Konoha Guesthouse.
Ebizō, the leader of the Sunagakure ninja, received a message delivered by a Konoha ninja, and he instantly became agitated.
"Yagyu of Kirigakure? That bastard dared to come here! This is... great!"
"My sister, just you watch! I will avenge you. I will personally kill that bastard Yagyu."
Ebizō tightly clenched his fists, growling in a low voice through gritted teeth.
At the same time Ebizō received the news, the leaders of Iwagakure and Kumogakure also received the message transmitted by Konoha.
Rōshi said to himself with an indifferent expression: "Yagyu of Kirigakure? I didn't expect even him to come. Is he the one who cut off Kitsuchi's arm?"
"Although that good-for-nothing Kitsuchi is as annoying as his old man, Ōnoki, he is still a ninja of our Iwagakure. A ninja of Iwagakure is not for someone from Kirigakure to dispose of."
A surge of scarlet chakra, the power of the Four-Tails, emerged from Rōshi's body. He had already achieved primary mastery over this power.
"Ōnoki, I will personally kill Yagyu and prove what a good-for-nothing your son is."
"Of course, you, his old man, are the same—all useless trash."
Rōshi sneered to himself.
"Lord Rōshi, to deal with that Yagyu, we can only use Sealing Jutsu. And Sealing Jutsu is not something you are very skilled at, is it?"
A Jōnin from Iwagakure beside Rōshi carefully reminded him at this moment.
"Shut up!"
"Do I need you to teach me such a thing? I have my own plans."
Rōshi growled low, speaking with great obstinance.
...
The leader of Kumogakure, Bī, however, appeared quite calm upon hearing the news.
"Yagyu, did you think we wouldn't guess that you'd come to cause trouble?"
"We've prepared a generous gift for you!"
Bī muttered to himself, a flash of malicious intent in his eyes.
Bī was very close to both the Third Raikage and the Fourth Raikage; they were even relatives.
How could he remain indifferent after the Third Raikage died at Yagyu's hands? He had long been determined to kill Yagyu.
Beneath Konoha Village, a huge space appeared.
This was the training base of Konoha's Anbu—Root (Ne). After Akimichi Tsume became the Fourth Hokage, he handed this place over to Danzō Shimura to manage.
Within the Root base at this time were several hidden structures.
These structures were concealed within a sealing barrier. Ordinary people could not detect their existence at all.
Inside these hidden structures were various sophisticated experimental instruments, and the bookshelves lining the sides were packed with research materials.
"The Second Hokage's research documents on Forbidden Jutsu are all here. I've also given you the First Hokage's cells."
"How is your research progress? I can no longer tolerate living with only one arm."
Danzō Shimura, with his arm and head wrapped in bandages, walked in and spoke to Orochimaru, who was conducting an experiment.
Orochimaru failed to become the Fourth Hokage, although he originally had the chance and hope.
Orochimaru was a very astute person. After learning the outcome, he figured out the reasons behind it.
Feeling disappointed, Orochimaru sought to divert his attention by chasing his former dream—immortality!
Orochimaru, eager to conduct scientific research, quickly demonstrated his formidable research talent.
Upon noticing this, Danzō Shimura immediately extended an olive branch to Orochimaru.
Facing Danzō Shimura's recruitment, Orochimaru did not hesitate for long and quickly joined.
Orochimaru had the intellect, and Danzō Shimura had the materials.
The two quickly hit it off and started close cooperation.
Hashirama's cells were the first research subject for Orochimaru, a requirement set by his financier, Danzō Shimura.
The purpose of researching Hashirama's cells was naturally to restore Danzō Shimura's arm and recover his strength.
Of course, Danzō's ambition was not limited to this. The immense vitality of Hashirama's cells and the Wood Release Secret Jutsu were also among his goals.
The more dull and slow-witted Akimichi Tsume might not have noticed Danzō Shimura and Orochimaru's actions, but Hiruzen Sarutobi definitely perceived something.
However, he did not stop Danzō and Orochimaru; rather, he seemed to encourage them.
Such experiments were ethically questionable, and if word got out, they would easily damage one's reputation. Hiruzen Sarutobi would not do such things himself.
But this did not mean Hiruzen Sarutobi would stop others from doing it, as Hiruzen Sarutobi believed Konoha needed these things.
Yagyu's dominance was enough for Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others to abandon certain ethical boundaries.
"My technique can cultivate Hashirama's cells into the form of an arm, but you might not be able to withstand the power of this arm."
"The cells of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, are truly a startling power. Ordinary people cannot withstand its energy."
"I am currently trying to find a way to suppress this power, to prevent it from harming the host body."
Orochimaru sighed, saying with a helpless expression.
Danzō said gravely: "Do you have any leads?"
Orochimaru mused: "The vitality of Hashirama's cells is too vigorous. The excess physical energy leads to loss of control."
"If there were a strong mental energy to balance this physical energy, I think there would be no problem."
Danzō pondered: "Mental energy... The secret techniques of the Yamanaka and Nara clans are Yin Release. There should be a good amount of mental energy in their clan cells."
Orochimaru shook his head: "Not enough! How can the cells of those two clans be compared to the cells of the First Hokage?"
"If there is anything that can compare with the cells of the First Hokage, it would only be the Mangekyō Sharingan of the Uchiha clan."
"You must have read the report about Yagyu killing Uchiha Madara? Uchiha Madara used Wood Release!"
Danzō Shimura said gravely: "This means that Uchiha Madara transplanted Hashirama cells? No wonder he lived so long."
Orochimaru said forlornly: "It's a pity that Uchiha Madara's corpse was taken by Kirigakure. If I could research Uchiha Madara's corpse, it would surely give me great inspiration."
Danzō Shimura smiled: "I think the inspiration you've received is already enough. The Mangekyō Sharingan can suppress Hashirama cells. We already have a direction for our research."
Orochimaru mused: "Ordinary Sharingan definitely cannot suppress Hashirama cells as effectively as the Mangekyō Sharingan."
"But I can modify the arm made from Hashirama cells, adding a few eye sockets to it, and install multiple Sharingan."
"Since the Sharingan cannot win in terms of quality compared to the Mangekyō Sharingan, we can only rely on quantity to win."
Danzō Shimura grunted: "That will work too! The Sharingan inventory in the Root organization is insufficient. It seems I need to make some preparations."
"Damn it! If only I could have gotten my hands on Uchiha Madara's Rinnegan, where would all this trouble be necessary?"
"I heard from Jiraiya that Uchiha Madara ultimately summoned his Rinnegan to another location. I wonder if that's true or false."
Orochimaru stared at the experimental data before him, saying without raising his head: "There's no point discussing that now. Hurry up and make your preparations!"