Seeing the captain's solemn expression, Uchiha Inabi couldn't help but feel deeply curious.
Although Qianyu was young, his strength was overwhelming, his methods ruthless, and his actions decisive.
Since taking over as Police Force Commander, he had governed with iron-fisted resolve—implementing thunderous reforms that completely purified Konoha's atmosphere.
Now, evildoers hid like frightened rats, afraid to show themselves.
The village had never been this orderly or stable.
This was something no previous Police Force commander had ever achieved.
A man's reputation preceded him.
After consecutively killing Sarutobi Yūo and Sarutobi Jirō, executing two successive ANBU captains—Sarutobi Shinnosuke and Uchiha Shisui—Uchiha Qianyu's momentum was unmatched.
His fame had reached its peak, blazing like the midday sun.
Who would be blind enough to provoke trouble at a time like this—courting death?
Thus, Inabi, like the rest of the Police Force, held deep admiration and reverence for him.
"Captain… is there something hidden behind this incident?"
Qianyu did not conceal the truth. His voice was low and heavy.
"Edo Tensei."
"Edo Tensei…? That is…"
Clearly, the vast majority of the shinobi world still did not understand the true horror of that jutsu.
Only Uchiha Yakumi frowned.
"I remember hearing the clan head mention it…"
"It's a forbidden technique that uses a living person as a sacrifice to forcibly summon the soul of the dead from the Pure Land."
"The summoned dead are then completely controlled—turned into killing machines…"
The others' expressions changed instantly.
"Using living people as sacrifices… to summon the souls of the dead?!"
"That… that's really possible?!"
Yakumi nodded gravely.
"It is. And although the resurrected are weaker than their peak in life, any true powerhouse still surpasses ordinary shinobi."
"It's a terrifying secret art—one that toys with life and death, desecrates souls, and violates all taboos."
Inabi's mind raced.
"Captain… are you saying someone is using corpses to research Edo Tensei?"
Uchiha Aoki exploded in anger.
"That technique is disgusting!"
"Digging up graves, stealing bodies, denying ancestors peace—exposing corpses and using them as vessels for filthy forbidden arts…"
"It's utterly inhuman!"
"And worse—this jutsu requires living sacrifices!"
"Captain, who could possibly have created such a monstrous technique?!"
Qianyu replied calmly,
"The Second Hokage."
"Senju Tobirama."
The room fell into stunned silence.
Senju Tobirama.
To the Uchiha, that name was synonymous with death itself.
Even the so-called God of Shinobi, Senju Hashirama, did not inspire such hatred.
The hot-tempered Uchiha Tekka trembled, then sneered coldly.
"As expected."
"Only someone like Senju Tobirama could create such a filthy, evil forbidden jutsu."
Uchiha Inabi sighed, still puzzled.
"But Tobirama has been dead for years… and Edo Tensei disappeared long ago."
"Why would it suddenly resurface now?"
Uchiha Yamato immediately asked,
"Captain… who do you think restarted research into this forbidden technique?"
Qianyu looked at him.
Yamato's heart skipped.
"D-Don't tell me…"
Everyone understood at once.
Konoha's upper leadership.
There could be no one else.
Uchiha Tekka snarled.
"It must be Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō!"
"They were Tobirama's disciples—of course they'd inherit his filthy jutsu!"
"And since they know they're no match for you, Captain, they resort to such underhanded methods!"
The others nodded furiously.
Qianyu already knew who was behind it.
But researching Edo Tensei was no simple matter.
Orochimaru once claimed the jutsu wasn't particularly difficult—but that was for him.
For anyone else, it was a true forbidden art.
Otherwise, it wouldn't have taken until Orochimaru for Edo Tensei to truly resurface.
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't care whether something was forbidden.
He himself wielded techniques like the Reaper Death Seal.
So the reason Edo Tensei hadn't been used before wasn't unwillingness—
It was inability.
Now that research had resumed, the truth was obvious.
Danzō had contacted Orochimaru.
A deal had been made.
Danzō had obtained the secrets of Edo Tensei.
But clearly, it wasn't yet perfected—hence the grave robbing and experimentation.
Qianyu sneered inwardly.
That old dog Danzō was truly courting death.
Shisui had barely died, and he already dared to jump out.
Trying to use Orochimaru's forbidden jutsu to kill him?
A fool's dream.
Uchiha Yakumi hurriedly asked,
"Captain, what should we do?"
Qianyu replied coldly,
"If they're acting in secret, it means they fear exposure."
"Then we'll do the opposite."
"Announce to the entire village that grave robbers are rampant—digging up tombs and desecrating the dead."
"Tell all villagers and shinobi to heighten their vigilance."
Yakumi smiled knowingly.
"Yes, Captain. That'll drive Danzō and Hiruzen mad."
Qianyu continued,
"This is only the beginning."
"I'll handle the rest personally."
Yakumi immediately understood that matters involving the village's upper echelons were far beyond his authority.
He nodded at once.
"Yes, Captain."
"One more thing," Qianyu added.
"Besides spreading word of grave robbers—watch for something else."
"Missing persons."
Everyone's hearts tightened.
"You mean… Danzō will kidnap living people as test subjects?" Yakumi asked.
Tekka sneered.
"If Edo Tensei requires living sacrifices, of course they will!"
"Wasn't Orochimaru the same back then?!"
"And who backed Orochimaru?"
"Shimura Danzō—with Sarutobi Hiruzen's tacit approval!"
"They're capable of anything!"
Inabi sighed.
"Exactly. Orochimaru wasn't expelled because of human experimentation itself—only because it was exposed."
"Hiruzen can tolerate Danzō and Orochimaru doing unspeakable things."
"But the moment it threatens his own image or interests, he'll cut ties instantly."
"This time is no different."
"The mastermind is likely Danzō, while Hiruzen keeps his righteous façade intact."
Aoki nodded.
"That's why they're researching the forbidden jutsu in secret."
Qianyu cut off the discussion.
He was a man of action.
"Yakumi—announce the grave robber situation and intensify patrols."
"Tekka, Inabi—you two investigate missing persons. Report anything immediately."
The three squad leaders straightened.
"Yes, Captain!"
Qianyu then led Aoki and Yamato straight toward the home of the ninja named Ōishi.
He intended to investigate personally.
Upon arrival, the genin Ōishi was overwhelmed with excitement upon seeing Qianyu.
He was a fervent admirer.
"Q-Qianyu-sama! I never imagined I'd really meet you!"
Qianyu frowned slightly.
"Explain the situation."
Ōishi hurriedly nodded.
"Yes—please look, Qianyu-sama. This is my father's grave."
"Everything looks normal on the surface, but the remains inside the coffin are gone!"
"These grave robbers are utterly inhuman!"
"Even dead ancestors aren't spared!"
"Qianyu-sama, please—bring justice to my father!"
Qianyu examined the site carefully.
There were indeed no obvious traces—whoever did this clearly didn't want to be discovered.
However—
With his unparalleled Sharingan and perception—
He sensed faint residual chakra within the soil.
And—
"This is…?"
Aoki and Yamato stiffened.
"Captain… did you find something?"
Qianyu's voice dropped.
"Wood Release."
"W-Wood Release?!"
Both of them were shocked.
The entire shinobi world knew—
Wood Release was the legendary technique unique to the God of Shinobi, the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama.
So why—
Why would such a power appear at the grave of an ordinary genin's father?