Naruto: Boruto Returns to Shippuden

Chapter 35 The Forest of Death

Ibiki Morino continued, "In exams, cheating or similar behavior will result in a two-point deduction if the proctor discovers it. This means that some people may have to leave before the end."

Ibiki Morino said sternly, "Anyone who cheats shamefully will only bring about their own destruction. Tell me clearly!"

Ibiki Morino silently added in his mind: Although cheating is unethical, if you can do it without the examiner noticing, that's a skill in itself.

"Next, if any member of the team gets zero points, the entire team will be deemed unqualified."

As soon as Ibiki Morino finished speaking, Naruto felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave, because he clearly sensed several chilling killing intents coming towards him.

"The last question will be asked 45 minutes into the exam. The exam duration is one hour. So... the exam is now beginning!"

Sasuke stared at the test paper in front of him, a confident expression on his face, his hands supporting his chin: I see... I can't do any of these questions.

Fortunately, Sasuke and the others realized the true purpose of the exam from the rules announced by Ibiki Morino. It was actually to test the candidates' ability to gather information; in short, it was to test their cheating skills.

The atmosphere in the examination room became extremely tense, and everyone used their unique abilities to cheat.

At this moment, Hinata cautiously looked at Naruto, hoping he would see her answer, because she didn't want him to be eliminated.

However, Naruto refused Hinata's offer because he was too proud to admit it.

If Boruto finds out about this, he'll definitely scold Naruto: "I gave you a chance, but you still couldn't do it!"

Time passed by, and forty-five minutes of the exam had already gone by.

Just then, the examiner suddenly announced a change in the rules, requiring everyone to decide at the last minute whether to answer the tenth question.

Giving up answering means your exam score is invalid and your teammates will be forced to leave the exam room. However, if you answer incorrectly, you will permanently lose your eligibility to participate in the Chunin Exams.

Faced with such stringent conditions, many people could not withstand the immense pressure and helplessly raised their hands, indicating their willingness to give up answering the questions and leave the examination room.

Boruto stared at Naruto's tightly closed eyes, and he knew that Naruto was struggling internally at that moment. He wanted to give up, but he was also worried that Sasuke and the others would be implicated.

Under this invisible pressure, Naruto slowly raised his hand, as if he could no longer bear the weight.

However, driven by his dream of becoming Hokage, Naruto's actions suddenly changed, and he slammed his hand on the table.

"Don't underestimate me! I won't back down now. I'm going to participate. Even if I can only be a genin for the rest of my life, I'll become Hokage with my own spirit. No problem! I'm not afraid at all!"

Boruto looked at Naruto with a complicated expression, his heart filled with mixed feelings: Dad... is this why you're still a genin even after becoming the Seventh Hokage?

Naruto, of course, had no idea that his words were becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy.

After letting out a sigh of relief, Boruto stood up and shouted, "That's right! We will never give up easily. No matter how difficult the tenth question is, bring it on!"

Inspired by Boruto and Naruto's words, the others stood up and declared that they would never give up on the exam.

Sakura gave a helpless smile: "These two guys always like to make things so big."

To everyone's surprise, Ibiki Morino suddenly announced that everyone present had passed the test.

Only at this moment did everyone realize that the ultimate goal of this assessment was to test their intelligence gathering abilities and their willpower.

After all, when it comes to carrying out those unavoidable missions in the future, there is a high possibility that some people will abandon their teammates and choose to escape because they are afraid of death.

Someone with such weak willpower is simply not fit to be a Chunin.

With a serious expression, Ibiki Morino formally announced, "You have successfully passed this hurdle. The first exam of the Chunin Selection is now over! I wish you all the best in your remaining exams!"

"This is not the time to be happy. I am the examiner for the second exam, Mitarashi Anko!"

At that moment, a dark figure burst through the window; it was none other than the second examiner—Mitarashi Anko.

Mitarashi Anko glared at Morino Ibiki with displeasure: "79 people, Ibiki, there are still 26 teams left. The first exam this year was too lenient!"

Ibiki Morino dismissed it, saying, "There are a lot of excellent guys this year."

Mitarashi Anko said nonchalantly, "I've eliminated less than half of you in the second exam, how exciting!"

