ALL NOVEL Chapter 51: Written Exam
Upon entering the exam hall, we were instructed to sit randomly, which scattered us throughout the room. I found myself seated in the middle row, with Hinata nearby, while Sakura and Sasuke were positioned farther away. The arrangement added an element of unpredictability to the test, heightening the already tense atmosphere.
Ibiki took his place at the front of the room, his stern gaze sweeping across the seated candidates. It was clear from his expression that this exam would not be a simple test of knowledge; there was something more behind his penetrating stare that hinted at a deeper challenge awaiting us.
Ibiki POV
Standing before all the examinees, I made sure my voice carried the weight of the challenge ahead. "This exam is not just about answering some questions," I began, eyeing the crowd with a stern gaze. "It's a test of your ability to gather information under pressure. Each of you starts with ten points, and every wrong answer will cost you some. But there's more to it than that—getting caught cheating will get you disqualified, along with your entire team. So, if you think you can sneak around unnoticed, be prepared for the consequences."
I let the tension build before delivering the next part. "The questions get harder as you go, and don't think you'll just breeze through this. The tenth question will come under special rules, but I'll explain that only after you've finished with the first nine. Until then, know this: this exam isn't just about what you know—it's about how well you can perform under pressure, how sharp your instincts are, and how you adapt when the stakes are high."
As each second passed, the tension in the room grew thicker, fueled by Ibiki's commanding presence and the weight of his words. Many of the participants were visibly anxious, their uncertainty about the exam palpable. I knew that Ibiki was a master of psychological tactics, which was why he headed Konoha's Interrogation Department. His goal wasn't to make things easy; it was to challenge our mental fortitude as much as our knowledge.
When Ibiki declared, "Your time starts now," the sound of rustling paper filled the air as everyone opened their exam sheets. The questions were baffling to most, leaving many unsure where to even begin. Some, however, were already scanning the room, searching for ways to discreetly copy answers, while others who were confident in their knowledge quickly immersed themselves in the task.
As I observed the scene unfold, I noticed a range of reactions: some candidates were sweating nervously, struggling to make sense of the questions; others were writing with determination, and a few had already devised methods to cheat. Ibiki and his assistants were clearly aware of the various tactics being employed, but they remained silent, allowing the participants to dig their own graves. There was a limit to how many violations would be tolerated, and some teams had already been disqualified for failing to stay within those bounds.
I glanced at my own exam paper. The questions reminded me of basic modern physics and mathematics, concepts I had studied before. Without hesitation, I began writing down the answers, confident that my preparation and sharp observation skills would carry me through this challenge.
I managed to complete most of the exam within the first ten minutes, and in the next five minutes, I finished answering all the questions. With my paper done, I took the opportunity to survey my surroundings once more. It was interesting to see how various shinobi were using their unique skills to navigate the challenge.
I noticed Ino had utilized her Mind Transfer Jutsu to copy answers from Sakura, who was positioned across the room. Sasuke was discreetly activating his Sharingan to observe and replicate the answers of other participants, while Neji was using his Byakugan to read distant papers effortlessly. Tenten, on the other hand, had cleverly used the reflective surface of one of her weapons to catch glimpses of another shinobi's answers.
Each strategy was distinct, but they all shared the same underlying goal: to pass the exam by any means necessary. Ibiki and his assistants appeared to be aware of these tactics, yet they allowed it to continue, as if testing not just our knowledge, but our creativity and resourcefulness under pressure.
After surveying the room and seeing the various strategies at play, I began to feel bored, so I let myself doze off for a while. Nearly half an hour later, Ibiki's voice cut through the silence, grabbing everyone's attention. I woke up bcz of his voice.
"Now," he announced, "all of you should only answer the tenth question. Do not touch the previous questions. If you're caught writing anything other than the tenth answer, you and your team will be disqualified. Now, turn over your question papers and you'll find your final question."
With those words, the tension in the room immediately spiked. It was clear that the real test had just begun, and everyone anxiously flipped their papers to see what awaited them in the final challenge.
Ibiki's voice grew even more stern as he continued, "This is the hardest question. If you fail to provide a correct answer, you will be disqualified, and your right to participate in the next Chunin Exams will also be revoked." His harsh conditions stirred anxiety throughout the room, prompting some candidates to argue with him, but their protests were futile. Faced with the grim reality of the rules, a number of teams chose to leave the exam hall voluntarily, forfeiting the exam before even attempting the final question.
As we turned over our papers, we saw a question that truly fit the "do or die" description. It presented a scenario where our team was caught in a deadlock, with no clear escape. The only option was for one teammate to act as a decoy so the other two could escape. The question asked us to decide: who among us would be the decoy?
Ibiki added one final twist. "If your teammates all write down the same person's name, that individual will be disqualified," he declared, making the decision even more difficult and placing the burden of trust squarely on our shoulders. It was a test of more than just strategy—it was a measure of our bonds and willingness to sacrifice.
After fifteen minutes had passed, the exam papers were collected, and the room fell silent in anticipation of Ibiki's verdict. His next words came as a shock to everyone: "Everyone who is still present has passed the exam."
The unexpected announcement left us all stunned. The tension that had gripped the room just moments ago was replaced with confusion and relief. Ibiki then continued, "Now, all of you need to assemble at the designated training ground where the practical portion of the exam will begin. You may now leave the hall."
With that, we exited the exam room and began making our way toward the training grounds, a mixture of excitement and apprehension setting in for the next phase of the Chunin Exams.