[Name: Shimura Danzo]
[Chakra: 146000]
[Skills: Wind Attribute Chakra Nature Changes (Mastery: 6100/15000), Wind Release: Vacuum Wave (Mastery: 2900/15000)... Wood Release (Proficiency: 1200/3000)]
[Potential: SS- (Basic Talent + Six Paths Bloodline)]
Looking at the appraisal data, Mokgetsu displayed a thoughtful expression.
Shimura Danzo's profile has been enhanced almost universally.
Chakra, skills, and potential—all these values have increased. The chakra did not need much discussion; such an increase in the tens of thousands was clearly not a result of normal cultivation.
At the same time, Shimura Danzo was one of the few ninjas appraised by Mokgetsu whose potential value changed.
The sudden surge in chakra, the appearance of Wood Release among the skills, and the increased potential immediately made Mokgetsu think of Hashirama Cells.
Shimura Danzo's profile improvements perfectly matched the effects of Hashirama Cells.
The chakra increase was due to having a Sage Body, and Wood Release was also an essential ability of Hashirama Cells.
"At this stage, Danzo shouldn't have the means to transplant Hashirama Cells, and such an extent of enhancement doesn't seem like a normal Hashirama Cells transplant." Mokgetsu closed the panel and used Flying Thunder God to return home in the main city.
Previously, he specifically had a Shadow Clone go to retrieve White Zetsu, just in case Shimura Danzo obtained White Zetsu's body, thereby allowing Shimura Danzo and Orochimaru to master Hashirama Cells technology prematurely.
Unexpectedly, Shimura Danzo somehow managed to transplant Hashirama Cells during his time away from Konoha.
In the current ninja world, there are only two ways Danzo could have transplanted Hashirama Cells.
One is collaborating with Orochimaru; the two have been consistently working on Hashirama Cells experiments.
The other is with Uchiha Madara and Black Zetsu.
In the original story, Orochimaru and Shimura Danzo's research on Hashirama Cells was not in-depth during this period; the transplantation surgery was almost lethal, with Yamato being the only surviving test subject.
Due to Mokgetsu's intervention as a transmigrator, the storyline has changed significantly, so Mokgetsu couldn't be one hundred percent sure whether Shimura Danzo and Orochimaru's research progress on Hashirama Cells remained the same as the original.
However, after careful consideration, Mokgetsu ruled out the first option, believing that Uchiha Madara and Black Zetsu were causing trouble.
Even if Orochimaru had made significant breakthroughs in Hashirama Cells research despite numerous obstacles, Shimura Danzo's cautious nature wouldn't allow him to use it on himself right away.
Moreover, Shimura Danzo's enhancements were too significant, and the effects were seen shortly after transplantation, not resembling a regular Hashirama Cells transplant.
With one of the only two options eliminated, the remaining one is undoubtedly the truth.
"Is it you, Uchiha Madara, Black Zetsu," Mokgetsu lightly tapped the desk, muttering silently in his heart.
Uchiha Madara and Black Zetsu are the parties with the deepest research on Hashirama Cells in the current ninja world. If it was their handiwork, all issues could be explained.
Mokgetsu could easily imagine Uchiha Madara and Black Zetsu's motives.
If Shimura Danzo killed Sosuke, then there would be no need for additional efforts to eliminate Sosuke in the future, and manipulating Nagato would be easier.
If Shimura Danzo failed and was killed by Sosuke instead, the result would shake Konoha, prompting ninjas villages with interests in Konoha to take advantage.
If Shimura Danzo and Sosuke perished together, it would be a double victory for Uchiha Madara and their group.
"Perhaps they also want to drag me down,"
Uchiha Madara and their group haven't seen through Mokgetsu's disguise, while Shimura Danzo is Mokgetsu's secret superior.
Thinking this way, Mokgetsu realized that, for Uchiha Madara, Shimura Danzo was indeed a useful pawn, valuable whether alive or dead.
"Let's see what Danzo is planning," Mokgetsu decided to hold back and observe the situation first.
He is not afraid of conspiracies against him, as he currently has many means and is not afraid of being targeted.
The more Uchiha Madara does in the shadows, the more it proves Uchiha Madara's weakness.
If Uchiha Madara still had fight left, he should confront Mokgetsu directly; after all, Uchiha Madara is not suited to be a schemer.
Mokgetsu worries about his disciples, as Obito and the others are currently in a stage that's above average. They can't fight the strong, but they can overpower regular Jonin.
That level of strength is insufficient to overcome Uchiha Madara and Black Zetsu's conspiracies.
...
"Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"
In an isolated, deserted area outside Konoha, Shimura Danzo quickly formed hand seals, condensing a large amount of chakra and converting it into Wood Release Chakra.
A dozen seedlings rapidly burst out and grew quickly into large trees with lush foliage adequate to provide shade.
"It really isn't that easy, huh." Shimura Danzo showed a dissatisfied expression.
Clearly, it was a failure; the Deep Forest Emergence executed by Senju Hashirama could instantly create a forest with thousands of trees.
This, let alone thousands, didn't even reach twenty trees.
However, Shimura Danzo was not discouraged, as even Senju Hashirama wasn't born as the God of Ninjas; he went through cultivation to become powerful and finally became the strongest.
He had only recently gained Wood Release, so a tiny failure counts as nothing.
Instead of continuing to practice, Shimura Danzo took out the Wood Release Secret Technique Scroll left by Senju Hashirama and began studying it.
This is one of the reasons he returned to Konoha; Konoha holds extensive information on Wood Release, and during this month of preparation, he can use this data to cultivate and strengthen his power.
Although it's just a month, Shimura Danzo isn't a ninjutsu novice; a month is enough for him to grasp a significant amount of Wood Release techniques.