After Toki's motivational speech, the ninjas eagerly rushed into the Ninja Academy.
They couldn't wait to claim those coveted summoned beasts.
Even the lowest-tier summoned beasts, at the Genin level, were worth a whopping 1 million ryō—the payout of an S-rank mission.
For many, even if they didn't intend to use the summoned beasts themselves, they could make a fortune by reselling them.
Why did civilians strive to become ninjas? Because once they reached the rank of Chūnin or higher, their income far surpassed that of ordinary people.
The ninja class system was like thousands of soldiers trying to cross a single-plank bridge. Those who didn't make it to Chūnin were stuck at the bottom of society. But once they crossed that threshold, even the minimum salary could guarantee them the equivalent of Toki's former life's monthly income of 20,000 yuan.
Moreover, the road to becoming a Chūnin wasn't as grueling as passing a judicial examination. It was more like a college entrance exam; even if you lacked talent, time, qualifications, and experience could eventually earn you the Chūnin title in middle age.
For mercenary ninjas, money mattered. And now, an opportunity to become rich overnight was right before them.
The value of 50 million ryō was equivalent to winning half of the first prize in the lottery in Toki's previous life. How could they not be excited?
The candidates soon found themselves seated nervously in the examination room.
A group of family ninjas entered, carrying a stack of test papers, and began distributing them.
Deidara grinned slyly.
"Heh, heh, this kind of amateur test is just an excuse to assess intelligence gathering. It doesn't mean anything."
Beside him, Chūtō blinked, staring at the test paper with a confused, almost constipated expression.
"Why don't you read the questions first?" he muttered.
Deidara raised an eyebrow and glanced at the test paper:
Question 1: What are the properties of chakra?
Question 2: If you were equipped with scientific ninja tools, what type of ninjutsu scrolls would you prefer?
Question 3: What are your future career plans?
Question 4: If you could choose your favorite type of psychic beast, which one would it be?
Question 5: What is your financial strength?
Deidara: "..."
(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
This has nothing to do with the Chūnin Exam! Are you sure this isn't just a survey for your corporate group?!
The candidates exchanged bewildered glances, staring up at the examiners on the stands.
Hyuga Hizashi coughed awkwardly, trying to maintain a serious demeanor.
"Write quickly! If you answer randomly, you'll be disqualified from the exam!"
Several candidates rolled their eyes.
As if you'd even know whether we answered randomly or not.
Hizashi cleared his throat again, shifting his gaze.
"Ahem, answering properly will be beneficial to you."
The candidates' eyelids twitched, but they ultimately resigned themselves, lowering their heads and scribbling on the test papers.
Whatever. The easier the questions, the better for us. If Konoha wants to mess around, that's their business, not ours.
Before long, everyone had completed their answers.
The examiners collected the questionnaires and, after a moment, announced that everyone had passed the first exam.
Deidara, clearly annoyed, scowled.
"Are they kidding me with this nonsense?!"
Chūtō smiled awkwardly, trying to console him.
"It's fine. There's still the second stage."
---
A few days later, all candidates received three Poké Balls and an instruction manual tailored to their questionnaire responses.
[This Pokémon Beginner Contest is proudly sponsored by Uchiha Group Co., Ltd. For all your Pokémon needs, trust Uchiha. The final interpretation rights of this contest belong solely to Uchiha Group.]
The room fell silent as everyone read the statement.
"...Are they serious right now?"
----
On-Going Votes:
NARUTO— 12 VOTES
..
DRAGON BALL— 8 VOTES
..
BLEACH— 8 VOTES
..
ONE PIECE— 8 VOTES
..
AVATAR— 3 VOTES