Just like in the original story, Morino Ibiki gave a "challenge or forfeit" choice before announcing the tenth question.
If you chose to challenge the tenth question, then no matter how well you did on the first nine, a single mistake would mean instant disqualification—and you'd be banned from ever taking the Chūnin Exams again.
If you chose to forfeit, you'd still be eliminated, but you'd be allowed to try again next time.
Hearing this rule, the examinees—who had finally managed to fill their answer sheets through cheating—were clearly shaken.
But under Morino Ibiki's intense pressure, they quickly quieted down and started hesitating.
"I forfeit!"
Soon, someone raised their hand with clenched teeth and shut eyes.
"Me too. I'll just come back next time."
"I'm not gambling my future on this!"
"..."
Once someone took the lead, more and more followed, each finding an excuse for themselves.
Since a single teammate's elimination meant the whole team failed, every examinee that forfeited also meant two others were taken out.
Before long, the already half-empty exam room was reduced by another third.
Izayoi, propping up his chin with one hand while holding Hinata's small hand under the table with the other, was curious what kind of face Naruto Uzumaki was making at that moment. He wondered how that guy was feeling right now.
If Izayoi turned around—or activated his Tenseigan—he'd see Naruto sitting calmly, arms folded, looking confident and relaxed.
Looking closely, you'd find Naruto's test paper already filled with answers.
Unlike in the original story where his sheet was blank, this time—sitting next to Uchiha Sasuke—Naruto didn't have to do anything. As long as he held the pen, Sasuke handled the rest.
Thanks to the Uchiha clan's precise shuriken control techniques, Sasuke used thin steel wires like a puppet master, manipulating Naruto to write the answers.
Naruto, of course, was completely unfazed.
Without Naruto's usual rousing speech to lift spirits, more people were eliminated during the first exam than in the original timeline.
But that was about it.
Many of the examinees from other villages had caught on to the loophole.
Not being allowed to take the Chūnin Exams again didn't mean they couldn't become Chūnin.
After all, they weren't Konoha's ninjas. As long as they were outstanding enough, their village leaders would likely promote them anyway.
If they gave up now, even if they could take the next exam in one of the other great ninja villages, they'd risk disappointing their superiors.
So, many examinees endured Morino Ibiki's psychological assault.
As time was about to run out, and no one else seemed willing to quit, Ibiki—whose face had been tense the entire time—finally broke into a smile and said:
"Congratulations. You've all passed the first exam."
"Eh?!"
Shocked voices instantly rang out.
Those who had steeled themselves for the tenth question were dumbfounded.
Many couldn't accept it and immediately asked, "What do you mean by that?!"
Morino Ibiki then explained the true purpose of the first exam.
The first nine questions tested a ninja's knowledge and information-gathering abilities. The tenth question tested team cohesion.
Even with that explanation, many examinees were still in a daze.
Bang!
Before they could fully react, the sound of a kunai breaking a window drew everyone's attention.
They saw Anko Mitarashi make a dramatic entrance in a way that felt so familiar to Naruto, it was like looking in a mirror.
Many examinees were visibly speechless at her over-the-top arrival.
However, the conversation between Anko and Ibiki that followed immediately made all the examinees tense up again.
"Ibiki, what's the deal? Why are there still so many left?"
"This year's batch is just more capable."
"Tch… whatever. In the next round, I'll make sure at least half of them get cut."
At the end, Anko scanned the entire room like a hunter sizing up prey.
Unlike her flashy entrance, her Orochimaru-like sinister smile and Special Jōnin aura made many examinees shudder. No one dared to underestimate this woman anymore.
Just like Morino Ibiki, anyone qualified to be a chief examiner clearly wasn't ordinary.
"Everyone, be at Training Ground 44 by 3 PM tomorrow. If you're late, you'll be disqualified."
Leaving those parting words, Anko walked out of the room, officially marking the end of the first exam.
"Yo, long time no see."
Teams Eight and Seven once again left the exam room together.
But before they reached the stairwell, Izayoi and the others heard a familiar voice in the hallway.
Turning their heads, they saw Nara Shikamaru with his hands behind his head, walking over with Akimichi Chōji and Yamanaka Ino.
"Sasuke, it's been forever!"
Ino enthusiastically tried to throw herself at Sasuke, only for him to casually sidestep her.
"Ino-pig, what do you think you're doing to Sasuke?!" Haruno Sakura snapped angrily.
"Forehead girl, what's it to you? Wanna fight?" Ino snapped back without hesitation.
The once-close friends locked foreheads, ready to brawl at any moment—just like the earlier scuffle between Sasuke and Naruto.
"Long time no see, Shikamaru, Chōji."
Ignoring the two girls, Izayoi and the others greeted Shikamaru and Chōji.
Izayoi teased, "I thought someone like you who hates trouble wouldn't bother with the Chūnin Exams."
"I didn't want to. But Asuma-sensei and my dad both forced me," Shikamaru replied, shrugging. "Besides, Ino wanted to take the exam. I'm sure you all noticed something was up from the application forms."
"Yeah."
Izayoi nodded, and the new version of the Konoha Nine walked out of the building together.
On the way, Ino—having finished her spat with Sakura—somehow ended up next to Hinata. Eyeing Hinata's white kimono, she smiled sweetly and said, "Hinata, this new outfit looks great on you. It really suits your vibe."
"Thank you." Hinata smiled softly.
"Umm…"
Ino tugged shyly at Hinata's sleeve, glanced over at the boys, then leaned in and whispered into Hinata's ear:
"Hinata, how did you do it?"
Sakura's ears twitched slightly as she subtly edged closer.
"Do what?" Hinata asked, puzzled.
"This—how did you manage this?"
Ino first glanced at Hinata's impressive figure, which couldn't be hidden even by her loose kimono, then looked down at herself—while not flat, she wasn't exactly well-endowed either. She asked again in a hushed voice, "Hinata, what do you usually eat?"
Hinata's face immediately turned bright red. Whatever she thought of, she slowly lowered her head and murmured, "I… I don't know. I just eat more than others."
"Just eating more works?"
Ino seemed to believe her but then glanced at Chōji—who was munching on chips and calmly watching the boys chat with Shino.
Her expression instantly fell.
It seemed that method wouldn't work for her after all.
Even though the "Pig" in the Ino-Shika-Chō formation referred to the Yamanaka clan, Ino definitely didn't want to actually become a pig.
And she absolutely hated it when people called her "Ino-pig."