Daylight had barely broken when footsteps began converging at the mouth of the alley, gathering more densely than at the usual morning market.
A ring of people surrounded the noticeboard, more than on market days.
The list had just been posted. Paste still glistened damply at its four corners, holding it smooth and flat. Whenever the wind lifted it, it slapped back against the board.
The names appeared in pairs, arranged from top to bottom in five rows.
The first row: Naruto versus Neji.
The second: Hinata versus Choji.
The third: Shikamaru versus Temari.
The fourth: Kiyoshi versus Kankuro.
The final row: Sasuke versus Gaara. Ten people, five matches, pinned to a single wall.
Some counted from top to bottom. Others searched only for their own names, then stepped silently aside once they found them.
Hayate stood before the crowd, reading the finalists' names row by row in a level, unhurried voice.
After each row, someone answered from below.
The first response was the loudest. Each one after it grew quieter.
When he reached the final row, he coughed twice, then continued reading.
The four Genin squeezed into the very front were the rowdiest, shoving one another back and forth. One even pointed at the last row on the list and whistled, making more noise than anyone.
Choji stood outside the ring of people, hands in his pockets, unable to decide whether to step forward or leave.
Kakashi arrived late and walked quickly, coming and going as though he was merely passing by.
He called a name. Sasuke followed him, and the two turned into the alley and vanished.
Might Guy's arrival caused more of a stir. His voice reached them before he did.
"Anyone willing to train twice as hard, come with me."
A whole string of people sprang