "I… I don't really know. I just… eat more than others."
"Just eating more is enough?"
Ino nodded as if her suspicions were confirmed. But then her eyes wandered to Choji, who was munching on chips nearby. Despite his constant snacking, he was clearly not the result Ino desired to emulate.
Immediately, her hopeful expression collapsed.
"Seems like that method won't work for me after all," she muttered dejectedly.
Despite being from the Yamanaka Clan, the "boar" in the Ino–Shika–Cho trio, Ino had no desire to actually resemble one.
And above all, she hated being called "Ino Pig."
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