The unknown power sealed in the deepest part of Naruto's heart… the bizarre scene Itachi had seen by chance… In a sense, both of them were troubled and confused by the same mystery. And as if they had made a silent agreement, each decided to shoulder the responsibility of uncovering the truth behind this strange phenomenon on their own. Because of that, the opportunity to notice the impending crisis slipped quietly through their fingers, vanishing without a trace.
While the two were frowning over their respective worries, the disqualified candidates from the second round of the exam finally made their way out of the academy in defeated, gloomy droves. Amid the clamoring questions of the curious crowd gathered at the gate, they kept silent about the exam's content out of shame and quickly disappeared.
At the moment when the last of the failures had exited and the academy gates could finally be closed again, Tenzo—completely unaware of Naruto's inner turmoil—returned to the raised platform. Following the question sheet Naruto had prepared beforehand, he began organizing the third round of the exam.
Although it was starting later than expected, it should still be in time…
Muttering to himself, Tenzo used the height of the platform and the difference in elevation between himself and the remaining candidates to crouch down and feign searching for something. While putting on this act, he spread his fingers and placed his palm flat on the wooden floor.
'Thanks to those guys, there's no time to slowly set up a ballot box… I'll have to make one right here on the spot.'
With that thought, Tenzo began quietly circulating the special chakra within his body—chakra infused with the First Hokage's cells—that allowed him to use Wood Release ninjutsu. Once the chakra gathered in his palm, he infused it, bit by bit, into the wooden planks beneath his hand with precise control. The wooden floor around him began to shift and move rhythmically, as if alive. Within moments, a perfectly square wooden box with intricate patterns took shape—crafted at visible speed—and soon became a beautifully carved ballot box held in Tenzo's hands.
That second round was way too intense… Thank goodness I didn't have much to do with that kid. If I had joined in, we probably would've been eliminated too.
Seriously. This year's exam is just too weird. I'm just glad I passed… I wouldn't know how to explain it to my family if my kid got eliminated on such an "easy" test.
Yeah, as long as we passed, I can finally breathe a little easier…
Who says we can relax? Don't let your guard down. Didn't the Examiner just say that was only the second round? If it weren't for those complaints, we'd already be in round three by now.
Huh? Th-Third round?!
Oh no, there's more?! I thought that last part was the end already!
Just how many new students is the academy trying to eliminate this year…
Sigh, no choice… Let's stay sharp and not get caught by some tricky wordplay again…
Once everything was in place, Tenzo didn't immediately stand back up. Instead, he raised his head to take advantage of his elevated view. Seeing that the candidates were still chatting about their thoughts on the second round and no one had noticed his small movements, he calmly picked up the newly-made ballot box, held it securely in front of him, straightened his back, and stood up slowly.
"Ahem, alright, everyone quiet down a little… We'll now officially begin the third—and final—round of today's exam."
After a deliberate cough to make his tone seem more gentle, Tenzo raised the ballot box high over his head so everyone below could see it clearly. At the same time, hidden by the wooden shell, small wooden balls with numbers began forming inside the box. After a slight pause to gather his words, he spoke again to draw everyone's attention, following Naruto's instructions and setting things up step by step.
Having been burned once in the second round, the remaining candidates immediately quieted down the moment Tenzo spoke. They exchanged glances, gesturing for each other to keep silent, and listened with utmost focus—so much so they seemed ready to stretch their ears out, desperate not to miss a single word that might be key to passing.
"First of all, I can tell you this: the third round is a three-person team points-based system. As for the rest of the test details, I'll explain them after we've finished grouping."
The students, having learned their lesson, listened obediently. Seeing their orderly behavior, Tenzo—so used to order and discipline—nodded in satisfaction. His expression and tone grew even more kind and approachable, and as he continued producing the numbered wooden balls, he gave the next instruction.
"Now then, please line up in an orderly fashion and come on stage one at a time to draw lots from the box in my hands."
However, the warm smile of the honest man Tenzo—meant to express goodwill—was completely misread by the crowd. Having grown used to his earlier unpredictable moods, they now interpreted that smile as a sign of another bizarre and tormenting trial in the works.
Just drawing lots? A point system? This sounds… kind of normal?
Yeah right. Haven't you suffered enough from the first two rounds? Look how brightly the Examiner's smiling… Don't fool yourself, there's no way this last round is going to be normal.
I get it now… There's no approaching this year's academy exams with normal logic.
I feel the same… Sigh. I just hope our earlier good luck holds out so my kid can pass this final round…
Growing more and more cautious and suspicious, they all chose to remain still, waiting for someone else to be the first to "test the waters." As a result, after Tenzo gave the instruction, not a single person stepped forward to be the brave first crab to be eaten.*
…What's going on? Why isn't anyone moving?
From atop the platform, Tenzo frowned in confusion at the strange, out-of-place scene. Internally grumbling at the average person's lack of instinct to follow orders, he furrowed his brow slightly and raised his voice again, now with a more annoyed edge.
"What are you all standing there for? Do I have to personally invite you up here?"
Yup. He's mad again. That turn of mood was faster than flipping a page…
Seeing the dissatisfaction gradually forming on Tenzo's face, and having already misinterpreted his intentions, the crowd naturally assumed he was getting impatient and irritated. Everyone began silently weighing whether it would be wiser to step up now or stay frozen in place. All the while, they gritted their teeth and complained internally with growing despair.
Oh dear Examiner sir… with your wild mood swings, who would dare make the first move?!