No one knew what Konoha's senior leaders, headed by Shihōin Naraku, had discussed in the conference room.
And under these circumstances, the plan was put into motion.
At Naraku's orders, all of Konoha gradually grew busy.
By then, less than half a month remained before the Five-Nation Joint Chunin Selection Trials began.
Almost in the blink of an eye, Konoha changed at a visible pace until it seemed unfamiliar.
Hokage's Office.
The documents on the desk had already piled into a small mountain.
Most concerned security arrangements during the Chunin trials, accommodation lists for the Jonin leading each village's team, and head counts for the Daimyo Guards accompanying those coming to watch the event.
But Naraku's gaze rested not on those documents, but outside the window.
Konoha's busy, bustling streets came into view.
"There are more and more people."
A voice came from the doorway as Shikaku Nara pushed the door open and walked in, carrying a fresh stack of documents.
"More than four hundred non-Ninja entered the village yesterday alone. We expect even more today."
Naraku drew his gaze back, looked at Shikaku, and nodded. "Can we expand the tent area any further?"
"We can."
"But if we expand it any more, it'll take up the edges of the training grounds and affect where the Ninja train."
Shikaku set the documents on the desk, turned to the top page, and pointed it out to Naraku.
"The inns in the village are practically full. We can't squeeze anyone else in, so we have to find a solution."
Naraku looked up at the ceiling and pondered for a moment before speaking. "Since the village can't accommodate any more people, mark out an area outside the village and have them camp there."
"Oh, and arrange patrol personnel in advance. We need