In the teacher’s lounge, Kakashi, Kurenai and Asuma are hanging out. Kakashi says that it is boring without their subordinates. Asuma says it’ll get busy soon since the examiner this year is Morino Ibiki. Kakashi thinks the first exam is going to be a little difficult and calls Ibiki a sadist. Asuma explains to Kurenai who is a rookie jounin that Ibiki is a pro at torture and interrogation. Although there will be no physical torture during the exam, the genin will feel mental stress through his interrogation skills. He is Konhona’s Anbu torture and interrogation squad leader.

Ibiki says they can choose whether or not to take the 10th question. If they do not take it, their points will be reduced to zero and their teammates fail with them. In addition, if they take it and get it wrong, they’ll lose the privilege to take the chuunin exam forever. Kiba stands up and complains. Ibiki laughs and says they are unlucky, he is the rule this year. Those who are not confident can choose not to take it. Naruto struggles with what to do. The guy next to him quits. His teammates leave with him. Several more drop out. Sakura thinks Naruto should drop out but knows he is too stubborn. Sakura decides to drop out to save him even though she knows she can answer the question. Naruto raises his hand.

Asuma says Ibiki understands human psychology and the scariest part is that he can drive a person to a corner mentally, control his mind, and bully him. He can find a person’s weakness, and bring it to the surface.

Naruto slams his hand down and proclaims even if he becomes a genin forever, he’ll be Hokage no matter what! Sasuke thinks Naruto wasn’t even thinking about his team, he has quite a spirit. Sakura thinks he’s an idiot, but fondly. Ibiki repeats his offer. Naruto says he’s not taking it back, that’s his way of the ninja. Ibiki thinks Naruto is interesting and has wiped out everyone’s uncertainty. There are 78 students left (26 teams). Ibiki then declares that they all pass! Everyone is shocked. Sakura asks about the tenth question. Ibiki laughs and says there is no tenth question. The 2 choice question was the 10th question. Temari asks if the previous nine problems were all a waste. Ibiki explains the purpose of the 9 questions was to test each individual’s information gathering skills. Ibiki explains that the first rule, the pass/fail decision was based on 3 person teams, to add an unprecedented amount of pressure to try and not be a nuisance to your team. Ibiki says that these test problems cannot be solved by genins so they have to cheat to get points. There are 2 chuunin who knew the answers to be targets of cheating. Those who cheated badly failed. Information can have greater value than life at times and in missions and battlefields information is contested with the lives of people. The information that an enemy gets after being noticed by a third person will not necessarily be accurate. Getting incorrect information can cause great damage to your teammates and village. Temari asks about the last question. Ibiki says the tenth question was a painful 2 choice test. What if there is a mission to capture a secret document in an unknown situation. Will you accept the mission or not? Will you avoid dangerous missions? Heavy risks cannot be avoided and the ability to show courage to teammates is a mark of a chuunin squad leader.

A big ball crashes through the window and unfolds to reveal a banner and the second examiner, Mitarashi Anko. She tells the class to follow her (she’s super enthusiastic). The class is silent. Sakura thinks she is like Naruto. Anko sees there are 78 students and she tells Ibiki if he let 26 teams pass and then the first exam was too soft. Ibiki says there are a lot of excellent students this time. She says she will make more than half of them fail in the next exam. She says she will explain tomorrow and to ask their jounin teachers about the rally point and time ,and dismises them. Ibiki collects the tests and sees that one is completely blank. He laughs, someone actually passes with a blank paper. He calls Naruto an interesting guy.

(Next day) The genin are now in front of a locked gate that has a sign that says "forbidden area." It is the 44th training area where the second exam will take place, also called the Forest of Death!

Review:

Another good episode with mental psychology! Just as exciting as physical action!

Notes:

There were originally 51 teams, now there are 26.

Thoughts:

Ibiki takes off his forehead protector and reveals burnt marks, screw holes and cut marks - scars of torture, which means he’s not only a sadist, but also a masochist!

There’s one guy with a mustache and glasses, who looks really old, taking the exams. He looks like he’s 40! He must have taken this exam 50 times or something. Maybe he’s in an adult education program.