radicalducati Chapter 95: Passing the Written Exam, Idaten and Midori Aoi
Chapter 95: Passing the Written Exam, Idaten and Midori Aoi
"Then I'll just quit! Rather than let my teammates bear the agonizing choice, I'd rather take the blame for them. If I have to sacrifice my comrades to become a Chunin, then I'd rather remain a Genin forever." As soon as Ibiki finished speaking, Ishikawa stood up and made a statement that shocked everyone present.
"Brother, how can we let you bear this alone!"
"That's right, we agreed to stand together through thick and thin, didn't we?"
Just as everyone was still surprised by Ishikawa's resolve, Tarojiro stood up and shouted excitedly.
Team 7 is not the kind of Konoha ninja who would sacrifice their comrades for personal gain.
"Okay, let's go." Ishikawa smiled with satisfaction, nodded to Ibiki, and led his two underlings towards the door.
"Little Li, Tenten." Before everyone could recover from the reaction of the three of them, Neji's cold and arrogant voice rang in their ears again.
"Although I also really want to become a Chunin to prove myself, my youth won't allow me to abandon my comrades! Neji, I understand." Lee shouted, his eyes blazing with anger, and immediately walked towards Neji with Tenten, who nodded in agreement.
[Kakashi and Guy's subordinates? No wonder they acknowledge him as their disciple.] Ibiki watched the six leave, but outwardly remained calm as he glanced back at the examination hall.
"So, who else wants to abstain?"
Upon hearing Ibiki's final urging, the remaining examinees' expressions immediately changed...
"Withdraw? Just like those six idiots, giving up on the exam? How is that possible??"
"Yes! I'd be really unwilling to accept that this exam is over like this!"
"Damn it, how could it have turned out like this?!"
"If I give up, I'll be scorned by my classmates; if I continue the exam, I might become the one who gets sacrificed. It's such a agonizing and painful choice!"
"I don't want to be despised, but I also don't want to be sacrificed and forever remain a low-level ninja. So, I can only wait for others to give up first."
"A cunning fellow, actually shifting the pressure onto his companions."
"However, this doesn't seem like a bad idea. If none of them give up, then everyone will just accept that they'll stay and it's up to luck!"
"In order to become a Chunin, I must be prepared..."
Amidst the clamor and resentment, everyone present was once again caught in a dilemma.
"Sorry, I think I'll just forfeit!" Just then, Kabuto Yakushi, who had been watching the show, suddenly stood up and then walked out of the classroom with two teammates.
Following Kabuto's movement, three more squads filed out with their heads hanging low.
"Is there no one else who wants to quit? This is your last chance." After a moment, Ibiki's sharp gaze swept across the surroundings, his tone icy.
Unwittingly, his eyes met those of his younger brother, Idaten…
"I've already made up my mind! Big brother." Idaten silently resolved that he would do everything in his power to become a Chunin and impress his big brother.
“Then, I declare…” Looking at his unmoved younger brother, Ibiki glanced around with a hint of disappointment in his eyes.
"Those who choose to stay, you have all been eliminated!!"
Instantly, Ibixi's announcement caused the faces of the candidates waiting for the tenth question to change drastically, and an uproar ensued...
Leaving aside the situation inside the examination room, outside the classroom...
"Why are we being taken to the next classroom? Shouldn't we just go home if we fail the test?" Xiao Li couldn't help but ask, looking at the examiner at the door.
"Is that even a question? Of course, the exams aren't over yet!" Taro nodded, seemingly having expected this.
"You've already figured it out, Ishikawa?" Neji suddenly realized what was going on and turned to ask the composed Ishikawa.
"Huh? Seeing it is only part of it; it's more about having the courage to give up! After all, nobody knows what will happen next." Ishikawa shrugged, with a puzzled expression that seemed to say, "Didn't you see it?"
"You bastard..." Neji's expression froze, his gaze complex. To be honest, he hadn't really figured it out. He only did that because of Ishikawa, and he didn't want to become someone who betrayed his comrades for personal gain.
However, after leaving the classroom, he belatedly realized what had happened when the Chunin Exams summoned them here.
Unexpectedly, Ishikawa had already seen through the reasons behind the decision. This guy is truly an excellent opponent and a reliable teammate.
"Only six teams? Congratulations everyone, you have successfully passed the first written test." Suddenly, just as the two were looking at each other in bewilderment, Ibiki walked into the classroom, breaking the silence.
"What? You passed the test??"
"What on earth is going on, Chief Examiner..."
The other teams, somewhat bewildered, looked at each other blankly and asked directly.
"A Chunin is a squad leader who leads his subordinates on missions. Every decision he makes is a matter of life and death for the entire squad! How can someone who doesn't even know how to cherish his comrades gain the trust of his subordinates and become a Chunin squad leader?"
"How can such an unstable team face risks?"
"I see." Hearing Ibiki's answer, everyone nodded in agreement.
A united team and a team riddled with treachery will have completely different outcomes when faced with a true test of life and death. Unity doesn't guarantee victory, but a team that distrusts each other is doomed to fail!
"Alright, that concludes today's test. You will all assemble at Exercise Field 44 at 9:00 AM tomorrow for the second practical assessment."
"Yes, Chief Examiner..." Everyone responded in unison before following the examiner out of the classroom.
"Big Brother!!"
They had barely taken two steps out of the classroom when they heard an angry shout from behind them.
Subconsciously, everyone, including Ishikawa, turned to look.
"Why? Why did you announce my elimination even though I did exactly as you said, brother?" Idaten asked directly, ignoring everyone else. This was an answer he couldn't understand.
"It seems you're not only unworthy of being a Chunin, but also unsuitable to be a ninja." Ibiki turned his back to his brother, coldly uttered these words, and left.
This indifferent attitude and response broke Idaten's defenses, and he stared at Ibiki's back with trembling eyes, frozen in place!
"Looks like it's tonight. I'd better start preparing." Ishikawa gave Idaten a deep look, then invited Neji and the others out for a celebratory dinner.
Companions aren't just a figure of speech; normal social interactions are still necessary!
While Ishikawa was leading Neji and the others to a barbecue restaurant with a wave of his hand, Idaten, full of doubt and indignation, still went to find his team leader, Midori Aoi.
"Teacher, are you saying that as long as I obtain the Thunder God Sword and the forbidden scroll left behind by the Second Hokage, I can become a Chunin??" After a heart-to-heart talk, Idaten was overjoyed to hear his teacher's inside information.
If he gets a chance to retake the exam, he'll definitely be able to prove himself to his older brother!
"That's right, I didn't want to tell you this secret. But since you really want to become a Chunin to prove yourself to your older brother, I'll make an exception and tell you..."
"By the way, it's only for tonight." A hint of ambition and calculation flashed in Green Aoi's eyes as she added to the increasingly excited Idaten.
Delay could lead to complications; he had to finish the battle quickly while everyone's attention was drawn to the Chunin Exams...