Konoha Hidden Leaf Village.
At this moment, an undercurrent was rapidly stirring beneath the surface.
Under Shikamaru's arrangements, every talented and capable member of the younger generation who remained in the village had been gathered.
Although the vast majority of them were confused by this assembly, the moment they saw that the leaders were the Fifth Hokage and the Seventh Hokage, the young shinobi's confusion was swiftly replaced by delight.
"Teacher Kakashi, everyone on the roster has arrived. There are thirty-nine people in total: twenty genin, ten chunin, and nine jonin."
Nara Shikamaru counted the numbers once more before turning back to report.
"Mm. The other four great nations have fewer people than us, so they can assemble faster. We can't let them get ahead of us."
Kakashi took the list, frowning slightly.
"Naruto, hasn't Boruto arrived yet?"
Though this little nephew of his had been stubborn since childhood, Kakashi still cared about him.
"He should be here soon. I'll take a look first."
Naruto glanced around, and his gaze quickly settled in one direction. Then he vanished from the spot like a ghost.
Watching this, Kakashi helplessly shook his head. He was truly at a loss with that troublesome father-and-son pair.
"Naruto, we'll leave first. Meet us at the Hyuga residence later."
"Teacher Kakashi, don't worry. Once I catch Boruto, I'll head over immediately."
Meanwhile, atop Hokage Rock.
A furtive figure climbed onto Hokage Rock with a bucket of paint in hand. But when he clearly saw that the Hokage Rock he usually used for pranks had been sliced in half, he froze on the spot in shock, unable even to hold onto the paint bucket.
As usual, he had hidden in the secret passage beneath Hokage Rock to avoid the guards' sight.
Once the guarding shinobi changed shifts,