Just as Tsunade and Hiruko had speculated, when chakra is overused or when the body suffers too much damage, this reagent-based Hashirama cell will begin to rampage.
Even Danzō was no exception. After using Izanagi, the Hashirama cells in his body began to run wild. Under Hoshiyomi's watchful gaze, the area around Danzō's left shoulder gradually transformed from a potted plant into a sapling, and then from a sapling into a towering tree.
Pathetically, Danzō didn't even notice at first. It wasn't until the tree growing from his body had taken root in the ground that he realized something was wrong.
By then, half his body had already transformed into a tree. Even if he wanted to sever his arm to save himself, it was far too late.
As the tree rooted itself deeper underground, Danzō was slowly dragged down into the earth. His cries for help grew fainter and fainter until they finally ceased entirely.
Hoshiyomi smacked his lips as he looked at the giant tree that Danzō had become. Although he hadn't managed to literally dismember him in the end, seeing him contribute to Konoha's greenery in such a way… wasn't such a bad ending either.
At least this scum, in the final moment before his death, actually did something for the village—truly, for once, a human act.
I guess it's true that his heart was wicked to the core? Even the tree he turned into after death is a goddamn crooked-neck tree. How absurd.
After confirming that Danzō's chakra had begun to fade away bit by bit, Hoshiyomi finally relaxed. With his chakra dispersing like this, there was no way he could still be alive.
Next, I should go check on Nawaki's condition. Hopefully, he's alright.
He took a couple of steps forward, then seemed to remember something wasn't quite right. He paused and turned his head back.
"Old man Danzō, for all your faults, you carried yourself with some dignity in life. Guess I should at least spit before leaving."
Hock~ Tui!
With that, Hoshiyomi turned and left.
He did not notice that after his departure, the crooked-neck tree behind him gave a faint, inexplicable shudder.
...
A hidden underground cave.
A White Zetsu with green hair suddenly shot up from the ground. Clearing its throat, it spoke:
"Lord Madara, I'm back. And this time, I've brought two rather interesting things."
On a stone bed, Uchiha Madara opened his eyes. He had been resting, eyes closed, but the incessant noise caught his attention. With a bored yawn, he lazily asked:
"And you are…?"
Seeing Madara's somewhat confused expression, the white Zetsu said:
"I am the White Zetsu you sent to observe Konoha's movements."
Hearing that this Zetsu was responsible for observing Konoha, Madara showed a bit of interest. No matter how much Konoha had hurt him in the past, it was ultimately a place he founded together with Hashirama, so Madara still paid some attention to it:
"Oh, it's you. Coming here suddenly… did something happen in Konoha?"
The white Zetsu grinned and said:
"Tonight, I witnessed quite the spectacle."
With that, the white Zetsu recounted how Danzō had conspired to rebel, encountered Hoshiyomi, and was finally killed by Hoshiyomi who pressed him against the ground.
At the end, he leaned aside to reveal the "one and a half people" he'd brought back.
"These two are the interesting fellows I mentioned. The one with only half a body left is Danzō. The other is called Hiruko; he's the one who researched the Hashirama cells."
After hearing about the night's events, Madara still couldn't quite understand. He thought for a moment and asked:
"What's this Danzō's background? I don't really have any impression of him."
Hearing Madara's question, the white Zetsu briefly summarized Danzō's life. After listening, Madara showed a scornful smile:
"I always said Hashirama's little brother was worthless. Just look at the trash disciple he chose. And yet Hashirama treasured that useless brother of his like some kind of jewel."
After stomping on Tobirama with words, Madara leaned forward with renewed interest—
"That Danzō fellow really was a worthless piece of trash. But that Gekko Hoshiyomi kid—he did things beautifully. I find myself appreciating him more and more. When I'm resurrected, he'll probably make for an excellent sparring partner."
The white Zetsu seemed to sense the disdain for Danzō in Madara's words. It gently kicked the half-corpse it had specially retrieved with its heel.
Looks like Lord Madara isn't interested in this guy.
Madara did notice the white Zetsu's little action. He glanced at the corpse with only half a body left and said indifferently:
"So this is that 'Danzō'? A guy who only knows how to play with schemes and conspiracies actually dared to defile Hashirama's remains?"
As he spoke, Madara's brow furrowed, clearly very dissatisfied with this guy's actions.
Seeing Madara's apparent disgust for Danzō, the white Zetsu muttered:
"I originally thought reviving this guy might be somewhat useful for Lord Madara."
Madara shifted into a more comfortable posture and dismissed it with a wave:
"I don't need trash that only knows how to play tricks. Throw him out."
But just as his words fell, a voice drifted from the shadows behind him:
"Wait, Lord Madara. I believe this Danzō might still be of some use."
Madara sneered:
"Him? A shortsighted, arrogant fool like this? Keeping him around would only hinder the plan."
Hearing this, Black Zetsu quickly said:
"Lord Madara, with all due respect, while this Danzō's character is vile, he possesses Hashirama's cells. That alone makes him barely qualified to serve as a tool."
Madara raised an eyebrow, a flicker of interest stirring:
"Oh? And what do you mean by that?"
Black Zetsu smiled:
"Your remaining time in this world is limited, Lord Madara. But the Eye of the Moon Plan still requires a long wait before it can begin. During this period, unforeseen accidents could occur. Having such a tool at our disposal ensures we have an additional safeguard for the plan."
After hearing Black Zetsu's argument, Madara admitted he was tempted. After all, Danzō had his best friend's cells. Just as Black Zetsu said, Danzō could indeed serve several purposes—exposing Nagato to the darkness of the shinobi world, helping to cultivate better successors for the eyes, or, in the worst-case scenario, if Nagato perished, Danzō's Hashirama cells might allow him to withstand the strain of the Rinnegan long enough to resurrect Madara himself.
But could such trash really carry out his plan?
Seeing Madara's hesitation, Black Zetsu smirked inwardly and offered another suggestion:
"If you disdain his mind and his vision, then simply control him with a curse seal. Turn him completely into your puppet. That way, you won't need to worry about him interfering with the plan."
That finally swayed Madara. After pondering for a moment, he nodded:
"Very well. Let's do as you suggest. Didn't White Zetsu say this man loves brainwashing others and using them as tools? Now I'll turn him into my tool. That is the true cycle of heaven's justice."
As he spoke, Madara gestured for White Zetsu to bring over Danzō's barely-breathing half-corpse. After inspecting him briefly, Madara infused a small amount of chakra into Danzō's body.
With Madara's chakra suppressing it, the previously rampaging Hashirama cells finally stabilized.