"Passed? We actually passed the first exam?"
Hearing Morino Ibiki's words, everyone stared at him in shock, their mouths open in disbelief. Just moments ago, he'd made it seem like one wrong answer would mean they'd be stuck as Genin forever. Now, he was saying they had passed? It felt like being pulled from the depths of despair straight into relief.
"Wait, what's going on?" Sakura blurted, unable to hold back. "What happened to the tenth question?"
Morino Ibiki let out a rare smile. "There was no actual tenth question. The choice itself was the tenth question."
Lee nodded to himself. So, my guess was right after all. He had suspected that this was a psychological test from the beginning. After all, the Chūnin Exam was a way to select capable leaders. There was no way Morino Ibiki would force an impossible decision like that just to eliminate people.
"Hold on," Temari from the Sand Village spoke up, frowning. "What was the point of the first nine questions, then? Were they just to waste our time?"
"Not at all," Ibiki replied. "The first nine questions served an important purpose. They were there to test your ability to gather information under pressure."
"Gather information?" Temari echoed, confused.
"Yes. This exam was designed so that cheating was practically the only way to succeed," Ibiki explained. "The questions were far too difficult for Genin, so you were meant to find ways to gather information. In other words, you had to cheat—but without getting caught."
He gestured to a few people in the room, the Chūnin he'd placed as "cheating models" for others to target. Each of them gave a nod, confirming they had been there to provide answers.
Ibiki continued, "But those who cheated in obvious ways were immediately disqualified. Because, sometimes, gathering information is a matter of life or death. If you're clumsy or careless, you'll put yourself and your team in danger."
As he spoke, Ibiki took off his headband, revealing his scarred and battered forehead. Cuts, burns, and other marks covered his skin, showing years of painful experiences. Everyone felt a chill looking at those scars, and they fell silent, listening intently.
"If you're caught gathering information on a real mission," Ibiki warned, "you may get tortured for it. And worse, bad information can lead your team or your village into disaster."
He put his headband back on and continued, "This exam wasn't just about intelligence gathering. It was also about weeding out anyone who couldn't handle pressure or was too careless to be trusted."
"But I still don't understand," Temari whispered to herself. "What about that last choice? What did it mean?"
Ibiki looked at her. "The tenth question was the real test," he explained. "Choosing whether to attempt it or not was the entire point. Those who chose to skip it would fail. But anyone who chose to answer and then failed would never be allowed to become a Chūnin. It was designed to be a tough choice."
The room was silent as Ibiki went on. "Imagine being a Chūnin, assigned a mission to retrieve critical information from an enemy. You don't know the enemy's strength or the dangers ahead, but you still have to face them. Do you take the mission or turn it down, knowing it could risk your life and your team's lives?"
Everyone listened closely, their expressions tense.
"A true Chūnin must face risks and make difficult choices. Even when the odds are stacked against them, they have to show bravery and determination. If you're afraid to face a challenge, you're not fit to lead," Ibiki said firmly. "The tenth question tested if you could show that courage."
He looked around the room with a rare hint of encouragement. "Each of you who chose to stay has shown you're willing to face danger. That's why you passed. You've all answered the tenth question correctly."
"Yeah!" Naruto shouted, unable to contain his excitement. His test paper was blank, yet he had still passed. He couldn't believe it.
Suddenly, Morino Ibiki stiffened, his face turning serious. He glanced towards the window, as if sensing something.
"Another examiner is here," Lee noted, sensing the change.
With a loud crash, the classroom's window shattered. Four kunai flew to the corners of the room, followed by a curtain that covered Ibiki entirely.
In the next instant, a tall, striking woman stepped in front of everyone, exuding a powerful energy. She had short purple hair and a confident smile that held both charm and danger.
"Hey there, little ones!" she announced loudly. "Don't get too comfortable just yet. I'm your next examiner, Mitarashi Anko. The second test is about to begin!"