That night, Chao Yanqian quietly left the house alone, avoiding the patrolling Anbu ninja, and came to the entrance of a basement.
As the headquarters of the "Root," this underground base was full of crises, but for the North Koreans, these were not problems. After establishing a cooperative relationship with Shimura Danzo, the North Korean Hakka had been here many times.
In fact, there was a kind of speculation that within Konoha, someone secretly connected with Uchiha Madara could it be Shimura Danzo?
This possibility was very high. After all, when Uchiha Madara left Konoha, Shimura Danzo was already active in the ninja world. And, in terms of Shimura Danzo's character, if Uchiha Madara had found him and promised great advantages, Shimura Danzo would likely have agreed to cooperate with Uchiha Madara.
Of course, Shimura Danzo would surely have self-righteously thought that he was using Uchiha Madara, gaining benefits while also secretly plotting to kill him.
It's not an unreasonable speculation about Shimura Danzo. Judging from the original plot, Shimura Danzo secretly contacted Hanzo of the Salamander, and together they forced Yahiko and Akatsuki into a tragedy, causing Yahiko's death and completely awakening Nagato's Rinnegan.
This incident also promoted the masked Obito's infiltration into Akatsuki and successfully led to Nagato's manipulation.
Walking swaggeringly along the secluded corridor, there was nothing around, only the footsteps of Chao Yanqian echoing in the empty hallway.
Although Chao Yanqian's perception ability was not excellent, he still vaguely felt that he was being monitored. Perhaps even the trace of breath that Chao Yanqian perceived was deliberately revealed by Root ninja.
Without encountering any obstacles along the way, Chao Yanqian came to a room in the center of the base.
Pushing open the door, he found Shimura Danzo closing his eyes, sitting on a chair at the center of the room, playing with his small cane apparently having been waiting for a while.
"Elder Danzo, we meet again. I wonder how you have been recently?" Chao Yanqian asked with a smile.
"It's been a long time since I saw you. Thanks to you, I am in good health," Danzo replied calmly.
"But looking at your face, your condition doesn't seem as good as you say!" Although Shimura Danzo had always worn a bitter expression, Chao Yanqian was still keenly aware of a slight difference.
"Hmph! That old fool Sarutobi Hiruzen actually recommended Bo Feng Shuimen as the Fourth Hokage, and the Daimyo agreed!" Shimura Danzo said in a cold voice.
"Oh? The Third Hokage recommended Senior Bo Feng Shuimen?" Chao Yanqian asked, puzzled.
"What qualifications does that kid have to serve as the Fourth Hokage? With the Daimyo's agreement, Konoha will be destroyed in their hands sooner or later," Shimura Danzo said uncomfortably.
Regarding the nomination of Bo Feng Shuimen as the Fourth Hokage, Chao Yanqian truly hadn't known.
Some time ago, Shimura Danzo had secretly revealed to the Third Hokage that Orochimaru was conducting forbidden research, causing Hiruzen, who had hesitated about choosing Orochimaru as the Fourth Hokage, to make a firm decision.
Orochimaru was disqualified. Jiraiya had no intention of becoming Hokage, and Tsunade was suffering from hemophobia. The once prestigious "Legendary Three Nin" had faded away. Shimura Danzo even thought that he was the best candidate for the Fourth Hokage.
But fate seemed to deliberately go against him. In such turmoil, all of Shimura Danzo's plans were rendered useless.
In terms of strength and record, Bo Feng Shuimen did have the qualifications to serve as the Fourth Hokage. However, in terms of seniority, he was still too young. Yet, with the support of the Third Hokage, the Fire Daimyo, and the favor of many ordinary ninjas, Bo Feng Shuimen successfully took the position.
The biggest weakness of Shimura Danzo was that he had no reputation among ordinary ninjas. It had to be said that the Third Hokage's methods were brilliant. As long as Shimura Danzo couldn't let go of the secretive nature of "Root," he would never appear before the public.
"Although this opportunity is lost, it doesn't mean there will be no next opportunity!" Chao Yanqian said casually.
"Hmph! You don't need to tell me that. But you what is it you came to me for?" Shimura Danzo asked coldly.
"My research on the fusion of Hashirama's cells has made new breakthroughs. I want to examine the experimental products of Orochimaru, but I can't enter Orochimaru's laboratory," said Chao Yanqian.
"Oh? You already have results?" Shimura Danzo was truly intrigued.
"Not bad," Chao Yanqian nodded and smiled. "Orochimaru should have told you that the Sharingan can suppress Hashirama cells! The drug I developed has a similar effect to the Sharingan it can suppress Hashirama cells to a certain extent."
"What's the use of that? It's better to get the Sharingan directly!" Shimura Danzo said with dissatisfaction.
"Of course not!" Chao Yanqian explained. "If Hashirama cells and the Sharingan are transplanted simultaneously, the two powers will check and balance each other, preventing fusion. Once that balance breaks, the power of one side could overwhelm the body and kill the transplant subject instantly."
This was an inference made by Chao Yanqian, based on the original situation of Shimura Danzo.
Simultaneous transplantation of Sharingan and Hashirama cells might achieve temporary stability, but the forces would conflict and prevent full integration.
"Oh?" Shimura Danzo responded softly.
"The drug I developed suppresses Hashirama cells without inhibiting their fusion with ordinary cells, achieving a true, perfect fusion. Once successful, ordinary people could become similar to the Senju clan and fully master Wood Release (Mokuton)..." Chao Yanqian spoke with a tempting, even slightly fanatical tone.
"Then what do you want to do in Orochimaru's lab?" Shimura Danzo asked.
"I just want to observe the only experimental subject likely to survive," Chao Yanqian answered.
Shimura Danzo was silent for a moment, then finally nodded slightly and said, "Then come with me."
Shimura Danzo actually did not fully trust either Chao Yanqian or Orochimaru. He merely weighed who was more capable, who was more valuable, and who posed less threat to him.
Regarding these three points, Chao Yanqian had strong advantages.
Chao Yanqian claimed to have fully mastered Orochimaru's research results, but Orochimaru knew nothing about Chao Yanqian's research. In terms of threat to Shimura Danzo, Chao Yanqian and Orochimaru were not on the same level.
If it weren't for Chao Yanqian having learned the Flying Thunder God Technique (Hiraishin no Jutsu), he might not even have qualified to cooperate with Shimura Danzo.
Walking out of the "Root" base, Shimura Danzo led Chao Yanqian toward Orochimaru's laboratory.
Shimura Danzo would never allow anything beyond his control. Once something slipped beyond his grasp, it would immediately be considered a threat and be eliminated.
Although Orochimaru had changed the laboratory gate's restrictions, Shimura Danzo had definitely mastered a way to enter.
It was precisely because of this reasoning that Chao Yanqian ventured to find Shimura Danzo.
After all, from the conversation with the Third Hokage today, the war between Konoha and Kirigakure (the Village Hidden in the Mist) was about to end. Once the war ended and Orochimaru returned to Konoha, Chao Yanqian would lose his opportunity to benefit from Orochimaru.
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