"Oh, is it ready for use?" Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes lit up.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had long known that Danzo was secretly researching Hashirama cells.
But Hashirama cells were far too terrifying, and successfully developing them would bring enormous benefits.
That was why Hiruzen Sarutobi had allowed it all along, while also keeping Danzo in check to prevent him from growing too powerful.
Danzo looked solemn. "Hiruzen, the First's cells are incredibly powerful. Ordinary people simply can't withstand them."
"Yamato being able to withstand the First's cells was already a one-in-ten-thousand occurrence!"
"Many test subjects died because they couldn't withstand the erosion of the First's cells!"
Danzo truly both loved and hated Hashirama cells.
He loved them because they were indeed powerful. Once successfully transplanted, they provided not only powerful self-healing abilities, but also Wood Release!
He hated them because Hashirama cells caused terrifying rejection and were extremely voracious.
Even he had only transplanted an arm's worth of Hashirama cells, and those cells had been made compatible by Orochimaru through some unknown means.
After those Hashirama cells were transplanted into his body, Danzo could only suppress them with the help of numerous Sharingan.
That alone showed how terrifying Hashirama cells were.
"I see..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was somewhat disappointed.
He had originally hoped to use Hashirama cells to create a ninja as powerful as the First.
Or perhaps he himself...
"But Hiruzen, don't be disappointed. I've already made some progress in researching the First's cells."
Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi looking somewhat downcast, Danzo feared his old friend would lose hope entirely and stop providing assistance.
He hurriedly offered a bargaining chip.
"It's just that funding is still a little short..."
When Hiruzen Sarutobi first heard Danzo say he had made progress, he was quite excited.
But when he heard what followed, his expression darkened.