Right after the Wood Release experiment was completed, Danzo initially hesitated about injecting himself with Hashirama's cells. After all, the Wood Release of these Wood Release experimental subjects didn't seem particularly strong.
Danzo wanted the kind of Wood Release that Hashirama possessed, not the kind of Wood Release that was a failure.
However, after confirming what his subordinate said, that he could first transplant this weakened version of Wood Release cells to improve his strength, physical endurance, and Chakra quantity, and then, once accustomed, transplant stronger cells, Danzo thought it made quite a lot of sense.
Thus, without others knowing, he transplanted a specially modulated version of Hashirama's cells, and the effect was quite good. Danzo could clearly feel his Chakra had at least doubled, his physical vitality had significantly improved, and the power of his Ninjutsu had also increased considerably.
Considering Danzo's age and strength, further improvement in strength was extremely difficult.
If he could inject even more powerful cells, his strength would definitely advance further. Thinking about reaching Hashirama's strength in the future, Danzo felt a surge of excitement.
As long as he dealt with Hiruzen and Kazuki this time, the position of Hokage would be his. Relying on Edo Tensei and his future strength comparable to Hashirama, he was confident he could suppress the entire Ninja World.
Thinking about the provocations and wars from other villages against Konoha during this period, Danzo's heart grew fervent.
Once he controlled Konoha and became Konoha's Fourth Hokage, he would wage war against other villages. At that time, whether it was Kirigakure, Sunagakure, Iwagakure, or Kumogakure, all would perish.
He would surpass Hashirama and become the new God of Shinobi, no, by then, he wouldn't be merely the so-called God of Shinobi, but a true God of Man.
A god who ruled the human world.
As soon as Danzo and Hiruzen clashed, Hiruzen showed a look of surprise.
If there was anyone in this world who understood Danzo the most, it was undoubtedly Hiruzen. Hiruzen had always known Danzo's true capabilities, they had been rivals and comrades since childhood.
Back then, Hiruzen needed to hold back against Danzo for him to have a back-and-forth fight with Hiruzen, but now Hiruzen felt a significant improvement in Danzo's Taijutsu.
Had Danzo been holding back before?
Hiruzen quickly dismissed this possibility. Then, with eyes wide with fury, he looked at Danzo, remembering Hashirama's earlier words, and gritted his teeth as he confronted him.
"Danzo, have you subjected yourself to human experimentation?"
At this moment, Hiruzen felt his sincerity had been utterly wasted. He had agreed to Danzo's Wood Release experiment plan and provided a large amount of manpower and resources.
Their goal was to solve the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki problem, as this was a problem that absolutely needed to be addressed. Containing Nine-Tails's Chakra was not something a single person could easily do.
Certain individuals from the Uzumaki clan could be candidates for the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and Wood Release experimental subjects could also serve this purpose. Of course, if they were ruthless enough, strong individuals from the Uchiha clan might not be unable to become Nine-Tails Jinchuriki either.
However, Hiruzen hadn't expected that Danzo would inject Hashirama's cells into his own body. This made him suspect that the reason Danzo promoted the Wood Release experiment plan was precisely to inject himself with Hashirama's cells to enhance his own strength.
Furthermore, Danzo might have already set his sights on Nine-Tails, wanting to become the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and gain Nine-Tails's power.
If it was merely to solve the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki problem, Hiruzen would have gladly spent a little more money. But Danzo had deceived him, obtaining support for the Wood Release experiment plan through deceitful means.
Yet he had subjected even himself to human experimentation, which made Hiruzen feel utterly betrayed.
"Monkey, you'll never understand."
Hearing Hiruzen accuse him like this, Danzo instantly grew furious.
"What do you understand? If you have absolute strength, why worry about this or that? Just by injecting the First Hokage's cells, one feels twenty years younger, and strength improves significantly. Faced with such benefits, can you refuse?"
Hiruzen fell silent. If he had known there were such benefits, could he have refused?
Not just himself, he would probably have immediately sought out Mito, allowing her to become younger, which would make Konoha even more stable.
However, if Mito knew they were Hashirama's cells, she would probably refuse immediately, right?
As for himself, while he did covet strength, it wasn't to this extent.
He couldn't accuse this of being a matter of breaking the rules, after all, this was first proposed and implemented by Tobirama.
In regards of breaking the rules, not many ninjas were greater than his teacher, and if Hashirama's cells could be popularized, allowing all Konoha ninjas to inject these cells, it could greatly enhance overall strength. It's just that the more he thought about this, the more Hiruzen felt a chill run down his spine.
If everyone injected the First Hokage's cells by then, what would the First Hokage be considered?
Even if the First Hokage's entire corpse were dissected, it probably wouldn't be enough.
"But that's no excuse for your reckless behavior."
Hiruzen quickly composed himself and glared at Danzo with dissatisfaction.
"Everything I do is for Konoha, Hiruzen, you are too short-sighted. Konoha will be ruined in your hands." Danzo snorted coldly and quickly formed hand signs, unleashing a Wind Release jutsu.
Hiruzen quickly used Earth Release: Earth Style Wall to block it. When the Wind Release struck the wall, Hiruzen frowned. Danzo's Ninjutsu's power had increased significantly.
However, what happened next captured the attention of both Hiruzen and Danzo. On the other side, a scene of paternal filial piety they had never dared to imagine before appeared.
Rumble!
Under everyone's gaze, Kazuki actually kicked Kagami's Susanoo, rendering it useless.