Looking at the confused Genin below who hadn't fully recovered their wits, Ibiki revealed a faint smile.
In the most concise words possible, he explained the true intent behind the tenth question, as well as the purpose of the previous nine questions, to the Genin below.
This caused most of the Genin, who had just been prepared to sacrifice themselves, to show very complicated expressions. They didn't know whether to feel lucky for passing this round or not.
Regardless, for the vast majority of Genin, this written exam left a deep impression.
Looking at Ibiki smiling calmly from his high seat, they couldn't help but feel exasperated.
"In any case, congratulations on successfully passing this exam. Next..."
Ibiki paused, about to continue.
Whoosh!
Bang!
Crash!
Clatter!
Suddenly.
The window on the left side of the classroom shattered.
A tall, slender figure flashed in. Accompanied by an unfurling banner, a young woman wearing a mesh bodysuit and a light tan trench coat appeared directly before Menma and the others.
"You bratty kids who don't know the height of the heavens! Now isn't the time to be happy and relaxed! I am the proctor for the second round of the Chūnin Exams—Anko Mitarashi! The next exam is starting immediately! Follow me, you bastards!"
An incredibly exaggerated entrance.
And a deliberately raised tone.
Looking at this young woman who suddenly appeared claiming to be the proctor for the second round, the vast majority of the Genin below wore petrified expressions.
"Is there something wrong with this proctor's brain?"
Sakura, Kiba, and others even had this thought pop up in their minds, despite feeling it was rude.
Instinctively, they glanced at Naruto on the right.
For some reason...
Just from the atmosphere alone, Sakura, Kiba, and Choji felt that Naruto and this proctor gave off a somewhat similar vibe.
Menma's mouth twitched slightly.
Seeing the situation turn completely cold...
Anko froze awkwardly, the smile on her face becoming a bit forced.
"No one's paying attention to you, Anko. That's why I said you need to read the atmosphere. The atmosphere."
Ibiki walked out from behind the banner and calmly delivered a follow-up blow to Anko, making her expression even more subtle.
"Ahem."
Adhering to the principle that "as long as I'm not embarrassed, the embarrassment belongs to others"...
Anko coughed lightly and actively skipped past the awkward scene.
Looking down at the remaining number of candidates, Anko frowned slightly.
"64 people? That's a bit too many, Ibiki. Was this year's first round that easy? How are there still so many people left?"
Anko turned to look at Ibiki, speaking with a tone of dissatisfaction.
Although in this life, Naruto didn't shout his hot-blooded declaration like in the original story—leading to a dozen more candidates choosing to give up at the last moment than in the canon...
The number of 64 people...
Still felt like too many to Anko.
"Heh. There are many excellent guys among the participating Genin this year, so naturally, the number of those passing is a bit higher."
Ibiki replied with a faint smile.
"Well, it doesn't matter. In the second round, I'll eliminate at least half of you. Brats, you'd better be mentally prepared."
Anko laughed coldly. Licking her lips in a manner very reminiscent of Orochimaru, she leaned forward slightly, looking at the Genin below with a gaze like a predator eyeing its prey.
Her eerie words...
Sent a chill through the hearts of the candidates.
Seeing the drastic change in the candidates' expressions...
Anko revealed a look of immense pleasure.
"Ah, suddenly I'm looking forward to this! That's all for today's greeting. The detailed exam content will be explained tomorrow. You'll be notified of the specific time and location later. Dismissed!"
After saying this...
Anko moved like a gust of wind, leaping away and disappearing from the spot instantly.
Leaving behind a group of dumbfounded candidates who hadn't fully processed what just happened.
Orochimaru's only disciple in the village? I wonder what exactly Orochimaru saw in her back then...
Menma looked in the direction Anko had left, a hint of confusion in his eyes. No matter how he looked at it, Anko Mitarashi didn't seem particularly special.
With the first round of exams concluded...
Although Anko claimed too many people remained, the elimination rate for this written test was actually quite exaggerated. Even the Genin who passed felt a sense of unreality.
And because of Anko's sudden entrance, they were filled with doubts about the second round.
But right now, they had no way to ask, so they could only leave with their questions bottled up.
After the exam ended, Menma went straight home.
The first round was just a transition.
For Menma, the most important part lay in the second round. If his "friendly negotiation" with Orochimaru...
Menma would have to revise his subsequent plans.
Orochimaru wasn't the only choice.
But he was definitely the most reliable and suitable choice at this stage.
Menma needed such a springboard.
Menma wasn't sure if the chips in his hand could persuade Orochimaru; he could only do his best and leave the rest to fate.
I hope everything goes smoothly from here on...
After carefully considering how to persuade Orochimaru if he encountered him, Menma went to bed early, thinking silently.
At the same time.
In a shadowy area of the Hidden Leaf Village.
A figure wearing the standard uniform of the Hidden Leaf ANBU suddenly appeared. Scanning the surroundings, he locked his gaze onto a dim corner to his left.
"Heh, worthy of being an elite of Root."
A clear voice rang out from that corner simultaneously.
The next second.
A tall figure stepped out from there. Illuminated by the faint moonlight, the face revealed was none other than Yakushi Kabuto.
"Where is the item?"
The Root member in front of him stared coldly at Kabuto, his low voice devoid of any warmth.
Kabuto was used to this. After all, he used to be a member of Root himself.
"This is what was promised. However..."
Kabuto took a scroll directly from his vest, but instead of tossing it over immediately, he looked at the Root member opposite him with a smile.