Chapter 34: Passing the Test and the Second Exam!
Tap, tap!
A large number of ninjas entered the classroom, which was temporarily serving as an examination hall.
There were Chunin, Special Jonin, and Jonin present.
The headbands represented the three major ninja villages, though most were from Konoha.
Leading the group were three Jonin, one each from Sand, Iwa, and Konoha, likely the main examiners.
Fair and square!
If one village were to solely lead the exam, the others wouldn't be at ease. At the very least, they'd want their own people to oversee it.
The future scenario where Konoha solely leads the exam is either unreasonable or due to special circumstances.
"I am Hayakawa Mori, the chief examiner for the first exam!"
"Cheating is not allowed. If caught, you'll receive a score of 0!"
"Now, I announce the start of the exam!"
The Konoha Jonin, wearing a black headscarf, exuded a fierce aura, creating an intense pressure.
Mori!
Though not a major ninja clan, it's considered a minor one.
Konoha is full of such minor clans.
For instance, clans like Tsukimori, Mori, and Kamizuki are among them.
Konoha is composed of numerous ninja clans, big and small. So even though the Second and Third Hokage fully supported civilian ninjas, the village's strongest and most elite ninjas still come from these clans.
The other examiners began distributing the test papers.
Rustle!
Uchiha Takashi looked at the test paper in front of him, a flash of fear from past experiences crossing his eyes.
[Question 1: Standing at the top of a 10-meter-high tree, with a target 32 meters away and a wind speed of level three, how much force is required for a kunai to... ]
The question was simply outrageous!
Anyway, upon seeing this question, Uchiha Takashi felt an intense headache.
The school did teach this.
However, for ninjas, their bodies are often more useful than their brains.
So, doing it practically is no problem, but calculating it theoretically is difficult.
Theory vs. Practice! Ninjas excel at the latter, while few are skilled in the former.
Before crossing over, Uchiha Takashi was at least a programmer, so this kind of calculation wasn't a problem, just a bit of a headache.
However, for the other candidates, it was a showcase of various methods.
Kekkei Genkai, secret techniques, ninjutsu, puppet techniques... they demonstrated what "cheating show" means.
After all, the chief examiner wasn't hinting but clearly stating.
As long as you don't get caught cheating, it's not a problem.
Because the first exam wasn't actually testing theoretical knowledge, but intelligence-gathering ability.
Ninjas! Their profession primarily involves intelligence gathering and assassination, so intelligence-gathering skills are naturally tested.
Of course.
Candidates like Uchiha Takashi, who can solve the problems directly, are given some advantage.
In any case, you have to pass either intelligence-gathering or theory, right?
"You, out!"
"Do you think we're blind?"
"Disqualified from the exam, leave immediately!"
...
The examiners standing on either side of the classroom continuously called out, removing those with clumsy methods from the room.
Cheating was allowed, but not such clumsy cheating.
Soon, the number of remaining candidates was less than three digits.
Even adding candidates from other classrooms, the number wouldn't be too high.
Under normal circumstances, the assessment wouldn't be so strict.
But the joint Chunin Exams, being a stage for the ninja world, naturally had standards that were much stricter.
The benefit is that advancing to Chunin on such a stage promises an unlimited future.
Chapter 34: Passing the Test and the Second Exam!
The numerous benefits have always attracted a large number of ninja from various villages to participate. The myriad of tactics displayed is dazzling, greatly broadening one's horizons.
Perhaps this is one of the reasons why the Five Great Ninja Villages allow ninja from other villages to participate in the Chunin Exams.
It allows the new generation to witness a variety of techniques.
Yamakawa Koji and Kakashi both have impressive skills. Even if they were noticed, the proctors would likely pretend not to see.
In front of these experienced Chunin and elite Jonin, there aren't many techniques that can go unnoticed.
So, they only eliminate those who aren't up to par.
After a long while!
"Alright, the exam is over!"
Hayakawa Mori announced the end of the test.
The proctors immediately stepped forward to collect the papers and began grading them on the spot.
With only a dozen questions in an hour-long exam, it was clearly designed for them to cheat.
If you could truly answer the questions, you wouldn't need that much time.
Even if you weren't caught cheating, if you didn't pass, you still couldn't move on to the second round.
The dozen or so proctors were also there to quickly provide scores.
"Takashi Horiuchi, failed!"
"Haru Kitani, passed!"
"Yamakawa Koji, passed!"
...
Names were called one by one.
Those who remained, aside from a few like Uchiha Takashi who excelled in theoretical knowledge, all had their strengths, resulting in a high pass rate.
The first written test wasn't that important; it was mainly to weed out the unqualified.
If those unqualified were allowed into the later exams, not only would the Chunin Exam lose its appeal, but it would also increase the workload for the proctors.
The difference in resources and effort required for thousands of candidates versus a few hundred is significant.
There were no scores, only pass or fail.
After reading the list, Hayakawa Mori reminded them, "Congratulations on qualifying for the second exam, but the next test is extremely dangerous. I hope you consider carefully before deciding to participate!"
The first exam was safe, but the second one was extremely perilous.
Unfortunately, no one was willing to withdraw.
As ninjas, they understood the harshness of this world early on, so no one would back out due to danger.
At that moment, a male Konoha Jonin with pineapple-like hair entered the classroom.
"Kawatani, these candidates have given everything for this Chunin Exam. Do you think a few words from you will make them quit? Impossible!"
Before the candidates could guess his identity, he spoke up.
"Kids, my name is Shisō Mitarai, and I'm the proctor for the second exam. I hope you survive. Now, follow me."
After speaking, he turned and left.
The candidates in the classroom got up and followed.
Yamakawa Koji and Kakashi also came over.
Their three-man team was lucky enough to be assigned to the same classroom, so naturally, they gathered first.
"Let's go!"
Uchiha Takashi led the way out of the classroom.
As soon as they left, they met candidates from other classrooms who had also passed.
The gathering of Genin wearing their ninja headbands felt like entering a dangerous jungle full of wild beasts.
And that's the reality!
In the upcoming exam, everyone would be mortal enemies, with some even being killing machines sent by the major villages to hunt down talented ninjas from other villages.
So, despite the large number of candidates now, the number who would make it to the third exam might be less than a fraction.
The Forest of Death was on the village's outskirts, so it took some time to reach it.
It was just around noon when they arrived.
And for the first time, Uchiha Takashi laid eyes on the infamous Forest of Death.
(End of Chapter)
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