"Is Hokage-sama not in the office?"
After concluding the Survival Exercise and announcing that Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura had passed, Kakashi immediately left the Training Ground and came to the Hokage Office.
He originally intended to report on the situation of Team 7, as the changes in the three Genin were quite significant.
It seemed his timing was poor; the Third Hokage wasn't in the office at all.
"XX, do you know where Hokage-sama went?"
"He probably went to that Internet Cafe."
Normally, the Hokage's whereabouts should not be disclosed to others, but this Hokage Building staff member was familiar with Kakashi, knew Kakashi was a direct subordinate of the Hokage, and since the Hokage's destination was within Konoha Village, he figured it would be fine to tell Kakashi.
"Thank you."
Knowing the Hokage's location, Kakashi thanked the staff member, left the Hokage Building, and headed toward the Internet Cafe.
When he first reviewed the trio's files, the documents already indicated that the three often visited a store called the Internet Cafe, and the detailed address of the Internet Cafe was also included in the files.
He had originally planned to find time to visit the Internet Cafe, wanting to know what kind of magic it held that attracted the trio so frequently.
Now was the perfect time. Knowing the Hokage was likely there too, he could satisfy his curiosity... While Kakashi was on his way, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, having been persuaded by Ge Liang, had successfully entered the legend of jin yong heroes and had been playing for half an hour.
Aside from Ge Liang initially reminding him to go to Nan Xian Ju to open buildings, Ge Liang had not prompted Hiruzen Sarutobi for the rest of the time.
With this period of exploration, Hiruzen Sarutobi had generally figured out how the game was played.
Combining the miraculous martial arts within the game with Naruto's performance that night, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt extremely shocked when he considered a certain possibility.
"Biu~"
After casually killing a trash NPC using the Six Meridian Divine Sword, this feeling of shock did not diminish but intensified.
Similarly, in his heart, Ge Liang's level of danger was rapidly increasing.
He had played so casually for just half an hour and was able to learn a powerful martial art. What about Ge Liang?
Ge Liang was the owner of the Internet Cafe; he had plenty of time, and his research into this game was definitely deeper.
Just how strong was Ge Liang's actual power?
This was precisely the reason Hiruzen Sarutobi was wary.
With such an unstable factor present, how could Hiruzen Sarutobi feel at ease?
Fortunately, he maintained his composure and did not immediately end the game, but continued to immerse himself, enjoying the fun the game provided... One hour later, Hiruzen Sarutobi successfully logged off.
After the martial arts selection upon logging off, his expression improved considerably.
Since one could not use all the martial arts in reality, only one martial art and one movement technique, the limitations of these fighting styles were significant.
At the very least, in Hiruzen Sarutobi's view, a top-tier martial art practiced to the maximum level could, at most, be considered at the Special Jonin level in the Ninja World due to its method of attack.
Ninjas at this level were certainly strong, but they had obvious shortcomings, and only by compensating for these flaws could they become true Jonin.
Could one become a Jonin using only martial arts?
Hiruzen Sarutobi felt that relying solely on martial arts to become a Jonin was unlikely to succeed.
Firstly, the game uses Internal Energy, but Ninjas in reality use Chakra. Playing the game cannot increase the quantity of Chakra, nor can it improve Chakra control.
Secondly, the methods of attack in martial arts are relatively singular. Aside from a limited number of techniques, other martial arts lack the ability for long-range attacks and certainly cannot compare to the destructive power of Ninjutsu.
Given these two obvious shortcomings, becoming a Jonin relying only on martial arts was virtually impossible.
However, to be fair, he would not deny the value of these martial arts.
At this moment, he had already made up his mind: if Ge Liang was sensible and stayed quietly in Konoha, he would not kill Ge Liang. Of course, the Internet Cafe would naturally have to be handed over to Konoha Management.
If Ge Liang was not sensible and stubbornly refused to give up the Internet Cafe, then he would have to say sorry.
'Hmm, I'll let Danzo handle this matter.'
'For the prosperity of Konoha, he should be quite willing.'
Thinking this, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled faintly and said to Ge Liang, "This game is truly miraculous. Powerful martial arts, graceful movement techniques. It's just a pity that Internal Energy cannot coexist with Chakra... But even so, it's still amazing enough."
"I'm glad Hokage-sama is satisfied."
"Satisfied, I am extremely satisfied."
Smiling and nodding, Hiruzen Sarutobi changed the subject and asked, "Ge Liang, do you have any plans to sell this Internet Cafe?"
Damn it, I knew this would happen.
Hearing this, Ge Liang cursed inwardly.
He thought Hiruzen Sarutobi would continue pretending to be the good guy and then secretly make a move later, especially since Konoha had a Super Scapegoat King—any dirty work could always be dumped on Danzo.
But he hadn't expected Hiruzen Sarutobi to be so impatient as to probe him right now.
"Hokage-sama must be joking. Currently, I have no plans to sell this Internet Cafe."
"Is that so? That's truly regrettable."
Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head, wearing an expression of deep regret.
From an outsider's perspective, he appeared to be regretting the inability to purchase the Internet Cafe, but to Ge Liang, he was likely regretting Ge Liang's lack of sense.
"In that case, Ge Liang, if you ever decide you want to sell this Internet Cafe, you must come to me first."
"Don't worry, Hokage-sama. If I decide to stop operating it, I will certainly come to you immediately."
"Alright, I've bothered you for long enough. I'll be leaving now."
"Hokage-sama, take care on your way."
Ge Liang escorted Hiruzen Sarutobi to the entrance and happened to see Kakashi approaching from the alleyway entrance.
Seeing that the Third Hokage had already exited the Internet Cafe and was presumably about to leave, Kakashi quickly walked over to greet him.
"Hokage-sama."
"Ah, it's Kakashi. Did you also come to the Internet Cafe to play?"
"Play?"
Kakashi didn't yet know the function of the Internet Cafe, but hearing the Third Hokage say this, he roughly understood that the Internet Cafe was a place for entertainment.
"I suppose so."
This wasn't a good place for a report, and since Ge Liang was an outsider, he felt awkward admitting he came purely out of curiosity, so he simply followed the Third Hokage's lead.
"Hmm, this Internet Cafe is excellent. Have a good time playing. I'll be going now."
At this point, Hiruzen Sarutobi already regarded the Internet Cafe as his own, speaking with the air of an owner.
Furthermore, Kakashi was his direct subordinate. Even if the Internet Cafe wasn't his, he was happy for Kakashi to visit a place that could enhance strength.
After all, the stronger his direct subordinates were, the stronger the power he could command.
"Yes, Hokage-sama."