"Gossiping at someone else's doorstep really isn't a good habit."
At the sound of the voice, Baki, Gaara, and the others turned to the side and saw a ninja some distance away. He wore the standard Konoha ninja uniform, with a mask over his face and his forehead protector pulled low, concealing his left eye.
"Kakashi Hatake, Konoha's Copy Ninja. I've heard much of your reputation," Baki said, narrowing his eyes slightly.
Kakashi shrugged. "Sunagakure's special advisor and Jonin instructor, Mr. Baki—I've heard plenty about you as well. Though meeting you has changed my impression somewhat. By order of the Hokage, I'm here to receive you. Please follow me. Your accommodations have already been arranged."
Led by Kakashi, the Sunagakure group headed toward their prepared lodgings. Along the way, Kakashi said, "Since this Chunin Exam is being jointly held by many villages, including the two major villages of Konoha and Sunagakure, the Hokage is currently busy arranging accommodations for the other villages. He likely won't be free to meet with you, Mr. Baki, until this afternoon."
Baki nodded. "Naturally, we will follow the Hokage's schedule."
Kakashi said no more and instead asked, "By the way, I heard the Kazekage will personally come to watch this Chunin Exam?"
Baki responded, "Yes. The Kazekage places great importance on this Chunin Exam. However, he is busy with official matters, so he likely won't attend the earlier rounds. He will only arrive near the end to observe, and to discuss some other matters with the Hokage."
As they spoke, the group arrived at their lodgings. Once they had settled in, Kakashi took his leave.
A day passed quietly. Aside from the Sunagakure ninja who had arrived first, ninja from the other small villages also gradually gathered in Konoha.
This Chunin Exam carried special