People began standing up.
"We can't risk it… we can always take the exam again," one of them muttered.
That seemed to be the tipping point. More followed, slipping out one by one.
Within minutes, half the room had emptied, their seats left cold and silent.
Ibiki's voice cut through the tense air.
"Anyone else wish to leave?"
Silence.
"Very well. I'll count down from five. If you stay past that, there's no going back."
"Five… four… three… two… one… alright."
He glanced over the remaining students, then gave a rare smirk.
"Congratulations. You've all passed."
A stunned hush swept the room. The tenth question… had never come.
Everyone looked around, bewildered, mentally bracing for a trick that never arrived.
Team 7 remained calm—Haruto even leaned back in his chair, arms behind his head like he'd been waiting for the twist.
Suddenly, the window shattered as a firework shot into the room, bursting mid-air in a loud crackle of sparks.
"WOO-HOO!"
An energetic voice rang out as a figure burst through the open window, landing dramatically atop a desk.
It was Anko Mitarashi, the proctor for the second exam.
She twirled a kunai and smirked.
"Ibiki, you actually scared that many off?" she said, scanning the room. Her eyes gleamed as she counted the remaining teams.
"Well, well… looks like you weeded out more than half. That's perfect."
She gave a strange, gleeful laugh that made some of the newer Genin shift nervously in their seats.
"That just means more fun for me."
Her tone turned serious as she pointed at the group.
"You've got three days. Rest up, train, cry to your moms if you need to—but in 72 hours, you better be standing in front of the Forest of Death. That's where the real test begins."
She flashed a dangerous grin.
"Try not to die."
After the written exam ended and the crowd thinned, the tension in the air slowly melted away. Haruto stretched lazily and turned to the others.
"Ichiraku Ramen. My treat," he said with a grin.
Naruto's eyes lit up. "You had me at ramen!"
Before long, Team 7—Haruto, Naruto, and Sasuke—were seated shoulder to shoulder with Team 10—Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji—inside the warm, familiar glow of Ichiraku Ramen. The smell of miso broth and sizzling pork filled the air.
Choji was already on his third bowl, his cheeks puffed like a chipmunk as he hummed in satisfaction. "Mmm... nothing like ramen after a death exam."
Ino sipped from her bowl delicately. "You boys are way too calm. I was sure one of you would cause a scene back there."
Haruto chuckled. "Nah. We knew Ibiki was bluffing."
Naruto slurped loudly, then pounded his fist on the counter. "I knew it too! …Eventually!"
Sasuke scoffed lightly. "You were about to ask me what the tenth question was."
"Shhh!" Naruto hissed, flushing red. "Don't ruin my image in front of Ino."
Ino smirked. "Too late, dobe."
Shikamaru yawned next to her, swirling the egg in his bowl with his chopsticks. "What a drag... and we still have to survive a forest full of psychotic ninjas. Sounds like vacation."
Haruto leaned back against the stool, hands behind his head. "The Forest of Death's not so bad. Just don't eat any glowing mushrooms or challenge giant snakes to a duel."
Choji paused mid-bite. "Wait… glowing mushrooms?"
"Don't worry," Haruto said with a mysterious grin. "Only two out of five are poisonous."
Naruto elbowed him. "Quit messing with Choji!"
Sasuke quietly eyed Haruto, then spoke, "You've got too much confidence. You've already seen the forest, haven't you?"
Haruto winked. "Maybe I had a dream."
Ino narrowed her eyes. "Or maybe you just know too much."
"Yeah," Shikamaru added lazily. "It's like you're a writer and we're all characters in your book..."
(Lmao he knows)
The group burst into laughter—well, everyone but Sasuke, who just gave a faint smirk. For the first time in a while, they were just kids again, eating ramen without the weight of exams, rivalries, or expectations.
"Seconds!" Naruto called.
"Make that thirds!" Choji added, raising his bowl.
Teuchi chuckled behind the counter. "You kids better bring your wallets next time. Ramen doesn't grow on trees."
Haruto just grinned. "As long as we're not eating it in the hospital later, it's worth every coin."
After finishing their meal, the group walked through the village streets, still chatting and laughing. Haruto had paid for everyone, much to Naruto's delight.
"Thanks again, Haruto!" Naruto grinned. "You're the best!"
Haruto shrugged casually. "Don't mention it. Consider it motivation for the Forest of Death."
As they strolled, Shikamaru gave Naruto a lazy glance. "So… why did you say you want to look cool in front of Ino?"
Naruto scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Well… I can't look at Sakura the same anymore."
Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "Naruto… you're really weird."
Naruto pouted. "Hey! I—"
Before he could finish, Sasuke grabbed him by the collar and pulled him back, stopping him from barging into the conversation Ino and Haruto were having.
"Sometimes I wonder if you're actually dumb… or just acting," Sasuke muttered.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
Sasuke tilted his head toward Ino, who was laughing at something Haruto said, her cheeks slightly flushed.
"That's love right there," Choji chimed in, munching on a fresh bag of chips.
"Wait… really?" Naruto's eyes sparkled with excitement. A mischievous grin crept onto his face. "How about we take a slightly different path?"
Shikamaru and Sasuke both raised an eyebrow, suspicious but curious.
…
A few steps later, Ino burst out laughing again, her eyes on Haruto as he told another dry joke. But then, she suddenly tripped over a small stick on the path.
"Ah—!"
Haruto instinctively caught her by the waist, steadying her before she fell.
The stick suspiciously slid into the bushes on its own, and Haruto glanced toward it before focusing on Ino. "You alright?"
Ino looked up at him with wide eyes, blushing. "Y-Yeah… you saved me there."
Choji stopped mid-bite, staring at the scene with wide eyes. "Oh my god… my bro is cooking."
"Let him cook," Shikamaru muttered with a smirk.
Haruto quickly helped Ino back to her feet, realizing how close they were. He cleared his throat. "Uh… sorry about that."
"No worries," Ino said softly, brushing some hair behind her ear. "Thanks for catching me."
Haruto smiled awkwardly and glanced behind—only to see the boys walking as if nothing happened. But something felt off.
'Wait… if they didn't pull that stick, then who…?'
Just then, they all turned to Naruto, patting him on the back.
"Nicely done, Naruto," Sasuke said, mildly impressed.
"Yeah," Shikamaru added. "Even I'm impressed with your clone work."
Naruto puffed out his chest proudly. "Hehe, of course! I am gonna be Hokage someday!"
Eventually, they reached Ino's house. She paused at the door, then turned to Haruto, stood on her tiptoes, and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek.
"Thank you… for saving me," she whispered before rushing inside, her face pink.
Haruto blinked, stunned, his hand going to his cheek. He turned around just in time to see four Naruto clones standing nearby—grinning from ear to ear.
"...You tricked me with clones!?"
The clones all poofed in unison, laughing as they vanished into smoke.
"HAHA! You got a kiss from Ino!" Naruto teased, hopping in place.
Haruto flushed red. "You…!"
Despite his embarrassment, he couldn't help the small smile tugging at his lips.
'It was my first kiss… and I liked it even though it was on the cheeks...hmm' mischievous thoughts begun forming as haruto grinned wickedly
"Umm...did we press the wrong button?" Shikamaru spoke as Naruto stared at his brother"ummm...yep..run!"