Tsunade's originally serious and stern expression completely collapsed when she heard Kei's words. Due to the unique nature of ninjutsu, learning the Hydrification Technique was no less difficult than developing a bloodline limit!
How difficult was it to develop a bloodline limit?
Among the Five Great Ninja Villages, each had inherited techniques from predecessors that allowed the development of bloodline limits.
The Magnet Release of Suna, the Storm Release of Kumo, the Lava Release of Iwa, and the Boil Release of Kiri...
But how many people in the entire shinobi world could actually master them?
Did Danzō have that kind of talent? If he did, would he be lying here?
Tsunade ultimately couldn't suppress the smile at the corner of her mouth. She raised her hand and patted Kei on the shoulder.
"Nice idea, but don't think about it next time. Secret techniques that are closely tied to bloodline limits are extremely difficult to train for those who do not possess a bloodline limit. Danzō is no longer young—he doesn't have the time or energy to study these things."
Hiruzen tactfully gave Danzō a way out.
Ninjas might appear glamorous, but in reality, it was not an easy profession. Constant chakra use and frequent injuries drained the body's potential, leaving hidden wounds.
Most ninjas experienced a sharp decline in physical condition once they passed the age of forty. Their abilities and overall state began to deteriorate.
Considering Danzō's current age... A technique of this difficulty? Best not to make things hard for him.
Danzō's already dark expression grew even darker upon hearing Hiruzen's words.
What did he mean by "he's no longer young"?
What did he mean by "he doesn't have the time or energy to study this"?
Hiruzen was basically saying outright that he couldn't learn it!
Danzō let out a cold snort, too lazy to argue with Hiruzen about such things—lest he become a laughingstock in front of the younger generation.
Meanwhile, he quietly began to ponder Kei's words. In truth, he had long suspected that whoever targeted him might not be a ninja at all. Otherwise, he wouldn't have sought out the power of the Fire Temple or the priestess. Yet, neither the Konoha archives, nor the treasured texts left by the Sarutobi and Shimura clans, contained any information matching his symptoms.
If he kept searching , he would likely run out of opportunities.
But Kei's second suggestion gave him an idea.
It wasn't necessary to solve the root cause of the attack on his head—what if he simply became immune to such attacks?
Normally, mastering secret techniques that required a bloodline limit was incredibly difficult. But what if he possessed a bloodline limit?
Experiments with Wood Release had mostly failed because the First Hokage's cells were simply too strong. They would reject and devour the host's own cells, causing them to turn into trees and die.
But other bloodline limits didn't have such risks!
Besides, half a month ago, when Orochimaru requested research funding, hadn't he mentioned a major breakthrough in bloodline limit studies?
He could already transplant certain bloodline limits!
If Danzō could obtain the power of a bloodline limit, would he still have to worry about failing to master those defensive techniques? And once he mastered those techniques...
Even if his head got attacked again—so what?
Danzō's eyes flickered.
Among the bloodline limits that could provide immunity or resistance to physical attacks, four came to mind:
The Magnet Release, which had extraordinary defensive capabilities. The Kaguya clan's Shikotsumyaku, which could harden the skull. The Hōzuki clan's Hydrification Technique, which allowed them to turn into water.
The Iburi clan's bloodline limit, despite originating in the Land of Fire, had severe flaws that made it unsuitable. Even their strongest members were forced to live in underground caves, fearing that a mere gust of wind could prove fatal when they transformed into mist.
So that left... Which one could Orochimaru transplant?
"Don't be discouraged. There's always a solution." Hiruzen once again tried to comfort him.
He understood his old friend well. If this problem wasn't solved, Danzō's mental state would take a serious hit.
And with the current state of the shinobi world, things weren't looking good—Konoha couldn't afford to have the leader of the Root sink into further despair.
Danzō lifted his gaze to Hiruzen. The problem hadn't been solved, so what was the point of staying here and spouting nonsense?
"I'm just sitting here with you for a while. It's been a long time since we've had a proper conversation."
"I understand you. Anyone would be affected by something . But after all these years, haven't we weathered countless storms together…?" Hiruzen seemed to recall the hardships of the past, and his gaze softened considerably.
"Close the door on your way out."
Danzō pointed at the twisted and deformed door on the ground, turned his head away with a cold snort, and impatiently urged him again.
Kei listened to the exchange between the two and thought he must have misheard.
What kind of script did those two usually follow?
Why did these lines sound just like those from that old drama "The Gentle CEO and His Tsundere Wife"?
If those two kept acting , he might just wish them a long and happy life together!
Hiruzen, sensing an intense gaze from the side, turned his head to see Tsunade standing with her arms crossed and Kei tilting his head up, counting the kikaichū bugs crawling on the wall.
"If you two have nothing else to do, go back and rest. And, uh, close the door on your way out."
"Tch~" Tsunade scoffed disdainfully.
She picked up the hospital room door, which had been nearly reduced to scrap metal. With her absurdly inhuman strength, she bent it back into its original shape within seconds.
Though the metal still bore twisted creases, it should at least be usable for now.
System! Quick, quick, quick! Gift [Why Are You Gae?] to Shimura Danzō! Tsunderes are out of style—I refuse to see a Bad Ending!
Kei, seeing that the old man wouldn't let them stay and watch the drama unfold, hurriedly sent his well-wishes. A white light flashed and quickly sank into Danzō's body.
Danzō stared at the kikaichū-covered wall, dazed for a moment, before suddenly falling into deep thought.
Had he… been too harsh on Hiruzen?
Even though that guy had answered Tobirama's question first, causing him to miss his chance at becoming Hokage, over the years, he had never truly wronged him. This attack on him wasn't Hiruzen's doing—so why take his anger out on an old friend?
The slightly deformed door was yanked into place by Tsunade, forcefully wedging it back into the frame. She casually dusted off her hands and walked away without a second glance.
Kei followed behind her, thinking about the future events that might unfold—particularly that one infamous image that had circulated online of "Hiruzen x Danzō kissing."
Goosebumps covered his skin. Yet, despite the shivers, he couldn't suppress the grin forming at the corners of his mouth.
Walking felt lighter, his mind clearer—his entire body relaxed!
If he didn't completely mess with Danzō, it would be an insult to his own capabilities.
Letting Danzō get Dio-ed twice—so what?