Konoha, main gate.
The autumn wind was bleak, making the two old lanterns at the entrance sway as if they were about to fall.
Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki, the two eternal gate guards, yawned as they halfheartedly registered information from ninja of other villages arriving for the Chunin Exams.
"Next. From Kusagakure—what's your name?"
Kotetsu had a senbon clenched between his teeth and could not even be bothered to raise his eyelids.
"M-Mister, my name is Karin..."
A little girl with short red hair and black-rimmed glasses timidly handed over her identification scroll.
"Fine, fine. Go on in."
Izumo impatiently waved her off as though shooing away a fly.
This year's Chunin Exams were practically a joke.
All the arrivals were from insignificant little ninja villages. There was not a single worthy contestant among them.
Just as the two were bored stiff and about to fall asleep—
"Thud... thud... thud..."
A series of exceptionally steady, heavy footsteps, as though they were treading on people's hearts, slowly came from outside the gate.
Even the ground trembled faintly.
"Huh? What's that?"
Kotetsu and Izumo jolted awake at once, all drowsiness gone.
They exchanged a glance, each seeing vigilance in the other's eyes.
Then they abruptly looked up toward the tree-lined road beyond the gate.
A small group was approaching at an unhurried pace, yet its presence was so overwhelming it made it hard to breathe.
At the front was a young man in a black trench coat.
His hands were tucked into his pockets, his posture casual. Tousled black hair fluttered lightly in the wind.
A faint, inscrutable smile rested on his handsome face.
Behind him—
Followed several children who were not very old, but whose gazes were sharper than the next.
Some had blond hair, some black. Every one of