Chief Examiner.
This is indeed a heavy responsibility.
However, Akihara Kagura knows how tedious this task is.
A group of Jōnin are accompanying Akihara Kagura, sitting in the control room, observing the Chūnin Exam participants, since the first part is merely a written test.
Ibiki Morino came to report to Akihara Kagura about the first part of the Chūnin Exam. There's nothing particularly new about the questions; aside from testing the students' ability to gather information during the written test, there's an additional question aimed at testing the Genin teams' cohesion and their resolve.
Ibiki Morino stood in front of Akihara Kagura and whispered about the first written test: "As long as these Genin teams are determined to participate in the Chūnin Exam and collectively persist to take part in the second round, they will be allowed to pass..."
"That means, the last question is the most important."
Akihara Kagura sat in the control room, somewhat boredly surveying the participants on the monitors: "Even if some participants can't answer a single question, they can still pass the exam, right?"
"..."
Ibiki Morino was silent for a while, then chuckled and shook his head: "There has never been such a case in any of the previous Chūnin Exams..."
"Tsk..."
Akihara Kagura shook his head and did not continue, he just watched the situation in the preparation room through the monitors, and waved his hand: "Alright, go prepare to start the exam."
"Yes, Lord Kagura."
Ibiki Morino nodded and left.
Although Akihara Kagura was much younger in age, his status and strength far surpassed many in Konoha, and he had saved Konoha during the Uchiha Clan's night of annihilation; no matter how extreme Akihara Kagura's personality was, no one dared to disrespect him.
"People are fighting..."
Kurenai Yuhi was somewhat surprised as she looked at the situation on the monitor.
Sarutobi Asuma watched the display on the monitor and recognized the forehead protector of the assailant: "Is the assailant from the Sound Village? Isn't that village a nomadic one? Did they also send people to participate in the exam? That beaten guy seems to be a Genin from the village, whose subordinate is he?"
"It's someone I recommended."
Akihara Kagura sat in the main seat, calmly watching the displayed images in the monitor, showing a young lad from the Sound Village inexplicably bursting forth and punching Yakushi Kabuto.
Akihara Kagura, holding the back of his head, half-reclined and slowly said: "Alright, it's just a minor issue, no need to make a fuss here, it's quite normal for these youngsters to have conflicts. After the exam, we'll just annihilate the Sound Village and leave that brawler homeless..."
"..."
The present Jōnin looked at Akihara Kagura speechlessly.
"Isn't that a bit extreme?"
Hatake Kakashi rubbed his forehead, one of the present Jōnin who had a good relationship with Akihara Kagura, and he tried to smooth things over: "Let's focus on the first part of the exam!"
"Speaking of which..."
Might Guy recalled how difficult his own first written test was and deeply felt it was torturous: "The first part of the exam was super difficult!"
"..."
No one among the present Jōnin spoke up to agree.
Perhaps the first part of the exam was indeed difficult for them at that time, but that was only because they were young. At their current age, they would perceive it as a mere test and would likely approach a written test with a more relaxed mindset.
Probably...
Only Might Guy, who took things seriously, still thought it was that difficult!
Akihara Kagura casually picked up a pear juice from the table and nodded seriously in agreement: "The session I participated in was tough; nearly only two people passed the first part..."
Hatake Kakashi remembered the first scapegoat he had to bear and rubbed his forehead: "Because of you, that session of the exam became so difficult! And weren't you exempted from taking the exam?"
"Let's watch the exam."
Akihara Kagura put down his pear juice and shook his head: "Let's see how many youngsters come up with any new cheating methods!"
The collective Chūnin Exam conducted by Konoha, Sand Village, and Mist Village, allowed the Genin from the three great ninja villages to employ various methods, which was quite an eye-opener.
"The examiner for the first written test is not quite up to the task, right?"
Akihara Kagura looked at Hatake Kakashi and took the initiative to speak: "That Uchiha Sasuke is openly cheating with the Sharingan, hasn't the examiner noticed any issues? Send someone quickly to notify Ibiki Morino…"
"Is it that serious?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen was somewhat surprised.
Hatake Kakashi did not want to speak, but since it involved his own subordinate, and knowing the grudge between Akihara Kagura and the Uchiha, he had to speak up.
"Normally, these actions are within the permitted scope. If the examiners have not detected or objected, it proves that cheating using the Sharingan is allowed…"
After Hatake Kakashi finished speaking, he sighed helplessly and said: "This exam is actually designed to test cheating. Only the truly clever or the truly foolish would choose to solve the problems on their own!"
