People streamed in and out of the Konoha Gate.
Dozens of Konoha ninja stood at the entrance to maintain order, watching ninja from other countries enter the village one after another, their appearances and styles of dress all different.
“This is really something. These Chunin Ninja Exams are several times bigger than the ones we took back then.”
"Yeah, at least a hundred people have arrived this morning alone. This is an even bigger affair than I imagined!"
Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane, Konoha's two gatekeepers, were off gate duty today for the first time in ages.
After all, they would also be serving as examiners, so they had temporarily handed their gatekeeping duties over to their colleagues.
The portion they were responsible for would also be the first to confront these genin, so they were observing from the shadows, assessing how the foreign ninja coming to Konoha for these Chunin Ninja Exams behaved.
"It's not just Sunagakure and Kirigakure. Nearby Kusagakure and the newly established Otogakure have sent people too. And..."
Izumo Kamizuki rubbed his chin as he surveyed the crowd, a knowing look crossing his face. "I bet people from Iwagakure or Kumogakure have slipped in among them too."
“After all, these are the shinobi world's first Three-Village Alliance Chunin Ninja Exams. Having Konoha host them sends a message to the shinobi world too, doesn't it?”
“Mm, look. Some of the smaller villages are taking part this time too. They probably want to use this opportunity to get a sense of Konoha’s strength. Heh, Iwagakure and Kumogakure must be worried sick. If the three great Shinobi Villages of Fire, Water, and Wind really join forces, they’ll be under enormous pressure!”
“Haha, true. Three of the five great Shinobi Villages teaming up sounds like outright bullying... luckily, we’re the