A/N : Short chapter.
[ JINICHI WATARU ]
Ibiki's words flew across the room in an instant, turning the once quiet exam hall into a mad house. Examinees left and right were shocked by his statement, unable to believe the reality of their current situation.
" But-t what about the tenth question? " Sakura asked from amongst the crowd.
" There was never such a thing as a tenth question," Ibiki said with a grin on his face, but to the examinees it looked like the sadistic grin of a demon.
'Whats with examiners and sadistic grins.' Jinichi thought internally cringing at the man's expression.
Ibiki continued.
"Or rather the two choices that were given to you were the tenth question."
"Wait! Then were the first nine questions just meant to waste our time?!"
Said a Grass village kunoichi, her voice irritated.
"No they were not. Those first nine questions did serve a purpose." Ibiki said. Letting the statement settle in their heads before continuing.
"There true purpose was to test your individual information gathering skills."
" Information gathering..? " a sound village Genin muttered.
"Indeed. As explained in the beginning of the test, a team's overall score was dependent on the individual ability of its members, by stating that, each Genin here had unconsciously put pressure on themselves to not make careless mistakes for their team."
Ibiki said.
"Uh-huh! I had a feeling it was like that!" Naruto said, shaking his head in agreement.
Jinichi snickered at Naruto's statement.
'When you're trying to feel included in something and just nod in agreement.'
Ibiki continued his explanation.
"But once you all saw the type of questions given, I believe you all came to the same conclusion; that the only way to pass, was to cheat. "
"And because of that, some of my associates, who were in possession of the answers to the nine questions were hidden amongst you. To aid you guys in your information gathering."
Ibiki said, gesturing to some of his colleagues disguised as Genin's in some seats.
" But those who were cheating poorly, of course were failed. Because.." Ibiki removed his head band. His head laid bare to the exam hall in all its glory.
!!!!
"at times information is more important than a shinobi's life. And on missions and the battlefield, people risk their lives to get their hands on it."
Yeesshhh….Its even worse in person, '
burn scars,
Screw holes,
Deep cuts.
Battle scars, brandings, whatever you want to call it, as far as I'm concerned, it's a permanent reminder to the victim of the risks and consequences that come with being a prisoner.'
Jinichi thought grimacing at the horrendous battle scars of the examiner.
Jinichi looked back toward his teammates.
Aoi's expression was slightly uncomfortable but her eyes still shined with fierce determination.
Kisuke didn't seem that bothered by the man's scars, in fact his expression was that of curiosity.
'Kisuke you better not be thinking of asking the examiner something rude.'
Jinichi thought, praying that Kisuke's curiosity doesn't let him put them in trouble.
" Should the third party you are gathering information on notice you, the information's accuracy decreases, which is why we had you guys gather information through cheating. So we could weed out those who did not have the right abilities for the task."
Ibiki said as he was putting his head band back on.
" But still what was the point of the tenth question…" A random genin asked.
Ibiki smiled.
" It was a leap of faith. A true test of your faiths. We had laid two choices before you; give up and try again next year or try now and relinquish your right to participate in these exams forever."
" These two choices are very painful choices with lasting consequences; these decisions are the choices Chunin's face.
If the mission is too dangerous, it is understandable to want to retreat. But there are some missions that can not be avoided!
No matter how dangerous it is, or no matter how much it will hurt your teammates or yourself, some missions are just too important to abandon.
The tenth question was our way of testing your mentality.
The ability to be courageous and survive hardship, that is what is needed to become a Chunin captain."
Ibiki's expression then turned cold.
" Those who are afraid to put their lives on the line, don't have the right to become Chunin! "
Then a small smile grew back on his face.
" But those of you here answered the final question correctly, proving to us that you have the strength to face and survive any adversity you face in the future.
And now the first test of the Chunin exam has finished. I wish you guy's luck. "
'Phew, glad that's over, wait….wasn't anko meant too..' Jinichi barely finished his monologue before a deafening noise resounded across the room.
KRAK-SHRKKKKKKST!
'there it is.'
….
...
