The quiet did not last long before someone started stirring people up again, and an argument broke out.
Voices rumbled through the crowd as they demanded an explanation from Konoha.
"No one said there would be a Summoning Beast like that! And that earthquake..."
"..."
The complaints grew louder and more frequent. They accused Konoha of abusing its authority as the host to give its own people an advantage.
Luo Mang raised an eyebrow at that, shifting his gaze away from Gaara to look toward the commotion.
Just then, several Chunin escorted Hiruzen Sarutobi into the area.
An Anbu member beside him called for order.
"Quiet down! Quiet down!"
"..."
Making a little noise on someone else's turf was one thing, but if they truly angered their hosts, they might lose their lives here. The voices gradually faded as everyone silently watched the approaching Hokage, waiting to hear his explanation.
"We never expected anyone to infiltrate another village's ranks and commit such acts during the Chunin Ninja Exams."
Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped forward. For once, he was not smoking his pipe. With his hands behind his back, he spoke gravely.
There was no way he would accept the blame. If he admitted that their reconnaissance had failed, the other villages could seize on those words to pressure them into paying a massive amount of compensation.
Hiruzen Sarutobi would never allow that. Instead, he explicitly blamed malicious individuals who had disguised themselves as members of other villages to sneak in. If anyone was at fault, it was those villages for failing to screen their people properly.
The implication was that Konoha was already being generous by not demanding compensation from them.
"Given these unforeseen circumstances, the results of the second stage will be voided. Everyone present will be considered to have passed."