Under Shikamaru's control, Chōji continued to write smoothly, each answer flowing neatly onto the test paper.
Shikamaru had already memorized the answers after skimming the exam earlier. There were only nine questions total, and even though the Shadow Imitation Technique only lasted five minutes, there was plenty of time.
"Huh?"
A moment later, having confidently finished the nine questions under Shikamaru's guidance, Chōji's expression suddenly stiffened.
The pen halted over the tenth question—but there was nothing to answer.
"Question 10 will be announced 45 minutes after the start of the exam. Please wait to begin until the proctor presents it."
Chōji hadn't paid attention to that part earlier—he'd been too focused on how hard the questions were. Now, reading it properly, he looked puzzled.
"Why wait until later? Why not just ask it now?"
Just then, Shikamaru released his jutsu. Chōji felt the pressure vanish from his limbs, as though a heavy burden had suddenly lifted.
His right hand—still holding the pen—traced something on the blank space beneath the tenth question.
"Don't move recklessly."
The message was drawn twice before the chakra bond fully faded.
Chōji let out a relaxed smile. "Whatever the tenth question is, I'm not worried. As long as you're helping, Shikamaru."
Shikamaru exhaled softly as he ceased chakra flow. That final warning to Chōji might've been overkill, but there was time, so no harm done.
He glanced forward. That smooth golden hair and the purple outfit—it was unmistakably Ino.
For a brief moment, he considered using Ino's Mind Body Switch Technique when Ibiki announced the tenth question—specifically to force a withdrawal from Gaara's team.
But he gave up the idea.
Ninja villages had never been warm allies. Rivalries and conflict had existed since the days when clans took contracts as mercenaries.
Information was only valuable if it was exclusive. Once others knew, it lost its worth. So if two or more teams were pursuing the same intel, eliminating competitors was a legitimate tactic.
Shikamaru, who knew the original story well, understood what the "tenth question" really was.
It wasn't even a real question.
It was a psychological trap—a bluff designed to frighten unprepared Genin into quitting by claiming that failure meant permanent disqualification.
In truth, this so-called "final question" was just a test of confidence and courage.
But precisely because of that, it was also the perfect moment to eliminate dangerous opponents.
In the original, Team 10 never considered this strategy—perhaps because their strength was too low, and everybody was a "stronger opponent."
But now? Shikamaru could've used his shadow jutsu to signal Ino, had her possess a rival teammate, and force them to withdraw—disqualifying the entire team in one move.
The only real threats in this exam were two teams:
Gaara's team from Sunagakure.
And Kabuto's team—the undercover agents from Konoha working for Orochimaru.
Lee and his Eight Gates were dangerous, sure, but Shikamaru knew ways to counter him before he had time to activate them.
But…
Shikamaru tapped his desk lightly, warily recalling the genius lunatic known as Orochimaru.
Gaara and Kabuto are both part of Orochimaru's plan. If I make a move now, especially in front of Kabuto, I might draw their attention.
Even facing someone like Zabuza again, Shikamaru knew he had little chance. Would his jutsu work on someone like Orochimaru at all?
He didn't want to find out.
Better to let the opportunity pass.
As time ticked by, more and more examinees were disqualified—caught cheating or attempting to bend the rules.
And despite being the host village, Konoha's Genin were the ones taking the biggest hit—of the eighty-seven Leaf Genin who entered, many were now out.
Even discounting the hidden Chūnin among them acting as intel seeds, the Leaf had fielded the most examinees, and now suffered the most losses.
Some still tried to challenge the proctors' authority and got harshly punished for it—dragged out and expelled from the exam hall.
By the time forty-five minutes had passed, it was finally time for the infamous tenth question.
"Alright."
Morino Ibiki scanned the half-empty classroom. His lips curled into a faintly smug grin.
He rapped the blackboard hard, getting everyone's attention.
"Time's up. It's time for the tenth question."
All eyes turned to him, tense and unblinking.
Even Shikamaru held his breath. Though he suspected what was coming, the so-called "Butterfly Effect" was always in play. No guarantee it would match the original exactly.
"But before I give you the final question, I'll be adding a few new rules."
Ibiki didn't even glance at the increasingly nervous expressions.
"Listen carefully. These are… despair-inducing rules."
"First," he said slowly, "you must choose whether to take the tenth question… or not."
His calm, almost casual tone—combined with his authoritative position—created a deep psychological weight.
The Genin had to simultaneously listen, analyze, and interpret—trying to decipher if these new rules contradicted any previous ones. The mental strain was enormous.
Ibiki was a master interrogator. And this was his stage.
Shikamaru let out a slow breath. This confirmed it—this was still the original test of courage and resolve.
But the other Genin were starting to crack.
A bearded Genin from Sunagakure stood up and shouted, "Why do we have to choose? What happens if we don't take the question?"
"If you don't, you score zero," Ibiki said flatly. "And your entire team is disqualified."
The room erupted in protests.
"What kind of rule is that!?"
"That means we have no choice but to answer!"
"And there's more," Ibiki added darkly. "If you choose to answer the tenth question and get it wrong—you'll never be allowed to take the Chūnin Exams again."
The room fell into stunned silence.
A full minute passed before Inuzuka Kiba finally exploded.
"There are people here who've taken this exam multiple times already! What about the first nine questions—do they mean nothing!?"
Ibiki didn't even bother explaining.
"You just had bad luck," he said coldly. "I made the rules this year. And this year, I'm in charge."
Don't take the question—you doom your teammates.
Take it—and risk your future as a ninja.
Shikamaru narrowed his eyes. Psychological warfare using misdirection and coercion. As expected from the head of Konoha's Interrogation Division.
Even Ino and Chōji—who'd been confident just moments ago—looked shaken.
Ibiki knew what he was doing.
People fear the unknown the most.
And thanks to their own imaginations, the longer they waited, the more monstrous this final question became in their minds.
More and more examinees began to waver. Some stood up, visibly shaken, and quietly left the room—giving up.
Then—
BANG!
A loud smack of a desk being hit snapped everyone's attention toward the source.
It was Naruto.
Sakura and Sasuke both stiffened in surprise.
"I'm not running away!"
Naruto shouted. At first it sounded like he was just trying to reassure himself.
But then, pointing directly at Ibiki, he yelled louder:
"Even if I have to stay a Genin my whole life—I'm not afraid of your question! I'm going to become Hokage one day, and I won't let anything stop me! That's my nindō—my ninja way!"
Having shouted it all out, Naruto sat down again with arms crossed, chest heaving, but his eyes were firm.
Ibiki stared at him, silent for a moment.
"You sure?" he said finally, voice deep. "This is a life-altering decision. If you want to back out, now's the time."
Naruto snorted and replied coldly:
"Say what you want. That's the path I've chosen—that's my way of the ninja!"