**The Exam Hall**
The exam hall was suffocating with tension. Dozens of genin from every hidden village sat shoulder to shoulder, creating a palpable sense of rivalry in the thick air. Sand ninja glared fiercely at the Leaf, while the Sound clan leaned back with disdain, their sneers directed at the Mist. Whispers of killing intent seeped through the cracks, the atmosphere charged like a thunderstorm ready to burst.
Naruto sat between Sakura and Sasuke, the usual loud bravado fading into an anxious silence. His fingers drummed nervously against the desk, eyes darting across the sea of faces, each one reflecting a mix of steely determination and dread.
"Listen up!" roared the proctor, Ibiki Morino, his scarred face twisting into a grim smile that sent chills down Naruto's spine. "The rules are simple. Ten questions. Fail, and you're out. Caught cheating five times… you're out."
Naruto groaned inwardly. A test? Ugh, why does it have to be a test? The thought made his stomach churn. He could already feel the weight of the heavy atmosphere crushing down on him, but as the room fell silent, something shifted inside. His eyes sharpened with resolve.
---
The first question stumped him immediately—complex equations about chakra flow that he'd never studied. Panic prickled his skin like icy needles. He glanced at Sakura—her pencil moved with confident precision, each stroke calculated and sure. Then he turned to Sasuke—calm, methodical, exuding an unshakeable confidence that made Naruto's heart race.
If I see it… I can copy it.
His heart thumped loudly in his chest as he focused, narrowing his eyes. He tracked the exact way Sakura's hand glided across the page, his mind absorbing her movements like a sponge. His fingers twitched, then flowed in the same rhythm. Stroke for stroke, number for number—his page filled with answers, perfectly mirroring hers.
Sakura caught a glimpse out of the corner of her eye, her brow furrowing in surprise. Is he… copying me? But how can he match it so exactly? A mix of admiration and bewilderment flashed across her face.
Naruto grinned faintly, suppressing a laugh. This… this felt more like instinct than imitation. As though Sakura's years of study were flowing straight into him, his hand moved with an ease he hadn't anticipated.
---
Up front, Ibiki's hawk-like eyes scanned the room. He expected the usual nervous glances, awkward cheats, and subtle tricks, but Naruto's behavior intrigued him.
That boy… his answers match his teammate's down to the curve of the handwriting. Ibiki's frown deepened as he scribbled in his ledger. Dangerous. If he can mirror skills beyond written tests…
He couldn't shake off the unsettling feeling that Naruto's ability was more than just simple cheating.
---
High above, hidden in shadow, Root operatives observed intently from the rafters. Danzo's orders were cold and clear: observe the boy during the exams.
One whispered, "He's not even using standard cheating methods. He's replicating with unnatural precision."
Another replied coldly, "Then he may truly become the mirror Danzo desires."
---
**The Tenth Question**
One by one, the questions fell, and Naruto copied answers from Sasuke, glanced at other genin, letting his hand mimic strokes after mere glimpses. His paper filled with the vast knowledge of countless candidates, but it wasn't enough to quell the unease simmering in his gut.
Then Ibiki slammed down the final rule, and the energy in the room shifted like a dark tide.
"The tenth question will determine your future. Answer… or forfeit. But if you fail—you'll never take the Chūnin Exams again."
Whispers erupted, and fear clawed through the hall like a ravenous beast. Some genin bolted, their dreams collapsing under the weight of risk, their faces ghostly pale.
Naruto clenched his fists, feeling the pulse of determination rise within him. He could copy movements, words, and answers, but not courage. That had to be his own.
He slammed his hand on the desk, adrenaline surging like a wildfire. "I'm not quitting! I don't care what question you give me—I'll face it head-on!"
Sakura gasped beside him, her eyes wide. Sasuke smirked faintly, a flicker of respect glimmering in his gaze.
Ibiki studied Naruto for a long moment, assessing the boy's resolve. Finally, he announced:
"Congratulations. You pass."
---
**Aftermath**
Relief flooded the room, though many remained pale from the ordeal. As the genin filed out, Naruto's grin returned full force, but behind it, his mind spun with thoughts.
I copied their answers… but in the end, it wasn't the copying that passed me. It was choosing not to run.
From the shadows, Root operatives melted away, ready to report to Danzo.
"He copies knowledge as well as jutsu. But his will… it is his own."
Danzo's cane tapped against the stone floor when he heard the report. His single eye narrowed with ominous intent. "Then we must break that will… before it grows beyond control."