Asuma did not react at first. It was only after Kurenai's kind reminder that he realized these were not refugees at all—they were clearly examinees taking the exam!
It was just that they looked exceptionally bedraggled, like refugees forced to flee their villages because of war.
Asuma could not understand it. Shikamaru had told him this exam only tested physical strength and endurance, so why did these examinees look as if they had just lived through a war?
Had they somehow run into a war zone while running? That could not be right. What kind of person turned themselves into this during a marathon? He could not understand it.
Understanding it or not, however, they still had to complete their duties as proctors. After their strict assessment, the last hundred examinees would all be eliminated.
"Ahhh! We made it!" A lively young girl's voice rang out from among those who had passed. Kaede held two male ninja by their hands, both with soot-blackened faces and hair blown into afros by explosions.
Going back for her teammates had indeed cost her some time, but fortunately, she was fast enough. Nobody would think to set traps in the sky, so she passed the exam without incident.
"Hey, hey! Moriyue! We're over here! See? I told you I could pass this exam!" The moment Kaede passed, she brought her teammates over to Moriyue. She absolutely had to introduce her new friend to her teammates.
"Say, Kaede actually made a friend? Is there really someone who can put up with such an enthusiastic personality...?"
"Who knows? Just keep an eye on her as the village chief ordered. As long as she does not cause trouble, it is fine. Right now, I just want to properly teach a lesson to the first guy who came up with the idea of setting traps. That was downright nasty! What kind of bad trend is this?"
The two dirt-covered teammates were clearly distracted. Whether they passed the exam was not important; as long as Kaede could spread the reputation of Takigakure's strength, that was enough. Their main task was simply to watch Kaede and keep her from doing anything too outrageous.
Ando heard Kaede's teammates from far away. He tugged on Moriyue's sleeve, looking a little uneasy.
"Um, Captain, would it be a little inappropriate for us to meet the other examinees?"
Moriyue shook his head. He patted his chest righteously, his voice full of pride.
"What is inappropriate about it? We did not break any rules. The injuries on their bodies were not necessarily caused by us. It was all fair competition, so what are we afraid of?"
Kazeki also seized the opportunity to add a jab from behind Ando.
"You are not scared, are you? Weren't you laughing so happily earlier? What, scared now?"
Hearing the slight contempt in Kazeki's tone, Ando knew perfectly well that she was provoking him, but he still gave a light cough.
"H-how could that be? Let's go."
The group moved toward where Kaede's voice had come from. After pushing through the crowded mass of people, they finally found Kaede among a pile of explosive afros.
Before Kaede could greet Moriyue, the two companions beside her immediately dragged her back. Their eyes were filled with undisguised vigilance and wariness. They had not seen clearly at first, but... wasn't that grinning bastard obviously the one who had run out first?
This guy had been the first to come up with the rotten idea of throwing traps onto the road. How had their village's Seven-Tails Jinchuriki gotten mixed up with someone like him?
They had told her to show off Takigakure's strength, not to get involved with this sort of person!
"Looks like they hate us." Moriyue did not care, but Kazeki beside him could not stand it any longer.
"Those people... are from Takigakure, right? Captain, you should be careful around them. Their village produced a very famous rogue ninja, and they have researched quite a few forbidden techniques too. Those people are all strange..."
"Kakuzu, right? I know... Hm? You said their village also researches forbidden techniques?"
Moriyue had not thought there was anything wrong with the first part. Takigakure's most famous figure was its rogue ninja Kakuzu. He had thrown a shuriken at the First Hokage from eight hundred meters away. Kakuzu brought up that achievement every time he fought someone, though he never mentioned the details. In broad terms, he claimed to have fought three hundred rounds against Hashirama Senju, the strongest man in the ninja world, before narrowly losing because his Chakra had run out.
Nobody knew what had really happened. In any case, the First Hokage had been dead for so many years that they could hardly dig up his grave and ask whether it was true.
"Takigakure... I only know about Earth Grudge Fear, a technique that is a bit sanity-draining. Maybe we could take a look." Moriyue felt that if he could save Kaede from Kakuzu and Hidan, Takigakure would have to offer some "gratitude."
"All examinees have traveled a long way, so I am sure everyone is tired. Konoha has prepared hot spring services for everyone. Examinees who have passed, please proceed to the bathhouse..." After confirming the number of examinees who had passed, dedicated reception staff came to arrange their next itinerary.
It had to be said that compared with Sunagakure, Konoha truly deserved its status as the foremost of the Five Great Ninja Villages. One could see its wealth and generosity just from the treatment given to the examinees.
Since the baths were separated by gender, Kazeki had to part ways with Moriyue and the others. Kaede, however, was not awkward in the slightest. Like one of the guys, she slung an arm over Kazeki's shoulder, and the two of them headed toward the women's bath area with the main group.
Moriyue's side was also lively. Well... rather than lively, it was more accurate to say it was tense. His earlier mine-burying stunt had made life miserable for these examinees. One burly examinee after another surrounded Moriyue. They were not as muscular as Kumogakure's ninja, but there were simply too many of them.
Kazeki's side was filled with cheerful female voices. Female ninja from every village had gathered together, laughing and chatting. At some point, Ajisai had gotten together with Tenten, and the two left while talking and laughing.
Rock Lee and Neji stood around Moriyue as well. Though they were somewhat dissatisfied with Moriyue's methods, this was Konoha after all. As Konoha ninja, they had a duty to maintain order.
"Everyone, please do not fight in the streets. You have all run for so long and must be exhausted. Hurry to Hot Spring Village and soak in the hot springs. Whatever grievances you have can wait until later."
Rock Lee stepped forward to play peacemaker. The other ninja found his words somewhat reasonable. They had been traveling day and night for three days, having to stay wary of traps that could appear at any moment along the way. They were exhausted in both body and mind and truly had no energy left to fight.
"Hmph, that brat got lucky. Damn it, I get angry just looking at that shameless bastard."
"Do not rush. The first two exams were just warm-ups. The third exam will be actual combat. Just do not let me run into that brat then..."
"Let's go, let's go! Bath first, talk later. I have always heard about Kumogakure ganging up on others. This is the first time I have seen a crowd surrounding Kumogakure ninja. We are all men, and nobody has any special fetishes. Hurry up and take a bath."
"I object! How do you know we do not have special fetishes... Ow! Stop hitting me! Can't I admit I was wrong...?"
Before you continue