#32 Divine Reward System.

The tension in the classroom had reached its peak when Ibiki’s voice rang out once again.

“[Not taking the test]—raise your hand as a sign!”

“You may leave after registering your number.”

As soon as Ibiki finished speaking, the pressure finally became too much for some. A trembling hand went up.

“I… I won’t take the exam!”

One person’s decision created a domino effect. Others, who also lacked confidence in themselves or their teammates, began raising their hands as well.

“I give up!”

“I won’t take the exam anymore!”

“…"

One after another, candidates stood up and left. Within moments, dozens had already walked out of the room, their dreams of becoming Chunin shattered.

Ibiki remained expressionless. He had done his job well—his psychological warfare had worked like a charm.

He was, after all, a master of mental torture.

After a brief silence, another hand went up.

Sasuke’s eyes narrowed in surprise. The others turned their heads in disbelief.

It was Naruto.

Just when everyone thought he was about to give up, Naruto suddenly slammed his palm onto the desk.

SNAP!

The sharp sound echoed through the silent room, followed by his defiant voice.

“Don’t underestimate me! I won't run!”

“I’ll become the Hokage no matter what it takes!”

"I'm not scared!"

His words struck a chord with the remaining candidates. The wavering ones, who had been on the verge of quitting, suddenly found themselves filled with renewed determination.

They remembered why they had come here.

“Yes! I’m not afraid!”

“I want to take the test!”

“Me too! Even if I stay a Genin forever, I won’t regret it!... Maybe a little?"

With Naruto’s bold declaration, not a single person raised their hand after that.

Everyone credited him for their regained confidence.

But no one realized it was Tatsuya who had given Naruto that confidence in the first place.

Except Sasuke.

Because before the exam started, Tatsuya had told Naruto something simple but powerful: No matter what the examiner says, don’t let it shake you. Just last until the end, and you’ll pass.

Ibiki’s ultimatum had only reinforced Tatsuya’s words in Naruto’s mind, making him fully believe in them.

And now, Naruto was standing up not just for himself, but for his teammates, especially Sakura, who he feared might crack under the pressure.

Ibiki watched the scene unfold, his face as unreadable as ever, but inwardly, he was impressed.

He hadn’t expected a wildcard like Naruto to throw a wrench into his mind games at the most crucial moment.

His cold gaze fixed on Naruto as he spoke in a slow, deliberate tone.

“I’ll give you one more chance.”

“This decision affects your future. You still have time to regret it.”

But Naruto didn’t even hesitate.

“No need!” he shot back, his voice brimming with confidence. “I follow my own path. That’s what being a ninja means to me!”

Ibiki’s eyes slightly widened. He couldn’t understand—where was this kid getting his confidence from?

Was it just his personality? Or had someone planted the idea in his head?

The answer was both.

Without Tatsuya’s words, Naruto wouldn’t have been so sure of himself. He might have cracked under the pressure. But now, he stood strong, unwavering.

Ibiki scanned the classroom, noticing how the burden of doubt had disappeared from everyone’s faces.

At this point, waiting any longer was pointless.

Still, his gaze lingered on Tatsuya.

From the start of the exam until now, Tatsuya had never once picked up his pen. Not even to fake an attempt at answering.

Yet, he sat there with an air of quiet confidence, completely unfazed.

“Did he already finish the test?”

Ibiki watched him closely. Every other candidate had either been desperately writing or cheating in some form. Even those who didn’t know the answers at least made a show of thinking.

But not Tatsuya.

This made Ibiki even more curious.

What kind of method had he used to finish the test without writing a single word?

He couldn’t figure it out.

Realizing he wouldn’t get an answer, Ibiki pushed the thought aside and turned his attention back to Naruto.

“Very wise decision.”

His voice carried across the room as he looked at all the remaining candidates.

“Now, for those of you still here…”

“I officially declare… you all pass!”

A stunned silence fell over the room.

“What?! We passed?!”

“Wait—what just happened?”

“You’re asking me?! Who am I supposed to ask?!”

Everyone was completely dumbfounded.

Compared to the shock of passing, Naruto, Sakura, and Hinata were even more stunned by something else.

They all turned to look at Tatsuya.

How… how did he know?

How had he been so sure this was the key to passing?

Seeing the confusion in their eyes, Ibiki allowed himself a small smirk.

“There was never a tenth question.”

“The real test… was the choice you just made.”

The moment those words sank in, Temari shot up from her seat, fuming.

“Ibiki-sensei!” she snapped. “Are you telling me we went through nine questions for nothing?!”

Her frustration was justified. She had spent every second struggling through the exam, only to find out none of it mattered in the end.

Ibiki’s smirk deepened.

“That’s not entirely true.”

“The first nine questions tested your ability to gather intelligence. A vital skill for any ninja.”

“Because sometimes, intelligence is more valuable than life itself. It can determine the outcome of a battle, or even an entire war.”

His words carried weight, but it was what he did next that truly drove the point home.

Ibiki reached up and removed his headband, revealing a scalp covered in deep, jagged scars.

Gasps filled the room.

“These are what happens when you get caught by the enemy,” he said. “If your mental endurance isn’t strong, if your will isn’t unshakable, then the enemy will break you and take everything they need.”

His piercing gaze swept over the room.

“This exam wasn’t just about intelligence—it was about psychological endurance.”

“That is the true test of a ninja.”

His final words rang in everyone’s ears:

“This [I would rather die than surrender] mentality… that is the real meaning behind question ten.”

For the first time, everything made sense.

The candidates, who had been questioning the purpose of the test, now understood.

A ninja’s path was cruel. They would face life and death situations. If they couldn’t even endure a psychological test, how could they survive the battlefield?

With that, Ibiki gave his final words.

“Congratulations on passing my exam.”

“But don’t celebrate yet—because the next test… will be even harder.”

No sooner had he finished speaking when—

CRASH!

The classroom windows shattered as a blur shot through the air at impossible speed.

A purple-haired kunoichi landed in front of the stunned students, her headband gleaming under the light.

A banner unfurled behind her.

It read: Second Examiner!

Mitarashi Anko smirked.

“Alright, you brats!” she called out. “Hope you’re ready… ‘cause the real test starts now!”