Konoha, First Indoor Training Ground.
Before the training ground's sole statue, posed with both hands forming seals, ninjas from various countries and villages who had passed the second stage of the Chunin Exams gradually filed in. The training ground, once so quiet a pin drop could be heard, slowly filled with low murmurs.
As footsteps came to a halt and whispers arose, every ninja's gaze drifted, intentionally or not, toward the three ninjas wearing Grass Hidden Village forehead protectors standing at the very center.
Whether they were the gifted young talents favored by most, or seasoned elites with considerable strength who should have become Chunin long ago.
They were the Genin of Kusagakure: Hada Ichiba, Hada Ryuhiko, and Hada Anna.
Yes, at this very moment, it could be said that everyone's attention was focused on the three of them, especially Hada Ichiba.
Even the outstanding few who had won this exam easily and never experienced any of its hardships.
"Idiot Ichiba, it's all your fault for being so conspicuous! Now we've become targets for everyone!"
Although those gazes were somewhat concealed, there were simply too many of them. Hada Ryuhiko's senses were relatively sharp to begin with, but even someone dull-witted would have noticed so many eyes sweeping over them.
He rolled his eyes at Hada Ichiba in front of him, expressing his intense dissatisfaction.
"Oh? So it's my fault?"
This time, however, Hada Ichiba did not respond with his usual indifferent expression. Hearing those words, he looked at Hada Ryuhiko with a teasing expression, his tone sounding rather sarcastic to Ryuhiko.
His eyes clearly said, "And you have the nerve to talk about me?"
"You!"
Hada Ryuhiko had obviously understood the meaning in Hada Ichiba's eyes. His anger instantly surged, but when the words of abuse reached his throat,