With the first successful case in hand, the subsequent experiments became quite simple, merely consisting of statistical observations on the treatment's effectiveness and risk factors.
As a leading figure among the medical ninja of Konoha, Tsunade was also arranged by Hiruzen to participate in the subsequent experiments.
Considering that this weakened version of the Hashirama cells was to be packaged as medicine and sold to dignitaries and wealthy individuals of various countries, Hiruzen demanded that Tsunade and Orochimaru handle it with caution, confirming the risk coefficients.
At the same time, the village's leadership, in an excited state, began preparations for subsequent commercial development.
With the guidance of Kizaru, from the Third Hokage to the various clan leaders participating in the investment, everyone understood that this technology could make a lot of money and that it would be monopolized by the village.
No one was unhappy about the money-making opportunity.
For a while, the middle and upper-level ninjas of the entire village were as jubilant as if they were celebrating a festival, with smiles on their faces every day.
As the leader, Kizaru truly enjoyed both fame and fortune.
Kizaru not only made a fortune for the clan but also became the most suitable candidate for the next Hokage in the eyes of the village's ninjas.
Who wouldn't love a leader like that, who could both protect and lead everyone to make big money?
However, apart from being happy, the top 4 Konoha officials, headed by the Third Hokage, also had a little regret.
As the saying goes, desires have no limit.
Orochimaru's research on the improved Hashirama cells had three versions based on the degree of weakening.
The best version was designed for Uchiha ninjas who had awakened their Sharingan.
This version of weakened Hashirama cells not only greatly enhanced the ninja's physical qualities and chakra levels but also boosted the prowess of the Sharingan.
Unfortunately, this first version of the Hashirama cells, because of its strong activity, could only be used for the Uchiha clan.
It could be seen as a sweet and a stick for the village to control the Uchiha clan in the future.
The second version was developed for non-Uchiha ninjas and was called the second version of the Hashirama cells.
Compared to the first version, Orochimaru further weakened the activity of the Hashirama cells, ensuring safety while reducing the strengthening effect.
The village planned to use this second version of the Hashirama cells as mission rewards to enhance the strength and potential of the village's ninjas.
The third version was the civilian version of the Hashirama cells intended for future commercial development, capable of only slightly enhancing the user's body and curing diseases including physical weakness and kidney deficiency.
This third civilian version of the Hashirama cells had the weakest enhancement effect but the greatest commercial value.
Each of these three versions of the Hashirama cells had its own uses, and their value was immense, greatly enhancing the village's overall strength.
In theory, Hiruzen and Danzo should have been very happy with this research achievement, without any regrets or dissatisfaction.
But as mentioned earlier, human desires are endless, even for the Hokage, Hiruzen.
The initial intention of the village's research on the Hashirama cells was to reproduce the Wood Release secret technique of the First Hokage.
Although Orochimaru's three versions of the Hashirama cells had good effects and value, they still couldn't grant access to the Wood Release Bloodline Limit.
For this reason, the greedy leaders of Konoha separately assigned Orochimaru a research task, which was to create experimental subjects with the Wood Release Bloodline Limit through research on the Hashirama cells.
This research was classified as the village's top secret, and Orochimaru was solely responsible for it, with the village providing all necessary support.
After the high-level meeting, Danzo immediately informed Kizaru of this research, which was classified as the village's top secret.
"Wood Release Bloodline Limit? That's something dependent on the user," Kizaru commented after hearing his uncle's explanation.
Having watched the anime, Kizaru knew that the Wood Release Bloodline Limit wasn't as powerful as his uncle and Danzo imagined.
Wood Release was powerful not because of the Bloodline Limit itself, but because the First Hokage was powerful in his own right.
The First Hokage could control the tailed beasts single-handedly and single-handedly destroy a nation.
Later, Hashirama's Wood Release was just the ability to manipulate trees on a small scale and engage in real estate development.
The support behind powerful ninja techniques was determined by the talent and chakra levels of the ninja.
The Fire Release technique Fireball Jutsu used by a B-rank ninja like Kizaru, compared to when used by Uchiha Madara, was like the difference between a dribble and a waterfall.
"Don't you have faith in this research?" Danzo asked upon hearing Kizaru's response.
"No, I just think your expectations for the Wood Release Bloodline Limit are too high. The reason why the Wood Release of the First Hokage was powerful is not because of the Wood Release itself, but because the First Hokage himself was strong," Kizaru replied, nodding.
Danzo, who had seen the First Hokage alive, acknowledged Kizaru's words.
"Perhaps Wood Release isn't as powerful as we imagine, but its significance is immense! The village will not give up on this research," Kizaru concluded.
"Oh-ho! Well, I'm all for the research!" Since it wasn't his money being spent, Kizaru saw no need to argue with anyone.
After discussing the research and development of the Wood Release Bloodline Limit, Danzo brought up another matter, an important one concerning the interests of the clan.
