Start with a Zanpakuto and build the strongest Mist Village.

"Oh?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi curiously took it and examined it closely, becoming increasingly alarmed with each look.

"That guy Hiruko actually has such fighting power, he even managed to defeat three Kage single-handedly?!"

"That's right. If Hiruko hadn't been unaware of Tsunade's Shinigami powers, I think even Tsunade might not have been able to defeat him!" Danzo sneered. "And the reason that guy Hiruko is so powerful is because he successfully completed the Oni-Garra Technique!"

Chapter 256 Only dead gods are qualified gods, and only dead gods are worthy of worship!

Having previously used the Sharingan and Wood Release techniques, Danzo was already adept at using this bloodline fusion power and accepted it.

Therefore, after Hiruzen Sarutobi shared the modified version of the Oni-Garara Technique that he had obtained from Obito with Danzo, this technique became the path to the top in Danzo's mind.

At this moment, Hiruko's victory on the battlefield in the Land of Rain further fueled Danzo's fervor for the Oni-Garra Technique!

It's true that his spiritual power is very strong, but given the future widespread availability of spiritual power, even if he switched to cultivating spiritual power, he wouldn't become one of the top beings in the ninja world.

Because the pinnacle of this path already has Minazuki Yoru, as well as countless Shinigami from Seireitei, Danzo doesn't believe that this bastard Minazuki Yoru won't leave some backup plans after releasing this power system.

Rather than choosing Mizuki Yoru, he would rather choose the chakra of the Sage of Six Paths, which has been passed down in the ninja world for thousands of years. Not to mention that the path to the heavens of chakra is right in front of him, and he cannot give it up no matter what!

"This time I obtained a lot of Sharingan and Uchiha cell tissue, which is not only enough to support me in completing the Demon Spear, but also more than enough to bring you along." Danzo looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi with burning eyes, encouraging and inviting his good buddy.

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head.

"The chakra required for the Oni-Garra Technique is too enormous. If I perform the ritual with you, and we don't have enough chakra, it's very likely that we'll fail."

"Besides..."

As Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the information scroll containing the message that Tsunade had activated her Bankai and brutally defeated Hiruko, he said in a deep voice, "I also want to see what's so special about spiritual power."

Seeing that his best friend was rejecting his offer, Danzo frowned slightly and reminded him, "Shinigami are different from ordinary spiritual energy users. You should know that, Hiruzen."

“I have studied those who mastered spiritual power through Ryuchi Cave. They are actually no different from ninjas, except that they replaced the chakra in the tower with spiritual power, which increased their strength.”

"But Death is different. Death is a truly special being; they are not even human anymore!"

"What do you mean by that?" Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned.

"It seems that you, having lost your position as Hokage and with the Sarutobi clan restricted, have lost your eyes and ears." Danzo shook his head, slamming his cane on the ground, and a Root ninja appeared.

"Go and bring me the secret scroll number thirty-one."

The Root ninja nodded slightly, then vanished in an instant. A moment later, he returned with a scroll and presented it to Danzo.

After opening it using a unique technique from the Root, Danzo handed the scroll to Hiruzen Sarutobi. The contents of the scroll caused Hiruzen Sarutobi's already furrowed brow to blossom into a chrysanthemum.

"The Sixth Division Captain, the Second Mizukage Hozuki Gengetsu, the Eleventh Division Lieutenant, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Biwa Juzo, and the Second Division Lieutenant, Kurihara Kushimaru, all of these ninjas had already died in battle, but they were all resurrected by Mizuki Yoru and became Shinigami (death gods)."

"It's not just them. According to my investigation of the Soul Reapers in Seireitei, a large number of them are already dead ninjas. This shows that the Soul Reapers are products created by Minazuki Yoru using the spirits of the dead, and it's not just a rumor."

"Of course, you might think that Tsunade and Orochimaru, etc., I can't directly say that they were killed and modified by Minazuki Yoru, but one thing is certain: Shinigami and those who wield spiritual power and are called 'Quinshi' by Minazuki Yoru are completely different."

"and……"

Danzo looked at his best friend and said in a deep voice, "Do you know what he gave me after I agreed to cooperate with that guy to deal with the Uchiha?"

"What?" Hiruzen Sarutobi paused, realizing that there was a secret deal between the two that he, the middleman, was unaware of.

Seeing the confusion in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes, Danzo didn't say anything more.

His best friend had already played a huge role by helping him contact the masked man when he had lost everything; he couldn't ask for anything more.

"Come with me."

Danzo, leaning on his cane, walked deeper into the Root, with Hiruzen Sarutobi following closely behind.

Before long, the two arrived at a secret experimental base deep within the Root Base.

The barrier surrounding this experimental base was extremely complex and intricate, causing Hiruzen Sarutobi to frown repeatedly. This level of control was far superior even to the archives at the Book of Seals, which contained countless Konoha secrets.

After Danzo removed all the barriers, before the two even stepped into the secret chamber, an inexplicable pressure emanated from within.

