Naruto: Lost to Hinata on Purpose, and Now Everything's a Mess Chapter 82 82 : Anko, The Second Exam

Ino, who was standing next to Riku, looked at him worriedly.

"Riku-kun, how are you going to carry out an S-rank mission? That's way too dangerous—Genin aren't supposed to handle sothing like that. But... I'm glad you're okay."

Hinata also glanced at Riku, concern evident in her eyes.

Riku smiled faintly and said nothing.

Just then, several proctors entered the classroom following the announcent from Kabuto.

"Quiet down. The exam is starting."

Morino Ibiki stepped forward, releasing the bloodlust of a seasoned Jōnin. The chilling aura swept across the room, instantly silencing the candidates.

However, many of them couldn't help but compare it to the aura Riku had unleashed earlier. Ibiki's might have been terrifying—but it was still weaker than what they'd felt from Riku.

This realization deepened their sense of awe toward him.

Sitting calmly at his desk, Riku radiated a quiet confidence. Morino Ibiki narrowed his eyes as he looked at him.

"So this is the kid the Third Hokage keeps ntioning? From earlier… his presence alone froze the entire room in fear."

Ibiki hadn't seen the mont Riku released his aura. But he could read the tension in the room, the wariness in the eyes of the other examinees. Everyone was afraid of him.

It only made Ibiki more curious. If the Hokage spoke of him so often, Ibiki wanted to see exactly what kind of ability he had.

This portion of the Chūnin Exams tested investigative and analytical skills. It would reveal a great deal about each candidate's capabilities.

After the test papers were handed out, Ibiki began to explain the rules.

The mont the exam started, almost every candidate stared at their papers in shock.

They were blank. Lost. Not a single question made sense to them.

But Riku?

He calmly picked up his pen and began to write without hesitation.

There was no thought of cheating—because he didn't need to. These questions were ridiculously easy for him.

Ibiki watched with growing interest.

Is he really not cheating… or are his movents too subtle for to catch?

Still unconvinced, Ibiki walked directly to Riku's side and stood beside him.

But Riku didn't even flinch. He simply continued answering, smooth and composed, without the slightest delay or hesitation.

Ibiki's lips twitched.

"I was hoping to evaluate his investigative skills—but what's the point if he can just solve the damn questions on his own?"

The real point of this exam wasn't the test content at all.

But Riku, apparently, could solve everything on the paper easily. No investigation, no cheating required. The questions just weren't hard for him.

He completed all nine questions in ten minutes.

They were child's play.

Leaning back with a serene expression, Riku waited patiently while others around him struggled. Ibiki could only sigh in helpless frustration.

Everyone in the room who had displayed any notable ability kept sneaking glances at Riku—but no one dared to copy from him.

They were still reeling from the oppressive pressure he'd emitted earlier. They didn't even know if Riku had answered everything correctly, or had just scribbled random answers—but no one dared take that risk.

Ti continued to tick away. Eventually, the test period ended. Three-quarters of the class remained—those who had either known the answers or successfully cheated.

The rest had been caught and disqualified.

Ibiki stood at the podium.

"All right," he announced. "Ti's up. Stop writing."

The remaining candidates looked up. Among them, only Naruto had failed to complete anything. His test was still blank.

Ibiki scanned the room with a stern gaze.

"Now I will give you the tenth question," he said gravely.

Tension gripped the room.

He let the silence build, then continued.

"Before I reveal the question, you must understand the rules. If you choose to answer the tenth question and get it wrong… you will be permanently banned from ever taking the Chūnin Exams again."

Gasps and murmurs erupted across the room.

"What kind of rule is that?! That's insane!"

Panic spread like wildfire.

But Riku simply leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk, calm and indifferent.

Throughout his speech, Ibiki kept glancing at Riku. Every ti, Riku's expression was the sa—completely serene. No panic. No fear.

Ibiki couldn't help but feel frustrated.

Doesn't this kid realize what's at stake? Or is he not worried about his teammates giving up?

His composure was maddening.

And Riku knew Ibiki was watching him.

But it didn't matter. He felt no pressure.

In the end, none of Riku's teammates chose to give up. Not even Naruto, who ca the closest. He clenched his fists and refused to back down.

Ibiki finally relented with a sigh.

"Congratulations. You've all passed."

The entire classroom was stunned.

"All passed? What about the tenth question?" soone asked.

Ibiki smirked.

"There was never a tenth question. The point of it was to test your trust in your comrades. The previous nine questions asured your investigative ability."

He glanced across the room again.

Unbeknownst to Ibiki, Naruto had scored a zero.

Riku, who already knew how the plot would unfold, remained unfazed.

Even if he hadn't known in advance, it wouldn't have mattered.

Jōnin, Chūnin, Genin—it made no difference to him.

Besides, the Third Hokage had already promised that Riku would be promoted to Chūnin this year.

Ibiki looked at him again and saw the sa calm, knowing smile on Riku's face—as if this outco had been expected all along.

It was annoying.

Suddenly, several kunai flew in through the classroom window. They struck the blackboard with a sharp thud, pinning a banner in place.

Glass shattered everywhere as a figure leapt into the room, striking a dramatic pose.

The examinees turned to stare, deadpan.

Covered in sh armor and a long tan trench coat, the newcor stood proudly on the podium.

Many of the candidates blinked, wondering if this woman was… okay.

Riku chuckled quietly to himself.

"This woman's personality is just as weird as I rember."

Standing before them was Mitarashi Anko, Special Jōnin of Konoha.

"I'm Mitarashi Anko! I'll be your examiner for the second test!" she shouted, raising her fist with unnecessary flair.

No one responded.

The entire room simply stared at her as if she were a lunatic.

Yes, she was the second-phase examiner—but her entrance made it hard to take her seriously.

Riku wasn't surprised. He looked at her with calm, assessing eyes.

Still, even he had to admit—her theatrics were more awkward in person than he rembered.

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