"Danzo, you must understand that other villages have faced issues with Tailed Beast rampages, while Konoha has not.
This is because we have Mito-sama among us.
Uzumaki Kushina possesses chakra comparable to Mito-sama's, capable of suppressing the Nine-Tails, making her the best choice." Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep drag from his pipe and spoke earnestly.
"Hiruzen, you must know that the Nine-Tails can be restrained not only by the Uzumaki clan's chakra and sealing jutsu, but also by the Sharingan and Wood Release." Shimura Danzo hinted meaningfully, "Uzumaki Kushina might not truly acknowledge Konoha. Her talent is so exceptional that if she were to control the Nine-Tails' power like Mito-sama one day, and she decided to leave Konoha, what could we do?"
Danzo's words silenced everyone present.
Should they trust Uzumaki Kushina?
But none of them trusted this girl; after all, how long had they known her?
Even though they had rescued Uzumaki Kushina from the annihilated Uzushio, and without them, Uzumaki Kushina would have died, it was still difficult for her to develop a sense of belonging.
They had previously planned for Uzumaki Kushina to form bonds in Konoha, which could serve a purpose, but if Uzumaki Kushina could truly control the Nine-Tails' power, she would be able to perceive good and evil.
They could hardly guarantee their true attitude towards Uzumaki Kushina.
As for restricting Uzumaki Kushina's growth, that was almost impossible.
Not to mention anything else, Mito-sama herself would do her best to cultivate Uzumaki Kushina, and this was not something they could hinder.
Therefore, Uzumaki Kushina was not the optimal choice for the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki.
"The Sharingan is a kekkei genkai of the Uchiha clan, and Wood Release belongs to the Senju clan. Tobirama-sensei had researched Wood Release and made some progress. If not for the First Great 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 against the Nine-Tails." Shimura Danzo looked intently at Hiruzen Sarutobi, "Moreover, you must have noticed that military armaments in various countries are being upgraded.
A Shinobi World War could break out at any time.
The annihilation of Uzushio this time might well be those ninja villages testing our attitude and strength.
They must have also obtained some of the Uzumaki clan's sealing jutsu, and future Tailed Beast rampage incidents will likely decrease, which is definitely not a good thing for Konoha.
In the future, we must also prepare to confront Tailed Beasts."
As he spoke, Shimura Danzo's eyes were filled with coldness. For him, a hawk, the ninja villages attacking Uzushio was nothing short of a slap in Shimura Danzo's face.
The existence of Uzushio was of great benefit to Konoha; as long as they were there, there was no need to worry about the Land of Water attacking Konoha from the sea.
It could completely become Konoha's maritime fortress!
The Uzumaki clan was also a good fighting force, but now that Uzushio was annihilated, once war broke out, Konoha would need to expend considerable effort to guard against the Hidden Mist Village.
Sometimes, Danzo would also sigh, the First Hokage was a smart man, distributing eight Tailed Beasts and acquiring a considerable sum of money.
In these years, those villages have been tormented by Tailed Beasts, while only Konoha could rest easy.
But now, thinking that other villages might have the ability to control Tailed Beast power, Danzo imagined the scene of a Tailed Beast attacking Konoha, and he felt that the First Hokage's mind might not have been very sharp.
Why distribute the Tailed Beasts in the first place?
Upon hearing Shimura Danzo's proposal, even Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent.
Restarting the Wood Release experiment was not an issue; after all, it was initially conducted by Tobirama Senju, and those cells and experimental data were still preserved.
No one saw Uzumaki Mito come out to stop it back then.
Thinking that a Shinobi World War could break out at any time, and they would have to face Tailed Beasts, even Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart could not remain calm.
He looked deeply at Uzumaki Kushina and Uchiha Hikaru in the crystal ball, narrowing his eyes, taking several drags from his pipe, before Hiruzen Sarutobi finally spoke: "In that case, restart the Wood Release experiment, but no human experimentation shall be conducted without certainty."
"Monkey, once the experiment begins, human experimentation is unavoidable." Danzo, who was initially happy about Hiruzen Sarutobi's support for the Wood Release experiment, showed dissatisfaction upon learning that human experimentation was not allowed.
He didn't just want to create a few Wood Release experimental subjects; if possible, he himself wanted to transplant Wood Release cells.
This operation made him fully realize his shortcomings; if not for Kagami covering their retreat, he might have perished.
And his current strength was difficult to improve, so he could only place his hopes on the Wood Release experiment.
"The Wood Release experiment is too dangerous." Hiruzen Sarutobi hesitated. How could he not understand these principles? But as Hokage, could he make such a decision?
"We can first experiment with criminals and rogue ninjas, and once we have some certainty, then allow Konoha citizens to volunteer for the experiment." Danzo looked meaningfully at Hiruzen Sarutobi: "Although the Senju clan has now disbanded, if there is hope of obtaining Wood Release, they will not refuse.
And who is more suitable for Wood Release experiments than them?"
At this, Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent.
He understood what Shimura Danzo meant: using the Wood Release experiment could also eliminate some members of the Senju clan and weaken 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 you succeed in the experiment, then you are the successor of Wood Release.
This was not Hiruzen Sarutobi being heartless; he would still take good care of Tsunade, Nawaki, and respect Uzumaki Mito.
It's just that as Hokage, he needed to take some actions.
The one who most targeted the Senju clan was not Hiruzen Sarutobi, but Tobirama Senju!
When the Senju clan disbanded, many people didn't even take many ninjutsu with them, were not allowed to inherit the surname, and were even forbidden from mentioning it to future generations.
Compared to that, some of their methods were simply insignificant.
"What about Hikaru and this Uzumaki Kushina?" Koharu Utatane looked at Uzumaki Kushina, who was constantly peeking at Uchiha Hikaru, and asked hesitantly.
"We don't need to interfere with what happens to them later." Hiruzen Sarutobi hesitated for a moment and said, "What happens with Kushina at the academy cannot escape Mito-sama's eyes, and since even Mito-sama has acquiesced, what more is there for us to say?
Moreover, don't forget, although Hikaru is an Uchiha, he is also an inheritor of the Will of Fire. Wouldn't it be better for Kushina to be influenced by the Will of Fire by staying with Hikaru?"