The smoke in the Hokage's Office was thick enough to choke on.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in his chair, his expression grim.
Three official debt collection notices lay on his desk, each bearing the Red Seal of the South Street branch of the Konoha Military Police Force.
They clearly listed a debt of four hundred million ryo in silver, followed by overdue interest that kept snowballing.
"Hiruzen, we can't let Chikage keep running wild."
Utatane Koharu paced in front of the desk.
"All the major clans have moved their defense liaison offices to South Street."
"When the Anbu went out to buy Wound Medicine, the pharmacist actually asked whether we had discount coupons for the Daimyo's Residence's Special Economic Zone!"
Mitokado Homura sighed as well.
"At this rate, the Hokage's Office will become nothing but a decoration."
"We need to bring back someone with enough prestige to hold things together."
Hiruzen picked up his pipe and tapped the ashes out against the corner of the desk.
"Tsunade is traveling. We can't reach her for now."
"Orochimaru became a rogue ninja, and just a few days ago, he came sneaking into our home turf with Danzo."
"The only one we can count on now is Jiraiya."
Hiruzen bit his thumb and formed the hand seals for the Summoning Technique.
With a soft pop, white smoke dispersed.
A small toad carrying a messenger scroll appeared on the floor.
"Lord Hokage, what do you need me for?"
The messenger toad blinked its large eyes as it asked.
Hiruzen picked up the top-priority urgent letter from his desk and tucked it into the leather scroll case.
"Go to the Land of Hot Water and find Jiraiya."
"Tell him Konoha's survival is at stake. He must return to the village immediately!"
"He cannot waste a single