"Like Naruto?"
Akihara Kagura specifically pointed out another one of Hatake Kakashi's subordinates.
"…"
Hatake Kakashi helplessly massaged his forehead, his most foolish subordinate was still anxiously fidgeting in the examination room, neither able to solve the problems nor cheat.
Fortunately.
The last question of the first written test.
Uzumaki Naruto persevered through the test with a fearless attitude and passed the most important question of this written test, even luckily passing by submitting a blank paper!
Inside the examination room.
After the first exam ended.
Akihara Kagura stood up and stretched, saying: "The boring results are finally over. Let Ibiki Morino make a report. The first part of the Chunin Exam needs to be a bit more interesting in the future. We can't always test these abstract things; it should be more practical…"
"This…"
Others thought the first written test was quite good.
It could test the Genin's ability to gather information and their team cohesion, which seemed quite suitable for the exam, right?
"The chief examiner for the second stage."
Akihara Kagura looked at an old acquaintance inside the examination room: "Anko, I remember people can die in the second stage, right? It's too boring. I want to see blood flow like a river…"
"I can only try…"
Mitarashi Anko smiled sweetly.
"That's not something you should say out loud!"
Hatake Kakashi looked helplessly at Akihara Kagura and Mitarashi Anko.
Inside the written test classroom.
Just as the first exam had ended.
The chief examiner for the second stage, Mitarashi Anko, jumped in from the window and announced her role for the next stage. When Uzumaki Naruto saw her, the joy on his face was almost irrepressible!
"Ah! Big sister Anko!"
Uzumaki Naruto was very happy that the chief examiner was an old acquaintance.
Unfortunately…
Mitarashi Anko had no interest in catching up, instead, she cheerfully spoke cruel words: "Naruto, if you fail the second exam, I'll kill you. Some people want to see blood flow like a river in the next stage…"
"Eh!"
Naruto's smile froze.
"All those participating in the second stage, follow me."
Mitarashi Anko waved her hand, signaling all those who passed to follow her to the examination site: "There are quite a few who passed this year, let's eliminate half of them first!"
This is the rule of the second stage test.
Due to the struggle for the Heaven and Earth scrolls in the Forest of Death, at least half are destined to be eliminated, and there was even a case where someone attempted to eliminate everyone.
However…
This year, indeed, many participated in the second stage exam.
Upon merely a cursory glance, there were at least twenty to thirty squads, with the majority hailing from the Mist Village, Sand Village, and Konoha Village. The remaining participants from Rain Village, Waterfall Village, and Sound Village were also present, and even some from the Grass Village had passed.
Furthermore...
Many of those participating in the second examination possessed exceptional abilities.
Even...
Some individuals who shouldn't have been there took part.
Akihara Kagura remained seated in the monitoring room, observing the situation before the second examination in the Forest of Death commenced. His gaze was fixed on the monitor displaying a tall man.
The second examination.
The test was a measure of the examinees' abilities to survive in the wild and combat imminent dangers, apart from their teammates, as the Forest of Death was rife with perilous enemies.
In addition to fierce beasts and poisonous insects, there were also potential competitors lurking about.
The chief examiner, Mitarashi Anko, did not delay much, having all the examinees sign a consent form for the examination before she directly opened the entrance to the Forest of Death, allowing them to enter for the test.
Unfortunately.
No sooner had Mitarashi Anko allowed the examinees inside than she was informed that a participant from the Mist Village had been murdered, even having their face peeled off.
Clearly.
Someone had exploited this examinee's identity to infiltrate the test site.
"I know who it is..."
Mitarashi Anko could recognize who had used this technique to steal the faces of these examinees, as she gently touched a mark on the back of her neck: "Without a doubt, it's him; he has come to Konoha..."
"Who?"
A group of examiners looked around at each other, bewildered.
"Orochimaru."
Decisively, Mitarashi Anko resolved, "Go report to Kagura, I'll go track down that man. Have him quickly send someone to take over my duties!"
"Yes."
The group of examiners had no choice but to obey her commands.
Inside the Forest of Death.
A group of experienced examinees began searching nearby for places to hide or scouted for enemies' hiding spots, with this year's youngest participants undoubtedly becoming targets.
This team of Karin...
With Kosuke Maruboshi appearing too old, Karin being too young, and Yakushi Kabuto seeming too frail, they immediately became targets for some reckless individuals.
"Let's eat first."
After entering the Forest of Death, Kosuke Maruboshi began his mission, gathering food from the forest and cooking a pot of fragrant and delicious meals.
