"Impossible!"

"You Uchiha are so evil! It was your clan that betrayed the village, and now you claim to be the victims?"

"Do you have any idea how much damage your actions caused this village?"

"Betrayal is betrayal, no matter the reason! This village raised us! We should be grateful!"

"Without Konoha, you wouldn't even exist! How dare you!"

"Besides, we know our leaders! We trust Lord Third and the honorable elders. They love every single one of us and would never do such a thing!"

"Show us some proof! You can't just make such wild accusations! There really is something wrong with the Uchiha!"

Some of Konoha's Genin were utterly furious. To them, this was the village where they had grown up, a sacred place that was now being slandered. And it wasn't just them in the room; there were shinobi from many other nations. They could not allow Konoha's name to be insulted like this. A few even looked ready to take action.

"Oh no…!"

The Chunin proctors were beginning to panic. Although they were just as angry about Sasuke's answer, now was not the time for anger. Their most important duty was to maintain control of the situation.

"What in the world is Lord Ibiki thinking? Why would he ask such a question?"

"Lord Ibiki? Lord Ibiki!"

The proctors tried desperately to catch his eye, but Ibiki simply ignored them, his expression one of detached indifference, as if the chaos unfolding had nothing to do with him.

Suddenly, a loud crash echoed from the front of the room.

CRASH!

A figure burst through the window, unfurling a large banner that blocked Ibiki from view.

"Everyone, listen up!" a woman's voice commanded. "I am the proctor for the second stage of the Chunin Exam, Anko Mitarashi!"

"Due to special circumstances, the first exam is over! You will all follow me to the second examination site! Now shut up and move out, immediately!"

"Anyone who dares to ask another question will be disqualified!"

Under Anko's overwhelming dominance, the candidates quickly stood and began to file out of the classroom.

After all the Genin had gone, Anko turned, her eyes fixed on Ibiki with a cold, hard glare. "Big guy," she said, her voice low and serious, "I don't know what's gotten into you, but I know one thing for sure: you're in deep trouble. The Anbu have this building surrounded, and they're all waiting for you. The Hokage wants to see you."

"Heh…" Ibiki put his hands in his pockets, a nonchalant chuckle escaping his lips. "I merely allowed the truth to be heard. Does the Hokage have a problem with that?"

Hearing this, Anko's temper flared. "The truth? Humph! The village issued an official announcement regarding their betrayal. That is the truth! Besides, how can you trust the words of that Uchiha brat?"

Ibiki shook his head. "The truth isn't decided by age or official announcements. It is decided by power."

Anko frowned, a sudden suspicion dawning on her. "Wait… what's wrong with you? Have you been brainwashed by an Uchiha?"

Ibiki replied calmly, his voice devoid of all emotion, "It is not I who has been brainwashed. It is you."

"That's enough!" An Anbu captain suddenly appeared between them. "Morino Ibiki, do not say another word. You will come with me."

"And you, Anko Mitarashi," he added, his voice firm, "go and do your job."

"Tsk!" Anko rolled her eyes at the Anbu captain in disgust. She let out a long sigh as she watched the two of them leave.

"Sigh… Ibiki, what in the world has happened to you?"