"Have you heard? The final round of the Chunin Ninja Exams starts today. I wonder how many Chunin they'll select this time."
The early morning air was slightly damp and thin. Though the sun had yet to rise, it was already casting out threadlike rays of light, illuminating the village beneath the night sky.
On the road, several passersby in plain clothes chatted as they walked, looking so excited that it seemed they were the ones taking the Chunin Ninja Exams, rather than the candidates.
"Our Konoha is the number one Shinobi Village. We'll definitely produce the most Chunin."
"Of course, but the people from the other Shinobi Villages don't look easy to mess with either. Especially that one carrying a gourd. His presence was scarier than the wild boars on Back Mountain."
A man who happened to have seen Gaara grew exaggerated in his expression, but what he said was true.
After all, as the medium for Shukaku, one of the Nine Tailed Beasts, the most powerful beings in the Shinobi World, Gaara certainly had a far more imposing presence than those wild boars on Back Mountain.
"Oh, enough. All you ever talk about is those wild boars. Who knows what strange business you've had with them."
A trace of speechlessness crossed his companion's face. Were wild boars the only comparison he could use to describe someone's presence?
"I just don't know how else to put it. But that kid really did have a terrifying presence. I just wonder how he compares to those few... strong kids from our village."
The man gave an awkward smile and scratched his head.
"No idea, but I believe the kids from our village are stronger."
His companion looked quite pleased, and pride colored his voice. This was the confidence Konoha's standing as