Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up his pipe and took a deep drag.
Jiraiya.
"Are you sure the news about the tavern hasn't leaked out?"
Jiraiya sat by the window, holding a small booklet in his hand.
Upon hearing the question, he put the booklet into his pocket.
"Not at present."
"I checked after I returned to the village."
Not many people know that the Lord First and Second have been resurrected.
"The ninjas in the village who saw them have all been ordered to remain silent."
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned.
Where is Madara Uchiha?
"His identity is more sensitive."
"If other ninja villages find out he's been resurrected and is still in Konoha, the trouble will only get worse."
Jiraiya nodded.
"The news about Ban didn't get out."
The Undead Tavern doesn't usually have many customers.
Those people rarely leave the tavern on their own initiative.
"The outer villages are unlikely to receive accurate intelligence in the short term."
Hiruzen Sarutobi did not relax.
"During the Chunin Ninja Exams, ninjas from various villages will enter Konoha."
Too many people and too much attention.
"The location of the Undead Tavern isn't too remote."
They'll notice that place sooner or later.
Jiraiya leaned against the window, speaking casually.
"So what if they notice?"
" The Lord First and the others have only been resurrected; they have no intention of reclaiming Konoha."
"I spent so much time at the tavern yesterday, I saw everything very clearly."
"They have no interest in Konoha's power."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up at him.
Are you sure?
"Sure."
Jiraiya he recalled the scene in the tavern.
Hashirama Senju was busy drinking.
Madara Uchiha was busy reading.
Tobirama Senju held the ledger, in charge of the tavern's finances.
Compared to Konoha's political affairs, those few people were clearly more concerned with the alcohol, karaoke, and wages at the tavern.
As for Zhang Yu, he never asked any questions about the Konoha High Command.
Zhang Yu had no intention of interfering with Konoha.
Jiraiya continued, "If he really wanted to control Konoha, he wouldn't have waited until now."
" The Lord First, the Second, and Madara Uchiha all listened to him."
"With the tavern's strength, no one in Konoha can stop it."
Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent.
It may be harsh to say, but it's the truth.
If the Undead Tavern truly harbors ill intentions, no matter how much he, the Third Hokage, guards against it, it will be useless.
Jiraiya walked to his desk, picked up a list of candidates for the Chunin Ninja Exams, and glanced at it.
All exams will proceed as scheduled.
"The ninja villages that are supposed to come will come as usual."
"The existing procedures don't need to be changed."
If someone does discover the Undead Tavern, we'll see how to proceed.
Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped the table.
What are your plans to do?
Jiraiya smiled.
"I will stay in the village for a while."
"Go to the tavern when you have nothing to do."
I will let you know immediately if there are any problems.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze immediately changed.
"Why don't you go to the tavern?"
"Right."
Jiraiya nodded solemnly.
"I need to confirm the tavern's stance further."
"The reasons for the resurrection of the Lord First, Zhang Yu's origins, and the tavern's rules all deserve investigation."
"This matter must be entrusted to someone with experience."
Hiruzen Sarutobi stared at him for a long while.
"Do you want to investigate, or do you want to drink Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor)?"
Jiraiya coughed lightly.
"An investigation, of course."
"I drink just to fit in."
"Sometimes, intelligence is hidden on the dinner table."
Hiruzen Sarutobi slammed his pipe on the table.
Absolutely not!
Jiraiya startled.
"Old man, why are you so agitated?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi pointed at him, his voice rising several decibels.
"You can go to the tavern."
"An investigation is also acceptable."
"But you absolutely cannot buy Erguotou again!"
Did you hear me?
Jiraiya touched his nose.
That's the best drink in the tavern.
"If I go there, I can't just go without ordering anything, can I?"
"Order some Coca-Cola!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi answered without the slightest hesitation.
You can have some snacks, and you can drink cola.
"You absolutely cannot touch Erguotou!"
Jiraiya couldn't help but laugh.
"You, the Third Hokage, really need to be this nervous over a few bottles of wine?"
Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi nearly jumped up from his chair.
"How many bottles of wine?"
"You only drank two bottles yesterday!"
"In the end, it cost 800,000 taels!"
"Of those 600,000 taels, I paid off on your behalf!"
As he said this, his chest began to ache again.
Seven million two hundred thousand taels have already been spent on buying wine.
Yesterday, I was forced to write an IOU for 600,000 taels of silver.
I just had Kurenai Yuhi deliver the money today, and his wallet is already half empty again.
The Hokage's income is not low.
But even that couldn't withstand the chaos the Undead Tavern was causing.
Hiruzen Sarutobi opened the drawer.
There were only a few loose bills left inside.
He turned the drawer towards Jiraiya.
"See for yourself."
How much money do I have left?
"To pay off the debt for the alcohol, I sold my ninja tools, my property, and even took a portion of the village's subsidies."
"Now we even have to carefully budget our money when buying tobacco leaves!"
Jiraiya looked at the empty drawer and felt a rare pang of guilt.
"That bad?"
"It's all because of you!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi angrier the more he spoke.
" Asuma tricked me."
Now even you're trying to screw me over.
"Next time you go to the tavern for Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor), bring your own money!"
Even if you're made to wash the dishes, I won't pay the bill!
Jiraiya suppressed a laugh and nodded repeatedly.
"Knew."
"I absolutely won't drink it."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was still worried.
"You swear."
"Isn't that necessary?"
"It's necessary!"
Jiraiya his teacher's expression, as if he could barely afford cigarettes, Jiraiya could only raise his right hand.
"I promise."
"Go to the Undead Tavern only to investigate, don't buy any Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor)."
Is this alright now?
Hiruzen Sarutobi then withdrew his gaze.
Remember what you said.
Jiraiya and walked towards the door.
"The exam arrangements are settled."
"It will proceed as scheduled."
"I'll keep an eye on the tavern."
He opened the door and was about to leave when he heard Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice behind him again.
" Jiraiya!"
Jiraiya turned around.
"What's wrong now?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi clutched his wallet and gave another warning.
"Never buy Erguotou!"
"I really have no money left!"
Seeing his embarrassed expression, Jiraiya finally couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Understood, old man."
The door closed.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat back in his chair, glanced down at the money notes in the drawer, and his expression grew even more bitter.
Nothing more was said that night.
The next morning, Team 7 arrived early at the entrance of the Undead Tavern.
The tavern wasn't open yet.
Naruto pressed his face against the door, peering through the crack.
Why isn't the door open yet?
Sakura stood behind him.
What time is it now?
We're already early.
Naruto turned around.
"Of course you should come early to become an apprentice!"
" The First Hokage was so powerful, I must be the first to become his disciple!"
Sasuke leaned against the wall and snorted coldly after hearing this.
What's so great about worshipping Hashirama Senju?