After all the proctoring Chunin had taken their positions, Mabui announced the start of the first exam.
However, she concealed the true purpose of information gathering and only mentioned the exam location. Once the Genin arrived at Kumogakure, they would understand what it really meant.
For those unaware, Mabui's words simply implied that someone would lead them to the testing site once they reached the village. But for those sharp enough to sense the oddity, it was clear that the key information lay somewhere along the journey to Kumogakure—either in time or location.
The first Chunin exam was designed to make use of every possible piece of intelligence to arrive at the best solution. A qualified Chunin must possess both intelligence gathering and analytical ability.
Mabui also warned that if private conflicts were discovered twice, the team involved would be disqualified from the first exam.
In other words, as long as they weren't caught, private battles were fine—and even if they were caught once, they still had a second chance.
Normally, information wasn't shared between teams unless they were from the same village and deeply trusted each other. Even then, rivalry still existed. It was clear that this first exam would eliminate many teams.
After Mabui explained the rules, the Jonin from each nation—Maki, Kurenai Yuhi, and others—looked toward their own Genin teams, hoping they wouldn't embarrass them.
After all, members of the Uzumaki Trade Association were recording everything. A disgraceful performance could ruin a ninja's career.
Once the exam officially began, nearly a hundred teams were divided into three routes leading toward Kumogakure. If all of them traveled together, chaos would quickly erupt.
According to the terrain of the Land of Lightning, these three routes would eventually converge, and by then, the fight for intelligence would become ruthless.
Mabui explained this to the other nations' Jonin only after the Genin had departed. The decision came from higher-ups, and she had no authority to change it.
This combat-oriented format was unmistakably the Raikage's idea.
Even if Kumogakure hadn't leaked any hints, their familiarity with the terrain was already a major advantage—knowing where to ambush or set traps, for example.
Realizing this, Maki silently cursed Kumogakure. These thugs had no sense of fair play, even in an international exam.
Most of their Genin were fresh graduates. Though Maki trusted their abilities, he knew they lacked cruelty—the one thing needed most in this test.
The Sand Federation might end up losing some simply because they were too kind. Fresh graduates might hesitate when faced with someone who begged for mercy only to attack moments later.
"Everyone, let's go. Kumogakure has already prepared the seating area," Mabui said to the other Jonin before leading them toward the village.
Traditionally, the first exam was a written test. But under Kumogakure's arrangement, it had turned into a physical trial.
Once they arrived, the Uzumaki Trade Association began setting up monitoring equipment so each nation's leaders could watch detailed footage of the exam.
Most cameras caught little of interest, but some recorded intense fights.
For example, one Kumogakure team tried to ambush Uchiha Sasuke's group. However, Sasuke detected them early, swiftly taking down two of them. The last was captured by Nakamura Yoko's poisonous centipede and, after a few unsettling laughs from her, confessed everything—including the upcoming terrain.
"My apologies," Maki said to Mabui, feigning politeness. "But since Sasuke attacked first in the exam, should we mark that as one infraction?"
His tone was almost openly mocking.
"Good thing Lord Raikage isn't here…" Mabui thought. She wasn't angered by the jab and simply shook her head. "As long as the proctors didn't see it, it's not a violation. Your team is fine."
Uchiha Mikoto watched Sasuke's performance with satisfaction.
His seamless use of ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu in sequence was flawless—even she couldn't find fault. Leaving one opponent alive for his teammates to finish was also a considerate gesture to boost team morale.
Other participants performed similarly well—swiftly neutralizing enemies, avoiding proctor detection, extracting information, and eliminating targets.
Naruto Uzumaki's team also quickly gathered the intelligence they needed. He didn't use his Tailed Beast power during the first exam, but his immense chakra left a deep impression on the Jonin observing from Kumogakure.
That vast chakra, combined with his use of four or five Shadow Clones and close-range Wind Release techniques, made him formidable. With his solid taijutsu foundation, few Chunin in any major village could confidently defeat him.
In one battle, he summoned six clones and unleashed seven C-rank Wind Release techniques, yet emerged without breaking a sweat. Any ordinary Chunin would've been exhausted long ago.
Naruto's fight didn't dazzle like Sasuke's, but all the Jonin recognized his terrifying stamina—his physical strength, Wind Release mastery, and boundless chakra.
Some newly graduated Konoha teams also stood out. Prioritizing intelligence gathering, they would retreat when facing evenly matched or stronger opponents. Their calm decisions and coordination already met the standards of a Chunin squad. Even if they didn't pass this time, they would likely be promoted upon returning.
As the exam progressed, more proctoring Chunin joined in. For the Genin teams, these proctors were obstacles to intelligence gathering.
Some daring ones even attacked the proctors themselves.
When the Uzumaki Trade Association switched the camera feed, it showed two proctors—one from Kumogakure and one from Hidden Mist—unconscious on the forest floor.
Mabui and Ao both grimaced.
Proctors getting knocked out was humiliating. Though their role was to interfere with information collection, being beaten so easily was shameful, especially when broadcast to all.
Mabui sighed in relief, thankful she had convinced the Raikage not to attend. Had he seen this, he would've exploded in rage.
The exam continued, and multiple battlefields appeared on the monitors. Teams were being eliminated across the Land of Lightning.
Afterward, staff would go wake the unconscious ones. Most hadn't been killed, though it was possible some were—just unnoticed by the cameras.
Time passed quickly. As the sun began to set, the first team reached Kumogakure—it was Uchiha Sasuke's squad.
Upon seeing him, Mikoto couldn't hide her joy. Her son had become a true shinobi.
"Teams that have completed the Chunin exam, please gather over here," a Kumogakure ninja called.
However, Sasuke, Yoko, and their teammate frowned. Instead of obeying, they whispered briefly and left.
According to their intelligence, the final testing ground was supposed to be a place called Cloud-Lightning Gorge, not here. So they decided to check that location first.
After Sasuke's group, more teams began arriving. Some followed the Kumogakure ninja's directions and sat down to rest. Others, suspicious, searched the village for the real test site based on their intel.
The Eight-Tails' Jinchuriki wasn't supposed to be revealed, but Killer Bee had pestered the Raikage to let him participate. Eventually, the Raikage, exhausted by his insistence, agreed.
He planned to use Bee in the third exam anyway, so hiding Cloud-Lightning Gorge no longer mattered.
When the final team arrived at the official Kumogakure venue, the results of the first exam were clear.
"Only seventy-three teams passed? That's nearly a hundred eliminated in the first round," Mikoto remarked after counting. About thirty teams were still unaccounted for in the Land of Lightning, including three from the Sand Federation.
"No, Captain Mikoto," Maki corrected. "Only fifty-five teams actually passed. Those waiting here failed. The elimination rate was over half."
Mabui soon announced the results herself.
All teams resting at the Kumogakure venue were disqualified.
"Lacking intelligence-gathering ability and analytical judgment as a Chunin could lead to fatal mistakes. Acting blindly could doom your entire team."
The Genin protested quietly, but since the Chunin Exams were jointly held by the Five Great Nations, they had no choice but to accept.
After announcing the results, Mabui turned to the other Jonin leaders, slightly embarrassed.
"Everyone, let's wait a bit before heading to the next venue. If we go now, it might be… unpleasant."
After all, not everyone could tolerate Killer Bee's rap performance. Even within Kumogakure, few could endure it.
(End of Chapter)