"Regarding the commercial agency rights for the Nutrient Pill labeled as the Third Version of the Hashirama Cells, I'm planning to assign it to two consultants. What do you think?" Danzo inquired.
"Isn't it better to let others handle such troublesome matters?" Kizaru replied cheerfully.
"There are significant interests involved in this!" Danzo, with eager eyes, pointed out.
"Uncle, do you want to take charge of this?" Kizaru asked.
With a very straightforward nod, Danzo replied, "For you and for the village, the commercial development of the Nutrient Pill should be led by the Shimura clan."
Watching Danzo, Kizaru shook his head with a wry smile.
As expected from Danzo! Everything else aside, he was just too greedy and too eager to monopolize everything!
"You don't think it's a good idea?" Danzo furrowed his brows, looking at Kizaru seriously.
"The Shimura clan has already gained too much. What we need now is to share, to share the benefits with more people. Making more friends and having fewer enemies is what we should be focusing on," Kizaru explained.
As long as he was willing to think, Danzo still had a brain. It was just blinded by greed before.
After being enlightened by Kizaru, Danzo pondered for a moment and understood.
The Shimura clan had already secured the first round of investment, and Kizaru was officially recognized as the village's Hokage successor.
At this point, what the Shimura clan needed was low-key development and making more friends, not continuing to seize benefits.
If one clan takes too much in the village, it would make other clans and civilian ninjas resentful.
After all, there's only so much good stuff in the village. If you eat too much of it, others won't have anything to eat.
"Fair point!" Danzo nodded in agreement.
"However, we need to be kept informed about the transaction of the commercial agency rights, and we also need a trustworthy person to oversee the future accounts."
"I'll have Root ninjas keep an eye on it." As the village's foremost intelligence head, Danzo was confident about this.
"I have a candidate in mind for overseeing the accounts, someone who is highly capable and strong," Kizaru mentioned the name that immediately came to his mind when it came to managing finances.
Hearing Kizaru's description, Danzo's interest was piqued.
He didn't care much about who managed the accounts; there were plenty of suitable candidates for that.
What truly intrigued Danzo was the mention of someone highly capable and strong.
"Who is this person? A ninja from the village?"
"A bounty hunter."
"A bounty hunter?" Danzo was a bit puzzled. He didn't understand why Kizaru would suggest a bounty hunter from outside the village to oversee the accounts of the village's commercial projects.
"That guy has the strength of a Kage." Knowing Danzo's confusion, Kizaru threw out the biggest temptation.
As expected by Kizaru, the moment he heard that this bounty hunter possessed the strength of a shadow level, Danzo's interest was instantly piqued.
"Where is he? What's your relationship with him?" Danzo asked eagerly.
"His name is Kakuzu. He's the bounty hunter I hired during the last defense against the invasion from Kumogakure," Kizaru explained.
Bringing Kakuzu to manage the accounts in Konoha wasn't just a whimsical idea of Kizaru's; it was a carefully considered decision.
Although Kakuzu was greedy, he had strong principles when it came to money. As long as the price was right, he was the best tool one could ask for.
In Kizaru's view, having someone as high-quality as Kakuzu, instead of letting others exploit him, was like working for himself.
After hearing Kizaru's description, Danzo nodded inwardly, feeling that Kakuzu seemed somewhat suitable.
"Can he be brought into the village?" Danzo asked.
"Don't daydream, Uncle! I'm just planning to hire him to conduct regular audits," Kizaru replied with a sly smile.
"What about Hiruzen?" Danzo brought up a new question.
"I'm leaving that matter to you, Uncle!" With a smirk, Kizaru tossed the question back to Danzo.
"Understood," Danzo replied somewhat helplessly.
There was nothing he could do; after all, Kizaru was his own nephew and the political successor.
After discussing these two major matters, Danzo didn't continue to disturb Kizaru. After bidding farewell, he returned to his own residence.
In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen, who had been in an extremely good mood recently, felt even better upon receiving an urgent report.
This urgent report wasn't from Konoha ninjas but from the Ninja Hawk of Sunagakure, conveying a distress signal.
Kumogakure and Iwagakure had joined forces, and the Tsuchikage, Oonoki, had led an unknown number of ninja forces through the Land of Birds to invade the Land of Wind.
At the same time, the Third Raikage personally led a team, taking a detour by sea from the coast of the Land of Wind, to launch a surprise attack.
Sunagakure, already weakened, was on the verge of collapse in the face of this unfavorable situation of being attacked from both front and rear.
Faced with desperation, Sunagakure had no choice but to seek help from the last straw, Konoha.
Even though they knew seeking help from Konoha was like grasping at straws, Sunagakure had no other option.
Standing smoking, looking at the urgent report in his hand, Hiruzen immediately had Danzo and Tsunade, along with the two advisors to the Hokage, summoned to his office.
The time had come; the opportunity for Konoha to subdue Sunagakure was right before their eyes!