"Successfully passing an answer to a teammate adds 10 points; if the transmission is discovered or intercepted, 10 points are deducted..."
"If the exam score is less than 30 points within the scheduled time, you are eliminated! Of course, this score threshold can be set based on real-time monitoring—for example, if half the examinees are above sixty, we set it higher; if more than half have negative scores, we set it lower... to ensure the desired number of people pass the first exam."
In short, this first written exam is a test of Ninja Knowledge—a comprehensive confrontation involving a Ninja's own knowledge reserves, as well as their ability to acquire intelligence, anti-espionage, intercept intelligence, and transmit intelligence. It also plugs the bug seen in the 'Fourth Joint Chunin Exams' where Naruto passed despite turning in a blank paper.
If a Ninja can pass the written exam with these comprehensive abilities,
then they are a qualified Ninja.
"Didn't we say before that the people are divided into two groups? The first group learns the rules earlier because they enter the exam room first..."
Inoichi Yamanaka listened and watched, simulating the scene of the exam room in his mind. This kind of bloodless intelligence war was far more intense than the previous Joint Chunin Exams, like a thunderclap in a silent place—the mental torture and exhaustion alone would be enough to drain a massive amount of energy from the examinees during a single exam.
Inoichi Yamanaka said, "So the outstanding ones who arrive a step earlier learn the rules, while those who come later have to realize these rules for themselves..."
Ino said, "Right... Although this group is destined to be eliminated, it's inevitable that some good ones might be missed. This mechanism is equivalent to checking for gaps. As long as they can realize where the problem lies and learn the rules of this exam, it shows they are capable of passing. We should give them such an opportunity..."
The reason for this design was that the drama of a 'loser's counterattack' is much more interesting than the nobility of innate talent and bloodlines!
This trope had been widely proven in Ino's 'previous life.' As long as this model was replicated, once the serialized written reports of the first exam were released, they would definitely become a hit—even more so than before... Inoichi Yamanaka took out a piece of paper and spread it on the floor. He then used a pencil he carried to draw a simple diagram of the exam room... "Ino, come, let's simulate the exam scene..."
"First, the examinees will learn the location of the exam room in the hall, and then encounter an illusion trap on the second floor... Because those who cannot identify the trap will be trapped inside, the inside and outside are isolated. Newcomers won't know about those inside, and those inside won't be alerted by the newcomers... So—"
"A design should be added here—those who wake up have the right to leave, but they can only go out through another door."
"Let me think... Deducting points. The full score is 100. They should have 20 points deducted at the start to enter the exam room and compete with the first batch. Or they could choose to go back and wait to go to the exam room with the second batch—that way they enter with a full score."
"Impressive—as expected of the head of the Intelligence Analysis Class, this move is too dirty!" Ino gave Inoichi Yamanaka a thumbs up.
Inoichi Yamanaka looked speechless. It was clearly a compliment, but it felt awkward to hear. He cleared his throat and said, "Ahem, it's alright... Since their abilities are slightly inferior, it's only natural to add a test of human nature!"
The first exam is in squad mode, so every decision is a squad decision. The choice between starting with a 20-point deduction or retreating is enough to see the cohesion of a Ninja squad.
Whether to choose 80 points to keep up with the first batch, or 100 points to go with the second batch... Can the squad's opinions be unified? And can they bear the cost of failure?
This world is somewhat unfair—
A genius Ninja like Kakashi can be a lone wolf, doing his own missions, earning his own money, and spending it himself. He doesn't need a squad at all. Even if he is in a team, he doesn't need to consider team cohesion, cooperation, or coordination much—his strength is enough to easily carry two others and fly.
But a weak squad can only rely on the trust, cohesion, and tacit cooperation between teammates... Otherwise, they will die... Leaving the choice of 'human nature' to the weaker squads is almost 'opportune,' but also a cold, cruel kind of kindness—
Those not suited to be Chunin are better off remaining Genin. Although the mission rewards are lower, at least Genin don't have to face danger... At least, in times of peace, Genin don't encounter dangerous combat missions.
D-rank missions involve finding cats, walking dogs, and dealing with neighborhood trivialities. They are common, mundane tasks and are the missions Genin do most often.
C-rank missions are mainly escort missions for ordinary merchants, as well as running errands and delivering letters for these Genin.
But once you reach 'Chunin'—although the focus is still on escorting and guarding, the things being escorted and the people being guarded are different. No one can guarantee that nothing unexpected will happen... "Human nature—Ino, if it were you, how would you choose?"
"This wouldn't even be a choice for me—if nothing goes wrong, my teammates should be Shikamaru and Choji, so we would definitely have entered the exam room and wouldn't face this choice," Ino said with great confidence. But in her heart, she thought: 'If I could choose, I wouldn't even go to the Chunin Exams—if it weren't for the fact that repeating a grade is too embarrassing, I could have stayed in the Ninja Academy until the series finale...'
Inoichi Yamanaka asked, "Then, what if you had to choose?"
"Then I'd take the twenty-point deduction."
"Why?"
"Strike first to gain the initiative; strike late and be controlled by others. Sometimes being a step ahead is much more important than those twenty points."
"Haha..."
Ino's thoughts were exactly as Inoichi Yamanaka expected; it was the choice his little wild boar would make—super brave.
The simulation on paper continued—
After the examinees took their places, the chief proctor announced the exam rules, and 30 assistant proctors monitored them one-on-one, recording in real-time.
Then the second batch of examinees entered... This simulation made Inoichi Yamanaka discover another 'redundant' thing—it seemed unnecessary to disguise examinees to provide answers.
As a result,'some' of the actors participating in the first exam became unemployed without knowing it. This turned the first written exam into a complete colosseum of intrigue and deception, where none of the proctors needed to get involved—they only needed to keep records, watch the examinees closely, and ensure no mistakes were made.
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