Was this even an exam? It was obvious the Konoha proctors didn't want any of them to become Chunin.

A Genin from the Hidden Grass Village slammed his fist on the desk. "What kind of ridiculous rule is this?! If I'd known it would be like this, I never would have come to this stupid exam! What a waste of time!"

"Heh…" Ibiki sneered. "If you don't want to take the exam, you and your companions are free to leave. No one is stopping you."

"Damn it!" The Grass ninja, cornered and with no other choice, gritted his teeth. After a moment, he managed to suppress his impulsive anger and slumped back into his seat.

Seeing the Genin back down, Ibiki continued, "Furthermore, the final question will not be given until forty-five minutes into the exam. Don't ask why. My rules are the only rules that matter."

"The exam will last for one hour. You may… begin!"

With that, the candidates picked up their pens and began to write. Regardless of whether they knew the answers or not, every one of them put on the serious expression of a top student. But as they read on, they realized the questions were impossibly difficult.

'Assumptions under uncertainty…'

'Analytical application of mechanical energy…'

'Calculate the maximum effective range of a shuriken thrown from variable heights and angles…'

These weren't questions; they were nonsense. Not even most Jonin would be able to answer them.

"What should I do? What should I do? What should I do?!"

Panic began to set in. Some of the Genin started frantically pulling at their hair, racking their brains for any scrap of knowledge they might have retained from the academy. But no matter how hard they thought, they knew their teachers had never taught them anything like this.

A few minutes later, a kunai suddenly flew out from the side of the room, stabbing into one candidate's test paper, its tip mere centimeters from his head.

"Wh-what was that for?!" the candidate exclaimed.

The proctor beside him simply smiled. "Number 23, from the beginning of the test until now, you have been caught cheating five times. Congratulations, you are eliminated."

"Of course," the proctor continued, his voice void of emotion, "your teammates, numbers 47 and 61, are eliminated as well. The three of you, get out of this classroom immediately!"

"How can you do this?!" the disqualified Genin protested. "I refuse to accept this! Do you have any proof that I cheated five times? Show it to me, or I'm not leaving!"

"Hmph!"

Another proctor suddenly appeared, slamming the boy against the wall, his hand around the Genin's throat. "Listen, kid," he hissed. "We are the elite Chunin chosen specifically for this exam. We do not miss your pathetic attempts to cheat. If you're not convinced, you can try to attack me. As long as you're not afraid of dying."

"I-I was wrong!" the boy choked out, his arrogance gone, replaced by the pure, primal fear of death. "Please, have mercy!"

"Hmph! If you know you're wrong, then get out of here!"

After the three disgraced Genin had left, Ibiki addressed the room once more. "Do you see? That is what happens when you cheat. Remember, you are shinobi. If you wish to become Chunin, then you must act like proper shinobi during this exam!"

The room returned to silence. The smarter ninja in the room, however, were beginning to understand. The impossibly difficult questions, the harsh penalties for being caught cheating… this wasn't a test of knowledge. It was a test of their ability to gather information without being detected.

The first to act was Gaara of the Sand. A single eyeball, formed from sand, detached itself and floated through the air, silently observing the test papers of the other candidates. Hyuga Neji activated his Byakugan. Tenten used a complex system of ninja wire and mirrors. Kiba relied on his canine partner, Akamaru, to get the answers, while Shino sent out his kikaichū. One by one, the candidates began to showcase their unique talents, cheating with a skill and precision that was, in its own way, impressive.

"Heh…" A rare smile of satisfaction touched Ibiki's lips. The abilities of these Genin are quite good, he thought to himself.

However, when his gaze fell upon the Uchiha trio, he was stunned. The three of them had been resting with their eyes closed since the exam began. They hadn't even picked up their pens, let alone attempted to answer the questions.

What in the world are they doing? Ibiki was completely puzzled. Did they come all this way just to sit here and do nothing?

__________________________

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