Ruri did not continue wandering along Main Street but went straight into the Chunin Ninja Exams venue. There was a large crowd inside, and he only managed to squeeze his way out of it with some difficulty.
Looking at the ninja from different countries, Ruri thought, A ninja village symbolizes a country's overall strength. A powerful ninja village naturally receives more missions, while a weaker village can only keep cutting back on its already scarce resources. The Chunin Ninja Exams are another battlefield where countries compete for resources, one without any visible smoke of war!
"Hey, hey, hey! Look, everyone! A brat this little actually came to take the Chunin Ninja Exams!" A ninja wearing a Stone Ninja Village Forehead Protector spotted Ruri and shouted to those around him.
"Seriously, am I seeing things?"
"That's what I've been saying. Konoha has had too many problems these past few years. Even a brat who hasn't had time to graduate from the Ninja Academy is taking the Chunin Ninja Exams! What a joke!"
After that Stone Ninja Village ninja stirred things up, several nearby ninja joined in.
Ruri ignored those bit players beside him and walked over to a desk and sat down, thinking, I hope I can make it in time for the support detachment's departure...
Ruri was the only Genin on Kakashi's team, so he was taking the exam on his own. Yesterday, the Third Hokage had suggested that he join another team first, but Ruri had rejected the proposal on the spot.
Ruri had refused because he wanted to take the Chunin Ninja Exams on his own and did not want to team up with anyone. Since the Third Hokage knew how strong Ruri was, he had let him have his way.
*Looks like there aren't any familiar faces