Once everyone was seated, Ibiki up front tapped the blackboard, drawing everyone's attention to him.
"In the first exam, there are several very important rules. Afterwards, I will not answer any of your questions, so listen carefully!"
"First, rule number one: All of you start the exam with 10 points. The written test has 10 questions total, each worth 1 point. The exam uses a deduction system. One point is deducted for each wrong answer!"
"Rule number two: Whether you pass or fail is determined by the combined total scores of all three members of your team!" Ibiki stated seriously.
"W-Wait a minute! Combined total of the team? What does that mean?!" Hearing this, Sakura, who had just been mocking Naruto for not understanding the written test, was shocked.
"Quiet! There is a reason for this. Shut up and listen. If you understand, here's the next important rule: During the exam, any cheating or behavior resembling cheating, once discovered by the proctor, will result in a 2-point deduction each time it's spotted!"
"That is to say, some may have to withdraw from the exam even before final grading. Remember that clearly!" Ibiki said with a sinister smile.
Coupled with the over ten Chunin around the classroom, it indeed looked quite intimidating.
"You people are supposed to be aiming to become Chunin. Since you are Ninja, take the exam like competent Ninja!" Finally, Ibiki added meaningfully.
Takeru was well aware of the meaning behind Ibiki's words. After all, everyone here was a Ninja. The so-called 'cheating' was actually testing everyone's information-gathering abilities. Cheating by peeking like ordinary people would undoubtedly be suicidal in real combat.
On Sakura's side, she was constantly thinking. Since the score was calculated by team, she didn't need to consider Naruto. She and Sasuke just needed to work hard to make up for Naruto's score.
"And then, if one person in a team scores zero points, the entire team is judged as failing!" Just as Sakura and Sasuke were fantasizing about doing their utmost to compensate for the score, Ibiki's words instantly plunged both into a dilemma.
And at that moment, Naruto felt two extremely malicious gazes focused on him, sending a momentary chill down his spine.
"Additionally, the final question will be given 45 minutes after the start. Total exam time is one hour. Begin!" Ibiki announced seriously.
As his voice fell, everyone quickly looked at their test papers. Takeru also glanced at his briefly before giving it no further thought, because Takeru knew very well that apart from theory masters like Sakura and Hinata, others, even Chunin, would probably be helpless if they didn't know the answers beforehand.
As for Naruto, he thought he'd just do his best on the questions he knew. He looked at the test paper full of confidence, saw a densely packed cipher to solve, and immediately moved to the next question.
The second question was a hypothetical scenario, asking to determine the characteristics of the enemy Ninja and the maximum throwing range of shuriken based on a drawing...
Looking through it, not just Naruto, even Sasuke was at a loss.
As time passed, some people in the examination hall grew tense. The atmosphere became very heavy. Apart from a couple of planted stooges, everyone else nervously began to cheat.
On Takeru's side, he closed his eyes and simply lay his head on the desk. His Observation Haki expanded, quickly finding six people writing furiously. Two of them were Sakura and Hinata.
After slightly comparing their answers and cross-referencing with two other extras' answers to confirm they were correct, Takeru casually began to write.
Although Takeru knew the real focus of this exam was the final question, to avoid any surprises, he wouldn't deliberately submit a blank paper like Naruto might.
As Takeru started writing, he noticed several gazes turn towards him. But upon a slight investigation, they found nothing unusual and soon shifted their attention away.
Besides Takeru, Ui and Ritsu, seeing Takeru start writing, also used their Observation Haki to lock onto Takeru's test paper and began copying.
On the other side, after thinking for a long time, Sasuke finally realized the true purpose of the first exam: it was a test of information-gathering warfare, using techniques like disguise and concealment.
Not only Sasuke, but many others also noticed the clue and began their own actions one after another.
Takeru, meanwhile, used his Observation Haki to watch everyone's cheating methods.
Ui and Ritsu also quietly monitored everyone's every move while collecting information on the abilities they used.
After all, this cheating activity could clearly reflect everyone's capabilities.
No matter what, this world didn't have a silent ability like Observation Haki. Even the Byakugan would be noticed when used.
Observation Haki was more like a spiritual probe. Even Kage-level experts would have difficulty detecting it unless they themselves knew Observation Haki or possessed some special ability.
As for Naruto, he couldn't see through the exam's true purpose at all and stubbornly suffered without cheating.
Finally, watching Naruto's distress, Hinata couldn't bear it. She whispered a reminder to Naruto while discreetly sliding her test paper towards him.
Just as Naruto was about to lean in to peek at the answers, a shuriken flew between them, piercing the test paper of the person sitting behind Hinata.
The sudden incident made Naruto's heart leap into his throat.
"What's the meaning of this?!" Seeing he was almost hit, the person stood up angrily.
"Five infractions. You are disqualified," One of the proctors said expressionlessly.
"H-How can this be?!" Hearing the proctor's words, the person's face changed.
"His two teammates, leave the classroom immediately!" Hearing the proctor's words, the two stood up and left the area with lowered heads.
The named person, after a moment of shock, could only accept the fact and left the classroom dejectedly.
"Numbers 23, 43, and 27, disqualified!" Soon, another Chunin spoke. Those unwilling to leave were dragged out by two Chunin.
"Hey, hey! Do you have proof we cheated five times? With so many people, can you really keep track of everyone?" Finally, a Sunagakure's Ninja stood up, slamming the table to question them.
Hearing his words, a Chunin suddenly slammed him against the wall.
"Listen up. We are elite Chunin specially selected for this exam. We will never miss the moment of your infractions. If you want me to say it, this overwhelming power is the proof!" The Chunin said sinisterly to the challenger.
This incident completely shattered any complacency Naruto had. Faced with Hinata's urging, he ultimately chose to refuse, which temporarily saved him.
This situation also completely made many Genin dare not speak further. As time passed, more and more people were completely eliminated.
On Takeru's side, he had completely stopped writing because all the answers were already finished.
Now he just needed to wait for time to run out. As time passed, thirteen teams had already been eliminated.
Gaara and the others also began to act. Gaara used sand to form an eyeball, then used sand dust to get into someone's eyes, taking the opportunity to look at their test paper.
As for Kankuro, he was even more brazen. Using a puppet he had previously infiltrated among the proctors, he pretended to go to the bathroom and memorized the answers, even mocking the other proctors in the process.
Naruto, watching time tick by, pinned his hopes on the final question.
'The trash has been mostly cleared out. Then... let's get to the main event.'
"It's been 45 minutes. I will now announce the tenth question!" Soon, Ibiki spoke again.
Hearing his words, the remaining people in the room turned their attention to him.
"Before that, the tenth question comes with an additional small condition," Ibiki stated calmly.
At that moment, Kankuro had just returned to the classroom. Seeing him return, Ibiki smiled faintly, remarking on his good luck and casually exposing his puppet trick. Hearing his words, Kankuro broke out in a cold sweat.
"Alright, take your seat," Ibiki then said calmly to him.
Hearing his words, Kankuro walked straight to his seat, but as he passed Temari, he discreetly placed the prepared answers he had brought.