Once the Sunagakure trio actually set foot in Konoha, their entire worldview was turned upside down yet again.
Konoha's streets bustled with voices and traffic. All kinds of shops lined the broad streets, while stalls selling assorted trinkets competed just as fiercely for every patch of open space, making roads originally wide enough for several horse-drawn carriages to travel abreast feel cramped.
Under the hoarse, shouted directions of the civilian shinobi, the crowds moved in something resembling order, though progress was painfully slow. The Sunagakure trio felt uncomfortable being jostled on every side, yet their eyes widened in wonder and their ears strained to catch everything, unwilling to miss even the smallest detail.
All around them, vendors hawked their wares at the top of their lungs. Some argued endlessly with customers over prices, neither side willing to give ground. Others, satisfied with their purchases, turned to leave only to smile ruefully at the packed crowd. Despite the congestion, contented smiles kept blooming on healthy, rosy faces. That was something even more precious than the dazzling array of goods.
"How long are we going to be stuck here? The Konoha Military Police Force really ought to do something about these shameless vendors!"
The combat shinobi guiding them cursed every unscrupulous vendor blocking the road. Seeing no end to the crush, he sprang out of the crowd and landed on the nearest rooftop, waving to the trio.
"Come on, we'll take the rooftops!"
Looking down on Konoha from above gave them an entirely different impression. Although all three were shinobi being raised as prodigies, they kept falling behind their guide. He always had to call several times before they remembered to follow.
They were enthralled by everything before them. Compared with impoverished Sunagakure, Konoha was simply too different.
Abundant supplies, lush forests,