In this process of "solving," the only difficulty was the need for a large number of samples—to create a comparison between abstract parameters and concrete results:
Orochimaru happened to possess this. Having studied under the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Orochimaru was the only one among the Sannin who inherited Hiruzen Sarutobi's "erudition." Proficient in almost all of Konoha's Ninjutsu, he was essentially another "Ninjutsu Professor."
Ino also happened to possess this. The Yamanaka Clan's accumulation of Ninjutsu was not inferior to what was in the Hokage's hands; it was even "more" in some ways... Of course, because it lacked the Second Hokage's forbidden techniques, it might be lagging behind significantly in terms of quality.
But if it was only used as a bridge for comparison between the abstract and the concrete, it was actually enough... Ino's attention then fell on some other outstanding candidates. A Ninja from the Crab Ninja Village used a method similar to Summoning Jutsu to summon some crabs about the size of newborn spiders and scattered them across the examination hall. Some even landed on the ceiling... a somewhat incomprehensible method of reconnaissance.
"This is a unique reconnaissance method of the Crab Ninja Village. For a small Ninja village to be able to establish a foothold in the cruel Ninja World, it is because it has its own unique strengths..."
Just as Ino was wondering, Uchiha Fugaku suddenly spoke up, explaining it to her in a cold and stiff tone.
This made Ino very surprised... "Observe carefully, zoom in a bit. The bristles on the legs of these crabs will vibrate because of the fluctuations in Chakra..."
"Ninja Crabs are different from ordinary crabs. They..."
Uchiha Fugaku appreciated Ino very much—this little girl, who was the same age as his second son but showed extraordinary natural talent, had a remarkable gift for tool throwing. He had heard his wife, Sasuke, and his clansmen mention it more than once. A clansman who had seen the Yamanaka Ino Style Throwing Technique with his own eyes had even demonstrated it personally—it was indeed a very powerful throwing technique.
Having seen it once, it was naturally equivalent to having "learned" it. Thus, he understood the difference between the Yamanaka Ino Style Throwing Technique and the Uchiha's tool throwing—
Most Ninja throwing methods only use the strength of the wrist and do not involve the overall strength of the body. However, the Yamanaka Ino Style Throwing Technique uses the strength of the entire body.
By one person.
A throwing method unique to Ino Yamanaka.
This was quite remarkable.
In contrast, Sasuke was visibly "stupid"—his throwing was no good, his Ninjutsu was no good, and he was slow to learn everything.
Uchiha Fugaku actually liked Ino, the "child of others," but he was born with a fierce face and spoke stiffly, making him not at all likable. Even now, when he went out of his way to explain, it didn't sound quite right.
Ino zoomed in on the image and indeed saw the vibrating bristles on the tiny crab legs on the black-and-white screen—
She thought to herself, "So that's how it is; it's just a form of Chakra sensing." Then, her thoughts took a turn toward food—"Then, are Ninja Crabs tastier than ordinary crabs?" Ino's eyes were bright, and she couldn't help but drool. She even generalized... would snakes, frogs, and such also be tastier than ordinary ones?
Thinking of this, she turned to look at Kuro Maru... Kuro Maru instinctively shuddered, not quite understanding why. However, his thoughts followed Ino's to the food channel... "Hmm, Ninja Crabs... I've really never eaten those before..." After saying that, he thought of another important question: "Are crabs edible?"
"Of course! Let me tell you, crabs are delicious..."
"Then how about during the second exam..."
Kuro Maru grinned and began to conspire out loud right in front of the proctor for the second exam.
Ino:... Bonk!
Kuro Maru took a solid "fist of love."
Inuzuka Tsume scolded, "Kuro Maru, behave yourself! I'm the proctor for the second exam; don't cause trouble for me. Listen up, during the second exam, you are not allowed to be out of my sight... If you dare..."
Kuro Maru curled his lip. "Women are so troublesome. Menopausal women are even more of a hassle. My little Hana is much better..."
"If you corrupt Hana, I'll stew you..."
Kuro Maru opened his mouth... forget it, he wouldn't lower himself to a woman's level.
Ino put her arm around Kuro Maru's neck, her pale blonde, almost silver ponytail falling over the dog as they continued to conspire—if they couldn't do it during the second exam, they could do it after... For example, they could scare the other party on the road to make them summon Ninja Crabs, then pick a few big ones and run off with them in their mouths.
Kuro Maru had a look of "Sugoi" and "Sodesune" on his face; the dirty tricks Ino's little head came up with were perfectly to his liking.
Kuro Maru grinned wickedly and said, "Don't worry, Ino. Your Big Brother Kuro Maru will handle this perfectly. I won't even need to show up myself; I'll just find a few underlings to block them halfway..."
Inuzuka Tsume felt her fist itching again, but strangely, she couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement in her heart.
What was with this uncontrollable "excitement"? It was almost comparable to the time she sneaked out of school, riding Kuro Maru through the forests of Konoha to go on adventures and digging pitfalls in front of the house of a teacher she didn't like... As expected... I wasn't a good student, was I?
"Conspiring out loud right in front of me? Count me in!"
Ino, Kuro Maru:... Uchiha Fugaku:... He felt as if he were out of place in this monitoring room—looking at the two humans and one dog across from him, they had reached an agreement on "doing something bad" in just a short moment.
"The dignified young head of the Inuzuka Clan, already a Jonin... An adult, yet still so childlike, conspiring with her Ninja Dog and a five-year-old child to trick people from the Crab Ninja Village out of their crabs to eat. This is simply..."
Uchiha Fugaku really couldn't tell if this was a distortion of morality or a loss of humanity... His worldview was being hit by a mudslide... While the first exam proceeded tensely, the trio in the monitoring room had already developed a perfect plan for the Crab Ninja Village's Ninja Crabs—
From the formulation and guidance of the plan to the choice of location and timing... everything became refined through their conversation.
Inuzuka Tsume guided Ino through the entire planning process, and Kuro Maru seemed to see his sister's intention, chiming in from the side. Before they knew it, a complete plan was made. Inuzuka Tsume high-fived Kuro Maru and Ino respectively—"Haha, nicely done. Next, we just wait for the second exam to end, and then we'll..."
"Eat crabs!"
Ino shouted loudly—Heaven knows, she hadn't eaten crabs since she arrived in the Ninja World.
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