There was half a month left until the third stage of the Chunin Exams.
At the entrance of Konoha Village, the 'perennial gatekeepers' Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki were sitting idly in their positions.
"Kotetsu, don't you think our job is really boring?"
Kotetsu Hagane, whose face was wrapped in a bandage and looked rather unfriendly, nodded at the remark.
"Yeah, although being a gatekeeper is an important job, guarding the gate every day really is too boring."
"Exactly, and the pay is low too."
Originally, as Chunin, Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki knew their own strength.
If they went out of the Village on a mission, they might end up getting killed outside the Village one day.
So when they heard that Konoha was looking for gatekeepers, both of them applied, and unexpectedly, they even succeeded.
They were quite satisfied with the job at first.
Not only was the work easy, but although the monthly salary wasn't as much as what they'd get from missions, it was steady income with no danger, which was a plus.
However, after working for a long time, it was inevitable to develop a sense of complacency.
After all, they had been guarding this gate for almost three years.
"Just bear with it. After the Chunin Exams, our three-year contract will be up, and we just won't renew it then."
"That's true, we just need to hold on for a little longer."
They nodded; over two years had passed, so a mere ten days or half a month was nothing.
"By the way, let me tell you..."
"Is that so? There was such a thing..."
As the two chatted, they didn't notice a tall figure slowly approaching Konoha in the distance.
About ten seconds later, Kotetsu Hagane spotted the figure and reminded Izumo Kamizuki, "Alright, stop chatting, someone's coming. Let's get ready to register them."
"Someone coming at this time is rare... Wait, why does that figure look so familiar?"
"Hmm?"
At this moment, the person outside the Village had walked to the entrance of Konoha Village. Seeing the two surprised gatekeepers, he laughed heartily and said, "Kotetsu Hagane, Izumo Kamizuki, you two are still guarding the gate."
"J-Jiraiya-sama?"
Indeed, this tall figure was none other than Jiraiya, who had returned from his 'research trip'.
"I'm telling you, what future is there in guarding the gate? If you want to improve yourselves, then quit this job."
Patting their shoulders, Jiraiya wrote his name in the register and then left.
"Jiraiya-sama is back. I'm sure Hokage-sama will be very happy."
...Hiruzen Sarutobi was not very happy at this moment.
Because the new game 'the king of fighters '97' launched by Ge Liang's internet cafe was too fun, many Anbu and Jonin became addicted, running to the internet cafe every day, causing it to be packed all the time.
Indeed, 'the king of fighters '97' was an excellent game, both in terms of gameplay and competitiveness.
And the key point was that this game could not only be played against the computer but also against real people.
Which players often referred to as PVP and PVE.
I might not be able to beat you in reality, but you might not be able to beat me in 'the king of fighters'.
How could they not love a game that allowed the 'weak' to overcome the'strong'?
Whenever Shikaku was free, Shikamaru would drag his dad to the internet cafe to play 'the king of fighters', hoping to win a few rounds and vent the 'frustration' of always losing at Shogi.
Actually, Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't mind whether the internet cafe's business was good or bad; it was all about strengthening the Konoha Ninja's abilities anyway.
However, it was currently the Chunin Exams period, and there were a large number of outsiders in Konoha Village.
These Ninja weren't patrolling but instead playing games at the internet cafe. This surely made it seem like they were 'neglecting their duties for pleasure'.
The Anbu Ninja were fine; they only played after completing their essential work. But those free Jonin completely forgot their 'obligations' as Jonin, not patrolling and instead playing some broken game!
"Damn it, should I issue patrol missions in the name of the Village?"
"If there are missions and rewards, some Jonin will definitely take them."
"But in that case, 'Konoha' would lose a lot of money."
Before internet cafes appeared in Konoha, whenever a major event occurred, those Jonin would spontaneously patrol the streets. Konoha's public order could be maintained without spending a single penny.
Unlike now, where maintaining public order requires issuing missions... This was hard for Hiruzen Sarutobi to accept.
Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi was agonizing over whether to issue missions, an Anbu suddenly appeared in the office.
"Reporting, Hokage-sama, we found Jiraiya-sama in the Village."
"Oh? Jiraiya is back? I understand, you may leave."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Jiraiya's return at this time undoubtedly boosted Hiruzen Sarutobi's confidence significantly.
After all, the third stage of these Chunin Exams was Konoha's Genin versus Sunagakure's Genin.
And Sunagakure's Fourth Kazekage would also be present.
A Village's Kage appearing in another Village was no small matter; it had to be ensured that there were no mistakes, otherwise, Konoha would lose face.
The Village's security pressure was already high, making Hiruzen Sarutobi so worried that he wanted to issue missions for these Jonin to patrol the streets.
Now, it was fine, Jiraiya was back.
And the reputation of being one of the Three Sannin would surely deter some ill-intentioned people.
"But, since when did Konoha need to rely on the reputation of the Three Sannin to deter others?"
He recalled how powerful Konoha was during the Third Great Ninja War.
In the front was the White Fang of Konoha: Sakumo Hatake.
In the middle were the Three Sannin of Konoha: Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade-hime.
At the back was the Yellow Flash: Minato Namikaze.
And there was him, the'Strongest Hokage in History': Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Konoha was so powerful back then; even facing the encirclement of the Four Great Ninja Villages, it showed no fear and ultimately won the war.
But, since when did Konoha start to become 'weak'?
Hiruzen Sarutobi thought for a moment, it seemed Konoha had become 'weak' after the Third Great Ninja War.
The White Fang committed suicide, Orochimaru defected, Tsunade-hime and Jiraiya left, and Minato sacrificed himself to Seal the Nine-Tailed Beast.
A large number of top-tier combatants either died or left, leaving only him and Danzo as top-tier combatants.
Oh, and now Danzo was gone, leaving only him, an Old Man, in the entire Konoha.
"Indeed, I have sacrificed too much for Konoha. They all left or fled, and only I remained to guard Konoha."
Hiruzen Sarutobi recalled the past events and couldn't help but feel very proud.
However, he didn't consider why these people committed suicide or left. Did he bear no responsibility at all?