The flickering candlelight allowed Hiruzen Sarutobi to clearly see the true nature of the object he was studying.

It was a huge and ferocious black monster, its body tightly bound and sealed inside an instrument by special chakra rods. A dozen researchers were surrounding it, studying it intensively.

Even though he was sealed off, Hiruzen Sarutobi could still feel the special pressure coming from his opponent. It wasn't the pressure of chakra, but spiritual power!

"What on earth is this..."

"Its name is 'Void'. To be precise, their species is called 'Void'!"

Danzo strolled forward, gazing at the jet-black monster, and introduced it to Hiruzen Sarutobi: "I know you've never seen this kind of creature before. To be honest, I haven't either, because it was created by Yoru Minazuki, just like the Shinigami and Quincy."

"They are like the purest form of beasts, feeding on souls. And according to the information the masked man gave me, these monsters are being kept by Minazuki Yoru on an island in the Land of Water."

"I don't know what Minazuki Yoru's purpose is in keeping such creatures, but these monsters are completely irrational, existing only on the instinct to devour souls and kill living beings. I really can't think of any other reason for keeping such things, except for soul experiments and biological weapons."

“Hollow…” Hiruzen Sarutobi stared blankly at the huge, ferocious, and ugly monster in front of him, speechless for a moment.

Danzo looked at the researchers beside him and asked in a deep voice, "How is it? Is there any progress in the research on it?"

The researcher whispered, "Lord Danzo, the research is progressing very slowly. Although we both possess spiritual power, the opponent's spiritual power is far more aggressive. If our spiritual power is normal, gentle energy, then the spiritual power within its body is an extremely evil and negative accumulation of spiritual power."

“Once our spiritual power comes into too much contact with its spiritual power, our spiritual power will be ‘contaminated’ and we will lose consciousness, or even be ‘eroded’ and become the same as it.”

"Secondly, if its spiritual power is used to guide and convert chakra, the target will directly enter a state of frenzied berserk behavior and be completely corrupted by negative consciousness. Although the Sharingan and other powers can suppress this corruption to some extent, the success rate is very low."

As he spoke, the researcher led Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi toward the back of the laboratory. Sure enough, at the far end of the laboratory, there were several special nutrient tanks, each containing several humanoid Hollows!

"What terrifying power!"

Danzo sneered, "Hiruzen, look at this. Since Minazuki Yoru can raise this kind of monster, it means he can completely control it."

"If even such a distorted and twisted aggregate of negative energy can be controlled by Mizuki Yoru, then what do you think other people who possess spiritual power will do?"

You mean!!!

Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes widened.

As the power of spiritual energy was discovered by the world, and even Ryuchi Cave, one of the three holy lands, promoted it, spiritual energy had long since spread throughout the ninja world!

If Mizuki Yoru could control spiritual power, then seven or eight out of ten parts of the ninja world would be in chaos!

"Impossible! How could such a thing be possible!"

"Nothing is impossible. If you are Minazuki Yoru, and you possess this level of power, this power that transcends chakra, why would you share it instead of keeping it?

"But wasn't the Sage of Six Paths also like that..."

"You're comparing Minazuki Yoru to the Sage of Six Paths?!" Danzo scoffed. "Fine, then let's compare Minazuki Yoru to the Sage of Six Paths. But the Sage of Six Paths is long dead, while Minazuki Yoru is here."

"Only a dead god is a qualified god, a god worthy of worship, Hiruzen!"

"Of course, you can take it as my paranoia, or you can take it as my advice to you, but in any case, I still hope that you can develop the Ghost Sprout with me, instead of touching spiritual power."

Sarutobi Hiruzen fell silent.

The power of spiritual energy is simply too tempting. Its strength is comparable to that of ordinary chakra and can rival that of sage chakra. Under such circumstances, the promotion of spiritual energy has long been unstoppable.

If Danzo's speculation is true... the consequences would be unimaginable. It would be a disaster for the entire ninja world, and those who control chakra would become the only remaining seeds in the ninja world!

“I understand. Although the possibility of that idea is pitifully small, even somewhat laughable.” Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath and nodded emphatically. “But I still choose to believe you. However, the previous question still exists. The ritual requires a massive amount of chakra. Are you prepared?”

"Don't worry, I've been in charge of the root for so many years, and I haven't done it for nothing."

Seeing his best friend change his mind, Danzo's old face also showed a smile.

He looked Hiruzen Sarutobi up and down and said, "It may be presumptuous of me to say this, but you have indeed grown old, Hiruzen."

As the Third Hokage's closest comrade-in-arms, Danzo increasingly sensed Hiruzen Sarutobi's physical decline, which was particularly evident in his chakra reserves.

"With your decaying body, you can't withstand the power of the ritual. How about this, let me do some modifications for you first?"

"The teacher's cells, huh?" Hiruzen Sarutobi instinctively wanted to refuse, but the words caught in his throat.

