A day later, Sunagakure's team finally stepped through Konoha's gates.
Their appearance, however, was completely different from that of the three villages that had arrived yesterday.
Every one of them wore torn clothes covered in dust.
Their faces and arms were wrapped in bandages to varying degrees, and their movements showed a degree of weakness and sluggishness.
Baki, the jonin leading them, looked livid, and the bandages around his arm seemed a little thicker.
A gloomy atmosphere hung over the entire team, without any of the presence expected of a great ninja village.
The reception staff at Konoha's gates and some members of other ninja villages immediately cast curious looks their way.
Then laughter rose from the crowd.
"Pfft! Where did this bunch of refugees come from? You've come to the wrong place, haven't you? The Chunin Ninja Exams aren't a scavenging convention."
An Iwagakure genin covered his mouth as he mocked them to his companions.
"Tsk, tsk. Did you get lost in the desert and run into a sandstorm? Sunagakure's standards really are an eye-opener."
Another ninja from Kumogakure folded his arms, speaking just loudly enough for the Sunagakure team to hear.
"Hey, hey, don't say that. I heard they only made it here after an old acquaintance gave them a proper welcome."
Someone in Kirigakure's team chimed in sarcastically, provoking an even louder burst of laughter.
"Well, an old acquaintance has to show them a little consideration when hitting them. Otherwise, they probably would've had to be carried here."
Those words stabbed at the Sunagakure ninjas' faces like needles.
They clenched their fists, truly wanting to land a few punches on the faces of those gossiping people.
Several young genin in the team were breathing hard, barely able to stop themselves from rushing out to argue.
However, Baki