The Third Chunin Selection Exam was one month away.
During that month, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Hokage, issued orders to stay vigilant and search for Orochimaru, lest he sabotage the thriving economy that the coming nobles and wealthy merchants would bring.
In Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind, Orochimaru was still the disciple from ten years ago whom he had spared because he could not bear to kill him. He was not strong enough to stand against all of Konoha.
Judging by how Orochimaru had been too cowardly to show himself, merely placing a Heavenly Cursed Seal on Sasuke Uchiha, he had likely only set his sights on the last remaining Uchiha clansman.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had assigned quite a few people, both openly and covertly, to keep watch on Sasuke Uchiha. Some were meant to use Sasuke Uchiha as bait to lure out the snake, while others were there to protect him.
Hiruzen Sarutobi did not believe Orochimaru could cause much trouble in tightly guarded Konoha. Konoha's strength was not something Orochimaru alone could contend with; its many clan ninja were formidable, and Jiraiya, one of Konoha's Legendary Sannin and also his disciple, had returned to the village.
"Jiraiya, now that you're back, don't leave again. The village needs you." In the Hokage's Office, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke with a sigh.
Of Hiruzen Sarutobi's three disciples, one had defected, one roamed the world, and one had left the village. He knew why, but bearing the burden of Konoha still left him somewhat helpless.
He could not make all three of his disciples—or everyone else—approve of him.
As he grew older and gradually found himself unable to do as much as before, Hiruzen Sarutobi had few choices left. Only Jiraiya becoming the next Hokage would meet both his own expectations and those of everyone in Konoha.