The regret in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes deepened.
He didn't regret failing to protect Senju Nawaki; he regretted not putting Senju Nawaki on the operating table during the Shodai(1st)-sama Cell Transplant Experiment!
Otherwise, how could Konoha, having regained Wood Release, still be entangled in the war with the Sunagakure until now?
However, Senju Nawaki has now become a citizen of the Uzushigakure, even standing in opposition to Konoha, looking ready to give Konoha a hard time.
At this point, it is probably too late to do anything.
However, Sarutobi Hiruzen subtly glanced at Tsunade.
Since Shodai(1st)-sama's grandson can Awaken Wood Release, there is no reason why Shodai(1st)-sama's granddaughter cannot Awaken Wood Release.
After this incident passes, he would discuss it with Tsunade and ask her to voluntarily undergo the Shodai(1st)-sama Cell Transplant Experiment.
Although Tsunade has been increasingly rebellious lately, Sarutobi Hiruzen believed that as long as he appealed to her emotions and reason, Tsunade would understand him.
After all, Tsunade wouldn't want to see the Konoha founded by Shodai(1st)-sama decline, right?
Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart burned with excitement, as if he could once again see the future where Konoha, possessing Wood Release, dominated the Ninja World.
He stared intently at Senju Nawaki, his heart ablaze.
But at the same time, he did not forget the true reason why Senju Nawaki was able to Awaken Wood Release!
The Zanpakuto of the Uzushigakure!
When he was in Konoha, Senju Nawaki showed no signs of Awakening Wood Release.
Yet, after going to the Uzushigakure, guided by that blade, he was actually able to Awaken the power of Wood Release!
Sarutobi Hiruzen did not believe that the Uzushigakure also possessed Shodai(1st)-sama's cells and could perform Shodai(1st)-sama Cell Transplant Experiments.
This means that the Zanpakuto of the Uzushigakure is even more terrifying than they imagined!
Not only does it possess various miraculous powers, but it can even guide the user to Awaken the hidden power within their Bloodline!
This blade is becoming increasingly tempting... Once this incident is over, the Plan to Send Konoha Students to the Land of Whirlpools must be implemented immediately!
We must obtain the forging technology for these Zanpakuto from the Uzushigakure!
Orochimaru stared intently at the changes happening to Senju Nawaki, unable to stop himself from licking his lips, his eyes filled with fervor.
"Shodai(1st)-sama's Wood Release..."
As the lead researcher for the Hashirama Cell Transplant Experiment back then, he personally witnessed the terrifying invasiveness of Hashirama cells!
Once Hashirama cells were transplanted, the test subject would turn into a piece of lifeless wood within minutes.
This demonstrates the horror of Wood Release!
Now, this terrifying Wood Release has finally reappeared in Konoha.
Only this time, Wood Release has become Konoha's enemy!
Of course, Orochimaru didn't care about that; what he truly cared about was the Zanpakuto in Nawaki's hand.
The way this blade exists might be more terrifying than he imagined.
It was precisely because he had visited the Uzushigakure and witnessed too many of its realities.
That Orochimaru increasingly sensed the mystery of the Zanpakuto.
And Nawaki's blade, which resembled Wood Release, gave him many more conjectures.
Nawaki, clearly a Soul now, how could he Awaken the power of Wood Release through a Zanpakuto?
Unless... the Zanpakuto possesses the ability to materialize powers hidden deep within the Soul!
This speculation made Orochimaru's heart race, feeling he was getting closer to the truth of the Shinigami!
He subtly scanned the many Shinigami on the Uzushigakure' side, matching them one by one with the contents of Konoha's intelligence reports.
Fire-type Zanpakuto, Ice-type Zanpakuto, Zanpakuto that can freely extend and retract, Zanpakuto whose speed is invisible to the naked eye, Zanpakuto with gigantification abilities, and so on... These abilities are all different, and what's even more amazing is that no two abilities are the same!
"Truly irresistible..."
Orochimaru's golden pupils flickered.
Everything about the Uzushigakure was so addictive.
It was like a mysterious, bottomless abyss, deeply attracting him, making him unable to resist falling!
The Uzushigakure—he would go there one day!
The truth of the Shinigami, the secrets of the Soul... His eyes grew hot. He was determined to become the Director of the Uzushigakure' Technical Development Bureau!
The appearance of Wood Release brought immense shock to everyone in Konoha.
They felt as if they saw the shadow of Shodai(1st)-sama in Senju Nawaki.
Surprisingly, the eyes of Shodai(1st)-sama on the Konoha Hokage Rock also seemed to be looking in the direction of Senju Nawaki.
And among the crowd, the most deeply moved was probably Tsunade.
She bit her lip; her gaze toward Nawaki was filled not just with shock, but also surprise and joy!
Her eyes suddenly seemed to become uncontrollably wet.
She knew too well the importance of Konoha to the Senju Clan.
That's right, not Konoha, but Senju!
Ever since her grandfather and Second Grandfather passed away, the decline of the Senju had been like pressing an acceleration button.
Ever since Sarutobi Hiruzen took power, the vast Senju Clan, aside from Grandma Mito, her, and Nawaki, only had a few scattered servants left.
The Senju Clan seemed to have suddenly vanished from Konoha.
That once glorious Family no longer possessed its past splendor.
She had once hated herself for not inheriting her grandfather's Bloodline Limit, Wood Release, so that the Senju could continue its lineage and even restore the glory of her grandfather's generation!
Unfortunately, since her grandfather's death, not a single person in the vast Family had been able to Awaken Wood Release.
Gradually, the Senju faded from the Konoha stage.
With the death of Senju Nawaki, they completely lost the qualification to remain on the stage.
She gradually became disheartened and stopped paying attention to Konoha's affairs.
Fortunately, today Nawaki stood before her again, perfectly intact!
He had even grown taller, learned many skills, and was now bold enough to strike hard against his older sister.
Furthermore, the Wood Release, which left a deep impression on the Ninja World, reappeared in Nawaki!
Tsunade was filled with excitement; with Nawaki around, the Senju Clan might once again regain its former glory!
But soon, Tsunade calmed down, because Nawaki was no longer the Nawaki he used to be.
He no longer remembered anything about Konoha, and had even forgotten her, his older sister!
But Tsunade always believed that she would be able to bring Nawaki back, completely intact!
Although Orochimaru also said that going to the Uzushigakure would provide the answers she sought.
But since Nawaki appeared in Konoha, wouldn't it be enough to just keep him here?
As for his memories, as long as Nawaki was by her side, he would eventually remember!
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