Chương 68: First Round (1)

As Shunsui's chakra pressure pushed down on everyone especially the three Kiri genin, everyone watched them closely. Some of them were looking for their sensei to withdraw from the exams after seeing such monsters participating in the chunin exams. Another chakra pressure erupted that was able to fight it out with Shunsui but Shunsui was surprisingly easily matching that pressure. The new force came from none other than the proctor of the exam.

The two pressures met in the middle of the hall like two invisible storms clashing. Many genin held their breath as they felt the struggle happening around them. However, Shunsui stayed composed and matched the other pressure without much effort. Shunsui decided this was enough for now and chose to retract his chakra pressure to avoid bringing even more attention to himself. This attention would come by a very creepy skin changing snake.

The doors at the front of the hall opened with a slow creak, and a tall figure stepped inside. Orochimaru entered the room as he looked at Shunsui with interest before looking at everyone else. His pale skin and golden eyes scanned the crowd like a predator studying its prey. He had a long tongue that flicked out briefly, adding to his unsettling presence. Many genin shivered when they saw him because his reputation was well known across the shinobi world.

Orochimaru's arrival made the entire hall fall into complete silence as everyone recognized the legendary Sannin.

"Take your seats," he commanded and everyone complied with the words of a Sannin. The genin quickly sat down in their assigned places.

"I will be your proctor for your exam. I do not have to introduce myself since you all would have me in your bingo books and well Konoha genins would know about me," he said. His lips curved into a slight smile that did not reach his eyes. He glanced over the assembled genin before speaking again, taking his time to build the suspense.

"It's time for the first test of this chunin exams. Most of you are expecting a written test like previous chunin exams held in Konoha." A few nervous looks were exchanged between teammates as they realized this might be different from what they prepared for. Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. Some genin had studied hard for written questions about tactics and history, but now doubt crept into their minds.

Orochimaru seemed to enjoy their confusion as he continued.

"Good. That means you will be surprised," Orochimaru said as he licked his lips with his rather long tongue. The creepy gesture made several genin look away in discomfort. He tossed the clipboard that he was carrying onto a nearby desk with a casual motion.

"Shinobi are not scholars. At least, not primarily. Information wins wars. Information prevents wars. Information gets people killed. Today, you will be tested on your ability to obtain it." Orochimaru explained this point carefully so everyone understood the real purpose of being a shinobi. The doors behind him opened. Several figures wearing blindfolds and restraints were led into the room by chunin guards. The prisoners moved slowly with chains on their wrists and ankles, their heads lowered.

Murmurs spread immediately through the crowd as genin whispered to each other in surprise.

"Each team will be assigned one prisoner." The murmurs grew louder as teams realized they would have to interact directly with real criminals.

"That prisoner is an actual criminal who possesses information vital to your mission. Oh the prisoner can be innocent too. Your objective is simple. Obtain as much accurate intelligence as possible within the allotted time. The prisoner has been tasked to lie or make you fall far from truth to reduce his sentence. You will also be given a small file on your prisoner." He paused to let the words sink in fully.

"And before any of you get creative..." His eyes swept across the room with a sharp warning look.

"Torture is an automatic failure." The hall instantly became quieter as the serious rule settled over everyone. No one wanted to fail before the exam even properly started.

"Physical violence is prohibited. The only thing you could do with the prisoner is talk." Orochimaru made this point very clear so there would be no misunderstandings. One genin immediately raised his hand.

"What if they refuse to talk?" The question came from a nervous looking boy near the back.

"They are not allowed to be silent. Or there would be no point of the test," Orochimaru answered smoothly. Another hand shot up from a different team.

"What if they are trained to resist interrogation tactics?" Orochimaru shrugged.

"Then you will have to be better than they are." A few frustrated groans answered that response as genin realized this test would not be easy. Orochimaru ignored them and continued explaining the rules in detail.

"Your prisoner may lie." Several heads lifted in attention.

"He may tell partial truths." More nervous expressions appeared on the faces of the young shinobi.

"He may answer questions with questions." A few experienced genin immediately frowned because they knew how tricky that could be.

"He may attempt to manipulate you. He may provoke you. He may waste your time. He may even tell you exactly what you want to hear." Orochimaru's gaze sharpened as he looked around the room.

"Your task is to determine what is true." The room fell completely silent as the weight of the challenge settled on every team.

"At the end of the examination, each team will submit a report containing the intelligence they believe is accurate." Orochimaru explained how scoring would work so everyone understood clearly.

"Your score will not be based on how much information you collect. It will be based on how much accurate information you collect." He emphasized the difference between quantity and quality.

"If your report contains false intelligence, points will be deducted." A hand rose cautiously from one of the genin.

"What if we do not write anything?" The question came with some hope in the voice. Orochimaru smirked in response.

"Then congratulations. You will not lose points." The hopeful expression vanished from the genin's face as the Sannin continued.

"Because you will also gain none." Laughter spread through the room at that.

"Each of you will be taken into a room with one of these prisoners. You have three hours to get the information you need."

"Remember this lesson carefully." Orochimaru looked at the restrained prisoners for a moment.

"Any fool can make someone talk." Then he looked back at the genin with sharp eyes.

"A shinobi's job is figuring out when they are lying."