It was April, and the spring breeze was pleasant.
Surrounded by forest, Konoha had entered the most beautiful season of the year. Training Ground 1 was generally open to all the village's ninja, but today it was under full lockdown.
It wasn't that the Third Hokage was making a big show of himself. The purpose was to protect the Guard Corps ninja's jutsu. The ninja admitted to the Guard Corps were hardly weaklings. Many of their jutsu had either been passed down through their clans or taught to them personally by the Hokage, and quite a few were classified village secrets.
Sometimes the Third Hokage even tested new jutsu here to see how well they worked. As a result, Training Ground 1 was currently the most heavily guarded place in Konoha.
By the time Uzumaki Kuming arrived at Training Ground 1, quite a few ninja had already gathered there—nearly thirty in all. None of them wore masks. Although they could all be considered Anbu, none of them were concealing their identities today.
The crowd included not only members of the Guard Corps, but also the Third Hokage's three students. They mingled among the others, chatting and exchanging greetings.
"Hey, Jiuming, over here!" As soon as Uzumaki Kuming entered the training ground, the sharp-eyed Jiraiya spotted him. Jiraiya raised both hands and called out to him enthusiastically, drawing curious glances from quite a few people.
What's he doing here too? Uzumaki Kuming wondered as he headed toward Jiraiya. When he reached him, Jiraiya slung an arm around his shoulders and said with a laugh:
"I can't believe you've become the Old Man's bodyguard! Hahaha! You'd better do a good job."
Jiraiya clapped Jiuming on the shoulder, laughing heartily.
"Oh? You're already the Third's bodyguard? That's some impressive progress. I'm envious."
Hearing