Meanwhile.
By the time Aizen had finished summoning Kaname Tosen and Starrk, in Konoha, located within the Land of Fire, Nawaki had already joined the Konoha Military Police Force.
At this very time, the Chunin Exams, jointly held by the five great nations through a mutual understanding after the Ninja World War, had also begun.
This year's venue was Konoha.
Because of that, even Konoha's usually rather dull-witted villagers could clearly sense the change in the atmosphere throughout the village.
"Clomp!" "Clomp!"...
Amid heavy footsteps, four figures slowly appeared at Konoha's entrance.
Leading them was a middle-aged man with half his face covered by cloth. His expression was as cold as ice, and he wore the forehead protector of Sunagakure.
Behind him stood a red-haired boy.
The red-haired boy carried a massive gourd on his back. Dark circles ringed his eyes, his face was expressionless, and his gaze seemed to constantly radiate an icy chill.
Standing to either side of him were a young man and woman. The young man wore black and had strange purple markings painted across his face.
The woman had blonde hair and ninja fishnet stockings on her legs. A confident smile rested on her lips, giving her a mature air.
Once she reached Konoha's entrance, she lightly raised her head, first glancing into Konoha before narrowing her eyes and casually looking over the lush surroundings. She chuckled softly.
"So this is Konoha. Compared to our Sunagakure, this environment really is worse by more than a little!"
Hearing her words, the middle-aged man at the front, whose face was half-covered, darkened slightly and said gravely, "Temari, we are already on Konoha's territory. Watch what you say."
"If you disgrace Sunagakure here, even Lord Kazekage will not forgive you lightly."
Hearing his stern words, Temari stuck out