They're promoting the "Konoha threat" theory, and spouting nonsense about the Hidden

Chapter 236 The Survivor of the Wood Release Experiment and Kakashi Hatake

After finishing their discussion with Hiruzen Sarutobi and the other two in the Hokage's office about a solution to the anti-Konoha alliance, it was already close to evening.

Danzo Shimura removed his conspicuous Fourth Hokage robes and changed into casual clothes before arriving at the Root headquarters.

No, it should be said to be the current headquarters of the secret service.

After Danzo Shimura became Hokage, the Root organization, which was Danzo's base, naturally underwent a major overhaul, with all its personnel being swapped with those of the Anbu.

Although the names are still Root and Dark, the personnel inside are now completely opposite. Perhaps the original Root base had too many unspeakable secrets, so the location of these two units has not changed.

It's worth mentioning that Shimura Danzo hasn't yet removed Hiruzen Sarutobi's son and daughter-in-law, the former head and deputy head of the Anbu, perhaps because he didn't want to appear too greedy after the personnel swap between the Anbu and Root.

However, under Danzo Shimura's manipulation, their power was gradually undermined.

They used to be able to command twelve squads of secret agents, but now it's estimated that only three squads of people would obey their orders.

These two men were naturally dissatisfied with this situation, but their fathers had already abdicated, and the world had changed. No matter how dissatisfied they were, there was nothing they could do.

So, on Hiruzen Sarutobi's advice, they simply resigned from their positions as head and deputy head of the Anbu. Currently, both of them are waiting for an opportunity as normal Jonin.

However, after these two abdicated, at least they wouldn't die young like in the original story, so it's hard to say whether this was a blessing or a curse for them.

"Lord Danzo!"

"Lord Danzo!"

……

As soon as Shimura Dan entered the current Anbu base, it felt like coming home. The entire base was full of former Root ninjas, and whether they were training or on duty, their first reaction upon seeing him was to kneel down on one knee to greet him.

Without even glancing at these people, Shimura Danzo walked past them with a serious expression, passing through layers of checkpoints, and arrived at the lowest level of the Root base, inside a laboratory with the most stringent defenses.

"So, Orochimaru? Where's that successful subject?"

As Shimura Danzo stepped through the thick door, the first thing he saw was Orochimaru standing there, examining a test tube in his hand under the light.

"You mean the materials from the Uzumaki clan? Heh, don't be in such a hurry, Lord Danzo..."

Orochimaru kept his body still, twisted his neck into a pretzel, and turned his head 180 degrees, staring straight at Shimura Danzo with his pupils in purple eyeshadow.

"Before I see the test subject, there's something I'd like to ask: why are we receiving fewer and fewer live subjects lately?"

Shimura Danzo frowned slightly as he looked at Orochimaru, whose posture was extremely bizarre.

Although he later enjoyed modifying himself, Orochimaru's snake-like modifications were still beyond his tolerance.

"You've almost used up all the death row inmates and foreign ninja prisoners that were previously held back in the village. And now that I've just become Hokage, my every move is being watched by many people, so I can't just arrest outsiders at will..."

"So just hang in there for now! Once this storm passes, we'll have plenty of experimental materials, won't we?"

Danzo Shimura was naturally very confident about this. Not to mention that after he had completely controlled the Anbu in a while, he could send Anbu ninjas to massacre villages in foreign countries and capture human test subjects. The followers of the Miroku religion alone could provide him with a lot of live test subjects.

"However, Orochimaru, you should use these living subjects sparingly. The Wood Release experimenter project has already shown initial results, which is good, but you must remember that."

Shimura Danzo stared intently at Orochimaru with his single exposed eye and said, "Now that I am the Hokage, I can help you realize your dream, and naturally, I can also easily destroy you."

He naturally knew what Orochimaru was secretly researching. Given the success of the Wood Release experiment, he wouldn't hold a grudge against Orochimaru, but he still needed to give him a proper warning.

"Of course, Lord Danzo."

Orochimaru readily yielded, for as long as he could get experimental materials and funding, saving face was nothing to him.

