Chapter 234: The End of the First Stage

After all that was said, Shukaku frowned again and, looking from his relative, then to Shikamaru, suddenly let out a chuckle:

“And you two got along… Hmph!” Okay, I believe you man! Just what does it change? Do you want to share me too?

“No,” Shikamaru immediately refused, “It makes no sense, Gaara will not survive the separation, his body can barely cope even with you, and only death threatens him with separation.

- So what?! What's the difference! I don't want that dirty statue! Do you think you'll die? I'm better!

Shikamaru grinned and nodded.

“Maybe so, but, did you take into account that he is the son of the previous Kazekage, who will die one of these days?”

- Will he die? Shukaku snorted. So where does his stupid son? At least let them all die in their village!

"He's going to be the next Kazekage, and I don't really want to get involved in that." I just came to warn you to be ready to be sealed. But rest assured, the time will come when you will be free.

- What?! Shukaku growled, "You came to tell me that I can't avoid another cage! What the hell?!

“Calm down,” Isobu said softly, “I was the one who wanted to come and tell you…

Shikamaru nodded.

You shouldn't doubt my words. Even if you hate humans, Isobu is my partner and I will free half of him anyway. That's what he came to tell you. You can be angry and angry all you want, but your brother will not forget about you, and I will help him.

“Hmmmm,” Shukaku thought for a long time, and then waved his paw and snorted: “To hell with you! You are of no use! The ever-shy Isobu and his human friend, hmph! Go away, ore-sama wants to rest! Shikamaru was about to leave when Shukaku said after him:

“Isobu… If you go to that red-haired bastard, spit in his filthy face!” Ahem, well, be careful with this ... person.

Boku smiled like a child, and after that the world blurred, the scenery of the exam room instantly replaced the darkness. Gaara's dull eyes brightened again, and he frowned in bewilderment.

"What was that... I'm like" - throwing a cold look at Shikamaru, the guy burned him with his eyes for about a minute. But, having received no answers, he turned away and returned to the exam. Surprisingly, not even a few seconds passed in the audience. Shikamaru continued to drink wine and wait for the end of the exam. He didn't even think about meeting Kurama yet, in fact, Isobu didn't insist. It looks like he was afraid of his brother with nine tails. Even though Shukaku wasn't such a pleasant person.

The exam was coming to an end, many fearful individuals became more active, and some began to realize the essence of the exam...

"How skillful..." Shikamaru curiously explored the various methods of gathering information. Someone used pure sound, someone special Hijutsu techniques, and someone even living beings or sounds. A true shinobi must have excellent attentiveness, at least if he wants to become a worthy ninja. Among this crowd there were surprisingly many of them. Of course, Shikamaru knew the answers to all the questions and had already finished a long time ago. He didn't even need to use any methods. In his time, he studied a lot of books and scrolls, and even if he did not know the answer, he could easily think of it. Quests for the lesser Chūnin were as simple as creating commonplace "D" rank ninjutsu.

A few minutes later, the exam came to an end. The nine brand new leaf genin also completed the tasks. Naruto, of course, suffered, yet in the written test he was not as good as in practice, as it should have been - he was left with a blank form. The guy panicked a little, but now the moment of the tenth question has come. Morino, as always, frightened the children with his creepy appearance, but that Shikamaru only smiled, sometimes throwing sidelong glances at the cutie Temari or looking at Sakura nearby.

The exam was very tiring... Shikamaru could ruin everything, but in that case it would cause an unnecessary headache. What's the point of dictating your terms when everything is going according to plan? He just waited, Orochimaru was there, and all the important people were safe. Ahead was the tenth question, and after finally the second stage of the exam, where a couple more points will be decided. Imperceptibly, Shikamaru turned his gaze further, to a crimson-haired girl with glasses. A sly smirk appeared on the boy's face.

"Karin..." This young Uzumaki looked rather sad. It even emanated sadness mixed with hopelessness. Shikamaru had plans for her long ago, back when he decided to get Haku. Then he decided to gather interesting candidates like Karin and Kimmimaru under his control. Now he also had Sasuke Uchiha, so you can continue to collect people.

Finally Ibiki finished. He gave the genin a simple choice: give up and leave, or stay and get a chance to answer the tenth question, failing which means being a genin for life. A brutal method, but actually rather strange, since who is Morino to decide for the other villages? Any Kage can promote anyone to any rank they choose. At least a normal Kage should be able to do that. In the case of power sharing like it was under Hiruzen and Danzō, this might not work so easily. Although, this is also doubtful, the old man's power is not so small. Under the rule of people like Tobirama, it is highly doubtful that the Kage will follow any of the rules of Ibiki. Although he did well, most did not even think about what he can do and what not.

One by one, many began to give up and let down their own team, completely dropping out. Very quickly, half of those who arrived to take the test remained in the office. Only daredevils, lovers of excitement and risk, as well as those who noticed the catch, remained. Or Naruto...

“…this is my ninja way!” Uzumaki said decisively. Even if he had doubts and was not sure, he still decided to take the risk and fight against the difficulties. Not a bad move, if only he knew he would be a genin for a long time to come. Although, who knows how history will go now ...

Finally, after everything, Morino announced the correct choice of those remaining in the audience and explained that they all passed the test. And so the first stage ended...

Shikamaru was starting to get annoyed when Anko burst into the audience. In a rather defiant manner, she introduced herself:

- What are you happy about? I am your second examiner - Mitarashi Anko! Let's move on to the next step.