Chapter 39: Chapter 39: Sasuke's Deduction, Successful Promotion
At the same time, the Nine-Tails (Kyuubi) thought to itself: 'Why didn't I think of that before?' 'How could the Fourth Hokage create a seal that anyone could easily break? He must have had a trick up his sleeve!'
"Are you wondering why you didn't think of it?" Sasuke sneered. "Let me tell you the answer: it's because you're really stupid, just like most people in this ninja world—stupid beyond measure."
"Damn kid! When I regain my freedom, I will tear you to pieces!" The Nine-Tails trembled with rage.
"Wait for you to escape? Tsk, I'm afraid that'll take a long time—maybe decades, or even longer, before there's a slight possibility. And by that time, I'll be able to defeat you easily with just one hand! If you show up again then, wouldn't you be courting death?"
Sasuke smirked disdainfully. His words only enraged the Nine-Tails further, causing it to release even more dark red chakra from the seal.
Sasuke activated his Sharingan, observing the movement of the chakra intently. 'So this is the Nine-Tails' chakra. It's indeed full of negative emotions. This thick, indissoluble dark aura feels like it's gushing out from the abyss of hell.'
'No wonder Naruto struggles to control himself when he activates Tailed Beast Mode. Such a huge amount of negative emotion would probably overwhelm even someone with a strong mind! It's a pity my pupil power isn't strong enough yet, or I could try using Susanoo with the Nine-Tails.' Sasuke couldn't help but feel a tinge of regret at this thought.
After carefully observing the situation, Sasuke felt he had almost fully grasped the Nine-Tails' condition. "Alright, Nine-Tails, take back your chakra. Are you trying to scare me? Do you think I'm going to be frightened by you?" he said, using his Sharingan to control the chakra and send it back into the cage.
Hearing Sasuke's voice, the Nine-Tails knew the intruder had left, and it roared angrily: "Damn kid, don't let me see you next time!"
With Sasuke's departure, Naruto successfully passed the exam. At that moment, the tenth question finally arrived.
"Okay, everyone, please be quiet. I will now announce the tenth question. However, for the last question, there's an additional condition."
Morino Ibiki said seriously, "First, you need to decide whether you want to answer the tenth question."
"If we choose not to answer, what happens?" Temari asked skeptically.
"Failure. You'll receive zero points, which means—you fail! And, of course, the two partners who came with you will also be eliminated," Morino Ibiki explained.
"When faced with something like this, there's no doubt—you have to choose to answer!" one candidate shouted.
"It's ridiculous that we'd be eliminated together!" another candidate protested, causing a commotion among the others.
Then, Morino Ibiki introduced another rule: "Additionally, if you choose to answer the question but get it wrong, the person who answers will be disqualified from ever participating in the Chunin Exams again!"
"What kind of stupid rule is that?" Many of the candidates were veterans who had taken the Chunin Exams multiple times, and they immediately voiced their objections.
"I'm sorry, but this is a new rule, implemented for the first time this year. I can only say that you're unlucky," Morino Ibiki responded without emotion. "Besides, haven't I left you a way out? If it's too much, you can quit now. At worst, you can try again next year or the year after."
"Alright, now please make your choice. If you want to quit, raise your hand now!" Morino Ibiki continued, his tone expressionless.
As soon as Morino Ibiki finished speaking, the crowd fell into a nervous buzz. Some people's faces turned pale; they couldn't handle the immense pressure.
"I... I choose to quit! I'm sorry, Gennai, Inagaki..." The first person to quit spoke in a trembling voice, filled with helplessness and guilt.
"Damn it!" As the first person gave up, others began to waver.
One after another, more candidates shouted, "I give up!" "Me too!" "And me!"
They left the classroom silently, disappointment and frustration evident on their faces.
Naruto watched them go, and his heart wavered. Although he had successfully answered the first nine difficult questions with Sasuke's help, he was still clueless about the final question.
Just as Naruto was feeling conflicted, Sasuke's voice suddenly broke the tension, drawing everyone's attention.
"Alright, examiner, stop being mysterious. Isn't the so-called tenth question just the choice we made earlier?" Sasuke said calmly, his eyes sharp and confident.
Morino Ibiki didn't respond to Sasuke's statement; he simply stood there, his expression unchanged.
"Not talking? No problem. I've heard of you, Morino Ibiki, captain of Konoha's Torture and Interrogation Force. I guess you specialize in creating psychological pressure, which is why you came up with such a unique question," Sasuke continued, as if he had figured out Ibiki's intentions.
"It fits perfectly with your role. The so-called tenth question is just a psychological stress test—designed to make those with weak mental fortitude give up. After all, strong psychological endurance is crucial for a ninja. Only those who pass this test are truly qualified to become Chunin. Am I right, examiner?" Sasuke concluded with confidence.
'Clap, clap, clap!'
"Your name is Uchiha Sasuke, right? You're correct, but how were you so sure this was the tenth question?" Morino Ibiki asked, clapping his hands expressionlessly.
'Do you even need to ask? Of course, it's because I've read the original story, but I can't exactly say that out loud,' Sasuke thought to himself. Outwardly, he responded seriously, "As a ninja, it's important to have excellent information-gathering skills. I came to this conclusion by observing and analyzing you, combined with my own judgment and reasoning."
Hearing this, Morino Ibiki could only respond with a sigh, "Since Sasuke has revealed the tenth question, I declare that everyone remaining is qualified!"
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