章 35: Chunin Exam III

"Now we will begin the test, turn in your applications, take one of these number cards" Ibiki extended his hand showing a small card with the number one in it "and take a seat in the chair matching the number, after that we will hand out the paper for the written test" one by one, each of the hundred fifty-three ninjas in the room walked to the front, to get his paper, sitting as soon as they had it, I got the number sixty-nine, sitting next to a random ninja from Konoha.

"I won't be taking questions, so listen properly, first rule, you will start with ten points, the written test has ten question in total, you are deducted a point for each mistake" Ibiki wrote in the board "Second rule, pass or fail will be determined by the total score of the three members, third the sentinels will keep an eye on cheater if they discover you, they will deduct two points each time, finally in case someone has zero points, the whole team will be failed" he put an evil smile, those on the classroom were shocked to learn that if one of them was unable to answer everyone will fail.

"The tenth question will be reveled forty-five minutes from now, you have one hour" he glanced across the room, taking a moment for himself "BEGIN" he ordered.

The questions were extremely complicated, and the way they were written was obscure at best, I took my time with each one, reading twice before putting the answer, making sure I understood what was asked, the first answer was forty-two, the second was up to fifty meters, the ninja on the edge could attempt a Fire-Style jutsu to burn the environment, causing the attacking ninja to leave the cover of the trees or obstruct his visibility.

The third answer was the line of defense will be a hundred meters from the defendant's base, located in the edges of the forest for more cover, the attackers will split according to their numbers, and attempt to cause a distraction and flank, their base will be directly in front of the line of defense, two hundred meters away, the fourth answer was use a neutralizing agent to avoid the poison to keep affecting the victim, in case that there is not neutralizing agent, amputate the leg, before is too late.

The fifth answer was twenty-four, the only number funnier than twenty-four is twenty-five, the six question had multiple questions, that included common knowledge, the answers were, longing, rusted, seventeen, daybreak, furnace, nine, benign, homecoming, one, freight car.

The seventh answer was, logs are used as substitutes because they are easy to find in a forest, and they are biodegradable, the eight answer was, when surrounded by an enemy, alone in the forest to call for reinforcement that are too far to hear you, and the comms failing, you should improvise a megaphone with a squirrel, a rope and a megaphone.

The ninth question was the one that made me struggle the most, what is always with you, but can't be seen? Exactly, the weight of all the lives you take in the battlefield.

It took me a total of forty minutes to answer the nine questions, during that time I had to make sure, others can't copy my answers, surrounding me with a simple Illusion, I changed the way others perceived my movements, and the answers on the paper, when I detected someone trying to copy, I just moved slightly, so the Sentinels had a better view of the cheater, reducing the number of competitors in the next stages of the Chunin Exam.

I had complete confidence in Neji's ability to answer the questions or to use his Byakugan to see my answers, our only problem was Lee, he may be able to answer just half of them, but will require assistance for the rest, I devised a plan, since the whole classroom was small enough to be under my influence, I just had to create another Illusion in Lee's mind, he will retrace with his pencil, the things he saw, and we will profit.

At this point of the test, from the hundred and fifty-three that took the test, fifty participants were eliminated after being caught cheating, most of the teams had one person as the cause of said elimination, while a few exceptions the entire Team sucked at cheating.

"Forty-five minutes, have passed, is time for the tenth question!" Ibiki announced, everyone in the room was on edge, waiting for the extremely complicated obstacle that we are about to face "before that I'm going to add a few rules to the last question" Ibiki said, some people in the classroom were about to pass out after hearing those words.

The main door, opened and Kankuro returned from the bathroom, "how lucky, it seems like playing with dolls wasn't a waste of time" Ibiki said, freezing Kankuro in place, "it doesn't matter, take your seat" he instructed, Kankuro complied and sat, Ibiki walked towards a window and glanced back "Let me explain, these are the hopeless rules" he took a moment waiting for the tension to raise once more.

"First, you'll choose if you will take or pass on the tenth question, if you choose not to take it, your score will be zero, and you will be eliminated, the same for the other two members of your Team" Everyone was fuzzing about the harsh rule, imposed at last moment "one last thing, if you choose to take it, but fail to answer correctly, you will give up your right to take the Chunin Exam forever" Ibiki warned us.

"What kind of stupid rule is that?" Kiba stood up, shouting at Ibiki, who started chuckling Kiba's behavior.

"You are just unlucky, I make the rules this year" he said in a serious tone, thirty seconds of silence, no one dared to make a move or sound, until the first hand raised, followed by a second and a third, at the end of the process twenty-five ninjas left the room, Naruto raised his hand, shocking the Rookie nine, specially Sakura and Saske.

"Don't underestimate me, I won't run away! Even if I'm stuck at Genin forever, I will become a Hokage no matter what it takes, I'm not scared!" Naruto shouted, filling everyone in the room with new resolution, Ibiki exchanged a few words with him, and took a few steps forward, nodding at the Sentinels.

"I like your determination, for those that are still here... the first test, You passed!" Ibiki declared to the crowd.