In the valley.
Konoha's group of six was still on its way to the valley.
Meanwhile, inside the valley, the Mist Ninja and Cloud Ninja were already struggling to restrain their urge to fight each other.
Both villages were close to the sea, and Kirigakure itself was on an island, so both sides understood how important this valley was.
Whichever village secured the valley would most likely be able to survive until the exams ended.
At this tense standoff, Zabuza Momochi, the acknowledged leader of the Mist genin, no longer wanted to wait.
The burly Zabuza tightened his grip on his great sword and stared viciously at the Cloud Ninja opposite him. His face brimming with bloodlust, he said, "Cloud Ninja, I'll give you two choices."
"Either leave now, while you still can, or stay here forever!"
Zabuza Momochi, who had been at the very back of the Mist Ninja formation, walked forward as he spoke.
The Mist Ninja in his path obediently parted down the middle, making way for him.
Under their awed gazes, Zabuza swaggered to the front, his tall frame swaying with each step.
To enable the Four Great Shinobi Villages to cooperate fully this time, they had exchanged intelligence about their respective villages.
Naturally, that intelligence also listed each village's top contenders in these exams.
Zabuza Momochi, known as the Demon, was listed as the strongest member of Kirigakure's younger generation.
Cruel and bloodthirsty, he liked to tear his targets to pieces on missions and was widely recognized as Kirigakure's strongest genin.
Others might have feared Zabuza's murderous arrogance, but the battle-hungry Cloud Ninja did not.
From childhood, Kumogakure's ninja were taught that every problem could be solved with their fists.
Naturally, Zabuza's domineering attitude rubbed them the wrong way.
They cracked their knuckles, itching to