Jugo returned to the examination room while the jonin group watched him enter, curious as to why Jugo had returned without the Mizukage, but no one went into details, instead turning their eyes to the TVs, watching the start of the exam with curiosity.
The only exception was Shikamaru, who stared at Jugo in conflict, wondering if things would end as he expected.
Just as he was about to look away, he saw Jugo glance at him for a moment and give a slight smile, before turning his attention back to the TVs, each showing a different angle.
Outside the tower, the excitement was still high as civilians cheered for the start of the exam. Jugo had hired a professional film crew to control the cameras, they even had commentators, but in the control room there was no change of perspective or commentary.
Instead, the TVs displayed multiple angles simultaneously with integrated speakers, allowing you to perfectly hear the entire scene.
Jugo needed tens of thousands of cameras to cover the entire route, but money was not a problem for him.
In the exam room, Jirobo cleared his throat as soon as the time was up, each team already had their tags attached to their bodies at that point.
-Let's begin. From this point on, removing the tag means disqualification.- Jirobo said, and in the next moment, the inscriptions on the walls lit up. As the examinees became confused, they not only realized that a dense fog surrounded them, but also that their chakra began to be drained.
Jirobo didn't worry about their mindset and started running, just as Jirobo had said, only he and their own team would be visible, everyone else became opaque figures in the fog.
Some ninjas lost their balance when the tags began to drain their chakra, almost falling, especially those carrying black tags, but they quickly got up and started chasing after Jirobo.
Jirobo ran quickly, but not too fast, a standard ninja speed so everyone could keep up, but while Jirobo was having an easy time, each participant felt bad.
Their chakra was being continuously drained, they just wanted to speed away from that infernal tunnel, but they had to follow Jirobo.
Even if they sped up, they didn't know how far they would go. When someone asked Jirobo, he just shrugged.
As they ran, each following behind the other, time continued to pass slowly, the competitors growing increasingly tired.
In Team Kurenai, the one with the most chakra was actually Hinata, even so, the amount wasn't much greater than Kiba and Shino's, so when Hinata carried the Black Tag, she wasn't having fun.
In Team Gai, Lee wore the black tag, even though his chakra wasn't the best, he used much less of it for running due to his strong physique.
In the Kusagakure team, there was a fat guy carrying the black tag, he literally rolled instead of running.
In Shira's sand team, Shira himself carried the black Tag, just like Chojurou from Kiri.
On the other hand, in Iwa's team, it was the third unknown member who carried the black tag.
So, each team sped off chasing after Jirobo, but the crowd's excitement gradually waned, after all, the first exam wasn't very exciting to begin with, but halfway through the course, some ninjas began to fall.
At that moment, Shikamaru narrowed his eyes, thinking that now there would be a chance to confirm his hypothesis, while Jugo smiled, wondering if this team would notice.
But neither of them, Shikamaru nor Jugo, was satisfied.
As soon as they saw their teammate fall, the pair looked at him and continued running without looking back.
Jugo scoffed. - Idiots.
So, shortly after they continued running, they saw the tags fall from their clothes. Shocked, they looked at the tags, which had become transparent until they disappeared completely.
Both ninjas stopped in shock. The mist had vanished, as had the chakra absorption, but neither of them was happy. They looked back, in the distance, their teammate lay panting. They didn't need to be geniuses to understand.
If one of them loses his tag, they all lose theirs!
Shikamaru observed this and didn't think much about it, he thought it was a possibility, which made him even more certain that the objective of this exam was teamwork.
The ninjas were not happy, they cursed and tried to get the attention of the other groups, but no one heard them, calmly passing by them.
-It seems that this ability doesn't just obscure sight.- one of the jonin in the room said.
Jugo did not comment.
That was only the first team, but the second team was actually Oto's Dosu team.
Jugo became interested, and several pairs of eyes turned to him, curious, but seeing Jugo's fixed gaze with a playful smile, the group shook their heads. It seemed that Jugo viewed this exam as a game, not even his own ninjas could make him worry.
Jugo really wasn't worried, they weren't going to die.
Jugo watched Kenta fall to the ground, unable to take a second step. He was too young, he wouldn't be able to continue. Getting this far was pure willpower.
But Ryuta and Nanami didn't continue running.
They turned around and stopped.
Looking at Kenta lying on the ground, Nanami gazed at him worriedly, unsure what to do.
Ryuta didn't move at first, nor did he say anything. Blindfolded, he stood there for a few seconds before moving. He bent down and picked up Kenta, feeling his chakra being drained four times faster. Ryuta almost fell and Kenta let out a groan of pain.
Ryuta didn't care and turned around, ready to continue running with Kenta supporting him. Sure, his intentions were good, but doing that could end up draining Kenta's chakra to death, he clearly hadn't thought that far ahead.
Kenta opened his eyes weakly, looking at Ryuta. -No, leave me alone, I can't do it, you guys can.
-Shut up.- The order wasn't loud, it was said as a simple sentence, but Kenta knew Ryuta well enough to know he wouldn't give up.
Kenta opened his mouth and then closed it, he sighed, reached out to remove the tag from his chest, wanting to be eliminated so as not to be a burden, but the next moment, a hand stopped him.
Nanami held Kenta's hand, she looked at him with a smile, ready to grab him from the other side and run with them.
But at that moment, the three of them froze.
-That's... - Kenta was surprised, not only had the mist disappeared, but the chakra had stopped being drained! Looking at the tags on each of their chests, there was no change, they were still there.
-I understand... Jirobo-sama only said that if another member of the group touched the person with the Black Tag, they would suffer a loss of chakra four times, but if all three people touch each other...- Ryuta spoke calmly.
The next moment, they were even more surprised, their chakra began to be replenished, the tunnel that had been draining their chakra before was now returning it!
-Incredible... my strength is returning.- Kenta finally managed to brace himself slightly.
-I see, so if three people touch each other, not only do they stop having their chakra drained, but they also receive chakra and can see the path ahead!- Nanami said excitedly.
-Never mind, Let's run hand in hand.- Ryuta said, taking Kenta's hand and pulling them forward.
On the other side, Nanami smiled and took Kenta's other hand, pulling him along as well.
At that moment, Kenta was pulled up, looking at his companions who had returned for him and the strength returning to his own body. He seemed to understand something, he smiled as he joined them, starting to run, the trio now holding hands. -I understand, I finally understand the purpose of this exam!
They both looked at him, curious. Kenta smiled, clenching both hands. Nanami rolled her eyes while Ryuta pursed his lips in disgust, but didn't let go. -The goal is to show what's important! Separated, we are weak, but together...
Kenta sped up, pulling them along with him, going ahead. - Together we can keep running!
Nanami smiled, rolling her eyes. Ryuta's lips trembled, a smile almost forming on his lips, but in the end, he held it back. The group, led by the lively Kenta, continued to accelerate, quickly catching up with the others.
None of the other competitors noticed that three ninjas were running hand in hand.