...…
"Danger. Stay out." Jinichi repeated the words on the signboard plastered on the metal gates of the huge forest before him.
Aoi and Kisuke were by his side both awe-struck by the forest in front of them.
"Welcome to the stage for the second test of the Chunin exams, practice area 44. Also known as the forest of death." Chunin Anko mitarashi said with a sadistic grin on her face.
" cough. cough. shitty name.. " Jinichi muttered under his breath. The remark earning a few snickers from the Genin around him.
Aoi snickered and elbowed him in the shoulder while Kisuke just shook his head with a small smile on his face.
Anko's grin grew when she heard his remark.
" Don't worry you will soon find out why it's called the forest of death." Anko said glancing at Jinichi while smiling.
The expression sending a shiver down Jinichi's spine.
'Note to future self, don't provoke the pupils of the snake. Not worth it.'
Others did not share Jinichi's sentiments on the name, they were more concerned with the feeling the forest had on them.
" This place feels creepy.." Said Sakura, her pink hair standing out from the crowd of Genin around her.
" Like I said yo.."
"You'll soon find out why its called the forest of death!" Naruto mimicked her remark in a mocking fashion, his hands on his hips flapping like a chicken.
" Yeah, yeah, we heard you! You think that scares me lady!! That's nothing!! I'm not afraid!!" Naruto said pointing at Anko.
"You're a spirited one, aren't ya?" Anko said with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Idiot.." Jinichi muttered face palming.
In one smooth motion Anko, unsheathed a kunai before launching it at Naruto, drawing blood in the process.
Shing!
Thwack!
The blade nicked his cheek, leaving a thin crimson line before embedding itself into the ground behind him.
Before the drop of blood could even hit the ground, Anko vanished from her spot and reappeared instantly in Naruto's shadow.
"Kids like you always die quickly, hehehehe…" Anko said sinisterly.
And then she licked the blood.
Off of Naruto's face.
" Ew…" Jinichi said, slightly disgusted by the act.
" Are you trying to piss her off on purpose!! shush!" Aoi whispered aggressively to Jinichi.
"Why would she lick the blood though? Is his blood different from regular blood?" Kisuke says, confused by Anko's action.
" Ah..red blood, my favourite.." Anko said with a genuine smile on her face.
'Wait a minute…is she blushing from licking the blood, oh hell nah..this is why it's important to have a normal mentor, or else you pick up on weird…quirks.'
!!!!
Suddenly an examinee had approached Anko, only to almost get stabbed by her.
"Here's your kunai." The examinee said.
"Why thank you," Anko replied not taking her eyes off the Genin.
The examinee had a straw hat, long black hair and an even longer…tongue. The examinee was holding the kunai Anko threw previously by their tongue.
'Oh no..oh no…' Jinichi shivered, as he looked at the examinee.
'Suspiciously pale looking face, check.
Long hair, check
Stupidly long tongue, check.
That's definitely the snake Sannin.'
"But you know, it's rude to sneak up behind me, unless you have a death wish."
"No..I just get a bit excited when I see blood, plus you cut my precious hair so I can't help it if I'm a bit vexed."
The examinee then handed the kunai back to Anko before heading back to his original position.
"Heh..Looks like we have a lot of blood thirsty guys amongst you, this should be fun."
Anko said a small smile gracing her lips.
"ALL RIGHT! BEFORE WE START THE TEST THERE'S SOMETHING I NEED TO PASS OUT!"
She then reached into her jacket and pulled out a stack of paper.
" You must sign these agreement forms, a lot of people are going to die in this forest and I will be held responsible for your deaths if you don't sign these forms."
' Gee..What a way to boost morale.' Jinichi thought to himself as he rolled his eyes.
[ *DING! ]
'Fuck! Me and my big mouth!'
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[ QUEST ISSUED: FOREST OF DEATH ]
[Objectives] –
Ensure your survival and team's survival in forest of death for the next few days.
Complete objective of second test within allotted time (five days).
[Reward] –
25,000 credits Nokt's Sword
[Penalty] — failure of Chunin exam, Death.
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