Maki reached the final question.
The supposed last page of the test.
He looked at it.
Q.70 Why do you want to be accepted into UA?
He thought about it.
For him, he was here because of Nemuri. He didn't really hate it, nor did he particularly like it. He was simply following the flow. The system also wanted him to join the event here in UA. The event was still unknown — or maybe UA itself was the event.
So he typed his answer:
I have received the down payment.
That referred to the reward he had received when he agreed to Nezu's offer.
He thought that was the last question, but he swiped the screen just to make sure.
The page turned.
Another white screen appeared.
A scenario question.
Q. Final Question...
If ever you face something far stronger, far more threatening, and you stand no chance against it — what would you do?
Maki reread the question.
Something far stronger…
While he was thinking about his answer, the others were busy analyzing, recalling everything they had reviewed and researched.
Of course, Maki wasn't the only one who realized Question 70 wasn't truly the last question.
Temari raised an eyebrow. After analyzing it, she typed:
I'll make sure to clear my path, and no matter what happens, the mission must be accomplished — even in the face of death.
It showed how strong her will was, and how firm her mentality stood.
Fumikage Tokoyami also finished his answer:
Even in the darkness, I shall not be easily defeated. With the darkness beside me, I shall face them head-on.
He glanced at Dark Shadow, who gave him a thumbs-up.
He added:
And I am not alone.
It reflected his personality and his steeled resolve.
Riruka reached the last question as well. When she read it, she scoffed and typed:
There's no way that would ever happen with my ability. It's as easy as breathing for me.
It showed how much she valued and trusted her power to save herself.
Ulti read the final question and typed:
There's no monster stronger than my head. I'll just crush them and show who's in charge.
It displayed her pride and her willingness to fight at her fullest.
The yellow-haired man noticed the final question.
He had already gathered enough information about this world. The knowledge he possessed was more than sufficient.
When he read it, he smirked and typed:
Far stronger than me? That would be impossible, because I'm the strongest.
His confidence was obvious.
It was true that he supposedly had a strong ally in this world. However, when he tried to communicate with it, he received no response. Nothing. That was why he kept muttering to himself.
Still, he shrugged it off.
He knew who he was.
Just his appearance alone already guaranteed his standing among the strongest.
The final question was simple, yet it revealed everything — the examinee's will, mentality, spirit, pride, power, reason, and acceptance of doom and fate.
It was the hidden core of the test.
It showed what kind of person each examinee truly was.
Maki stared at it for a long moment.
Then he finally moved his finger.
He typed his answer.
After that, he pressed Submit at the bottom of the tablet.
The screen turned black.
A loading symbol appeared.
Then letters slowly formed:
E
N
D
Until the words End of Examination were fully displayed.
The tablet automatically shut down.
Maki let out a breath.
"That was an intense exam."
Which didn't really make sense, considering how he answered.
He looked around.
Many examinees had already finished. Some were still typing.
He reached to his side and grabbed his katana.
Now that he had free time, he examined it more closely.
The katana was beautiful.
The dark tone made it even cooler, and a red dragon coiled around its long obsidian scabbard. He noticed something
The dragon was slowly moving.
Its crystal-like body subtly shifting as it wrapped around the scabbard.
His eyes lingered on it.
He didn't notice time passing.
He was entranced by the red crystal dragon coiling along the obsidian sheath.
Then—
A loud ringing sound echoed.
PURUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU—
It was the white snail.
Its eyes were now wide open, and its mouth was producing the sound.
Kurenai's voice followed.
"Time's up. Put down the tablets on the desk and slowly leave the hall."
Many had already finished and began walking down the stairs toward the stage and the sliding door.
Those who hadn't finished sighed in defeat, placed their tablets down, and followed the others out.
Maki was seated at the edge of the row, so he saw the various expressions on their faces — frustration, disappointment.
He tilted his head slightly.
It reminded him of when a fish escaped after being caught.
He stood up slowly.
He grabbed the katana at the center of its scabbard and walked down the stairs.
When he finally reached the stage, Yoruichi approached him.
Maki bent slightly and extended his palm. Yoruichi stepped onto it. He straightened up, and she climbed onto his arm before settling comfortably on his shoulder.
"What now, catty? Was that it?" he asked.
Yoruichi replied in her male cat voice, "Yeah, that's it. Was the question hard?"
"Kinda," he answered.
Kurenai noticed how close Yoruichi was to him, resting comfortably on his shoulder.
She stepped forward.
"Yoruichi, who is this man?"
Her eyes fixed on the tall figure before her. She hadn't asked earlier because the test had priority.
She had heard Mei calling him her husband.
That alone was enough to spark curiosity.
"He is my man," Yoruichi said casually, still resting on Maki's shoulder.
"What?" Kurenai asked in shock. "Your man?"
She couldn't believe it. Two princesses from their respective clans were tied to this man.
She examined him carefully.
She couldn't see his entire face — only his mouth and jaw — but the man exuded an abnormal aura.
Then she heard his deep voice.
"Your crimson eyes…"
She raised an eyebrow.
Maki hadn't noticed it before, but now he clearly saw that her eyes were similar to his Sharingan — crimson, but with a different design.
He asked,
"Are your eyes a Sharingan as well?"
Kurenai's eyes widened at his question.
"What do you mean"?.
(/ー￣;)