When Boruto saw the newcomer, he involuntarily crossed the examination hall and went straight to the examiner of the second round.

Her eyes widened, and she asked with a look of suspicion, "You...you really are Mitarashi Anko? You're so beautiful..."

"Haha, you little rascal! Even if your words are as sweet as honey, this examiner will absolutely not give you any special treatment in the second exam! After all, I always adhere to the principle of fairness and impartiality."

Mitarashi Anko couldn't help but chuckle softly, thinking that he was just trying to curry favor with the examiner and cheat, which greatly diminished her impression of him.

But Boruto seemed oblivious, still muttering to himself, "...Is this still the chubby Aunt Red Bean I remember? She's changed so much! What happened to her all those years ago?"

Unable to contain his curiosity, Boruto circled around Mitarashi Anko a few times, examining her closely from head to toe.

"What?!? A chubby... auntie!!" Mitarashi Anko was struck dumb, feeling as if she were about to explode, and anger surged into her heart instantly.

Boruto, completely oblivious to the seriousness of the situation, nodded solemnly and added with an air of importance, "Yes, the chubby auntie, um... she probably weighs over 200 pounds."

"More than 200 pounds!?" Mitarashi Anko's veins bulged, her eyes filled with anger, as if she was about to tear the boy in front of her apart.

She simply couldn't believe what she was hearing. How dare this kid say such a thing about her! How could she possibly weigh over 200 pounds!

I really want to gouge his eyes out so he can see for himself whether he looks like he weighs over 200 pounds.

Even Ibiki Morino, standing to the side, was intimidated by Anko Mitarashi's imposing presence and involuntarily took a few steps back.

"It seems I have to give you some special treatment. Your name is Namikaze Boruto, right?" Mitarashi Anko said through gritted teeth, her voice carrying a hint of threat.

It was only then that Boruto noticed the murderous look in Mitarashi Anko's eyes. He immediately realized he had said the wrong thing and quickly explained, "No... no, my name is Uzumaki Naruto."

Naruto, who was unjustly implicated, immediately jumped up: "Damn it! How could you say my name! You should have said Sasuke's name!"

Sasuke's face darkened, and he inwardly groaned, "These two idiots!" At the same time, he quickly put on an act as if he didn't know the two at all.

"It's too late! Let's look forward to the second test, Boruto!" Mitarashi Anko revealed a sinister smile.

......

With hearts full of trepidation, the trainees who had passed the written test finally arrived at the location of the second assessment – ​​the Death Forest.

Mitarashi Anko began to introduce them: "This is the venue for the second exam, the 44th training ground, also known as... the Forest of Death."

The examiners began distributing a mysterious scroll to each group of candidates, with the characters for "heaven" and "earth" printed on it.

Only the group that collects both the "Heaven" and "Earth" scrolls and successfully reaches the finish line can pass this test.

However, there is one special requirement: no one is allowed to look at the contents of the scroll before reaching the finish line.

Mitarashi Anko looked at Boruto with a mischievous smile on her face. She deliberately lowered her voice and said, "Originally, according to the Third Hokage's original intention, the four of you only needed to obtain two different scrolls, plus either the 'Heaven' or 'Earth' scroll, for a total of three scrolls to clear the game."

However, Mitarashi Anko abruptly changed the subject, saying, "But I've suddenly changed my mind! You four brats must collect both sets of the 'Heaven' and 'Earth' scrolls to pass this test!"

The members of Class 7 unanimously turned their attention to the culprit who caused this outcome.

Boruto was immediately drenched in sweat and apologized to them repeatedly.

Mitarashi Anko took a stack of consent forms from the other examiners and distributed them to everyone, asking them to sign their names.

Boruto, holding the consent form, asked, "What's this?"

Mitarashi Anko explained, "There is a possibility that someone might die afterward. We need to get prior consent for that, otherwise it will become my responsibility."

Boruto nodded. "Simply put, this is what they call a disclaimer."

Among the crowd, one person's eyes were like those of a venomous snake, fixed on Class 7 not far ahead, as if they were prey he was determined to capture.

The man stuck out his long tongue, licked his lips, and revealed a greedy and cruel smile.