(Discontinued until further notice) Naruto: The Truth Beneath the Surface

Chapter 48: Pass or Fail

I AM ALIVE!!!

— Yuki 🕺🏻

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"Hey, Hinata, we're sitting next to each other!" Naruto grinned at the Hyuuga happily, eyes lighting up.

"Y-yes," The girl nodded, her face flushing. "L-let's do our best."

"Of course! I never do anything less than best!"

"Everyone, eyes front," Ibiki tapped the board behind him with a piece of chalk. "There are a few rules you need to be aware of and I won't answer any questions. So, you better pay attention the first time around."

'No questions?' Sakura thought. 'What kind of rules are these?'

"Alright," The man continued. "Rule number one is this: the written part of the exam is conducted on a point reduction system. Contrary to what some of you may be used to, you all begin the test with a perfect score of ten points. One point will be deducted for each answer you get wrong. So, if you miss three, your final score will be seven."

Naruto tilted his head when Ibiki glanced at him for a second, a foxy grin on his face as he gave the man a two-fingered salute.

"Rule number two: teams will pass or fail based on the total scores of all three members."

Shocked gasps filled the room and while Sakura knew that Yuki was held back inside Naruto, she wasn't sure if the Uzumaki would be able to pass the written portion.

"Rule number three: the sentinels you see positioned around the room are there to watch you carefully for any signs of cheating. And for every incident they spot, they will subtract two points from the culprit's score. Be warned, their eyes are extremely sharp and, if they catch you five times, you'll be dismissed before the tests are even scored. Anyone fool enough to be caught cheating by the sentinels doesn't deserve to be here. If you want to be considered shinobi, then show us what exceptional shinobi you can be."

There were quiet murmurs, the teams thinking to themselves and wondering if they were going to pass at all.

"One more thing," Ibiki has his hands in the pocket of his jacket. "If any candidate should get a zero and fail the test, then the entire team fails. The final question won't be given out until fifteen minutes before the end of the testing period. You'll have one hour total. Begin!"

Naruto glanced down at his paper and sighed, he really didn't want to take this test. What was the point in doing so? He picked up his pencil and twirled it in his hand as he rested his chin in the other. As he thought of the answers, his head started to hurt, like something was holding him back.

Sakura couldn't help but look over at Naruto after she finished the first five problems. Would he do alright? Kakashi-sensei and the other jounin were unsure of how much Yuki was actually still there.

Sasuke tapped his pencil against his arm for a moment before beginning the test, easily answering the questions laid out in front of him. He, too, was worried about Naruto but he knew that the blonde could handle himself just fine.

Hinata glanced at said blonde and couldn't help but notice that he was almost asleep. Slowly, she nudged his foot and nearly squeaked when his eyes snapped open and he looked at her.

Naruto smiled at the girl before looking at his paper once more. His head was pounding but he started the test. After ten minutes, he was done and took to doodling at the bottom of the page. He could tell everyone was in a frenzy, their emotions clear in the air like the clouds in the sky. He couldn't help but smile slightly when teams were disqualified. Amateurs.

Soon, there was fifteen minutes left and Ibiki stood at the front of the classroom again, "Alright, listen up! Here's the tenth and final question... But, before I give you the question, there are some more rules that you need to be aware of. These rules are unique to question ten. Listen carefully and try not to let them frighten you," His eyes turned frigid and the genin in the room gulped except one who kept on doodling. "Rule number one: each of you is free to choose not to be given the final question. It's your decision."

The genin seemed confused and some were tempted to look around but didn't when they felt the proctor's cold gaze sweep over them.

"So, what's the catch?" One of the girls, Temari, asked. She wore the Suna headband around her neck. "Let's say we don't want to do it, what happens then?"

"If you chose not to take the tenth question, regardless of your answers to the other nine," Ibiki continued. "You'll get a zero. In other words, you fail. And that means, of course, that both your teammates fail as well."

Murmurs filled the room and a certain blonde twitched with something akin to annoyance.

"Not so fast," Ibiki said. "You didn't let me finish. If you do accept the question but answer it incorrectly, you will not only fail... You will be barred from taking the Chunin Exams ever again!"

"No way!" People gasped, sweating with nervousness. Naruto couldn't help but roll his eyes at their words. Honestly, did they think that Ibiki had the power to keep them from becoming Chunin next year?

The proctor began to laugh, "I guess you're just unlucky. I wasn't make the rules before... But I am now. Of course, if you don't want to take it, you don't have to. If you're not feeling confident, then by all means, skip it. You can come back and try again next year."

Ibiki waited until everyone quieted down again, "Now then, if you're ready... The tenth and final question, those who don't want to take it, raise your hand. Your number will be recorded and then you're free to go."

Slowly but steadily, people started raising their hands and Naruto looked at all of them closely. How could they give up so soon? He glanced at Hinata and saw the small girl shaking. He had to do something, she has potential. He raised his hand slightly before slamming it down harshly on the table, "Now hold on a damn second!"

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Love y'all!

— Yuki 🕺🏻