A tall, imposing man with a heavily scarred face stood at the front. His presence commanded immediate silence.
"I am Ibiki Morino, your proctor for the first part of the Chūnin Exams," he announced, his voice cold and authoritative. "This is a written test. The rules are simple: each of you starts with ten points. For every incorrect answer, one point is deducted. If any member of your team scores zero, the entire team fails."
Gasps and whispers rippled through the room.
"Furthermore," Ibiki continued, "cheating will not be tolerated. Chunin Ninjas are stationed around the room to observe. If you're caught cheating five times, you and your team will be disqualified."
"Cheating? Five times?" Naruto's eyes widened.
"Naruto, focus. This is serious." Sakura not far away spoke to him.
"Begin," Ibiki said as his gaze swept the room.
The room fell into silence as the genin turned their attention to the test papers. Naruto stared at the questions, his mind blank.
Sasuke glanced around, observing the other participants. He activated his Sharingan, watching the movements of the top students' pencils to copy their answers.
Sakura, confident in her knowledge, began answering the questions diligently.
Not far from them Gaara used his sand to create a third eye and steal the other's answers like this.
While Kankuro manipulated his puppet disguised as one of the Chunin Ninjas to peek at the other's answers from afar.
Next to him, Temari used the reflection of her fan to see others' test papers.
Time passed, and the tension in the room grew. Naruto remained frozen, unable to answer a single question.
"Naruto-kun, you can watch my paper," Hinata said in a quiet voice.
Naruto was tempted but still shook his head and refused.
After forty-five minutes, Ibiki stood up. "Now, for the tenth question," he said.
The genin looked up, anticipation in their eyes.
"Before I reveal the question, you must decide whether to take it. If you choose not to, your team fails. If you choose to take it and answer incorrectly, you will be banned from taking the Chūnin Exams ever again."
Gasps echoed through the room.
The room erupted in whispers and anxiety. Some genin chose to forfeit, unwilling to risk their future. One by one, some genin raised their hands, choosing to forfeit. Ibiki noted their numbers and dismissed them.
Naruto, however, stood firm.
"I don't care if I never become a Chūnin!" he shouted. "I'm not going to run away! I'll become Hokage no matter what!"
His declaration inspired others to stay. Ibiki, observing his determination, smiled. He revealed that the tenth question was a test of resolve. Those who chose to stay had passed the first exam.
Relief washed over the remaining genin. Naruto grinned, proud of his resolve.
Suddenly, the doors burst open, and a woman with purple hair and a trench coat entered.
"I'm Anko Mitarashi, the proctor for the second exam," she announced with a mischievous smile. "Get ready for the next challenge."
….
The remaining genin stood outside a massive iron gate surrounded by dense woods. The air was thick with tension and excitement. Towering trees loomed in every direction, casting shadows that seemed to move with the breeze.
"Welcome to the Forest of Death!" Anko Mitarashi announced with a wide grin, standing proudly in front of the gate with her coat flapping in the wind.
"The Forest of… Death?" Naruto gulped.
Anko turned, her grin growing more wicked. "What, scared already? Naruto."
"Tch, no way!" He scowled.
Without warning, Anko hurled a kunai straight toward Naruto. He flinched only to realize someone had caught it in midair. A genin girl with glasses stood beside him, holding the blade with trembling fingers.
"O-Oh, sorry," Anko said, eyeing the girl. "But that's what this test is about. Survival. Get used to the fear, or you won't last five minutes in there."
Kakashi stood near the back with the other senseis, observing quietly. Kurenai folded her arms, and Asuma exhaled a puff of smoke.
Anko walked up to a tall stand beside the gate. A proctor handed her a stack of papers.
"Before we begin," she said, waving them, "you'll each need to sign these consent forms. We don't take responsibility for any injuries… or deaths. Just standard procedure."
A few Genin exchanged nervous glances.
Once the paperwork was collected, Anko snapped her fingers. Another proctor rolled out a large black cloth covering aboard. With a dramatic pull, the board was revealed—showing two scrolls: one labeled Heaven and the other Earth.
"This second exam is a survival challenge," Anko explained. "You'll each be given one scroll, either Heaven or Earth. Your team must make it to the tower at the center of the forest within five days, with both scrolls in your possession."
"So that means…" Sakura whispered.
"Yeah," Sasuke replied, "we'll have to take the other scroll from another team."
Anko grinned. "Exactly. You'll be fighting, tricking, hiding, whatever it takes. Only teams that make it to the tower with both scrolls pass. Oh, and one more thing."
She reached into her pouch and pulled out a red flare.
"There are forty-four gates around this forest. Each team will start at a random location. Once the test begins, you'll be on your own. No help from your sensei, no outside contact, and no mercy."
The genin grew quiet. The wind rustled the trees behind the gate, almost as if the forest itself was calling them in.
Anko's face grew serious. "In this forest, you'll face wild beasts, poisonous plants, giant insects, and another ninja who is willing to kill to win. If you're not prepared to fight for your life, turn back now."
No one moved.
"Good," Anko smirked.
A moment later, the proctors moved down the line, distributing scrolls. Team 7 received a Heaven Scroll. Naruto clutched it tightly.
"We've got this," he muttered. "No way are we losing."
The gates groaned as they slowly opened.
"Begin!" Anko raised her hand high.
Like a race, the genin teams dashed into the forest, disappearing into the thick trees, some moving fast, others staying cautious.