The gates of Konoha had been bustling since early morning.
By a little after eight, the place was packed. You had to squeeze your way through just to walk.
As far as the eye could see, there were crowds of people!
Among them were combat ninja heading to the border on missions, low-ranking ninja assigned to repair tools and provide logistical support, and even a medical team specially assembled by Konoha Hospital.
There were also countless family members who had come to see the ninja off.
Sarutobi Asuma stood excitedly among the ranks. For a Genin who had only just graduated from the Ninja Academy,
every mission was new and exciting, full of allure.
And getting to take part in a war on his very first mission was even more thrilling.
"Might Guy, do you see those dozens of ninja over there?"
"What about them?"
"The ones with the dogs are from the Inuzuka Clan. Beside them are the Yamanaka Clan."
"Over to the east, the Nara and Akimichi Clans, who have been on good terms for generations, have sent people too."
"Yeah, and that's... the Hyuga Clan. They're standing off by themselves."
"Ah, the Uchiha Clan! I can't believe they're taking part in this war too!"
Asuma began to tremble with excitement, wishing he could rush straight to the battlefield.
"Might Guy, if we manage to kill a few Jonin in this war, maybe we'll come back as Jonin ourselves!"
Might Guy scratched his head, unsure how to respond.
Hyuga Senso, standing nearby, glanced at the two of them and curled his lip.
Did they think everyone was Captain Gong Yi? How could freshly graduated rookies know how powerful Jonin were?
If Yuan were still alive, he would probably have mocked them already.
Hyuga Senso sighed, recalling what his