With the moon falling prey to the clouds, darkness had overtaken Konoha. Inky black shadows consumed the village from every angle, painting a gloomy canvas that since ancient times had commended man to call it a day. Yet, while the rest of the world slept, one such individual was still wide-awake, present in mind, body, and most of all, spirit. Even so, there was something else fueling his motive on this very night. The final rounds of the Chūnin Exams were right around the corner; having battled his way through countless victories, only one more kept him from the mountaintop.