"I am indeed experimenting on children with half Senju bloodline," Orochimaru said.
"Tsunade, don't be so shocked.
You only need to know that I didn't start the research from scratch. When I took over the laboratory, it already had accumulated a lot of research data.
My data comes from the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.
During the Second Hokage's administration, the village, under the pressure of the First Shinobi World War, began working on recreating Wood Release.
Senju Tobirama used the corpses of sacrificed Senju clan ninjas for experiments. Progress was slow, and they could never proceed to the most crucial transplantation stage.
Later, Senju Tobirama recruited volunteers. Some members of your Senju clan voluntarily became test subjects for the Wood Release research.
It's truly miraculous...
Senju Hashirama's cells, even after decades, are still alive, still active.
I really wonder how vigorous your grandfather's life force was when he was alive..."
Tsunade was about to get angry, but hearing that the Wood Release research was initiated by her granduncle Tobirama-sama, she was momentarily unbelievable.
Then she immediately spotted the flaw:
"Granduncle Tobirama's research happened a long time ago; I don't know if it's true or false.
But you aren't using corpses, not volunteers, you're capturing living children!
How can you say these things and do these deeds with such peace of mind?"
Orochimaru said, "Tsunade, I'm telling you directly, without hiding anything, because I hope you can grow up a bit, stop acting like someone who never matures.
No matter how much you oppose it, the village must master Wood Release.
You must have heard the rumors about Kumogakure's perfect Jinchūriki. Without Wood Release, what can Konoha use to counter Tailed Beasts?
Rely on the legendary Uchiha's Mangekyō Sharingan? Konoha will never allow a second Mangekyō to appear.
Any Uchiha with Mangekyō must die. The village will not allow a second Uchiha Madara to emerge.
Or rely on piling up the lives of ordinary ninjas? Or risk the old lives of Konoha's few elders?
Can you deal with a Tailed Beast, or can I?
I admit my methods are cruel, but my goal is undoubtedly correct, for the sake of Konoha."
Tsunade found she simply couldn't convince Orochimaru, who had his own self-contained logic.
"However..." Orochimaru's eyes shifted:
"Since you brought it up, I can try to persuade Danzo, to make him stop capturing children with Senju bloodline.
As for whether Danzo listens, I cannot guarantee that."
Early the next morning, Tsunade intercepted Sarutobi Hiruzen at the entrance to the first floor of the Hokage Building.
Sarutobi Hiruzen saw it was Tsunade and said, "Are you here about Jiraiya? Jiraiya said he's going for rigorous training to improve his strength. I don't know when he'll be back either."
Tsunade said, "Third Hokage, I'm not here about Jiraiya. Whether he leaves or not is none of my business.
I'm here to ask you, do you know that Root has abducted children from Konoha Village, and all of them are children with Senju clan bloodline?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen was taken aback. They were still downstairs in the Hokage Building, surrounded by assistants and staff who had come to work early.
Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "Let's go upstairs to talk. It's not convenient here."
Tsunade followed Sarutobi Hiruzen upstairs, her eyes filled with rejection, staring at him.
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Tsunade's expression and felt somewhat sad.
Among his three disciples, why had they each grown into these versions of themselves?
Couldn't they be like he was towards his teacher, the Second Hokage?
Until the Second Hokage's death, he had always respected him greatly.
Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "Where did you hear this rumor?"
"That's none of your concern. I have my own intelligence channels."
Hearing Tsunade's hostile tone, Sarutobi Hiruzen thought to himself that after Root suffered consecutive blows, its capabilities had declined so severely.
Abducting just 10 children had allowed Tsunade to discover it.
Sarutobi Kanenosuke... Does the Sarutobi clan really have such a rogue ninja?
Sarutobi Kanenosuke accurately struck the soft spots of several Konoha elders.
After Danzo was hit, the higher-ups' operations in the shadows were all affected.
Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "Tsunade, you're overthinking it. Some children go missing in Konoha every year; they might have been abducted by spies from other villages.
The ANBU eliminates dozens of spies every year, yet other villages continuously send new ones.
This is how things are done among the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
For example, Kumogakure loves researching the bloodlines of other villages the most.
I received intelligence that Kumogakure abducted a child from Sunagakure and actually managed to research Magnet Release using that child.
In the future, Magnet Release will no longer be exclusive to Sunagakure; Kumogakure will have it too.
I am heartbroken about the disappearance of children with Senju bloodline, just as I am about the disappearance of any other child.
Rest assured, Tsunade, I will definitely investigate strictly, increase personnel, and give you a satisfactory answer."
Tsunade stared at Sarutobi Hiruzen, her eyes full of absurdity and disbelief.
"Third Hokage, when did you become so hypocritical?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression changed. He had been patient enough with Tsunade. Her attitude angered him.
Tsunade, however, showed no fear of Sarutobi Hiruzen and said:
"Orochimaru admitted with his own mouth last night that he is indeed experimenting on children with Senju bloodline.
Although Orochimaru is despicable, he is openly wicked. He doesn't find disgusting excuses for his evil deeds.
He has his own logic. Although I hate him, I know that as long as we retrieve those children, Orochimaru won't do anything.
But you, Third Hokage, why are you being so insincere at a time like this?"
"Tsunade!" Sarutobi Hiruzen called out, then said with utmost seriousness and firmness:
"Orochimaru is conducting critical experiments. He always says the test subjects are of poor quality and cannot meet the experimental requirements.
Danzo and I had to deceive him, telling him the new test subjects all have special bloodlines.
He believed it, but in reality, the test subjects are the same as before, captured from other villages!
Orochimaru is obsessed with his experiments; has your mind gone wrong too?"
Tsunade looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen in disbelief, not understanding why he would quibble so blatantly in front of her?
Tsunade's expression suddenly changed.
For Wood Release, for power, these people had gone mad.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, however, had a determined look in his eyes. He firmly believed he was right.
Uzumaki sealing secrets were spreading throughout the ninja world. In the next great war, Konoha's enemy would likely be a Tailed Beast.
Before the great war, they must obtain power sufficient to counter Tailed Beasts.
Even if it's the Senju clan, even if it's Tsunade, they cannot become an obstacle to the village.
He wanted the village to continue prospering, not be destroyed by some Tailed Beast!
Seeing Tsunade turn and leave with a strange look in her eyes, Sarutobi Hiruzen breathed a sigh of relief.
He called his assistant and said, "Please summon Advisor Danzo and the Lynx Squad Leader."
The current Root was too weak.
If necessary, have Lynx bring people into Root.
He just didn't know if Danzo would be willing to give up an ANBU squad. He couldn't have his cake and eat it too, could he?
Lynx arrived first, followed by Danzo entering the Hokage's office.
Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "Danzo, Tsunade already knows that Root has captured some children with Senju bloodline.
You need to pay attention to defense. Don't let Tsunade assault Root a second time."
***
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(End of Chapter)