#33 Divine Reward System.

[Anko Mitarashi], one of the striking kunoichi of Konoha's Hidden Village!

One of the legendary Sannin [Orochimaru]'s disciples, Anko has a bold personality and is classified as a [Tokubetsu Jounin], just like Morino Ibiki.

Her grand entrance was… well, let’s just say it made Ibiki sigh in exasperation. Sasuke and the others? They were completely thrown off.

“Alright, don’t start celebrating just yet!”

“I am the chief examiner for the second test, [Anko Mitarashi]. The next stage is waiting for you!”

Her voice rang with authority, but something about her theatrics made it feel… over-the-top.

Sakura, Ino, and a few others couldn't help but picture another loudmouthed, dramatic ninja.

“Naruto…”

Yeah, the similarities were uncanny.

While the room buzzed with speculation over what the second test entailed, Anko turned toward Ibiki with a slight frown.

“Ibiki, why are there still 26 teams left?”

“Your test was too easy!”

Her frustration was understandable. Last year, two-thirds of the candidates were eliminated by this point. This year? More than half remained!

153 candidates started. 75 were eliminated. That left 78.

“Uh…”

Ibiki hesitated before responding with a dry chuckle. “This year’s candidates… they’re strong.”

Not that he could just say, ‘Naruto completely messed up my plans,’ without feeling ridiculous.

“Hmph, fine!” Anko scoffed. “Then I’ll make sure to cut that number down by at least half in the second exam!”

A wave of unease spread through the remaining examinees. Some swallowed hard, suddenly not so sure of their own skills.

Then, Anko continued, her voice sharp and to the point.

“The details of the second test will be revealed tomorrow at the designated location. Ask your sensei for the time and place of assembly.”

“Now, dismissed!”

As Anko’s voice rang out, the students began filing out, their murmurs filling the room. That left Ibiki behind, gathering the test papers.

But then…

His hand paused as he picked up one in particular. His eyes widened in disbelief.

It was blank.

No answers. No name. Just a single line written on it.

[Ibiki-sensei, why were you staring at me the whole exam? Am I that attractive? I'll have to refuse you though, I don't swing that way.]

Ibiki blinked. Then blinked again.

And then, for the first time in a while, a smirk broke his usually unreadable expression.

“This kid…”

He had never seen someone turn in a blank test with such confidence. But instead of being annoyed, he found himself intrigued.

It wasn’t that Tatsuya hadn’t understood the test. He's a transmigrator, of course he already knew from the beginning that answering the test was useless.

And that made Ibiki want to know more.

“What kind of jutsu does this kid have?”

“Or is it something else entirely?”

Just as he was lost in thought, Ibiki stumbled upon yet another blank paper.

“Uzumaki Naruto?”

“Wait… this kid too?”

Coincidence? Or…

A nagging thought crept into his mind. He quickly checked the [exam registration forms].

Normally, tracking down a candidate’s name would take some effort. But now? Now, it was easy.

And sure enough.

It wasn’t a coincidence. Naruto’s confidence wasn’t unfounded.

Because there was someone else behind it.

A name stood out: “Tokigawa Tatsuya.”

Ibiki narrowed his eyes. Just who was this kid?

However, as he turned the application form over, his breath caught in his throat.

There was another note.

[Ibiki-sensei, looks like you found me.]

Ibiki’s fingers tightened around the paper.

Tatsuya had anticipated all of this. He knew Ibiki would come looking. Knew he’d dig through the forms. And he had written this note in advance.

A cold shiver ran down Ibiki’s spine.

“This kid is terrifying.”

If before he had merely been curious, now he was outright stunned.

He had assessed countless candidates over the years. But never had he met someone as audacious—and as sharp—as Tatsuya.

And he was just a fresh graduate.

“A student of Kakashi’s, huh?”

“Looks like I’ll have to have a little chat with him…”

—

Meanwhile…

As they left the building, Naruto’s curiosity got the better of him.

“How the heck did you know we could pass by just handing in a blank paper?!”

Sasuke, Sakura, and even Tenten leaned in, eager for an answer.

Even Temari, despite keeping her distance because of Gaara, found herself glancing their way. Yesterday’s events had already put a wedge between Gaara and Tatsuya, and she didn’t want to stir the pot further. So, reluctantly, she followed Gaara and Kankuro.

Still, she couldn’t help but mention it to her brothers.

When she did, Gaara and Kankuro were just as surprised.

“Temari, do you know his name?” Gaara asked, eyes darkening with interest.

“No idea.”

Kankuro sighed. “Seriously, Temari? You didn’t even check his test paper?”

“He didn’t even write his name,” she muttered. “And he somehow knew he’d pass without answering a single question.”

Gaara and Kankuro exchanged glances, equally stunned.

After a brief silence, Gaara turned in the direction where Tatsuya and the others had disappeared.

A slow, intrigued smirk formed on his face.

“Interesting.”

“I hope you don’t disappoint me.”