SHINOBI EXAM

As time passed, the disturbance in the examination hall had undoubtedly alerted the Hokage. Outside the window, members of the Hokage's elite Anbu squad observed vigilantly. Kakashi, Asuma, Guy, Kurenai, and other Jōnin instructors stood gathered at the classroom door, their faces grim as they assessed the situation.

Inside, the air was heavy and oppressive.

Kakashi exchanged information with Ibiki using Konoha's unique hand gestures, while the candidates, seated tensely, were unable to quell their unease. The tension had reached a boiling point as contestants from other villages directed their resentment toward Konoha. Though unable to voice their frustrations, some had already resorted to activating ninjutsu.

In the chaos, invigilating Jōnin had already stopped three Genin intent on attacking Konoha's candidates. However, the situation was grim: two Grass Ninjas had already perished.

One of them had been disqualified for shouting, "Invigilator-san!" loudly after incorrectly answering a question. The punishment had been instant and ruthless. The second death was even more gruesome. A stray ninjutsu struck Gaara, triggering the activation of his sand-based defenses. The unfortunate ninja was crushed in the blink of an eye by Gaara's Sand Coffin.

The classroom was now filled with dread. Gaara himself sat motionless, ominously silent, as a detonating tag inside his sand pulsed faintly.

Ibiki, the head examiner, surveyed the room coldly. Despite his composed exterior, he and the other Jōnin present understood the grim reality: two more deaths were needed to open the mysterious barrier that locked them inside. The question was, who would be next?

Participants Remaining:

Sand Village: 30

Rain Village: 21

Grass Village: 6 (2 dead)

Taki Village: 6

Konoha Village: 87

Sound Village: 3

Naruto sat at his desk, a cold sweat trickling down his face, his blond hair plastered to his forehead. His eyes darted anxiously across the blank test paper before him.

To his left, Sakura had stopped retching but still looked pale, her hands trembling. To his right, Sasuke's face was twisted in pain, his usually stoic demeanor cracking.

Naruto was stunned. Sasuke—the boy who always seemed invincible—looked as though he was reliving some deep trauma.

Their condition left Naruto restless. He scratched his head in frustration, his thoughts racing. What should I do? Should I give up and take the exam again next year?

The idea was tempting. As naive as he was, Naruto ignored the danger and assumed leaving the test was as simple as raising his hand. Slowly, he began lifting it, his resolve wavering.

But then he stopped.

"No," he muttered under his breath. I don't want to be called a coward. I don't want Sasuke to look down on me anymore.

Memories of past taunts flooded his mind. Everyone was always talking about Sasuke—how strong, how talented, how unbeatable he was. Naruto clenched his fists, a flicker of determination sparking within him.

"Damn it," he whispered, his fingers tightening on his headband. "I'll prove them all wrong!"

The cold steel of his headband pressed against his forehead—a comforting reminder of his first victory. He remembered the night Iruka-sensei had defended him from Mizuki, the night he learned of his burden as the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki.

"Iruka-sensei believed in me," Naruto thought, his heart swelling. "I won't let him down."

Suddenly, he slammed his hand on the desk, drawing the attention of everyone in the room.

"I am Uzumaki Naruto!" he declared, his voice echoing in the oppressive silence. "I won't run away! Even if I stay a Genin for the rest of my life, I'll show you! I'll become Hokage and make the whole village acknowledge me!"

The bold proclamation stunned everyone. The invigilating Jōnin nearby froze, their eyes wide with shock.

Outside the classroom, Kakashi's single visible eye narrowed. The blood in his veins turned icy as he murmured, "Sensei…" His thoughts were with the Fourth Hokage, whose legacy seemed to echo in Naruto's words.

Inside, Sakura trembled with fear, while Sasuke's Sharingan activated instinctively, his tomoe spinning rapidly. If one looked closely, it seemed on the verge of evolving into a third tomoe.

Ibiki's hands moved in a blur as he formed seals, readying a jutsu to protect Naruto. But before anyone could act—

"Correct."

The word reverberated through the room like thunder.

Confetti burst from the ceiling, showering Naruto in colorful ribbons.

The room fell into stunned silence.

"What just happened?" whispered one of the candidates.

Ibiki's scarred face contorted in disbelief. Even he hadn't expected this outcome.

Naruto, for his part, looked as confused as everyone else. He stared blankly at the object floating in front of him: a gleaming white Chakra Blade.

[Prize 1: Chakra Knife (Bound to the Host). This item cannot be damaged, dropped, or lost unless willingly transferred. If the Host dies before transferring it, the item will be destroyed automatically.]

Kakashi, watching from outside, felt his breath catch. He recognized the blade immediately—it was his father's weapon, the legendary White Fang Chakra Knife. But why was it here, and why was it bound to Naruto?

Naruto's mind was a blur. He tilted his head, his expression blank. "Wait… when did I get the answer right?"

From the back of the room, Shikamaru let out a long sigh of relief, shaking his head. "What a troublesome guy. Must've been dumb luck."

"Great job, Naruto-kun!" Hinata whispered, tears streaming down her face.

Sasuke slumped in his seat, muttering, "This idiot…"

Naruto, now emboldened by his unexpected success, grabbed the Chakra Knife and shouted, "Hahahaha! See? I'm awesome! Believe it! Someday, I'll be Hokage, and you'll all acknowledge me!"

"Idiot," Gaara muttered, unimpressed by Naruto's antics.

Ibiki rubbed his temples, wondering how to salvage the exam. However, before he could regain control, another announcement echoed in the room:

[Prize 2: Please select one individual to resurrect.]

The candidates gasped audibly. Resurrect? Did that mean someone could return from the dead?

The room buzzed with speculation. Words like "Ninja Alliance," "Fourth Ninja War," and "commander" swirled in hushed whispers.

Naruto, still holding his new Chakra Knife, scratched his head. "Huh? What's 'resurrect' mean?"

The invigilators and Jōnin exchanged uneasy glances. Meanwhile, Kakashi stared blankly at the scene, haunted by the possibilities.

Who would Naruto choose?

And what would happen next?

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