Chapter 7 - 7: Wood Release Experiment

"Danzo, you need to know that other villages have encountered the problem of Tailed Beast rampages, but Konoha has not." "This is because we have Mito-sama." "Kushina possesses Chakra comparable to Mito-sama, which can suppress the Nine-Tails, and she is the best choice." Hiruzen took a deep drag from his pipe and said earnestly. "Hiruzen, you need to know that what restrains the Nine-Tails is not just the Uzumaki Clan's Chakra and Sealing Jutsu, but also the Sharingan and Wood Release." Danzo hinted meaningfully. "Kushina may not truly acknowledge Konoha. Her talent is so great that if one day she can control the Nine-Tails's power like Mito-sama, and she wants to leave Konoha, what can we do?" Danzo's words silenced everyone present. Trust Kushina? But they all distrusted this girl, after all, how long had they known her? They had rescued Kushina from the destroyed Uzushiogakure, and if it weren't for them, Kushina would have already died, but it was still very difficult to make her feel a sense of belonging. Previously, they had planned to let Kushina form bonds in Konoha, which could serve some purpose, but if she could truly control the Nine-Tails's power, she would be able to perceive good and evil. It was hard for them to guarantee what their true attitude towards Kushina was. As for limiting Kushina's growth, that was almost impossible. Putting aside everything else, Mito herself would train Kushina as much as possible, and this was not something they could obstruct. Therefore, Kushina was not the best choice for a Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. "The Sharingan is the Kekkei Genkai of the Uchiha clan, while Wood Release belongs to the Senju clan. Tobirama-sensei had researched Wood Release back then and made some progress. If not for the outbreak of the First Great Ninja War, it would probably have been successfully researched." "I propose restarting the Wood Release research experiment. Setting aside the Sharingan, Wood Release is the most effective in restraining the Nine-Tails." Danzo looked at Hiruzen with burning eyes. "Moreover, you should have noticed that all countries are upgrading their armaments." "A Great Ninja War could happen at any time." "This time, the destruction of Uzushiogakure may well be those Ninja Villages testing our attitude and strength." "They must have also obtained some of the Uzumaki clan's Sealing Jutsu. After this, Tailed Beast rampages will likely decrease, which is not a good thing for Konoha." "In the future, we must also be prepared to counter Tailed Beasts." As he spoke, Danzo's eyes were filled with coldness. For a war maniac like him, those Ninja Villages attacking Uzushiogakure were tantamount to slapping his face. The existence of Uzushiogakure was of great benefit to Konoha. As long as they were there, there was no need to worry about Kirigakure attacking Konoha from the sea. It could become Konoha's maritime fortress. The Uzumaki clan was also a good fighting force, but now that Uzushiogakure was destroyed, once war occured, Konoha would need to expend considerable effort to guard against Kirigakure. Sometimes, Danzo would sigh, the First Hokage was a smart person, distributing eight Tailed Beasts and acquiring a considerable sum of money. In these years, those villages had been greatly troubled by Tailed Beasts, while only Konoha could rest easy. But now, thinking that other villages might be able to control the power of the Tailed Beasts, Danzo imagined scenes of Tailed Beasts attacking Konoha, and he felt that the First Hokage's mind might not have been very sharp. Why did he distribute the Tailed Beasts back then? Hearing Danzo's suggestion, Hiruzen fell silent. Restarting the Wood Release experiment, there was no problem with that. After all, it was originally initiated by Tobirama, and those cells and experimental data were still preserved. Even Mito didn't come out to stop it back then. Thinking that a Great Ninja War could happen at any time, and the prospect of facing Tailed Beasts, Hiruzen's heart could not remain calm. He looked deeply at Kushina and Kazuki in the crystal ball, narrowed his eyes, and took several drags from his pipe before he finally spoke, "Since that is the case, restart the Wood Release experiment, but no human experimentation shall be conducted before we have full assurance." "Hiruzen, once the experiment begins, human experimentation is unavoidable." Danzo was originally happy that Hiruzen supported the Wood Release experiment, but upon learning that human experimentation could not be conducted, he showed a displeased expression. He didn't just want to create a few Wood Release experimental subjects. If possible, he himself wanted to transplant Hashirama cells. This operation made him fully realize his shortcomings. If it weren't for Kagami covering their retreat, he might have fallen as well. And his current strength was very difficult to improve. He could only place his hopes on the Wood Release experiment. "The Wood Release experiment is too dangerous." Hiruzen hesitated. How could he not understand these principles? It was just that as Hokage, could he make such a decision? "We can first experiment with criminals and rogue Ninja, and once we have some assurance, let Konoha citizens voluntarily participate in the experiment." Danzo looked at Hiruzen meaningfully and said, "Although the Senju clan has now disbanded, if there is hope of obtaining Wood Release, they will not refuse." "Who else is more suitable for Wood Release experimentation than them?" At this, Hiruzen fell silent. He understood what Danzo meant. Using the Wood Release experiment could eliminate some members of the Senju clan, weakening the Senju clan's influence. However, they were not deliberately targeting the Senju clan. Whether to participate in the experiment was their own decision. If they succeeded in the experiment, then they would be an inheritor of Wood Release. This wasn't Hiruzen being heartless. He would still take good care of Tsunade, Nawaki, and respect Mito. It was just that as Hokage, he needed to take some action. The one who targeted the Senju clan the most was not Hiruzen, but Tobirama. When the Senju clan disbanded, many people didn't even take many Ninjutsu with them. They were forbidden from inheriting the surname, and were even forbidden from mentioning it to future generations. Compared to that, some of their methods were simply not worth mentioning. "Then what about Kazuki and Kushina?" Koharu looked at Kushina, who was constantly peeking at Kazuki, and asked hesitantly. "We don't need to interfere with what happens to them later." Hiruzen hesitated for a moment and said, "Kushina's affairs at the academy cannot be hidden from Mito-sama's eyes. Since even Mito-sama has tacitly approved, what else do we have to say?" "Moreover, don't forget, although Kazuki is an Uchiha, he is also an inheritor of the Will of Fire. If Kushina stays by Kazuki's side and becomes infected with the Will of Fire, isn't that even better?"