CH. 40-43

Chapter 40: "The First Test"

– Introduces Dosu Kinuta, Tsuchi Kin and Zaku Abumi. Three ninjas from Hidden Sound demonstrate their abilities against Kabuto but the fight is broken up by an intimidating examiner. He imposingly tells them how they will take a written test and that their actions will also affect their teammates. Moreso, they will be closely studied in case of cheating.

Chapter 41:

"The Devil's Whisper" – Sakura and others soon notice that the test is intentionally too hard and that cheating is the only way to win, but the less obvious cheats will prosper as someone caught for the fifth time is disqualified and shown the door. Naruto struggles with it as other ninjas use their special abilities to take down the correct answers from others.

Chapter 42: "Each Person’s Battle"

– Hinata willingly risks failing herself to help Naruto, but he declines. More and more teams fail, slowly choking up the grip on the candidates. The classroom seems extremely strict with experienced Chuunins making up the cheat-detectives. With only a short time remaining, the mysterious tenth question is revealed…

Chapter 43: "The Tenth Question"

– Introduces Morino Ibiki. The Jounins discuss the head examiner, a sadistic torture specialist named Ibiki who works for Konoha’s secret assassination squad, ANBU. Placing a heavy decision on each of the candidates’ heads, he reveals the price of failing the final question will be a ban on ever taking the exam again and permanent Genin position. Naruto’s unshakable confidence not to quit inspires everyone else, where Ibiki shocks them all by congratulating them for passing.