Seeing Naruto finally bury his head in his work, Kanon let out a helpless laugh and shook her head, flashing a peace sign toward Sasuke.
Sasuke's lips quirked upward in a slight smirk. He had to admit, his younger sister really had a way with things. At that moment, Sakura was also stumped by a difficult problem, which was the only reason the two of them had found the opening to pull this off.
As long as Naruto didn't get a zero, there was still hope. However, if Sakura's answers were wrong, Naruto would still end up with a zero. At this moment, Sasuke placed all his hopes on Sakura and Kanon.
Kanon took this opportunity to observe her surroundings. What she saw left her stunned—practically everyone in the room had begun cheating, and she could see right through them.
The methods being used were wildly different, each one using their own special trick.
First to catch her eye was the bandaged boy (Dosu). He actually had his eyes closed while answering, but according to the hand movements Kanon tracked with her Sharingan, he wasn't making any mistakes.
Kanon shifted her field of vision. Kiba's dog, Akamaru, was perched on his head looking at other people's answers, then translating them into speech using the Inuzuka Clan's secret techniques to cheat.
Elsewhere, Shino's insects were operating on the same principle as Akamaru, flying through the air to copy answers from others.
Gaara was even more over-the-top; he had actually manifested a Third Eye made of sand, which hovered above him to peer at other people's papers.
What Kanon found even more unbelievable were the methods used by Lee and Tenten. They used mirrors attached to ninja tools to create reflections in mid-air, allowing them to see the other examinees' tests.
Neji Hyuga was even more direct. He had activated his Byakugan to look straight through the papers of those around him.
Meanwhile, Ino Yamanaka used the Mind Transfer Jutsu to possess Sakura. After memorizing Sakura's answers, she intended to relay them to her two teammates.
Kanon felt a surge of excitement watching this scene play out.
Finally, with fifteen minutes remaining, Ibiki Morino called for everyone to stop.
Naruto was still incredibly nervous. He couldn't guarantee the two questions he'd finished were correct; he could only bet everything on this final question.
"Regarding the tenth question, there is one additional rule."
"First, you must choose whether or not you wish to answer the tenth question."
As expected, Temari, sitting in the distance, lost her cool. She called out to Ibiki, "What happens if we choose not to answer?"
"Then you are immediately given a zero; in other words, you fail."
"Naturally, your teammates will be disqualified along with you."
"And... there is one more rule."
"If you choose to take the tenth question but fail to answer it correctly, the examinee..."
"...will be barred from ever taking the Chunin Exams again for the rest of their lives."
Sure enough, as soon as Ibiki finished speaking, several people erupted in protest, shouting at him. After all, the rule was completely inhumane.
Ibiki merely gave a cold laugh.
"That's just your bad luck. This year, I am the rules!"
"Besides, haven't I given you a way out? Those of you without confidence can choose not to answer and be disqualified, then try again next year."
Kanon froze. she looked toward Naruto with a hint of worry. She wasn't afraid for herself; even if she remained a Genin for the rest of her life, she would continue to work hard to find the flower field in her heart.
She was worried about Naruto. His dream was to become Hokage. If he fell here, it would be better to try again next year. Yet, Kanon knew deep down that Naruto would never give up.
I should be thinking about how to help Naruto answer these ten questions, not thinking that he'll quit!
Beside her, Sasuke and Sakura were both deeply worried about Naruto. Naruto himself had already begun to tremble.
"Now, let us begin. Those who do not wish to answer the tenth question, please raise your hand."
"Once your number is confirmed, please leave this room."
As Ibiki finished, people began to raise their hands and depart one after another. Sasuke and Sakura's hearts were racing.
Kanon, however, maintained her faith that Naruto wouldn't give up. To never go back on his word… that is his nindo, his ninja way.
But then, Sakura slowly began to raise her hand. She didn't want Naruto to be unable to become a Chunin because of his guilt toward her, Sasuke, and Kanon.
Seeing Sakura raise her hand, both Kanon and Sasuke panicked, but Naruto raised his hand even faster.
Naruto glanced at Kanon, who was watching him, and grit his teeth. She had just worked so hard to help him for the sake of his dream; how could he, the one chasing that dream, fall here?
With his hand raised, Naruto became the center of attention. Everyone was staring at him.
Kanon's heart sank. Is Naruto really going to give up?
But in the next instant, he let out a roar and slammed his raised hand down onto the desk. He shouted at Ibiki Morino on the podium with fierce determination:
"Don't underestimate me!"
"I'm not running away!!"
"I'll take it! Even if I'm stuck as a Genin for the rest of my life, I'll still become the Hokage through sheer guts!"
"I'm not afraid at all!"
Kanon looked at Naruto and let out a smile. Sure enough, he was still the same Naruto who never gave up.
Sasuke also offered a quiet smile. Naruto really did have a lot of backbone.
Now I just have to figure out how to help him answer this tenth question...
Inspired by Naruto's outburst, the surrounding examinees stopped raising their hands. Everyone wanted to take on the tenth question.
Seeing the crowd like this, Ibiki Morino revealed a smile.
Hmph. Interesting kid. In an instant, he wiped away the anxiety of the others.
With that thought, Ibiki made his announcement to the group.
"Your resolve is excellent. Therefore, to everyone remaining here: I declare that you have passed the first exam!"
The moment Ibiki spoke those words, everyone breathed a massive sigh of relief, followed by sheer joy.
Sakura was stunned. She quickly pressed Ibiki for an explanation, but Ibiki only laughed. "There was never a tenth question. If you want to call something the tenth question, it was a test of your ability to handle information."
"Shinobi who would betray their teammates to save themselves are naturally disqualified. And, of course, it was a test of your courage to become a Chunin!"
The examinees had barely begun celebrating when the window next to Ibiki suddenly shattered.
Kanon and Sasuke immediately sensed the newcomer. The figure had an athletic build and, with a single spin, threw four kunai that embedded themselves into the walls and floor, unfurling a banner.
"This is no time to be celebrating!" Anko Mitarashi shouted. The banner behind her read: The Examiner for the Second Exam, Anko Mitarashi, has arrived!
"I am your second examiner, Anko Mitarashi."
"Now, let's go! On to the next one!"
"Follow me!"
Everyone stood there stunned and silent. Even Kanon was speechless. Is this examiner... a bit touched in the head?
Sure enough, Anko's face flushed red. She looked at the examinees awkwardly, coughed, and said, "Seventy-nine? Ibiki, you let twenty-six teams through?"
"You were too soft on the first exam this year."
Ibiki merely shook his head. "There are many excellent candidates this year."
"Fine." Anko shoved her hands into her pockets and gave a cold smirk to the examinees below.
"In the second exam, I'm going to cut that number down by more than half."
"I'll give you the details tomorrow. Ask your Jonin sensei for the meeting time and location. That's all. Dismissed!"