This Naruto is too easily persuaded.

Chapter 59, First Exam

"I am the examiner for the first chapter exam, Morino Ibiki."

On the podium, the man with a face full of scars exuded a suffocating sense of oppression.

"Next, we will begin the first exam—the written test."

As the exam papers were distributed, a collective gasp filled the classroom.

The first question was about deciphering a code, the second was about calculating a parabolic trajectory, and the third was about political analysis...

These questions are not at the Genin level at all; even a regular Chunin might not be able to answer them easily.

The surrounding test-takers began to stir, and an atmosphere of anxiety gradually spread.

The sounds of pen nibs tapping on the table, deep breaths, and sighs of rubbing heads... all sorts of noises mingled together.

Naruto, however, simply sat quietly in his seat.

He pushed up his glasses and quickly scanned the exam paper.

"I see……"

Naruto chuckled inwardly.

"The questions themselves were not designed for candidates to simply answer questions; rather, they were intended to force them to cheat through difficulty, thereby testing their intelligence gathering abilities."

"A simple and crude screening mechanism."

but……

Naruto picked up the pen and, without looking left or right, the pen tip flowed smoothly onto the paper.

During this period of time, in order to understand sealing techniques and medical ninjutsu, he practically devoured all the theoretical books in the Konoha Library.

Even when he goes out to do missions, he leaves shadow clones to help him memorize the material.

Therefore, for him at this point, this level of test questions can only be considered the most basic of the basics.

Naruto lowered his head and began answering the questions quickly.

Hinata, sitting next to him, had been secretly observing Naruto.

Hinata initially thought Naruto was worried about the difficulty of the test questions and wanted to show him her answers.

Immediately afterwards, Naruto began answering the questions almost without thinking.

"Wow...that's amazing..."

Hinata was somewhat surprised to see that Naruto didn't need her help at all, but she felt more relieved and admiring.

Time passed by, second by second.

Everyone in the examination room displayed their unique talents.

Sasuke activates his Sharingan and replicates the actions of the examinees in front of him; Gaara focuses his trachoma; Kankuro uses crows to disguise himself as an examiner…

Finally, the exam reached its final moment.

"Alright, stop writing!"

Ibihi returned to the podium and said in a deep voice:

"Next, I will announce the tenth question."

"But before I announce it, I want to add a harsh rule."

"This is a question that puts your life on the line."

"You can choose not to take the exam."

However, if you choose not to take the test, even if you currently have a perfect score, you will be eliminated and have to try again next year.

"If you choose to take the test, but don't get the correct score..."

Ibihi's voice was chillingly cold:

"You'll be stripped of your Chunin rank for life, and will forever remain a Genin!"

boom!

His words resounded like thunder in the examination hall.

Many people who were already under stress immediately erupted.

"Are you kidding me!"

"What kind of rule is this?"

The examination room was filled with protests.

Many people's hands began to tremble, their eyes filled with fear, and they began to engage in a fierce internal struggle.

"These are the rules."

Ibiki said coldly, "Now, I'm giving you a choice. Those who want to withdraw, raise your hands!"

Dead silence.

A suffocating silence.

Everyone was caught in a fierce internal struggle.

Some people wanted to raise their hands, but hesitated because they were concerned about their teammates' feelings.

Some people want to persevere, but they are afraid of the rule of always being a submissive.

Just when people were most conflicted, a hand was raised steadily.

Everyone looked on in surprise to see that it was Naruto Uzumaki who had raised his hand.

Sasuke and Sakura were both stunned.

"Naruto? You're quitting?" Sakura exclaimed in surprise.

Naruto did not answer Sakura, but slowly stood up and faced the pale-faced examinees.

He wore a warm and caring smile.

"Everyone should think about this carefully."

Naruto's voice was gentle, carrying a calming power in the deathly silent examination hall.

"The examiner just said that this is a choice that involves risking your entire life."

"As ninjas, we are already facing all sorts of difficulties and threats. There is no need for us to put ourselves in an irrecoverable predicament just for the sake of one exam."

"This year's exam rules are clearly full of malicious traps and represent an extreme abnormality."

Is it really wise to gamble away all your future possibilities for such an unreasonable exam?

The candidates were stunned.

These words seemed to relax my previously tense nerves.

Some people started nodding subconsciously, seemingly agreeing with Naruto's point.

Naruto spread his hands and continued to add fuel to the fire:

"A ninja's life is only once, but there are countless exams."

"We are all still young. There are Chunin Exams next year, and even individual villages have their own promotion channels."

"Why gamble on probability when there's a better way?"

True courage is not blind gambling, but knowing how to face risks...

Naruto paused slightly, his gaze sincere:

"For the sake of a longer-term future, we have chosen a strategic retreat."

These words broke through the last line of defense in many people's hearts.

Yes! This is called a strategic retreat. I'm just doing this for a more secure promotion!

"You're right..."

One of the test takers wiped the cold sweat from his brow and said as if waking from a dream:

"I have a family to take care of, and I can't gamble with my career."

He raised his hand: "Examiner, I withdraw! I need to prepare for next year!"

"I'm quitting too!"

Another candidate stood up as well.

"This brother is right, the village's recommendation spot is more secure, there's no need for us to risk our lives here!"

"That's a unique kind of wisdom! I'm leaving too!"

slam-la-

It was like opening a floodgate for release.

The test takers, who were previously struggling with their decision, have now found the perfect excuse.

They not only felt no shame about quitting, but also felt that they had made a rational decision.

Even as they left, many people glanced at Naruto with gratitude, thinking he was truly a good person.

In the blink of an eye, more than half of the classroom had left.

Sasuke's lips twitched slightly as he looked at the scene before him.

Seeing Naruto's sincere "I'm doing this for your own good" expression, I felt a chill run down my spine.

"This guy... with just a few words, he turned running away into wisdom, and cowardice into prudence..."

"A large number of competitors were eliminated without bloodshed..."

Ibihi stood on the podium, looking at the empty classroom.

And Naruto, who sat down again as if nothing had happened, had his eyes twitching wildly.

In all his years as an examiner, this was the first time he had ever seen someone speak of "escape" with such righteous indignation and refined elegance.

If this exam hadn't been entirely designed by him personally...

He might even think that Naruto was a plant arranged by someone else.

Ibiki gave Naruto a deep look, a smile of admiration appearing on his lips.

"That's very interesting."

"Since no one has withdrawn, I will announce the results."

He suddenly ripped the blackboard cloth off:

"The tenth question is—all those who remain must pass!"

"Why?!"

The remaining candidates were initially in an uproar, but then erupted in cheers of relief.

Only Naruto, looking at the cheering crowd, let out a sigh that had no meaning.

Those who lack the ability should withdraw now.

This is his honest opinion.