In Konoha, I collected corpses on the battlefield for ten years

As for why I looked for so long...

Well, the scale is quite considerable.

Chapter 4: A Deformed World

[Failure!]

[Success! Obtained one standard kunai!]

[Success! Obtained one explosive tag!]

[Success! Obtained three soldier pills!]

[Failure!]

[Success! Obtained one random stat +1 boost card!]

He used all of his remaining six corpse-looting opportunities.

It has to be said that although the success rate for white corpses is higher, the items obtained are mostly of the more ordinary kind.

Out of six chances, he only obtained one random stat +1 boost card.

Something is better than nothing.

Maruyama Kazakaze didn't hesitate and used the card.

As the system's hexagonal roulette spun, it finally locked onto the "Spirit" stat, and his chakra received a small boost.

After using up today's chances, he briefly cleaned the morgue, locked the door, and headed towards the Ninja Academy.

He needed to deliver those earrings to his sister for her younger sister, even if this wasn't good news for the younger sister.

As for the information he obtained from the headband of that Anbu ninja—the restless Iwa ninjas and the Third Shinobi World War that could break out at any moment—he didn't plan to report it to the higher-ups.

It wasn't that he didn't care or didn't take it seriously; he just felt there wasn't a suitable reason, and it wasn't his place as a corpse collector to worry about it.

First, how he obtained this information wouldn't be clear. Since the corpse was sent by the Anbu, they must have carefully examined it beforehand. They didn't find anything, but he did. The Anbu wouldn't be fooled by a few simple words.

Second, since the Anbu ninja appeared there and could overhear the Iwa ninjas' conversation, they definitely didn't run over there for no reason.

It was possible that the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had a premonition of something, so he sent them to investigate the situation.

"I'm just a small, low-ranking ninja corpse collector. Protecting Konoha is a major matter; let Konoha's 'big trees' handle it."

Reassuring himself, he walked onto the long-unvisited street.

Konoha is indeed the wealthiest ninja village in the entire shinobi world. The streets are full of dazzling shops, and the faces of the passersby are filled with happy smiles.

Although war is cruel, thanks to the successive efforts of Konoha's ninjas, this place seems like a pure land on earth.

Maruyama Kazakaze's heavy heart was also relieved in this atmosphere.

He arrived at the Ninja Academy.

As one of Konoha's powerful assets and foundations, he had studied at the Ninja Academy for six years. Although his graduation grades weren't ideal, the gatekeeper recognized him.

"Oh, it's Kazakaze."

Maruyama Kazakaze showed a simple and honest smile, scratching the back of his head. "Uncle Taho, you're still very healthy."

"Hahahaha—that's right, that's right. What's the matter, young man?"

"I want to ask Teacher Fukuda a few questions," Kazakaze said with a slightly embarrassed expression.

Fukuda was his former homeroom teacher.

"Is that so? Go in, but Teacher Fukuda might still be in class. Don't disturb him," Uncle Taho said, realizing this and giving instructions.

It's not common for graduated students like Maruyama Kazakaze to return to the Ninja Academy to ask teachers for guidance, but it's not unheard of.

Generally, graduates from the Ninja Academy will have a team leader.

The team leader might be a seasoned Chunin, a special Jonin, or even a Jonin.

The team leader is responsible for leading three students for a year. This period is called the adaptation period.

After the adaptation period ends, students can choose to continue following the teacher on missions or choose to leave the team.

Maruyama Kazakaze's talent wasn't high, so he chose to leave in order not to hold them back.

With the introduction of the team leader, he found a relatively stable job, which is what he does now as a corpse collector.

The salary isn't high, but it's not a problem to support himself.

Moreover, this job is relatively safe, especially in peacetime.

Students who follow the team can ask their team leader if they encounter problems. For those who have left the team like him, the former teachers of the Ninja Academy are also a good choice.

"Alright, I understand," Kazakaze said, thanking him and walking into the campus filled with youth.

Watching his departing back, Uncle Taho smacked his lips and sighed, "He's a good kid... They're all good kids."

According to the memory in the earrings, Kazakaze found the classroom where Kana was.

However, the classroom was empty at this moment.

She must have gone to an outdoor class.

"That's good. It saves me from the awkwardness of meeting and not knowing what to say," Kazakaze muttered in his heart.

According to the seating chart posted on the door, he found Kana's seat.

It was a very clean and tidy desk, but when his gaze shifted to the corner of the desk, he fell silent.

Several shallow marks, very shallow but very clear. The number was exactly the same as the number of days his sister was on a mission.

Each one represents the younger sister's longing for her older sister, her hope for her safe return...

He sighed softly.

"This is a ninja."

He took out the beautifully packaged small gift box, placed it on the desk, and turned to walk out of the classroom.

He didn't leave directly but leaned against the wall in the corridor.

A very plain story, very real emotions.