The runes on the corpses were clearly some kind of Sealing Jutsu.
But Hoshino couldn't tell exactly which one. At the very least, it wasn't among the Sealing Jutsu he knew.
As for those parts.
They reminded him of a forbidden technique created in Sunagakure... or rather, by Sasori.
Human Puppet Technique!
It transformed living people directly into puppets, preserving their original Chakra systems, organs, and even Kekkei Genkai.
He just didn't know whether Sasori had left the Human Puppet Technique in Sunagakure, or whether anyone else had taken part in its research.
Still, the files had more or less confirmed Hoshino's guess.
Of the two corpses on the ground, one had the Ice Release Kekkei from the Land of Water, and the other had the Storm Release Kekkei from the Land of Lightning.
The Red Sand Clan had taken the lead, joining forces with Root, the Black Scorpion Clan, the Night Sand Clan, and some hidden powers to carry out a project called "Kekkei."
The main idea was to combine the Human Puppet Technique with Sealing Jutsu to fuse a Kekkei Tōta.
It was nothing short of a genius idea.
The only known Kekkei Tōta in the Shinobi World was Tsuchikage Ōnoki's Dust Release. Its offensive power could be considered the strongest in the Shinobi World, capable of reducing a target directly to atoms.
It was no surprise that someone had set their sights on it.
As for how to fuse them...
A Kekkei Genkai was the fusion of two Chakra Nature Transformations, while a Kekkei Tōta was the fusion of three.
Using the Human Puppet Technique, they would turn ninja whose Kekkei Genkai consisted of similar attributes into puppets, then forcibly fuse their Chakra systems with Sealing Jutsu.
To put it plainly...
For example, Ice Release was water plus wind, while Storm Release was lightning plus water.
They would turn ninja with Ice Release and Storm Release into puppets, then fuse their Chakra systems with Sealing Jutsu, using water-attribute Chakra as a bridge to create a brand-new Kekkei Tōta.
A fusion of water, wind, and lightning.
He had to admit, when people in the Shinobi World let their imaginations run wild, they were pretty damn awesome.
Though the experiment didn't seem to have succeeded.
As for this research, Hoshino could only express his feelings in one word.
"6!"
Hoshino sorted through the files in his hands, keeping the direct evidence and holding back the experimental data and the like.
Leaving aside whether he could use it, it would at least serve as a very good reference.
He really hadn't considered a Kekkei Tōta before, but he had thought about preserving multiple Kekkei in a puppet.
His previous idea was to... refine a Kekkei wielder into a puppet, refine a Sharingan into a magic treasure, and then put Spirit Control Beads on him.
Wouldn't that give the puppet three Kekkei?
But this Kekkei experiment had given him another, reliably workable possibility.
Once Hoshino had finished sorting the files, he saw Hizuki and Maki emerge from the mine, carrying several corpses.
He could guess what they were.
"Captain, we found these corpses in the mine, along with some experimental equipment." Maki put the corpses on the ground.
Hoshino nodded and said, "Let's take this evidence back to the village first and hand it over to Lord Kazekage."
Maki nodded, took out a sealing scroll, and sealed the corpses inside.
Hoshino also sealed the sorted files and the corpses back into the sealing scroll.
Hizuki, standing nearby, noticed the files and couldn't help asking, "Captain, these files are..."
After hesitating for a moment, Hoshino said, "Human experimentation. It involves... the Red Sand Clan."
At the sound of that name.
Hizuki's aura erupted with a boom, a scarlet light flashing in her pupils as her long-suppressed killing intent was instantly ignited.
"The Red Sand Clan..."
Sensing the shift in Hizuki's emotions, Hoshino quickly reached out and pressed his hand against the back of hers.
"Calm down, Hizuki. Calm down."
"Hoshino, they... I... I can't calm down!" Hizuki raised her head, her gaze filled with intense hatred.
Hoshino nodded. "I know! That's exactly why we need to stay calm. I'll definitely do what I promised you. Look, the opportunity is here!"
"Don't worry. This evidence is enough to nail them this time."
A trace of grievance in her voice, Hizuki said, "But what if?"
"What if!" Hoshino said without hesitation. "If we can't bring them down this time, I'll go crazy with you."
Under Hoshino's constant reassurance and attempts to dissuade her.
Hizuki's breathing gradually steadied, and the killing intent in her eyes subsided a little.
Maki, who had finished packing up, saw the scene and was so frightened he hardly dared breathe, doing his best to make himself inconspicuous.
"Hizuki, let's take this evidence back to the village first and hand it over to Lord Kazekage," Hoshino said softly.
Hizuki nodded and said in a low voice, "Captain, I understand. I'll follow your lead."
A faint, gratified smile appeared on Hoshino's face. He patted Hizuki on the shoulder and said, "Good! Maki, let's go!"
Maki hurriedly nodded, quickly secured the sealing scroll, and carried it on his back.
The three left the mine and headed toward Sunagakure.
After returning to Sunagakure.
Hoshino handed the evidence over to Rasa and gave him a detailed report of what they had found in the mine.
"Lord Kazekage, that's what happened. Those puppet clans colluded with Root to conduct forbidden human experiments."
"They were also behind the sand bandit troubles over the past year. Their aim was to draw the village's attention and cover up the experiments they were conducting."
"The attack on the puppet factory was connected as well. They wanted to use the Chakra Crystals to provide enough energy to support the Kekkei puppets they were making."
"..."
As Hoshino continued his report.
Rasa's expression grew darker and darker, and the files in his hand crumpled slightly under his grip.
"Good, very good! I knew they were bold, but I never imagined they would dare go this far."
After a moment's thought.
Rasa stood and spoke with unquestionable resolve.
"The Black Scorpion Clan and the Night Sand Clan colluded with Root and conducted forbidden experiments. They have completely betrayed the village. Such behavior cannot be tolerated."
Hearing Rasa's words, Hoshino's heart slowly sank.
Although the Black Scorpion Clan and the Night Sand Clan had indeed participated in the forbidden experiments, the Red Sand Clan, as the one that had taken the lead, was clearly the chief culprit.
Yet Rasa had made no mention of the Red Sand Clan.
"Lord Kazekage!" Hoshino spoke cautiously. "The Red Sand Clan played an important role in this incident. Shouldn't they be dealt with as well?"
At those words, Rasa's gaze sharpened slightly. After a moment's silence, he said.
"The Red Sand Clan holds a special position in the village and plays an irreplaceable role in its defense and in Puppet Technique research. Acting rashly could cause unrest within the village."
All right, then!
It seemed Rasa intended to let the Red Sand Clan off, pick two lesser ninja clans to kill the chicken to warn the monkeys, and reclaim some of the Kazekage's authority in the process.
Then what he had promised Hizuki...
"Yes, Lord Kazekage." Hoshino said no more. Asking once was enough.