The Third Hokage Guilt-Trips Jiraiya

Jiraiya left the amusement park and walked through the streets of Konoha.

He walked slowly, his gaze sweeping over both sides of the street. The farther he went, the deeper his frown grew.

Konoha had changed.

In his memory, its streets had been full of villagers taking their time, vendors calling out their wares, and the easy bustle of everyday life.

Now, patrols in Konoha Military Police Force uniforms passed by every few blocks.

They marched in step, identification tags hanging from their waists, their watchful eyes scanning everyone at each corner.

Among them were Uchiha, civilian shinobi in coarse clothing, and even members of the Hyuga Clan with the Byakugan.

Jiraiya stopped before a bulletin board.

A notice had been posted there. He stepped closer to read it.

Konoha Military Police Force recruitment notice.

Genin: 50,000 Ryō. Chunin: 200,000 Ryō. Jonin: 350,000 Ryō.

Their children could train at the Uchiha Training Ground for free.

Those who performed well could learn the Uchiha Clan's standard ninjutsu.

Jiraiya drew in a sharp breath.

He had traveled the Shinobi World for years and seen countless villages and clans.

But he had never seen a clan win over an entire village so thoroughly in such a short time.

High salaries to recruit people, benefits to win them over, strict enforcement to establish authority—each step built on the last.

The Uchiha now were nothing like the Uchiha he remembered.

Jiraiya stood before the bulletin board for a long time without moving.

The Hokage Office.

When the door opened, Hiruzen Sarutobi was sitting behind his desk with a pipe in his hand.

Jiraiya walked in, then stopped short.

How did the Third Hokage get so old?

The vigorous old man he remembered now had gray at his temples and bloodshot eyes. He looked so