Who Was the Grave Robber?

"What?"

"Ghoul?"

Katsuki's mouth gaped open.

"Otoha, are you out of your mind? I know raising kids is exhausting, but are you really that fragile? Or is this some kind of prank? Are you deliberately trying to trick me? Ghoul... kids these days aren't that easy to fool."

"Who's joking with you? I'm telling the truth. The rumors have been quite rampant lately. First, there were reports from Kusagakure, Amegakure, and Takigakure that several ninja graves had been dug up. Just a couple of days ago, it was said that Sunagakure had also been targeted, with many clans' ancestral graves being desecrated, including the cemeteries of those who died in battle."

"The village is in a state of panic. Each family has increased their manpower to guard the cemetery, the Police Force patrol density around the cemetery has doubled, and the number of grave keepers has increased several times over... Haven't you heard anything about this?"

Otoha's eyes widened in disbelief.

"That's an exaggeration?" Katsuki blinked. "I haven't been going out much lately. It's almost graduation season, isn't it? As the Principal, I'm very busy. There's a lot of work to prepare in advance... But even so, ghouls are such absurd. It's probably just someone robbing a grave!"

"I'm not stupid, why would I believe every rumor I hear?" Otoha shook her head.

"Just think about it. If only the graves of those useless people in Kusagakure and Takigakure were dug up, it wouldn't be a big deal. But Sunagakure is no pushover, especially since a Kekkei Genkai noble clan like the Kan'in Family has fallen victim to this, and no clues have been found about the grave robbers... The grave robbers are definitely not simple characters. Ghoul is probably just a code name."

Was he a tomb raider codenamed "Ghoul"?

Katsuki picked at her Delia.

This name always gives people a very ominous feeling.

Speaking of tomb raiding, Orochimaru should be an expert... Unfortunately, the Fourth Hokage is currently so busy that he can't possibly run around stealing graves. Meanwhile, the second most dangerous person, Kabuto Yakushi, is currently running Yakushi Hospital with his foster mother, Yakushi Nonō.

Perhaps due to the principle of like repels like, Orochimaru's suppression of Danzo since taking office has been even more severe than that of the Third Hokage Minato. Minato has also managed Root as tightly as an iron barrel, to the point that Danzo has now been forgotten by the villagers, and the once arrogant leader of the martial arts faction has completely disappeared.

The younger generation is unaware of Danzo's existence, and most of the older generation believe that Danzo is dead.

To be honest, looking like this is no different from being dead.

Having lost power and status, and even his movements were constantly monitored by Anbu, he was not given the slightest opportunity to cause trouble for more than a decade.

However, the fates of many people were also changed as a result, such as Yakushi Nonō and Kabuto Yakushi.

Yakushi Nonō escaped her identity as a spy, and because of her merits during her time in 'Root', she received a lot of help from Minato, the newly appointed head of Root.

Today, the orphanage run by Nonō is developing steadily. After her adopted sons, such as Kabuto Yakushi, grew up and learned Medical Ninjutsu, she opened a hospital, Yakushi Hospital, to further improve the orphanage's financial situation.

Driven by her interest in Kabuto Yakushi, a potential hidden spark, Katsuki visited the Yakushi Hospital and confirmed that the current Kabuto Yakushi is indeed a kind and harmless young man.

However, this eliminated the two biggest suspects, leaving the true identity of the tomb raider a mystery.

The tomb raider's enigmatic identity is giving Katsuki a headache. History has been distorted beyond recognition, and past memories are no longer reliable. She has absolutely no idea who is committing this grave robbing, or what their motives are...

"Hopefully, it won't involve Madara Uchiha."

Katsuki muttered something under her breath.

As long as it's not related to Madara Uchiha, no matter how big the matter gets, it's still just a small thing and won't cause much of a stir in the current state of Konoha.

However, if it really involves Madara Uchiha, we have to be careful about the true purpose behind this matter.

"... I hope so."

Upon hearing the mention of Madara Uchiha, Otoha's interest immediately waned.

Over the years, the village has never given up its pursuit of Madara Uchiha, but the results have been meager. However, these few clues have continuously proven Madara Uchiha's activity, which has become a major worry for Fugaku. As someone who knows about this incident, it is also a major worry for Otoha.

"By the way, Mizuki, envoys from Sunagakure and Rain Ninja are coming to visit the school Katsuki. Are you all ready?"

Unwilling to dwell on this disheartening issue, Otoha glanced at the students training on the field and quickly changed the subject.

"If it weren't for someone refusing to leave, we would have been ready much earlier."

Katsuki slammed the book she was holding onto the table in annoyance.

Three years ago, Katsuki stepped down as the Anbu Chief and then took over as the new Principal of the Konoha Ninja Academy, replacing the aging and frail former Principal.

Compared to the demanding work of the Anbu, the work at the Ninja Academy was actually quite leisurely, especially since he had recruited several secretaries to help with the tasks, making his days even more relaxed.

Currently, Katsuki holds many titles: Principal of the Ninja Academy, concurrently serving as an elder of the Konoha Elder Council, strategic advisor to the Anbu, honorary Deputy Chief of the medical unit, etc. Of course, apart from the first one, Principal of the Ninja Academy, which is a real position, the rest are all honorary positions, belonging to the kind where one only receives a salary but does not have to do any work.

Thanks to him, Katsuki's salary is absolutely top-tier in Konoha.

Moreover, as the head of the clan, Katsuki lived a very comfortable life.

"Tch! Don't try to fool me. Your five or six secretaries have already done all the work for you, haven't they? Damn it, I have to take on assignments and run around all the time just to get a little more pay, while some people sit in their offices Tenten and get a hefty salary, and can even afford to hire personal secretaries..."

It would be a lie to say I'm not envious. Ninjas themselves don't receive a salary; they only get paid for holding a specific position. Ninjas without a specific position basically make a living by going on missions. Most ninjas earn their living by going on missions.

Otoha works in the Police Force, but his rank is not high and his salary is limited. As long as he lives alone, he can manage his finances with ease. However, after getting married, the burden of life immediately fell on his shoulders. Just two months ago, his fourth son was born, which instantly increased his pressure even more.

He's in his thirties now, and he can't keep relying on his father forever.

I just finished paying off the mortgage on my house not long ago, and now I'm worried about the cost of raising my sons.

"Stop talking nonsense. I recommended you to the Anbu, but you didn't go. You stayed in Root for two months and then resigned. Who are you blaming?"

"What can I do? I can't adapt to the way the Anbu and Root operate. I'm more comfortable doing regular missions... Damn it, why did we have to talk about salary again..."

Otoha sighed.

"You brought it up yourself, so don't blame others."

"... Anyway, do you know who the envoy from the Sand Village is this time? They're kind of acquaintances!" Otoha changed the subject again.

"Acquaintance?"

Katsuki blinked. (To be continued)