Outside Konoha, atop a high cliff.
Jiraiya lowered the binoculars in his hand, watching the flames of war and smoke within the village gradually settle, and let out a long sigh of relief. Originally, he had merely found himself an excellent spot to watch the show, intending to leisurely enjoy the final match of the Chunin Exams.
Given his status in Konoha, getting a premium spectator seat would have taken no more than a word. Yet he had chosen this approach, which suited his style better, staying alone at a distance. He just had not expected that, as he watched, his binoculars would accidentally "slip" toward the nearby women's bathhouse...
By the time he turned his attention back to the arena, Naruto's match had just begun. He had been watching with satisfaction when the attack erupted without warning.
"Good work, Gamakichi." Jiraiya patted the massive, taciturn purple-red toad beneath his feet.
"It's fine. I'm clumsy anyway," Gamakichi replied in a deep voice. Beneath his mountain-like body lay a gigantic summoned snake that had been beaten to within an inch of its life.
In the surrounding woods, quite a few Sound Ninja and Sand Ninja lay sprawled about, bound tightly by the Frog Binding Technique—these were the "spoils" Jiraiya had swiftly gained after joining the battle when the chaos erupted.
However, the occasional loud explosions coming from afar earlier did not seem like the work of Konoha's standard ninjutsu... Had that mysterious [Ash] organization intervened? That troubled Jiraiya greatly.
Just then, the corner of his eye caught a familiar figure—his teacher, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was darting alone into the dense forest outside the village at high speed!
Old man? Where is he going?
Jiraiya immediately formed hand seals and released the Summoning Jutsu for Gamakichi. The giant toad vanished in a puff