The examination hall of the Hidden Leaf Ninja Academy was unusually tense that day. The air buzzed with quiet murmurs, the shuffle of papers, and the occasional scratch of a brush on parchment. The first phase of the Chunin Exam had concluded, but the results had not yet been announced. Now, the candidates were gathered to undergo the written portion, the theoretical test that would combine knowledge, strategy, and cunning to determine who could proceed to the next stage.
"The total score for the first exam," the chief examiner announced, his voice echoing through the room, "will be composed of two parts: the written score and the performance score."
He paused, letting the candidates absorb his words before continuing. "The written test is worth 100 points. Seventy percent of the score you achieve after completing the answers will constitute your final written score. For the performance portion, each of you begins with thirty points. However, if you are caught cheating, ten points will be deducted each time. After three violations, both the individual and their teammates will be immediately disqualified from the exam."
A collective gasp ran through the candidates. The rules were strict, and the consequences were severe. Failure here would not just mean personal humiliation—it could eliminate an entire team.
"For a ninja squad to pass," the examiner continued, "every member must achieve a total score of at least sixty points. Falling below this threshold will result in immediate disqualification from the second exam."
As he spoke, the other examiners moved to their stations, taking seats around the perimeter of the room. Their sharp eyes scanned every movement, ensuring no trickery went unnoticed. The candidates' reactions varied: some fidgeted nervously, while others adopted calm, calculating expressions.
When the test papers were distributed, Seisui immediately recognized the difficulty level. The questions were complex, far beyond the standard curriculum, requiring advanced theoretical knowledge and sharp analytical skills. Only those with exceptional intellect, like himself, would stand a chance of completing the exam unaided.
In essence, this test was not about prohibiting cheating outright—it was about testing the candidates' ingenuity. Subtle, intelligent cheating was permissible, but clumsy or reckless attempts would lead to elimination. Unlike the exams Naruto had taken in his timeline, leaving one's paper blank was no longer an option; a zero in the written section would make it impossible for a team to reach the required minimum score.
Seisui understood the stakes. He could complete the test himself, but he also needed to ensure his teammates, who were less adept in theory, could meet the standard. A failure by any member would jeopardize the entire squad.
His eyes shifted toward Kushina, sitting diagonally to his left. The red-haired girl, who usually radiated confidence, now slumped over her desk like a wilted tomato. Her pale complexion reflected the stress she felt, and her posture conveyed exhaustion before the test had even truly begun.
This was not unexpected. Kushina's genius lay in practical combat, not academic theory. While her analytical skills were adequate for general tasks, the written exam demanded an understanding that exceeded her natural abilities.
Slightly shaking his head, Seisui reached a hand into the folds of his ninja robes and summoned Katsuyu, the Slug Sage, in its miniature form. At the size of an insect, Katsuyu crawled swiftly, splitting itself to form multiple tiny avatars capable of visual sharing. Seisui intended to use Katsuyu to relay answers in real-time, turning the legendary Slug Sage into a discreet conduit for information.
Katsuyu, known as the founder of Shikkotsu Forest and one of the three great Sage realms, seemed to enjoy this unusual application. Its small eyes blinked with curiosity, and it crawled across Seisui's hand obediently.
"The exam will last one hour," the chief examiner announced, his tone sharp. "Begin!"
Pencils scratched across paper. Some candidates stared in frustration, scratching their heads, while others, aware of the true nature of the exam, employed their abilities.
Uchiha clan ninjas quickly identified the Chunin strategically placed among the examinees. Using their Sharingan, they copied every movement and jotting of the answers. Once complete, they transmitted the information to their teammates using Genjutsu, creating an illusionary world where answers flowed invisibly from student to student.
Hyūga clan members, meanwhile, utilized the Byakugan's x-ray vision to view hidden text and answers. Some cleverly excused themselves as if heading to the restroom, all the while discreetly passing knowledge to teammates.
Minato, another prodigious student, relied on his own skill. Confident in his abilities, he manipulated reflective surfaces in the room, including strategically placed mirrors on the ceiling, to allow his teammates—Mukai Tomoki and Sasaki Ayami—to view his answers without arousing suspicion.
Just as the quiet hum of concentrated minds filled the room, a sudden whistling sound shattered the silence. A kunai zipped through the air, striking a student attempting to cheat too flagrantly.
"Examinee number 54 has been disqualified for cheating three times. Numbers 12 and 146 are also disqualified," the examiner announced, his voice devoid of emotion.
"By what right do you disqualify me?" Examinee 54 shouted, enraged. But before he could react further, a swift strike from the examiner sent him sprawling.
"Because I am stronger than you," the examiner stated simply. Power dictated the rules in the ninja world; the weak had no recourse against the strong.
The display silenced the room. Even minor infractions could no longer be dismissed lightly. The sound of disqualifications and strikes echoed like a warning bell.
Kushina's eyes widened as she stared at her paper. She had understood the challenge, and she recognized her limitations. If she failed, she would drag Seisui down with her. Guilt gnawed at her, a deep sense of responsibility weighing heavily on her chest.
At that moment, a small figure crawled onto her desk: Katsuyu the Slug Sage, summoned by Seisui. Its tiny form split into multiple segments, allowing Kushina to receive visual guidance in real-time.
"Katsuyu the Slug Sage!" she whispered, surprise and relief flooding her voice. She had grown up with Uzumaki Mito and Tsunade, both familiar with the great slug, and recognized immediately the significance of Seisui's aid.
With Katsuyu's assistance, Kushina began writing methodically, her strokes precise, her answers accurate. What had seemed impossible moments ago became manageable under the slug sage's guidance. She felt a sense of exhilaration as she realized she could navigate the exam without overexerting herself.
Time passed swiftly. The examiner's voice cut through the room, signaling the end of the test.
"Time is up! All examinees stop writing immediately and leave the examination room. Results will be announced after noon."
Some candidates sighed in relief, while others chewed their lips nervously. Yet for Kushina, the test had been a victory already. She had won without truly exerting herself, her success owed to both her natural intelligence and Seisui's strategic assistance.
After leaving the examination hall, Kushina approached Seisui. "I really owe you this time," she said, patting his arm. "Otherwise, we both would have failed, and that would have been so embarrassing."
Seisui nodded, acknowledging her gratitude with a calm expression. Moments later, Minato and his teammates approached.
"How did you all do?" Seisui asked, concern in his tone.
Minato smiled. "I did fine, and thanks to my strategy, Mukai and Ayami didn't miss a single question either."
Mukai Tomoki, still pale from the tension, muttered, "We've already become ninjas… why do we still need such a difficult test? Once I become Hokage, I'm definitely canceling this rule."
Sasaki Ayami laughed, shaking her head. "Tomoki, once you become Hokage, you won't have to take exams anymore."
Mukai Tomoki froze, realizing the flaw in his logic. "Oh… right. I wouldn't need to take tests then. But canceling the rule would just benefit future ninjas, wouldn't it?"
Ayami grinned. "Then I'll increase the difficulty. You shouldn't get off easy!"
Laughter spread among the group, easing the tension of the morning. They walked together toward the mess hall, ready to eat before returning for the official results.
Meanwhile, in the shadows of the Ninja Academy, Killer B and his team observed. "That red-haired girl is our mission target," one remarked, eyes narrowing with intent.
Even as the candidates celebrated their small victories, the larger world of ninja rivalries, secret missions, and deadly competitions moved relentlessly forward.
Kushina, with a smile of quiet satisfaction, knew one thing: she had won this round without truly doing anything herself. But she also knew that the next exam would require more than luck or assistance—it would demand her strength, skill, and courage.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)