After that brief clash, Konoha, as the host, still maintained a composed and considerate front. That could be set aside for now.
Over the next few days, the Four Great Ninja Villages also kept up appearances, maintaining a surface peace and friendliness.
Most contestants were patient enough. Aside from necessary sparring at the training grounds and visits to the tournament hall for information, they mostly stayed at their lodgings to rest and conserve their strength, looking utterly focused on preparing for the exams.
But there were always a few troublemakers who could not sit still.
The hotheaded youngsters from the Cloud Village were practically huskies off their leashes. The red-haired Karui brimmed with energy, dragging the blond Atsui and the endlessly muttering, white-haired Omoi through every street and alley in Konoha.
"Wow! Those three-color dumplings look so good!" Karui pointed at a roadside stall, her eyes sparkling.
Atsui adjusted his sunglasses, a smile curling his lips. "Then buy some. Darui gave us plenty of spending money, anyway."
Omoi muttered beside them, "Too many sweets cause cavities, cavities hurt, pain means you can't hold your sword properly, and then you'll lose in the exams... Something savory would be safer." Despite his constant muttering, he never stopped eating the dumplings in his hand.
"Shut up, Omoi!" Karui kicked at him. "Keep babbling and I'll eat your share too!"
"Hey, this is delicious!"
"Yeah, yeah! Mmm... I've never eaten anything this good... Mmm... So good..."
"Mmm... This one's delicious too!"
"Boo-hoo... We won't get to eat this once we go home. Just thinking about it makes me sad!"
"Then marry someone from Konoha!"
"Oh, oh, that's right..."
The three crowded around the stalls, chattering noisily, and soon their hands were filled with snacks of every kind, from grilled meat skewers to taiyaki. They