Child of the Moon (Naruto Fanfiction)

20. To Cheat or Not to Cheat?

Chapter 20 – To Cheat or Not to Cheat?

Once all the applicants were seated and the test papers were completely passed out, Ibiki started to speak again. “Papers face down until I give the signal. Now listen up.” Ibiki grabbed a piece of chalk and started to tap on the blackboard behind him. “There are a few big rules that pertain to this first test. I’ll write them on the blackboard and explain them all. But I’m not taking any questions, so listen carefully. I’ll so this only once.” Ibiki turned around and started to write the rules he mentioned onto the board. As he wrote, the chief proctor began to explain each rule, “Rule number one! Each one of you starts out here with ten points. The test has ten questions, each worth one point. For each question you get wrong, we subtract a point from you. Get all ten right, and you retain the ten points you have. But if, for example you answer three questions incorrectly, we take your ten points…subtract one point for each wrong answer and you total drops down to seven.

“Rule number two! This written test is still a team event. Passing or failing will be determined by the sum off points held by all members of each cell. The object is for each team to have as few deductions as possible from its joint thirty-point total.”

From where Miyuki sat, she saw Sakura slam her head against the desk top. The pinkette then shot back up, raising her hand and shouting, “W-Wait a second! The whole concept of the starting points and the deductions is hard enough to follow…But what is this ‘team total’ you’re talking about?”

Miyuki sighed as she thought, First of all Sakura-chan, you should know he’s not going to answer your question…and secondly…what’s so difficult about the first rule? Makes perfect sense to me! And I thought Sakura-chan was the smart one!

As Miyuki had known, Ibiki did not answer Sakura’s question. Instead, he said, “Did you not hear the part about ‘no questions’? We have our reasons. Shut up and listen. You might lean something. This next bit is crucial.” He turned around to face the large group of genin. “Rule number three: If, during the course of the exam, a candidate does anything out of the ordinary…In other words, anything that leads the proctors to determine that he or she has cheated…we subtract two points from each member of the cheater’s team.”

Miyuki raised an eyebrow at this. Why would they only take away two points when someone is caught cheating? Why not just disqualify them right then? Back in the academy, Iruka would typically take away someone’s test and fail them for cheating…Unless, these people are wanting us to cheat…?

“Exactly! In all probability, some of you will run through your entire allowance of points during the test. If so, you’ll be failed and asked to leave,” Ibiki stated.

From one side of the room where half of the proctors sat, Kotetsu smirked at the candidates. “I’ll be looking over your shoulders when you least expect it.” It was obvious many of the applicants felt intimidated by what Kotetsu had said.

Ibiki picked back up from where he left off. “If you let the proctors catch you cheating, you’ll bring yourself and your friends down! If you aspire to become Chunin…If you want to be the best shinobi you can be…then you’d better start acting like you already are!” Ibiki paused for a few seconds before continuing on. “One more thing….If any individual loses all ten of his or her points, that person’s entire team, regardless of how the other two members do…will be disqualified!!” When Miyuki heard that last bit, she felt bad for her old teammates. Miyuki and the other two both knew Naruto was bad at written tests, so there was a large possibility that he may not get any of them right. Well, all we can do is hope Naruto manages to answer at least one question correctly. “You have one hour…starting…NOW!”