"In fact, the reason I need so many experimental subjects is because of the need to improve the Impure World Reincarnation technique. As you know, a large number of living subjects are essential for improving this ninjutsu."

Shimura Danzo didn't say anything about Orochimaru's explanation. After all, the Daimyo's financial support for this improved version of the Impure World Reincarnation technique was now an important source of funding for Konoha, so Konoha naturally had to take this matter seriously.

Of course, because the amount of funding for this experimental project was so enormous, Shimura Danzo even planned to pretend that the improved ninjutsu was not yet completed, so as to swindle a lot of funds from the daimyo.

As they were talking, the Wood Release experimenter named Uzumaki Yamagata was finally brought up.

Now, Uzumaki Kai is sixteen years old, and he is completely different from the child who was forced to leave Uzumaki Village.

The difference is not only reflected in his appearance and strength, but also in the look in his eyes now.

From that indifferent and unconcerned look in his eyes, it's easy to see how "fulfilling" this guy's life has been in the Roots these past few years.

"The Uzumaki clan is indeed a close relative of the Senju clan. Since this experiment began, only this guy has survived after being injected with Hashirama Senju's cells."

Orochimaru looked at Uzumaki Yamagata, his eyes also filled with surprise.

"Even though it's diluted Hashirama Senju cells, it's still amazing, because this guy can now unleash Wood Release!"

As he spoke, Uzumaki Yamagata unleashed a ninjutsu at Orochimaru's signal.

"Wood Release·Wood Spindle Wall!"

Boom!

In an instant, layers of tree trunks burst forth from the ground, automatically intertwining and converging in front of Whirlpool Mountain Kai to form a wooden shield.

As Danzo Shimura watched the scene unfold before him, his eyes burned with uncontrollable fervor.

Although Uzumaki Yamagata's Wood Release technique still needs improvement, and although the vitality emanating from these trees is nowhere near as great as that of Senju Hashirama, this in no way can extinguish Shimura Danzo's ambition.

Unfortunately, Wood Release had disappeared from Konoha for decades since Hashirama Senju's death.

The fact that this Wood Release technique was used to restore Konoha so soon after Danzo Shimura took office carries a strong political undertone.

With a little packaging, isn't this the "auspicious omen" that belongs to Shimura Danzo?

Although the person who successfully used Wood Release cannot be revealed for various reasons, the appearance of this successful person still cannot stop Shimura Danzo's fantasies.

"If we want to improve the success rate of cell transplantation, how long will it take to transplant these cells into other people?"

Upon hearing this, Orochimaru immediately understood Shimura Danzo's thoughts, smiled inwardly, and then stuck out his long tongue to lick the corner of his mouth. "As long as the experimental materials keep up, it should only take about two years."

Two years?

When Shimura Danzo heard this time, his brows furrowed immediately.

Although it wasn't a long time, ever since he became Hokage by using Hozuki Shingetsu's scheme, his psychological trauma about Hozuki Shingetsu has grown stronger.

He is now eager to crush Hozuki Shingetsu in terms of personal strength through his own efforts.

With hope already on the horizon, asking him to wait another two years would be far too long for him.

Upon realizing this, Shimura Danzo immediately turned his gaze to Orochimaru, his tone conveying an unquestionable tone.

"I will provide you with ample experimental resources, but you must complete this goal within a year."

Orochimaru glanced at Shimura Danzo, licked his lips, and agreed.

"After several years of research, the Reanimation Jutsu has entered a critical stage. With this funding, I believe my immortal ninjutsu will soon be completed."

He didn't care about the time limit imposed by Danzo Shimura, the "client".

After all, given Orochimaru's skills and the successful example of Uzumaki Kai, it wouldn't be difficult for him to spend a lot of money and effort to create a specific version of the Senju Hashirama cell injection tailored to Shimura Danzo's physical condition.

This is a good opportunity to obtain a lot of experimental resources from Danzo Shimura and use the village's resources to do our own thing.

Shimura Danzo could never have imagined that while he was plotting against the daimyo, someone was secretly taking advantage of him.