Does he still have the capacity to reject his teacher in order to maintain the noble and righteous image of the Hokage?

Moreover, the cells of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, are an indispensable part of the Kigaro ritual.

A bitter smile appeared on his face, and Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed softly, feeling somewhat relieved.

"Fine, let's do everything according to your plan!"

Don't worry, everything will get better.

After the plan was finalized, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not linger at the Root base.

Now that Fugaku has returned, even though he is busy with the mess left by the Uchiha clan, he cannot possibly disregard the fact that he was the previous Hokage. To avoid unnecessary trouble, Hiruzen Sarutobi returned to his clan's territory first.

Watching his old friend leave, Danzo breathed a sigh of relief, feeling inexplicably at ease.

“If I were you, I would choose that child who is only ten years old, not him.” A sudden voice rang out behind him, and a figure emerged from the shadows, saying calmly, “A rigid mind, a decaying and old body… Of course, since this is your choice, I will not stop you.”

"You don't understand, Hiruzen is different from ordinary people!"

Danzo snorted coldly, looking at the monk in front of him: "You've come here because you've prepared the offerings I need?"

"Ah, that's natural."

With a casual wave of his hand, Cixian threw out several unconscious figures that were originally intended for Nagato from the dark space.

"Dark Release, Swift Release, Steel Release, combined with the Wood Release and Sharingan within you, that should be enough, right?"

Dark Release, Swift Release, Steel Release?

Seeing the figures fall out, Danzo was overjoyed; this was exactly the perfect choice he had in mind.

Hiruko's ability to wreak havoc on the battlefield of the Land of Rain is inseparable from these three bloodline limits!

Furthermore, he replaced Magnet Release with Wood Release, which is more compatible with the power of the Uchiha clan. Danzo was confident that once his Oni-Garra Ritual was completed, it would be even more powerful than Hiruko's!

Boom!

As the cane fell to the ground, several figures quickly appeared and carried away the unconscious bloodline sacrifice.

"Don't worry, I haven't neglected anything you asked me to do."

Sensing Jigen's calm gaze, Danzo snorted softly, took the initiative to lead Jigen towards the deeper Root base. After forming a few hand seals at a dark corner, a special barrier appeared.

Danzo stepped inside, followed closely by Jigen. A sealed space filled with special barriers came into view.

The space was empty except for a humanoid 'monster' made of layers of gnarled tree roots and branches standing in the center of the room.

It looks like a product of Wood Release, yet it also has the characteristics of a living organism; its leaves, branches, and roots all look incredibly bizarre.

Moreover, after Danzo and Jigen entered, this thing actually stretched out some branches and leaves, as if it sensed something.

"The night of the Uchiha massacre allowed me to collect a lot of Uchiha corpses. At the same time, while Fugaku was away, I also brought some members of the Kazamatsuri clan with me," Danzo said in a deep voice. After speaking, he couldn't help but ask, "What exactly is this thing of yours that can devour their flesh and blood to grow?"

Chapter 257 Obito's Ascension Ceremony!

This thing, which looked like a creation of Wood Release, was actually stronger and more bizarre than even Hashirama Senju's original cells. It was completely beyond Danzo's comprehension; he had never seen such a terrifying creature.

Most importantly, this thing is alive, not just in the sense of a gradually developing cell, but at the biological level, it is a truly living organism!

Moreover, the chakra contained within this monster is extremely vast. The reason Danzo dared to tell Hiruzen Sarutobi that he could provide enough chakra for two people for the Oni-Garra ritual was because of the existence of this thing.

This seemingly small creature, resembling a creation of Wood Release, is just like... a Tailed Beast!

"You don't need to care about these things."

Cixian spoke calmly, and with a slight lift of his palm, several figures fell from his hand as if he had scattered beans to create soldiers.

The sapling seemed to sense something; its leaves and roots, which had been as still as a normal tree, suddenly began to wriggle.

The next moment, the dozen or so thick wooden roots, like giant but slender deformed hands, grabbed handfuls of flesh and limbs from the ground and stuffed them into the holes that resembled teeth and mouths, chewing them up.

As these people swallowed it, the sapling, which had been curled up, stretched out slightly, its limbs seemingly swelling a bit, as if it had received some kind of enhancement.

After devouring the flesh and limbs, the woody roots swayed in mid-air, as if wanting to continue eating. After waiting for a while without getting any food, they could only tremblingly retract all the roots, then insert them into the ground and begin to devour something from there.

"What a monster..."

Danzo squinted, clearly sensing what was being continuously drawn from the ground by this guy.

Natural energy!

Directly absorbing the natural energy of heaven and earth for one's own use is truly astonishing.

The power of natural energy is undeniable, but to cultivate this mode, one needs not only formidable strength but also exceptional talent. Even across the entire Hidden Leaf Village and the entire ninja world, very few have successfully cultivated Sage Mode.

Ultimately, it all comes down to the violent and powerful nature of energy. If one is not careful, one can be eroded or even devoured by it.