Thanks to earlier advice from Qiang, Sasuke and Chion Aburame had no trouble with the challenging decisions that were giving other candidates a headache. The two of them confidently chose to answer the 50-point third question directly.
As the 30-minute countdown for the test ended, Shikamaru's voice echoed throughout the classroom once more.
"Time's up. Everyone, place your answer sheets face down on your desks. Now for the second bonus question!"
"What?!"
The announcement shocked all the candidates in the three classrooms, as no one had anticipated another question.
Ignoring their reactions, Shikamaru went on to reveal the second bonus question.
"Here's the situation: While on a mission, your team's movements have been exposed. To escape your pursuers, one member must act as bait, and that person is guaranteed to die. Who do you choose to stay behind?
Write your answer on the back of your test sheet. Teams with matching answers from all three members will pass. However, whoever is named as the bait will be considered dead and disqualified. You have three minutes... Begin!"
Hearing this, the candidates in each room began to fidget and agonize over their choices.
Sasuke frowned briefly, then scoffed.
"Tch... Another tired old trick about teamwork. Boring!"
With that, he tossed his pen aside without writing anything.
In another classroom, Chion Aburame chuckled upon hearing the question.
"Examiner Shikamaru, you're so devious. I won't fall for this!"
She calmly wrote on the back of her test sheet: *[No one gets left behind]*.
Once done, she set her pen down and waited patiently for the time to expire.
Three minutes flew by, and with a loud "beep," the classroom doors opened. Examiner Izumo Kamizuki stepped in.
"Hand in your test papers. Stay in the classroom until scoring is complete. Those who pass will be called via the PA system to gather in the courtyard."
The candidates' tension rose again at his announcement, but Chion remained serene, confident in her judgment.
"My name is bound to be called," she thought.
And she was right.
Moments later, the announcement rang out:
"Chion Aburame, you've passed. Head to the courtyard!"
With a small smile, Chion stood up and walked out of the classroom, heading downstairs. In the courtyard, she found Sasuke and Qiang already waiting, and her smile grew even brighter.
"Sasuke, Qiang! You both passed too!"
"Yeah," Sasuke nodded, a slight smirk on his face. "Thanks to having an idiot on the team."
Qiang scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
"Heh, sorry about that. I didn't know how to answer those three questions or the bait one, so I just left everything blank. I can't believe that worked."
Sasuke fell silent, his expression complicated. Looking at the cheerful Qiang reminded him of Naruto from the old Team 7 days.
Meanwhile, Chion gave Qiang a thumbs-up.
"You did great, Qiang! My father once said, *'It doesn't matter if a cat is black or white, as long as it catches the mouse, it's a good cat.'* Ninjas are judged by results, not methods, so you're awesome!"
"Uh... really? Heh heh, thanks!" Qiang laughed, his happiness unmistakable.
"Chion's dad is amazing. He's strong, good-looking, and kind—a perfect role model for a ninja…"
"Enough!" Sasuke interrupted sharply, raising a hand. "Save the flattery. That guy isn't here right now. Let's focus on what the examiners have to say."
Qiang clamped his mouth shut mid-sentence, silenced.
At the front of the courtyard, Shikamaru addressed the group.
"Everyone here has passed the first exam. Congratulations!"
The candidates broke into smiles, some even shedding tears of joy.
Beside Shikamaru, Temari slammed her heavy three-star fan onto the ground, silencing the cheers.
"I'm the examiner for the second exam, Temari of the Sand Village. Since too many candidates passed the first round, further eliminations are necessary!"
Her words made the candidates uneasy, and they turned their attention to her.
"The second exam will also be a team challenge," she continued. "Teams missing any members are immediately disqualified!"
Hearing this, teams that had sacrificed a member during the bonus question were thrown into panic. Sasuke smirked, his expression saying *just as expected*.
Temari's gaze swept over the varied reactions before she added,
"Teams that qualify will proceed to the next testing site, located in the Desert of Demons near Sand Village. Even though the route between Konoha and Sand Village is established, it'll take three days of running at ninja speed to get there."
At this point, a Sand ninja released a messenger hawk carrying a scroll. Temari watched it fly off into the distance before turning back to the candidates.
"The scroll I sent contains the following message: *The last 30 arrivals will be eliminated.*
Also, as in the first exam, fighting along the way is strictly prohibited. You'll have plenty of chances to battle in the second test. That's all!"
With that, Neji immediately led Lee and Tenten away, running toward the village gates. Sasuke and Chion quickly followed suit, calling for Qiang to hurry.
As several teams bolted, Temari looked at the remaining candidates and barked,
"What are you standing around for? I said *that's all*!"
Realizing what she meant, Sakura and the others scrambled to start running.
The slower candidates finally caught on.
"Ah! The elimination already started!"
"Crap, they've got a head start!"
"Hurry up!"
Watching the chaos, Shikamaru chuckled at Temari.
"You're so sneaky, not even saying 'ready, set, go.'"
"This is the Chunin Exam, not some academy drill," Temari replied coldly. "The real test has only just begun!"
*(End of Chapter)*