They didn't return to the Hokage's office but, at Kizaru's suggestion, went to the Shimura clan's main residence.
In a private room where Danzo and Kizaru usually talked, Kizaru and Sakumo detailed the events from morning till noon.
After listening to their account, Hiruzen and Danzo didn't speak immediately. Instead, they calmly analyzed everything Kizaru had recounted.
The new approach to developing Hashirama's cells, the possible reactions from the Uchiha afterward, and the matter of Kizaru apprenticing Fugaku's son in the future.
So much had happened in less than half a day; the possible chain reactions it could cause were even more complex.
"Kizaru, what do you think about the Uchiha?" After pondering for a moment, Hiruzen prepared to ask his disciple, who always came up with new ideas.
Facing his teacher's question, Kizaru smiled and replied, "Regardless of whether the Uchiha have ambitions, their value cannot be denied. As ninja, they will become sharp blades."
"Too sharp a blade can harm both the wielder and the victim," Hiruzen calmly remarked.
"It depends on the skill of the wielder, Sensei!" Kizaru replied with a grin, seeming to answer and ask at the same time.
"Uchiha, huh?" Emitting a sigh about this long-standing worry, Hiruzen murmured, "This blade is not easy to handle! Kizaru!"
"Oh, that's quite a coincidence, isn't it? I happen to be quite skilled in swordsmanship!" After saying this, Kizaru looked at Sakumo, who was silent beside him, "Right, Big Brother Sakumo?"
"Kizaru's swordsmanship is impressive!" Sakumo nodded in approval.
Looking at Sakumo and then back at Kizaru, Hiruzen realized that his disciple had already grasped the sharp ninja blade in his hands.
"Impressive indeed! Kizaru!"
Hiruzen sighed in admiration in his heart and then looked to Danzo on his left.
Facing Hiruzen's gaze, Danzo squinted his eyes, smiled slightly, and remained silent.
"Gah! This old blade not only rusted but also has a double mind!"
Feeling frustrated, Hiruzen withdrew his gaze and looked back at Kizaru, saying, "Is there really hope for the successful integration of Hashirama's cells and the Uchiha's power?"
"Sensei, your questions are getting more and more difficult! Perhaps you should ask my senior, Orochimaru, about scientific research!"
"You proposed this research direction."
"I'm just reverse engineering from Uchiha Madara's success."
Nodding, Hiruzen understood that his previous question had indeed put Kizaru in a difficult position.
"Kizaru, from now on, I'll leave this blade to you. Let me see your swordsmanship!" Considering the village's future, Hiruzen, while still at the peak of his life and capable of backing him up, was prepared to give Kizaru one final test and polish.
Looking at his most satisfied disciple, the future successor, Hiruzen's eyes were filled with great hope and expectation.
Kizaru, who possesses the strengths of both the First and Second Hokages, will surely be able to tame that demonic sword!
For Kizaru, Hiruzen's heart was always filled with confidence!
"Although I don't know if research on Hashirama's cells will be successful," Kizaru paused for a moment after saying this.
After seeing the expectant gazes of Hiruzen and Danzo, Kizaru continued speaking.
"But, I see enormous commercial value in Hashirama's cells."
"Commercial value?" Hiruzen asked curiously.
"If Orochimaru can successfully and harmlessly transplant Hashirama's cells into Sakumo's wife," Kizaru explained, "that means Hashirama's cells can be used for ordinary people and can directly enhance human vitality."
"Sensei, in this world, the majority are not ninja but ordinary people."
"The wealthiest are not ninja but daimyos, nobles, and merchants."
If Hashirama's cells could be transplanted into them harmlessly, enhancing their bodies, curing their illnesses.
How much profit and connections could we harvest from it?"
"But that's the power of the First Hokage. If it were to be leaked..." Hiruzen worriedly said.
"It's already diluted and weakened to the point where ordinary people can use it. Such Hashirama's cells, even if obtained by other ninja villages, what use would they have?"
"Moreover, as long as we are the only ones who control the transplantation technology of Hashirama's cells, even if other ninja villages restore the original version of Hashirama's cells, it would just be like obtaining a tempting poison."
"Kizaru, what you said makes sense." Involving immense benefits and enhancing the village, Danzo, who had been silent, couldn't help but speak.
"Experiments can proceed, but external commercialization requires careful consideration and evaluation." With risks and benefits coexisting, Hiruzen couldn't make a decision in the short term and could only postpone it for now.
"It's too early for commercialization. What we need to do now is to support Orochimaru and ensure the success of the experiment."
Seeing the reactions of his teacher and his own uncle, Kizaru knew that both of them were tempted by the grand plans he had drawn up.
"The village will fully support the funding for this experiment." Indeed, as Kizaru had anticipated, Hiruzen made a promise that he was deeply tempted.
"No need, the village only needs to provide 30% of the funding for this experiment." Kizaru, with other arrangements in mind, retorted.
"30%? Why?" Not only Hiruzen who asked the question, but Danzo also looked at Kizaru puzzledly.
"Do you remember the research project I mentioned before?" Kizaru guided the conversation.
"Are you suggesting that the ninja clans in the village should also invest in this experiment?" Hearing this, Hiruzen roughly understood Kizaru's idea.
His disciple Kizaru was planning to unite the ninja clans in the village with certain strength behind the huge benefits behind Hashirama's cells, while also using the opportunity to promote the research project.
Having understood this, Hiruzen looked at Kizaru with even greater admiration.
A once-sealed Hashirama's cells would now be played with in Kizaru's hands.
If Kizaru's proposal goes smoothly, it will not only bring a large amount of financial income and the accumulation of connections to the village but also make the ninja clans in the village more united due to common interests.
At the same time, as the planner of the project, Kizaru could also gain the favor and support of major ninja clans.
Thinking of this, Hiruzen became more confident in Kizaru's ability to subdue the Uchiha!
His disciple might become the most outstanding Hokage since the establishment of the village!
Under his leadership in the future, Konoha will also embark on unprecedented prosperity and strength!
Looking at Kizaru in front of him, Hiruzen seemed to see the prosperous era of Konoha in the future!
There will be successors! There will be successors!