Everyone was stunned when they heard Ibiki announce their advancement.
"But… we haven't even taken the last question yet?"
A candidate voiced the doubt on everyone's mind, and the others quickly echoed in agreement.
"The choice I just gave you was the final question."
Morino Ibiki began to explain.
"Only those who chose the correct answer for the final question are allowed to pass this round. If you chose wrong, you were eliminated on the spot. I have no respect for people who pin their hopes on the uncertainty of a 'next time.'"
"Then what about the first nine questions we did?"
Another candidate spoke up, clearly dissatisfied.
"That was to test your detection and information-gathering skills. I'm sure you noticed that in this written portion, cheating was allowed. Those who were eliminated simply had methods too clumsy to pass muster."
"So, surviving the first forty-five minutes and making the right choice on the last question means you naturally advance to the next round."
Ibiki's voice rang out loud and clear.
"Congratulations. You've successfully opened the gate to the Chunin Exams!"
Just as his words fell, Shinju glanced out the exam room window and spotted a black blur rushing toward them.
"Whoosh!!"
The black figure smashed through the exam hall's glass and tumbled in, landing in a dramatic pose.
"Hello, everyone!! I'm the examiner for the second stage of the Chunin Exams—Anko Mitarashi! ❛‿˂̵✧"
Shinju eyed the sudden arrival of the new examiner. Her mannerisms reminded him a little of that blockhead Naruto…
"No one's answering you. Feels awkward, huh?"
Ibiki smirked from the side, mocking her.
Anko: (||๐_๐)
Not to be outdone, the ever-proud woman shot back,
"There are still this many left after the first stage? Ibiki, did you help them cheat?"
Ibiki's expression softened into something like satisfaction.
"This year's batch has quite a few promising talents."
Anko's lips curled into a playful grin.
"Oh? Is that so? I wonder if they'll manage to survive my second stage."
After exchanging a few more words with Ibiki, Anko gave a sweeping gesture.
"Alright, everyone! Follow me to the site of the second exam!"
...
Konoha Village, in front of Training Ground 44.
Anko's gaze swept over the gathered candidates as she began introducing the second exam's rules and location.
"Before you is Konoha's Training Ground 44, also known as—the Forest of Death!"
"The entire area is surrounded by fences and forty-four gates, with a river running through the center and dense forest on either side."
"The training ground is shaped like an irregular circle, with the central tower as your final destination. From any point along the perimeter fence to the tower is roughly 10 kilometers. That means the total area is about 310 square kilometers."
"You will spend the next five days—one hundred and twenty hours—in a scroll battle within this vast forest."
"In a moment, each team will be given one scroll, either 'Heaven' or 'Earth.'"
"Your task is simple—within five days, obtain both a Heaven and an Earth scroll, then reach the central tower to complete the exam."
"Five days? We'll starve to death in a place like this!"
Naruto squinted through the wire fence at the towering ancient trees beyond, his face twisted in dismay.
"Yeah, five days and we'll be dead from hunger," Choji added, eyes wide at Anko's explanation.
"Don't worry," Anko said with a narrow-eyed smile. "The forest is crawling with poisonous insects and ferocious beasts—you'll never run out of things to eat."
While Naruto and Choji worried about food, Shinju was more focused on the elimination rate.
Each team gets one scroll, but only those holding both Heaven and Earth can pass.
In other words, by the end of this stage, at least half the participants would be eliminated—assuming everyone survived.
And survival wasn't guaranteed. The Forest of Death was teeming with the Land of Fire's infamous poisonous bugs and predatory beasts. One careless moment could mean your life.
Anko's smirk deepened as she looked over the chattering genin.
This year's Chunin Exams would be tougher than any mission these rookies had ever faced!
She then grabbed a thick stack of documents from a table nearby.
"Next, each of you will receive a waiver of death responsibility. Since combat between ninjas is allowed in this stage, serious injury and death are both considered normal… You have thirty minutes to decide if you want to sign."
"After thirty minutes, each three-man squad can collect their scroll from that hut over there once you've handed in all three signed waivers."
Soon, a waiver was in Shinju's hands.
He didn't even bother reading it—just signed his name without hesitation.
If he'd already decided to take the Chunin Exams, there was no room for backing out!
Beside him, Sasuke and Naruto did the same.
After turning in the form, Shinju suddenly remembered—he still hadn't collected the payment from those he'd helped cheat in the first stage.
He walked up to a team from Kusagakure and held out his hand.
"I gave you the answers for the last exam. We agreed—one thousand ryo per person."
To his surprise, they played dumb.
"What answers? We did the first exam ourselves. No cheating involved."
"Yeah, you're imagining things."
"No payment?"
Shinju's voice went cold. "Since you're breaking our deal, the price has gone up—five thousand ryo."
The Kusagakure ninja sneered. "Here's the truth: we're never paying you. You claim we bought your answers? Show us proof! ツ"
Shinju said nothing. He memorized their faces and walked away.
Collecting debts inside the Forest of Death would be easier—no need for drawn-out arguments.
He then approached a few others who'd promised to pay for his help.
Out of over thirty people, only one team showed gratitude and paid up.
The rest, emboldened by the Kusagakure team's lead, denied everything.
Shinju didn't waste words.
If it was owed to him, they wouldn't escape.
Soon, thirty minutes had passed.
At exactly 2:00 PM, all teams entered the Forest of Death through their chosen gates.
Anko's hand sliced through the air.
"Begin the exam!"
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