Because Konoha Village was about to host the Chunin Ninja Exams, quite a few ninja from other villages had appeared in the village over the past few days.
Before the Mist Ninja and Cloud Ninja arrived in Konoha, the Rain Ninja, Grass Ninja, and Takigakure Ninja from the countries surrounding the Land of Fire had already entered Konoha.
As the Chunin Ninja Exams drew nearer, more and more outsiders arrived. Hiruzen Sarutobi had also arranged everything related to the exams and was simply waiting for the examination day to arrive.
Konoha had also begun preparing for the upcoming Chunin Ninja Exams.
It was the day before the Chunin Ninja Exams began.
As one of the Five Great Nations, the Land of Lightning's Kumogakure had also sent its ninja.
As they walked through Konoha's streets, some Konoha villagers stared at the sturdy Cloud Ninja and quietly cursed them angrily.
"Those are Cloud Ninja. How dare those bastards come to Konoha?"
"Th-that is the symbol of Kumogakure. Those bastards!"
Although many years had passed since the Second Great Ninja War, Konoha was one of the war's participants. In particular, because of the Second Hokage's death, many people in Konoha still harbored hatred toward the Cloud Ninja.
When the Cloud Ninja walked through the streets, the surrounding villagers began discussing them animatedly.
"What are they here for?"
"I heard the Chunin Ninja Exams are being held. Those guys are here to take part in them."
"Even the Cloud Ninja are participating?"
Shortly afterward, some villagers noticed another group of ninja appearing at the end of the street. Since they did not know which village these ninja belonged to, they asked the people beside them.
"Those ninja over there—which village are they from?"
Someone recognized the symbol on the group's forehead protectors and answered.