The Tenth Question

Summary written by me, Julie.

Picking up from last episode, as if the 9 questions on Ibiki's test wasn't bad enough, he strikes fear in all of the candidates when he begins to tell them about the 10th question.

Meanwhile, Kakashi, Asuma, and Kurenai discuss the exam.  Asuma explains that their instructor is Ibiki Morino, the head of the Ambu torture and interrogation corp.  he's famous for striking fear using the mind. He knows just where to probe to uncover your weaknesses...without the use of physical torture.  He messes up your head so bad that you torture yourself.  The info leaves Kakashi wondering if his three genin will get thru this phase of the exam.

Inside the class, Ibiki rattles off the rules of the 10th question.  Rule 1:  Each of you is free to choose not to be given the final question. If you choose not to take the 10th question, regardless of the other nine, you'll get a zero. You fail and your teammates will fail as well.  If you do choose to take the 10th question and answer it incorrectly, you not only fail but will be barred from taking the chuunin exam ever again.

Those words strike fear and confusion in the students. "Raise your hands if you're out." Ibiki says.  The class begins to dwindle down as many students leave.  Sakura watches Naruto and feels sympathy.  She knows he's torn, but to be the greatest Hokage he cannot give up.  Imagine her surprise when his hand suddenly  goes up!

Yes, Naruto raised his hand....but that was so he could slam it down on the desk.  "Don't underestimate me." He says, "I don’t quit, and I don't run.  You can talk tough all you want.  You guys aren't going to scare me off.  No way! I don't care if I do get stuck as a genin for the rest of my life, I'll still be Hokage some day!"

"This decision could change your whole life, if you're ready to quit do it now." Ibiki continues to threaten.

"No way. I never go back on my word." Naruto confirms. "That’s the way of the ninja."

Naruto's outburst has inspired the others.  Ibiki is surprised that there are still 78 candidates left.  That is much more than he expected. "For those of you remaining, I have one thing left to tell you. You've all passed the 1st exam. Their decision to stay was the answer to the 10th question. He explained the rest of the questions were impossible to answer for a genin without cheating.  He planted 2 chuunin in the class who knew the answers.  Those caught cheating failed.  He had put them in a position where they had to gather accurate information. Cheat in order to survive. Bad information can be worse than no information.

Just as Naruto is cheering that he has passed, slamming thru the window comes...Anko Mitarashi. "I am your next proctor," she announces. After her fine entrance, she takes them to the location for 2nd phase of the exam. It was a battle training zone, but they like to call it "the forest of death."

Back in the classroom, Ibiki gathers the papers of the candidates. He looks at one of the papers and laughs, "I just passed a candidate who didn't answer a single question.  Naruto Uzumaki. He's a funny one alright!.