Here @riojiyo131, your trusted writer.
I know I said there'd be no chapter today... But you're my spoiled babies, I couldn't resist~
Although there will only be one chapter today.
If we reach 300 Power Stones, I'll post a bonus chapter tomorrow.
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Forty-five minutes after the start of the first test, Ibiki Morino raised his voice again. His relentless tone silenced all murmurs at once.
"Now, I will reveal the tenth question."
A heavy silence took over the classroom. Dozens of eyes locked onto him, expectant, uneasy. Some began to sweat, their hands trembling over the desks. Others shifted nervously in their seats.
"But before that," Ibiki continued, his calm only intensifying the tension, "the last question comes with additional rules."
A murmur rippled through the room. Confused expressions appeared on the test takers' faces. A few opened their mouths, ready to protest, but Ibiki's cold gaze silenced them before they dared to speak a word.
"First of all, you must choose whether to answer the question or not. If you choose to answer and fail… your entire team will be banned from the Chūnin Selection Exams. Forever."
The weight of those words hit like a death sentence.
"In other words," he continued, pausing to let it sink in, "you'll remain Genin until the day you die."
A chill swept through the room. Some students struggled to breathe. Others gripped their desks tightly, knuckles white.
Then, the tension exploded.
"That's not fair!" someone shouted from the back.
"You can't do this to us!"
Ibiki didn't even blink.
"I can. And I am."
The complaints died in helplessness. Desperation was clear on their faces. One by one, a few began to stand up. Fear pushed them to leave the room, to give up the exam rather than risk everything on a single question.
Ibiki didn't look at them once. He simply stared ahead, unmoving.
Naruto, however, had his eyes fixed on Sakura.
She… she had almost raised her hand!
For a moment, doubt gnawed at Sakura. But when her eyes met Naruto's, when she saw the unwavering determination in him, her trembling fingers closed into a fist and slowly lowered.
Naruto gave her a confident smile and raised a thumbs-up.
"It's all right," Sakura thought, calming herself.
Deep down, Sakura had believed Naruto didn't stand a chance in this exam.
Hinata had thought the same at first.
Sakura assumed Naruto must have copied someone else's answers and felt relieved.
Ibiki scanned the room, measuring the resolve in the eyes of those who remained.
"I'll ask one last time. Your future depends on this choice." He paused, letting the weight of his words crush them. "This is your last chance to leave."
The silence became suffocating. But no one else moved.
Ibiki smiled.
"Good. For all of you who stayed... you pass!"
The shock was immediate. Sakura stood up abruptly. Even Temari, always composed, frowned in clear confusion.
"What does that mean!?"
Ibiki explained the purpose of the test. It wasn't just about knowledge—it was about gathering information under pressure. There had been two Chūnin planted in the room with all the correct answers. Those who managed to find and copy the answers without getting caught had proven themselves fit for the next stage.
As he spoke, his gaze drifted toward Naruto. Something about that kid intrigued him. How had he found the answers so quickly?
Naruto simply smiled.
Kagura's Mind's Eye was just that good.
Mentally, he thanked Mito for giving it to him a few weeks ago. She hadn't even asked for anything in return... although she had made it clear that one day, he'd have to answer one of her questions.
Naruto had agreed without hesitation.
With Kagura's Mind's Eye, combined with Minato's sensory skills, nothing and no one could hide near him.
As he pondered this, a woman burst into the classroom, kicking the window open and hanging a banner from the ceiling.
"I'm Anko Mitarashi, the examiner for the second test!" she announced firmly, drawing all eyes.
Naruto gave her a once-over.
Light brown eyes, violet hair tied in a ponytail… but his gaze dropped a bit lower and—
Whoa! Anko's chest was practically exposed!
She wore only a tight mesh bodysuit, barely covered by a light jacket. It was impossible not to notice her outfit… and her assets.
Beside him, Hinata frowned and, without warning, pinched his side.
"Ow!" Naruto chuckled nervously, realizing he'd been caught.
He usually didn't stare at women like that, but come on—Anko looked like a borderline exhibitionist. It was impossible not to stare.
[Kushina Uzumaki: Naruto, isn't having two girlfriends enough? You already have Hinata and Sasuke…]
[Minato Namikaze: You don't get it, Kushina. Our son is still growing… you know, teenage hormones…]
[Naruto Uzumaki: Shut up! It's not my fault her boobs are practically out in the open!]
[Naruto Uzumaki: And Sasuke is NOT my girlfriend!]
He almost forgot to clarify that last part.
[Mikoto Uchiha: Mphh… Is my little Sasuke not attractive enough for you?]
[Naruto Uzumaki: Wouldn't you prefer to take her place? I'd love to have the mother instead of the daughter.]
[Mikoto Uchiha: Fufu~~ What a bold and amusing boy.]
[Fugaku Uchiha: Stay away from my daughter! Stay away from my wife!]
[Naruto Uzumaki: First step to seducing a woman is making her laugh. Step one, complete.]
[Fugaku Uchiha: YOU…!]
Naruto grinned. He was obviously just messing with Fugaku.
Mikoto was beautiful, sure, but she wasn't his type.
Naruto preferred women who could hold their own. If a girl didn't have a certain level of power, he wouldn't even consider her as a potential partner. Sounded arrogant? Maybe. But it was true.
To calm Hinata down, Naruto kissed her on the forehead. She smiled, cheeks slightly flushed, and stopped pouting.
They turned their attention back to Anko.
The examiner looked at Ibiki with a scowl.
"You passed 26 teams, Ibiki? Looks like the first test was too easy this time."
The man smiled calmly.
"Or maybe there are a lot of promising candidates this time."
Anko scanned the room with an indifferent look and placed her hands on her hips.
"Doesn't matter. After the second test, less than half will remain."
She paused before continuing.
"You'll get the details tomorrow. We're changing locations. Your Jōnin-sensei will give you the address and time."
Then she waved her hand dismissively.
"That's all. Now get out of my sight!"
Naruto stood up with a smile, Hinata clinging to his arm.
Sakura and Sasuke joined them as they headed for the exit.
Both Naruto and Sasuke couldn't wait for tomorrow—the beginning of the Second Test of the Chūnin Selection Exams.