"Thank you."
Yakushi Kabuto took the bowl and chopsticks handed over by Kosuke Maruboshi.
"It smells really good..."
Karin was very grateful for the teammate Lord Kagura had found for her.
This participation in the Chunin Exam was rather easy for her because Yakushi Kabuto knew the rules of the Chunin Exam well, and another teammate, Kosuke Maruboshi, could cook.
As for Karin herself, her sensory abilities were sufficient to detect the movements of everyone in the Forest of Death, so there was no worry about being ambushed by enemies.
"I'll go handle some minor troubles first..."
Karin had already sensed an enemy team rushing towards their squad, planning to deal with the enemies first before returning to continue eating.
"Let me go."
Kosuke Maruboshi gestured for the young girl to continue eating.
As a combat ninja, Kosuke Maruboshi never intended to let a medical ninja fight. The rule among ninjas is to not let medical ninjas engage in battle until the very last person is incapacitated. Even the valuable role of medical ninjas makes other enemy nations hesitate to harm them during wars, preferring to take them prisoner instead.
Kosuke Maruboshi himself took up a ninja sword and left for a few minutes, returning with a scroll in his hand. Evidently, this elderly man had resolved the conflict in such a short time.
"..."
Karin was fully aware of the elderly man's combat process, who effortlessly defeated his opponent with just his swordsmanship, showing no signs of being an elderly genin ninja...
It is obvious.
Kosuke Maruboshi's abilities extend beyond cooking.
Compared to Karin's treatment, Team 7 did not fare as well, as they encountered the most dangerous individual in the Chunin Exams.
A character named Orochimaru happened upon them and, after a brutal fight, left a curse mark on Uchiha Sasuke's neck before letting them go.
To others, Uchiha Sasuke may not seem all that exceptional, but Orochimaru could see what set him apart...
This child harbors darkness within.
Of course.
Team 7 is not an exception.
Many have emerged in this Chunin Exam.
Orochimaru, particularly fond of some talented children, found it hard to restrain his desire to select some as potential vessels during this grandiose exam.
Orochimaru also set his sights on a young one named Hozuki Suigetsu.
While negotiating the plan to collapse the Konoha with the Mist, he witnessed Hozuki Suigetsu's adeptness with the Hydration Technique, realizing it was impossible to abduct the seriously ill Hozuki Mangetsu, Orochimaru planned to kidnap the young Hozuki Suigetsu.
However...
Orochimaru had not yet managed to get there.
Mitarashi Anko finally located him.
As Orochimaru's former apprentice, left behind in the Konoha when Orochimaru defected, the more Anko once revered Orochimaru, the greater her hatred now!
"Orochimaru!"
"This time, you won't escape!"
Mitarashi Anko ambushed and stopped the fleeing Orochimaru, grabbing his arm and nailing their palms together with a kunai, gritting her teeth: "Using your hands, let's perish together!"
"It seems you've only caught a clone..."
Orochimaru's real body slowly emerged from behind Mitarashi Anko, smiling lightly at his former disciple: "Anko, you're too weak to stop me. You should at least bring Akihara Kagura."
"I've already sent someone to notify him..."
Mitarashi Anko, gazing firmly at Orochimaru, felt not despair but a renewed will to fight: "As long as I can hold you off, Kagura will be here soon! He's proficient in the Flying Thunder God Technique, he'll arrive immediately!"
"But..."
Orochimaru gently squatted down, looking down at his disciple, speaking softly: "I'm about to leave, Anko, you can't stop me, just like you can't prevent the impending doom of the Konoha. Remember to keep your distance then..."
As Orochimaru spoke, he drew his kunai and stabbed it into Mitarashi Anko's shoulder, even crushing her bones with one hand, tormenting his former disciple!
"Ahhh..."
Mitarashi Anko's screams echoed through the Forest of Death.
Orochimaru slightly lowered his head to look at the mark on Mitarashi Anko's neck.
"This time..."
"A lot of people will die..."
"Perhaps I won't even know who will die..."
Although it was Orochimaru who inflicted the wounds, his voice remained tender as if he were saving her: "But you must survive for me..."
After saying this.
Orochimaru watched Mitarashi Anko faint from pain and suddenly vanished from her sight, moving swiftly through the forest like a snake!
After Orochimaru left, Akihara Kagura appeared in front of Mitarashi Anko, followed by a group of examiners and Jounin: "Take her to the hospital. It looks like she won't be able to move for the next two or three months…"
~~~
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