Similar rumors had actually been circulating throughout the Ninja World for a long time. Orochimaru had used the First Hokage and Second Hokage's "reanimated bodies" in battle more than once or twice. Even without direct eyewitnesses, the traces left behind when the First Hokage's "reanimated body" used Wood Release on the battlefield were enough to explain everything.
The most recent incident had been when Orochimaru attacked Sasuke as he returned to the village.
The two sides had barely left when Konoha's patrol team, alerted by the news, discovered the battlefield still bearing traces of Deep Forest Emergence.
Moreover, Akatsuki's Mist Squad had deliberately spread word in the black market that Orochimaru had used Impure World Reincarnation on Konoha's First and Second Hokage, hoping Konoha would eliminate Orochimaru, the traitor, for them.
Therefore, the village had already mentally prepared itself for the possibility that the First and Second Hokage had been resurrected through Impure World Reincarnation.
The reason they had not disclosed it publicly was, on one hand, to maintain morale. After all, having the souls of the First and Second Hokage desecrated was hardly glorious for Konoha, the foremost of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. On the other hand, there was indeed no conclusive evidence.
After hesitating for a moment, Kakashi said, "Could the ones who stole all those corpses this time be the same group rumored to have used Impure World Reincarnation on the First and Second Hokage?"
The Third Hokage said gravely, "We cannot rule out that possibility!"
Kakashi asked again, "Could it be Orochimaru?"
Utatane Koharu took out a file. "This is the list of forbidden techniques Orochimaru stole before he defected. It includes the forbidden technique Impure World Reincarnation, so he is highly suspicious."
"Damn it!"
Tsunade slammed her fist heavily onto the table with a