Mori Ibiki and Mitarashi Anko were caught off guard when a ninja reported that three genin were ambushing others outside the Tower. Not only were they seizing Scrolls, but they were also deliberately incapacitating other teams to eliminate them from the exam.
After all, this was one of the standard strategies for acquiring Scrolls during the Chunin Exams. As soon as the exam started, some teams would head straight toward the Tower and lie in wait to snatch Scrolls from those who had already collected both the Heaven and Earth Scrolls. This method saved time and effort.
Compared to the hassle of gathering intelligence and acquiring specific Scrolls, ambushing at the Tower ensured guaranteed results.
That's because most genin who reached the Tower typically already had both Heaven and Earth Scrolls in hand.
Of course, this tactic only worked for powerful and confident genin.
Anko frowned. "So what? This kind of thing has happened before. Why are you making such a big deal out of it?"
Ibiki narrowed his eyes. "There must be more to it than just that, right?"
The ninja hurriedly continued, "That's right. They've already incapacitated four teams en route, rendering them unable to continue in the exam. And the Scrolls they stole—they burned them right there at the scene. In other words, their goal isn't advancement; they're intercepting others purely to eliminate competitors!
Moreover, these three genin clearly don't belong in this rank. They're clearly chunin, maybe even jonin-level combatants! If things keep going like this, only a handful—if any—of the participating genin might make it through to the second exam!"
Anko shot up from her seat. "What?! Possibly jonin-level? Which ninja village is so shameless that they sent jonin to participate in a genin-level Chunin Exam?"
"They bear forehead protectors from Otogakure."
When Mitarashi Anko heard the name Otogakure, her thoughts immediately jumped to Sōnagi Uzumaki.
It wasn't like she could forget him—he had made quite an impression by exchanging his Scroll before the exam even started, confidently declaring he'd retrieve both the Heaven and Earth Scrolls again.
Anko stormed toward the door. "I'm disqualifying them right now!"
Ibiki sharply stopped her. "Wait! Anko! Don't act recklessly!"
She fired back, her temper flaring. "Reckless? Didn't you hear what he said? If those three keep blocking people like that, there might barely be anyone left for the second exam. At first, we were worried there were too many participants—but now, we're looking at barely having anyone left to compete!
One Otogakure team arrived early because that brat had given them his Scroll beforehand, allowing them to reach the Tower quickly. Meanwhile, no other genin teams have arrived yet. If every other team gets intercepted by those three brats, are we really going to let the second round turn into nothing more than a free-for-all among six Otogakure genin?
If that really happens, Konoha will have completely lost face!"
Ibiki said grimly, "Calm down. Even if those Otogakure brats really possess jonin-level strength, their official ranking is still Genin. According to the rules, they're qualified to participate. As long as they're following the rules, we examiners can't just step in and stop them."
This sort of interference from smaller villages has happened many times before. The skills of ninja from those minor villages are nowhere near the level of ours — a Jonin might only be as strong as a Chunin from our village, and Genin might not even surpass students at our Ninja Academy. They're desperate for decent results in this exam, but it's tough to succeed with just Genin, so they end up using tricks like this.
So don't jump in headfirst before I come back."
Anko Mitarashi asked, "Then what about those Genin who've already been eliminated by them?"
Ibiki Morino paused briefly before replying, "If you're out, you're out. If they had checked the area around the Tower first or pulled back right after getting attacked, they wouldn't have been eliminated. Many Genin think they're safe once they get close to the Tower and let their guard down — they never learn. The closer you get, the deadlier it gets. That's part of the exam's test. No take-backs. That's how exams work."
Ibiki Morino left the Tower and headed toward the Hokage Tower.
Blocking the entrance to the Tower, Uzumaki Sōnagi shot a glance over his shoulder at the Tower behind him. "Looks like the Konoha proctors can't sit still anymore — we won't get to enjoy ourselves for long. Kimimaro, Jugo, I'll handle sensing while you two fight. Wipe out all the students around here before they interfere — nobody wants bonus fights, right?"
Kimimaro Kaguya and Jugo Tenbin nodded. "Yeah, got it."
...
Ibiki Morino arrived at the Hokage Tower and successfully met with Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hiruzen looked surprised as he stared at Ibiki. "Ibiki, weren't you supposed to be overseeing the exam inside the Forest of Death? Did something go wrong with the test?"
Ibiki answered solemnly, "Yes, Lord Hokage. Unexpected circumstances have arisen during the exam."
Ibiki then proceeded to explain everything that had happened to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hiruzen listened while puffing on his pipe, his frown deepening further with each word.
After thinking for a moment, Hiruzen spoke, "This won't do at all. At least ten teams must qualify for the second round to make the exam work. If too few teams advance — or only participants from one village — the event will lose its appeal. Fans who traveled great distances will leave feeling disappointed. Ibiki, go directly and stop them."
Ibiki told Hiruzen his worries.
Smiling, Hiruzen responded, "Their actions technically follow the rules, but there's another rule: no malicious disruption of the exam order. Once such behavior is determined, proctors have the authority to intervene."
Suddenly enlightened, Ibiki realized he'd forgotten about this clause completely.
"I'll leave immediately!"
Without delay, Ibiki rushed out of the Hokage Tower and hurried back toward the Forest of Death.
After Ibiki left, Hiruzen pulled out a crystal ball and began watching.
Seeing Uzumaki Sōnagi, Kimimaro Kaguya, and Jugo Tenbin working together to eliminate the surrounding genin, Hiruzen Sarutobi mused, "I guess I should head to the Tower sooner. If there are more matches, I need to make sure our genin don't end up fighting any from Otogakure. I'll have to arrange different opponents for them."
Hiruzen stared at Kimimaro Kaguya on the crystal ball and muttered, "Shikotsumyaku from Kiri? He must have ended up in Otogakure. Otogakure… they're stronger than expected this time around."
Kiri once persecuted ninja clans with Kekkei Genkai, forcing some of their bloodline users to flee and wander beyond the village—Hiruzen had heard about this before.
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