A few days after Konoha went under lockdown.
Mito Uzumaki's coffin appeared at the Konoha Gate at some unknown point.
It was soon delivered to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
This time, all of the Konoha F4 were present, along with several other distinguished figures.
Utatane Koharu was the first to examine Mito Uzumaki's remains.
Only after examining them carefully several times did she say, somewhat incredulously:
"Hiruzen, everything is normal with Lady Mito. There isn't the slightest damage. Even her burial goods are all here, and the coffin hasn't been damaged at all. There are, however, shovel marks left by Orochimaru."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face darkened.
Next, Hiruzen Sarutobi's wife, Biwako Sarutobi, stepped forward to examine her as well.
"Hiruzen, I didn't find anything unusual either. Lady Mito looks very peaceful."
Next, the wife of the Hyūga clan head examined her too, and still found nothing wrong.
That person had even used ice to keep Mito Uzumaki's remains from decomposing.
After hearing the results of their examinations, Danzo snorted.
"That thief is deliberately lulling you into complacency. He certainly had no good intentions when he stole Lady Mito's remains. I suggest issuing a bounty immediately."
Mitokado Homura, who had remained silent all this time, rolled his eyes at Danzo.
"How? Do you know who he is?"
Danzo wanted to argue further, but Hiruzen Sarutobi stopped him.
"Enough, all of you. There's no need to issue a wanted notice."
Danzo abruptly stood up.
"Monkey, what do you mean?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi waved a letter in his hand.
"This letter was delivered with the coffin."
With that, Hiruzen Sarutobi set the letter on the table, and everyone hurried over to read it.
It was a letter of explanation written by the thief.
Its gist was:
He had sensed Mito Uzumaki's life signs disappear and had come