Looking down at the confused and anxious Genin below, Morino Ibiki allowed himself a faint, rare smile.
He began to explain the true intent behind the tenth question and the earlier nine questions in a clear, concise manner.
As his words reached the remaining Genin, most of them showed expressions of realization mixed with exhaustion and disbelief.
They had just faced a mental trial meant to break their spirit — yet they had endured.
They weren't sure whether to celebrate or feel relief that they had survived the ordeal.
For many, this written test would remain an unforgettable experience.
As Ibiki stood tall at the front, his scarred face calm and unreadable, the Genin couldn't help but feel both respect and irritation toward him.
"Anyway," Ibiki said with a faint smirk, "congratulations on passing the first round of the Chunin Exams. Next—"
Before he could finish, the sound of glass shattering echoed through the hall.
"Whoosh!"
"Bang!"
"Crash!"
A shadow shot through the window like a kunai.
A slender figure landed gracefully on the front platform as the curtain billowed behind her.
Wearing mesh armor, a light yellow trench coat, and her forehead protector loosely tied around her neck, the kunoichi struck a dramatic pose.
Her voice rang out confidently:
"You little brats! This isn't the time to celebrate! I'm the examiner for the second stage of the Chunin Exams—Mitarashi Anko! The next test begins soon! Follow me, you maggots!"
The entrance was, as always, loud, unnecessary, and absolutely typical of her.
The Genin stared in stunned silence.
Most were frozen with disbelief.
"Is… there something wrong with this examiner's head?"
Sakura muttered quietly, while Kiba and Choji exchanged looks of shared confusion.
Their eyes instinctively drifted toward Naruto, who seemed oddly similar to this new examiner in energy and recklessness.
Menma, standing beside them, could only sigh and twitch the corner of his mouth in exasperation.
Seeing the entire room fall silent, Anko's exaggerated smirk faltered slightly.
From behind the curtains, Ibiki stepped out, expressionless.
"Anko… I told you to read the room. Timing matters."
Anko's grin stiffened as a bead of sweat ran down her cheek.
"Ahem! Anyway…"
Recovering her confidence, she crossed her arms and surveyed the remaining Genin with a sharp look.
"Sixty-four of you, huh? That's more than usual, Ibiki. You're getting soft—was the written exam that easy this year?"
Ibiki chuckled lightly.
"Plenty of talented Genin this time. Naturally, the pass rate went up."
"Hmph. Fine. Doesn't matter. I'll make sure to cut that number in half during the next round."
Anko licked her lips, her serpentine grin eerily reminiscent of her former master.
Her predatory gaze swept over the group like a kunai blade.
"You'd better be ready. The second test isn't for the faint-hearted."
A nervous shiver rippled through the room.
"Well, that's all for now," Anko said, waving her hand casually. "We'll meet tomorrow for the next phase. Details will be sent to your team leaders. Dismissed!"
With a swirl of her trench coat, she leapt out the same window she had come through — leaving behind a room full of bewildered Genin and a few broken shards of glass.
⸻
Menma's silver-gray eyes followed her departing figure, his expression calm but thoughtful.
So… that's Orochimaru's disciple still stationed in Konoha?
He mused inwardly.
Strange choice for a pupil. She doesn't seem particularly remarkable — but perhaps her will is what drew him in…
With the first exam concluded, the participants began to disperse.
Though Anko had complained that too many had passed, in truth, Ibiki's written test had eliminated over two-thirds of the original candidates — a brutal mental challenge by any standard.
The remaining Genin left the hall uneasy, burdened with questions about what the next stage might hold.
⸻
Back at his home, Menma shut the door behind him and exhaled slowly.
The first round had merely been a warm-up — a test of patience and nerves.
The real challenge would begin in the second round.
The Forest of Death… and Orochimaru.
Menma's lips curved faintly as he thought about what awaited him there.
This wasn't just about survival or promotion — it was about opportunity.
Orochimaru wasn't his only potential contact, but he was the most resourceful and ambitious.
Menma needed someone like him — a stepping stone toward his greater goals.
Still, Menma wasn't entirely sure his current leverage would be enough to earn Orochimaru's interest.
I'll have to risk it. If fate aligns, it'll open the path I need…
With that quiet thought, Menma lay back on his bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling.
Sleep came slowly, his mind already rehearsing how to approach the Sannin.
⸻
Meanwhile, deep beneath the Hidden Leaf Village, in one of Root's underground corridors…
A masked ANBU operative appeared silently, his movement crisp and precise.
After scanning his surroundings, his gaze locked onto the darkness in the far corner.
A chuckle echoed from the shadows.
"Heh… sharp as expected from one of Danzō's Root."
From the gloom stepped Yakushi Kabuto, his glasses glinting faintly under the moonlight.
"Do you have it?" the Root agent asked, his voice cold and emotionless.
Kabuto smirked.
"Of course. As promised."
He withdrew a sealed scroll from his cloak but didn't hand it over immediately.
Instead, he held it loosely, the smirk on his lips deepening.