Hokage: Ryo's Path

Being a strict person, plus the scars on his face and serious look, made the Genins feel oppressed.

“First of all, I want you all to decide something. Whether you want to take the Tenth Question or not.”

Ibiki’s words confused the Genins.

A Genin from Iwagakure asked, “What would happen if I didn’t participate in the Tenth Question?”

“If someone chooses not to participate, then the scores will be annulled, and he will be disqualified. Of course, the rest of your team will suffer the same fate.”

Hearing this, the Iwagakure Genin quickly said, “Then, of course, we better participate!”

Ignoring the kid, Ibiki continued, “There’s an extra rule. If you don’t answer all the questions correctly, you can’t take the Chunin Exam ever again.”

“What?! Who made such a rule? Aren’t there some people who failed the Exam and joined again?!” Someone stood up and said it.

Ibiki was amused, “Well, let’s say you’re just out of luck. Maybe today is your last Chunin Exam.”

After Ibiki finished his words happily, the candidates glanced at their fellow candidates in dismay, seeing the tension from their companion’s faces.

“Well, I’m not holding you back. Those who don’t have the confidence can choose to give up and wait for the Exam later this year, or next year!” Morino Ibiki spoke with a cheerful voice, standing on the podium with a stoic expression.

At this time, the Exam candidates’ hearts were in chaos. Morino Ibiki’s cheerful words, combined with a grim expression, disturbed their mental courage.

After a while, Ibiki lightly said, “Alright, now it’s time to make up your mind!”

Just before Ibiki finished his words, a Genin from a Small Ninja Village raised his hands. Ibiki’s words successfully suppressed his courage; he was so terrified that he lost confidence and was afraid to continue. Soon, the hall was filled with Genin raising their hands to surrender.

Konoha’s Genin was also troubled. Especially Sakura and Ino, but Ino was afraid to raise her hand because she would bring shame towards the Ino-Shika-Cho clans.

As for Sakura, she looked at her calm teammates. Despite her troubled heart, she took a deep breath and didn’t raise her hands.

After a few minutes, half of the participants had left the test room, and Naruto slowly raised his hand.

Ibiki frowned at the sight. Because of Danzo and Kushina, it was no secret that Naruto was the son of Konoha’s Yondaime.

Now that he raised his hand to surrender, Ibiki felt a little bit guilty. But it turned out that Naruto didn’t raise his hand to surrender, “Hey, Mister! It’s taking too long, let’s not waste time! Even if I failed the test and became a Genin for the rest of my life, I won’t give up! Let’s do it, Mister!”

Hearing this, a faint smile appeared on his cold face. He thought to himself, ‘As expected from Yondaime-sama’s son!’

Hearing Naruto’s words, the other Genin braced themselves. Ibiki saw the rest of Genin’s expression. Knowing that no one was going to quit again, he announced they all passed the first Exam.

The Genin was surprised by the unexpected surprise.

Ibiki explained the purpose of this Exam to everyone present. “At a critical moment, those who dared to gamble their lives, pin their hopes on next year on an uncertain future, having their confidence shaken, and finally chose to give up the opportunity. I think such a person with weak Willpower isn’t qualified to be a Chunin...

..Those who chose to continue, let’s put it this way, you will face the hardest Tenth Questions. We all had to be prepared to face the difficulties we might encounter in the future. Well, good luck!” After saying this, Ibiki and the rest of the proctor Chunin left.

The Genin sighed in relief. The Genin from the Small Ninja Village couldn’t help but cheer. They were delighted.

Not long after, a man wearing Konoha Jounin attire with a square face walked to the podium. Kinoe scratched the back of his head. “I’m sorry to interrupt your cheering, but passing the first test doesn’t mean that you’ve passed the Chunin Exams.”

“Huh? I think I’ve seen this man somewhere!” Naruto looked at the man on the podium who was scratching his head and muttered to himself.

“You’ve seen him? Who’s that, Naruto?” Choji came over and asked Naruto.

After pondering, Naruto said. “I think he was called Yamato. He was my uncle’s disciple. I met him several times in the third training stadium when I was a kid. I don’t remember anything else.”

Choji relayed the information to Shikamaru and Ino, “Yamato? He’s Yamato?” Hearing this, Shikamaru was surprised and quickly glanced at the man on the podium.

“Shikamaru, who is Yamato? You know him?” Ino turned her head to ask.

“Ino, do you know your cousin, Yamanaka Lain?”

Ino nodded, “Un! Of course, I know Lain nee-san.”

“She wasn’t a member of the Yamanaka Clan. She accepted Orochimaru-sama’s Shodai fusion cell experiment and then joined the clan after becoming a Mokuton Ninja. That guy also accepted the same experiment.” Shikamaru pointed to Yamato.

“So... he knew Mokuto like Lain nee-san?”

“Un! But I heard from father that he’s an Anbu. Why did he become the Chunin Exam Examiner? It’s troublesome.”

“Maybe...because of them.” Ino gave Shikamaru a hint, and Shikamaru followed Ino’s gaze at the Iwagakure and Kirigakure Genin over the hall.

Shikamaru sighed. “Oh, right. I forgot they’re still here. It’s troublesome!”

While they chatted, Yamato had explained the rules of the second stage of the Exam to the Genin. Then, he distributed the World Scroll.

After making sure every team got one, he led them all to the Forest of Death.

Naruto and Shikamaru were already familiar with the Forest of Death because they’ve been here several times with Ryo. However, Ryo only took them to the edge of the forest. At the same time, Yamato led them straight into the depth of the forest.

“Alright, Genin! You already know the rules of this test. Let me remind you, this test will be dangerous! You must be prepared!” Yamato’s silhouette disappeared.