After receiving Orochimaru's reply, Danzo Shimura left the experimental base with Uzumaki Kai, feeling quite pleased with himself.

Now that there was a successful candidate, he naturally wouldn't feel comfortable leaving this test subject with Orochimaru any longer. He should keep such a promising talent by his side and train him properly.

Although Uzumaki Kai joined Root at the age of eight and had been brainwashed by Root for a long time, so his loyalty was not an issue, Danzo Shimura still did not want any problems to arise with this only successful Wood Release plan.

If Orochimaru needs anything for his experiments, he can just send Uzumaki Yamagata over.

"Kakashi, what did you think of the Wood Release ninjutsu that Mountain Guy just used? Anyone have any thoughts?"

On the way out of Root, Shimura Danzo looked at Hatake Kakashi, who had been closely following and protecting him, and suddenly became interested, asking this question.

Since he became Hokage, it's unclear whether it was out of some kind of perverse sense of humor, genuine appreciation for Kakashi Hatake's talent, or simply for show.

In any case, Kakashi Hatake has now been officially transferred from Minato Namikaze's team and joined the former Root Anbu, serving as Danzo Shimura's personal bodyguard when he goes out.

That scene, whether intentionally or unintentionally, was witnessed by Kakashi Hatake.

Upon hearing Commander Shimura's question, Kakashi Hatake showed no emotion, replying instead with cold, emotionless words:

"Lord Danzo, if possible, I hope I can join this experimental project as well."

As for Kakashi Hatake right now, he has no idea why he is alive or what his goal in life is.

I am filled with uncertainty about my future.

After his parents' death, Kakashi was in a daze. At that time, he questioned his father's choices, couldn't believe what had happened to his mother, and was filled with hatred for Hiruzen Sarutobi and the village.

However, when he learned that the real culprit behind his parents' deaths was the Mangekyou Sharingan of the Uchiha clan that had been living abroad, his thoughts completely changed, and a belief in revenge suddenly arose in his heart.

However, before he could seriously train to find the murderer behind him and take revenge, the holder of the Mangekyou Sharingan had already been killed by Shimura Danzo. Even the Mangekyou Sharingan, which symbolized the ultimate power of the Uchiha, fell into Shimura Danzo's hands, so Kakashi's revenge naturally had no target.

Just when he was lost in deep confusion and lost faith in the future, Danzo Shimura appeared.

As a master of manipulating people's hearts, Danzo Shimura naturally knew Kakashi Hatake's feelings at this moment.

Under his sweet talk, Kakashi Hatake gradually came to believe that the main reason his family had fallen to this state was their own weakness.

If my father, Sakumo Hatake, had been stronger, even if he believed in prioritizing his comrades over his mission, he would have had enough strength to complete the mission and save his comrades at the same time.

If his mother had been stronger, she could have completely resisted the Mangekyou Sharingan's eye techniques, and then he could have followed the clues to catch the murderer who framed his father, thus preventing the series of tragic events that followed.

If one's own strength were greater, one would have time to discover all of this in advance and prevent the tragedy from happening to one's family.

Therefore, the root of one's family's suffering lies in one's own weakness.

Just as Kakashi Hatake fell deeply into the trap woven by Danzo Shimura, Danzo timely planted the seed of hatred for the Uchiha clan in his heart.

Although the owner of that Mangekyou Sharingan had no relation to the current Uchiha clan, Danzo Shimura cleverly used the Sharingan to drag the Uchiha clan into his scheme, instilling in Kakashi the idea that the Uchiha clan was inherently evil and born with original sin.

This success gave Kakashi a goal for revenge and the motivation to become stronger.

The current Kakashi, under the tutelage of Danzo Shimura, has gradually taken on his form.

If this trend continues, it won't be long before Kakashi becomes a vicious dog under Danzo Shimura's command.

Of course, this is all on the premise that nothing unexpected happens.

When such a hypothesis occurs, it usually means that an unexpected event has happened.

Because... Hozuki Shingetsu, the leader of the war criminals in the ninja world, has made his move.

(End of this chapter)