Swish!
Naruto abruptly raised his arm, which was trembling slightly due to excitement. Just when everyone thought this dead last was finally going to give up as well—
Slap!
He slammed his raised arm onto the table, making a loud noise, then suddenly stood up and loudly declared with high spirits, "Don't look down on me! I won't run away! I'm taking the exam! Even if I have to be a Genin for the rest of my life, I'll still become the Hokage on sheer guts! It's no big deal, I'm not afraid at all!"
The corner of Mamoru's lips moved imperceptibly. He felt that these words were less of a declaration and more like Naruto pumping himself up.
But regardless, these words were like a giant stone thrown into stagnant water, stirring up huge ripples. Those who were originally wavering and on the verge of giving up seemed to be injected with new courage, raising their heads one after another as the hesitation in their eyes was gradually replaced by determination, no longer fearing the choice before them.
Ibiki's sharp gaze locked onto Naruto like a hawk, his voice cold and hard. "I'll give you one more chance. This decision concerns your entire life. If you regret it now, there's still time."
"To follow through on what I've said, that is my Ninja Way!" Naruto met his gaze without flinching and replied decisively, his face overflowing with unshakeable confidence.
As his voice sounded, smiles unconsciously appeared on the faces of many in the examination hall, either out of relief or approval. His straightforward yet powerful words won the recognition of most people present.
'A blind cat hitting a dead mouse. If it were a different proctor, it would be a different story.' Mamoru thought mischievously in his heart.
He lightly clicked his tongue, and muttered in a voice only he could hear, "This 'Talk no Jutsu' is indeed powerful."
"Talk... no Jutsu?"
These tiny syllables happened to float into the ears of Gaara, who was sitting nearby. He chewed on this unfamiliar term. Although he couldn't fully understand its meaning, it didn't prevent his heart from being touched and shocked by something unspeakable.
Ibiki silently observed the examination hall, his gaze sweeping across one face after another that had become resolute again. Finally, on his terrifying face covered in scars, the harsh expression melted like snow, and he actually revealed a hint of what could be called a gentle smile.
He announced loudly, "Your decision was very wise. Then, to everyone present... I declare that you have all passed the first exam."
Sakura's eyes widened in shock as she asked in disbelief, "This... what's going on? Everyone passed? Then what about the tenth question?"
Ibiki chuckled and explained, "Actually, there was no such thing as a tenth question. If I had to say, that choice between two options just now was the tenth question."
"Wait."
Temari frowned, asking in confusion, "Then what about the nine questions before that? Weren't they completely useless?"
Ibiki shook his head. "Not useless. The previous nine questions have already completed their mission, which was to test each of your information-gathering abilities."
Temari was still puzzled. "Information-gathering ability?"
"Because this exam was originally established on the premise of 'cheating'." A languid voice took over.
Mamoru rested one elbow casually on the back of his chair, turned sideways, and explained with a calm expression, "How do you think those small fry were eliminated at the beginning?"
He paused before slowly revealing the answer, "It's because their methods were too clumsy and they didn't know how to be discreet."
'I've got a God's-eye view, how can I not show off a bit?' He added smugly in his heart.
Although this young man was handsome, the most so among peers she had ever seen, making her heart race every time she saw him, Temari didn't want him to be too smug at this moment, so she deliberately retorted, "What? Acting all high and mighty. Are your cheating methods really that brilliant?"
Hearing this, Mamoru was not annoyed but instead spread one hand casually, a half-smile hooking the corner of the lips. "Who do you think I am?"
His gaze inadvertently swept over Temari, his tone still casual. "Additionally, white doesn't suit you."
After those words, the examination hall fell into a brief, eerie silence.
"Pervert!" Temari instantly understood something, her cheeks flushing bright red as she instinctively shielded her chest with her hands.
"Mamoru!"
From the other end of the classroom, Tenten's angry scolding immediately rang out.
"Sorry, I just guessed."
Mamoru's lips twitched, and he turned his face away in slight embarrassment, adding in a voice that was almost inaudible, "I'm not interested in little brats."
"Cough... Quiet! Everyone listen to me!" Ibiki put his fist to his mouth and coughed heavily, drawing everyone's attention back.
After the scene quieted down a bit, he continued, "He's right. Before the exam started, I already hinted that the method of deciding pass or fail as a three-person unit was to apply unimaginable pressure on you, the pressure of implicating your teammates."
He pointed at Mamoru. "As he said, this exam was indeed established on the premise of cheating. These exam questions themselves are not something you Genin can easily answer. Since you can't solve the questions with your own ability, there is ultimately only one path to choose—getting points through cheating, which is information gathering. For this reason, we pre-arranged for two Chunin who knew all the answers to hide among you as targets for your cheating."
"It really was a pain to find them."
"Heh heh... exactly."
...
The surrounding discussions entered his ears, and Naruto suddenly felt a bit guilty, sweat appearing on his forehead.
He desperately wanted to prove that he wasn't completely oblivious, so he tried to put on an act as if he had seen through everything long ago, shouting loudly, "It was so obvious! It would be weird not to notice!"
Seeking validation, he hurriedly turned to Hinata, who was sitting next to him, and asked as if to confirm, "Right, Hinata?"
"Ah... yes." Hinata was stunned by his sudden question, then replied softly.
(End of Chapter)
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