Many of the Akatsuki members were visiting Konoha for the first time.
The moment they entered the village, their gazes involuntarily swept their surroundings, making them look rather like country folk visiting the big city.
It wasn't that they hadn't seen the world.
Konoha's environment was simply unlike anything else in the Shinobi World.
Sunagakure was filled with swirling sand, and even a meal might come with a mouthful or two of grit.
Rain fell year-round in Amegakure, where steel towers and drainage pipes filled the village.
Iwagakure was nothing but rocky mountains as far as the eye could see. In Kumogakure, stepping outside meant either climbing a mountain or descending one, while Kirigakure lay isolated overseas with scarce resources.
By contrast, Konoha occupied the richest land in the Shinobi World.
The weather was favorable, and everything flourished.
Shops lined both sides of the streets, vendors' cries rose one after another, and even the passing pedestrians looked far more vibrant than those in other shinobi villages.
Konoha was especially lively that day.
The Chunin Ninja Exams were about to begin, and candidates from various countries were arriving one after another.
People with different forehead protectors, clothing, and accents poured into the streets, like a school of catfish stirring the entire village to life.
The Konoha villagers didn't want to embarrass themselves in front of outsiders, either, so their shops and streets were exceptionally tidy.
Kisame looked around and grinned.
"No wonder every country wants to tear a chunk out of the Land of Fire."
Cangyue suddenly beckoned behind him.
"Tobi, bring that thing over."
"Coming, senior!"
Tobi eagerly trotted over and pulled a Swirl Mask from inside his clothes.
Cangyue took the mask and handed it to Itachi.
"Here, put this on."
"A custom-made mask, just like Tobi's. Put it