Tsunade's usually stern and serious expression completely crumbled the moment she heard Yamanaka Shinno's words.
Due to its unique nature, mastering the Hydration Technique was just as difficult as developing a Kekkei Genkai!
How hard was it to develop a Kekkei Genkai?
Each of the Five Great Shinobi Villages had inheritances left by predecessors, techniques that could awaken Kekkei Genkai.
Sunagakure had Magnet Release, Kumogakure had Storm Release, Iwagakure had Explosion Release, and Kirigakure had Boil Release...
But how many people in the entire shinobi world had actually managed to learn them?
Did Danzo have that kind of talent?
If he did, would he be lying here right now?
Tsunade couldn't suppress the smile tugging at her lips and gave Shinno a pat on the shoulder.
"Nice idea. Don't think about it again."
"Shinno, secret techniques that are closely tied to Kekkei Genkai are extremely difficult to learn for those without the necessary bloodline. Elder Danzo is not young anymore. He simply doesn't have the time or energy to study something like that."
Hiruzen Sarutobi subtly offered Danzo a way out.
Being a shinobi might seem glamorous, but in reality, it was anything but easy.
Constant chakra refinement and frequent injuries drained a person's potential, leaving behind hidden scars.
Most shinobi saw a rapid decline in their physical condition once they hit forty.
Their abilities and overall state would start deteriorating.
Given Danzo's age...
It was best not to make things harder for him.
Danzo's already dark expression turned even gloomier upon hearing Hiruzen's words.
What do you mean he wasn't young anymore?
What do you mean he didn't have the time or energy to study new techniques?
Was this old monkey just flat-out saying he couldn't learn it?
Hmph—!
Danzo snorted coldly in his heart, too lazy to argue with Hiruzen over something like this, lest the younger generation overhear and laugh at him.
Instead, he began seriously considering what Shinno had just said.
Truth be told, he had long suspected that the one who attacked him might not have been a shinobi at all.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have sought out the powers of the Fire Temple and the Shrine Maiden.
But neither Konoha's ancient archives nor the treasured texts of the Sarutobi and Shimura clans had recorded any condition matching his symptoms.
At this point, continuing his search there seemed pointless.
However, Shinno's second suggestion struck a chord with him.
He didn't necessarily have to solve the root cause of the attack—finding a way to become immune to it would work just as well.
Was learning Kekkei Genkai-based secret techniques difficult for ordinary people?
Then what if he simply obtained a Kekkei Genkai himself?
The problem with transplanting Wood Release was that the First Hokage's cells were too powerful.
They would reject and devour the host's own cells, turning them into trees and killing them outright.
But other Kekkei Genkai didn't have that kind of fatal flaw!
Besides, just half a month ago, when Orochimaru requested more research funding, he had claimed to have made major breakthroughs in Kekkei Genkai transplantation.
He could now successfully transfer certain Kekkei Genkai!
If Danzo could acquire the right Kekkei Genkai, would learning defensive secret techniques still be an issue?
And if he mastered those techniques...
So what if his head got attacked again?
"Kekkei Genkai..."
Danzo's eyes flickered with calculation.
Among the abilities capable of neutralizing or resisting physical attacks, three came to mind:
Magnet Release from Sunagakure, which had extraordinary defensive capabilities;
Shikotsumyaku from the Kaguya Clan, which could harden the skull;
The Hydration Technique from the Hozuki Clan, or the Vaporization Technique from the Iburi Clan.
The Iburi Clan might live in the Land of Fire, but their Kekkei Genkai had serious defects.
Even their strongest members lived in underground caves, terrified that a gust of wind during their vaporization state might kill them instantly.
That left only...
Which one could Orochimaru transplant?
"Danzo, don't be discouraged. We'll find a way to solve this."
Hiruzen offered another round of comfort.
He knew his old friend well.
If this problem wasn't resolved, Danzo's condition would take a turn for the worse.
With the current state of the shinobi world, they couldn't afford to have the leader of the Root division sinking into despair.
"You're still here?"
Danzo lifted his gaze to Hiruzen.
If the problem wasn't solved, then what was the point of him sitting around here talking nonsense?
"I thought I'd sit with you for a while. It's been a long time since we had a good chat."
"Not necessary."
"I understand how you feel. Anyone in your position would be upset. But we've been through so much together over the years—"
Hiruzen's gaze softened as he recalled their past struggles.
"Take the door with you when you leave."
Danzo gestured to the twisted, broken door on the ground, turned his head away with a cold snort, and impatiently waved him off.
Yamanaka Shinno, who had been listening to their exchange, almost thought he was hallucinating.
Wait...
What kind of script were these two acting out?
Why did their dialogue sound exactly like a melodramatic romance novel?
Damn it!
If they were going to be like this, then fine—he'd just wish them a long and happy relationship!
Hiruzen, sensing an intense gaze, turned his head to see Tsunade standing with her arms crossed, while Shinno was staring at the wall, seemingly counting the kikaichu bugs.
"If you two have nothing better to do, go get some rest. And take the door with you on your way out."
"Ugh, whatever."
Tsunade scoffed, grabbed the battered door, and, with her absurd strength, forcefully bent it back into shape in just a few moves.
Although the metal still bore deep creases, it could probably still function as a door.
"System, quick, quick, quick! Send Danzo the gift [Bro, You Smell So Good]. The tsundere phase is over—I don't want a bad ending!"
Shinno, seeing that the Third Hokage was shutting down his entertainment, hurriedly sent his well-wishes.
Danzo had asked for the door, and Hiruzen had immediately told his student to take it.
If he didn't send a blessing now, wouldn't that be rude?
A beam of white light silently entered Danzo's body.
No one noticed a thing.
Danzo, staring at the kikaichu-covered wall, suddenly paused and began reflecting.
Had he been too harsh on Hiruzen?
Sure, he had answered their teacher's question first and stolen the Hokage seat from him, but...
Over the years, had Hiruzen ever truly wronged him?
This time, it wasn't even Hiruzen who had attacked him. Why was he taking out his frustration on his friend?
BANG!
With one final tug, Tsunade forced the slightly misshapen door back into the frame.
She dusted off her hands and walked off without another word.
Shinno followed her, but as he recalled certain infamous fan theories and that widely circulated fanart of Hiruzen and Danzo kissing, he broke out in goosebumps.
Still, even though he was shuddering, he just couldn't wipe the grin off his face.
Somehow, he felt completely at ease, his mind free and clear.
Like a caged bird finally set free.
Danzo had it coming.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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