Chapter 43: The True Test Revealed
"What! But we haven't done anything!"
A wave of stunned disbelief washed over the remaining genin. They had braced themselves for a brutal intellectual grilling, only to be told they had passed without even answering the final question. The result was completely unexpected.
"What about the tenth question?" someone shouted, voicing the confusion of the entire room. "What was the point of all that?"
A rare, knowing smile broke through Ibiki's stern expression. "In truth, there was no tenth question. The choice I gave you—the decision to stay and face the consequences or to leave—that was the tenth question."
His explanation only deepened the bewilderment.
"Then... what was the point of the first nine questions?" protested another genin. "We worked so hard on them for nothing!"
"Not for nothing," Ibiki corrected, his tone becoming that of a teacher. "Those nine questions served a vital purpose: to test your intelligence-gathering capabilities."
He looked out at the sea of young faces, his gaze almost paternal now, a stark contrast to the terrifying proctor from minutes before.
"The questions were deliberately designed to be nearly impossible for a genin to answer alone. The only way to solve them was through espionage—by cheating. Furthermore," he revealed, "we strategically placed two chunin who knew all the answers within your ranks, providing a clear target for those with the skill to identify and copy from them."
A collective realization dawned on the candidates. Their clever tricks, their secret techniques—none of it had gone unnoticed. They had been playing a game where the proctors knew all the rules from the very beginning.
"But the most important test," Ibiki's voice grew solemn, "was the final one. The courage to face an unknown, terrifying risk for the sake of your teammates... and the will to see it through. That is an essential quality for a chunin, who must lead and make decisions under extreme pressure."
He smiled again. "In any case, you have all passed my test and earned my approval. Congratulations. Now, you must prepare for what comes next."
His eyes then found a single figure in the crowd. "However, there is one among you who is truly exceptional."
All heads turned as Ibiki's gaze settled on Aizen Sōsuke. "Aizen, I must commend you. You are the only candidate who did not cheat, yet you answered all nine questions perfectly. A flawless score, achieved entirely on your own merit."
Seventy-eight pairs of eyes fixed on Aizen. They held surprise, newfound respect, and in some cases, deep suspicion. How could a genin, especially one who had joined the academy so late, possess such profound knowledge?
Aizen accepted the attention with his usual humble demeanor. He offered a gentle, almost shy smile to those who looked his way, his expression suggesting that this grand achievement was merely a minor, pleasant occurrence. His act was so convincing that it immediately fostered an impression of a kind, approachable, and incredibly gifted comrade.
CRASH!
The moment was shattered as a figure burst through the classroom window in a shower of glass and splintered wood, landing with a dramatic flourish in the center of the room. The genin jumped, their hands instinctively flying to their kunai pouches.
"What's going on now?" someone yelled, the tension spiking once more.
The dust settled to reveal a slender, striking woman. She was vibrant and bold, her beauty carrying a dangerous, wild edge. She looked young, with flawless skin and a confident, challenging posture. The plunging neckline of her outfit drew more than a few flustered glances from the assembled genin.
"Don't get too comfortable just yet, brats!" she announced, her voice loud and full of energy. "I am Mitarashi Anko, the proctor for the second exam! The real fun is about to begin!"
Anko waved a hand dramatically, her long coat swirling around her. "You! All of you! Follow me!"
She struck a pose, expecting immediate compliance. Instead, she was met with a room full of blank, bewildered stares. The candidates were too stunned by her entrance to process her command. The only word that crossed their minds was: Weird.
Ahem.
Ibiki stepped forward, saving the awkward situation. "Anko," he said dryly, "a total of 79 candidates passed the first test."
"Seventy-nine?!" Anko whirled on him, her expression one of contempt. "That's way too many! Your test was way too soft." She grinned, a predatory flash in her eyes. "Just watch. I'll cut that number in half, at least! Now, all of you, move it!"
Still confused but with no other option, the 79 genin filed out of the classroom and followed the erratic Anko through the village.
After a long march, they arrived at a vast, foreboding area surrounded by towering, impenetrable metal nets.
Anko stopped before a massive locked gate, a sly, excited smile spreading across her face. "Welcome to the stage for your second exam: the 44th Training Ground."
She paused for effect, letting the ominous name hang in the air.
"It has another name, one you'd do well to remember. We call it... the Forest of Death."