Naruto: The Sage Body of Konoha

"Heiyan, do you know Hanzo?" Tsunade suddenly asked, staring intently at Heiyan.

"I suppose we've met once," Heiyan replied with a slight smile, recalling the memory.

"Just one meeting? That man personally approached the Third Hokage about you and even invited you to visit Ame Village," Tsunade said doubtfully, her face clearly showing disbelief.

"Maybe he's just after my body."

Heiyan joked, "After all, I'm a famous bounty criminal—my corpse is worth 150 million ryo."

"Now that you mention it, I'm actually tempted to sell you at the Golden Exchange."

Tsunade rubbed her chin thoughtfully, her eyes glinting with greedy interest.

"Great! If I'm about to die, I'll leave my corpse to you—make sure you get top dollar for it," Heiyan teased casually.

"What nonsense are you talking? That day will never come!" Tsunade rolled her eyes and punched Heiyan's arm.

After chatting for a while, Tsunade asked how Heiyan's training was coming along. He told her about his plan to train in the Land of Lightning.

"Be careful," Tsunade said without trying to stop him, showing her concern.

"I know," Heiyan nodded seriously.

They departed Shikkotsu Forest shortly afterward—Tsunade using Reverse Summoning to return directly to Konoha, while Katsuyu helped transport Heiyan out of Shikkotsu Forest to a nearby sea.

Night fell, the evening breeze blowing gently as stars scattered across the sky.

Below the Hokage Rock in Konoha,

Tsunade stood alone, letting the night breeze caress her face and hair. She looked up silently at the giant statue of Hashirama Senju carved into the mountainside.

During these past months, she had been desperately training and seeking every possible way to grow stronger—everything she did was for the day when she could finally avenge Nawaki. But gradually, Tsunade began to see her own limits.

After a pause, she murmured toward the statue with resentment:

"You were such a cheapskate, Grandpa. Didn't even pass on [Sage Transformation] or [Wood Release] to me. Just taught me how to gamble and drink instead."

"Never mind, it's not your fault. Guess it's just me being useless..."

"Oh right, remember I told you about Heiyan before? He has the same physiological constitution as you and has even learned [Sage Art] from Shikkotsu Forest. He's really similar to you."

"Of course, I mean personality-wise. As for looks, Heiyan's way better-looking than you… cough cough."

Standing there, Tsunade kept talking to the statue, pouring out her heart. Her words were soon carried away by the evening breeze and disappeared into the quiet darkness.

At the same time,

in a secret underground laboratory behind Konoha's mountains, located within Root's territory,

there were rows upon rows of iron cages filled with captured ninjas and civilians taken from outside the village. Their fate was clear—to serve as test subjects for human experimentation.

Escape was impossible. They were already dead, twisted into grotesque forms. Green saplings and vines sprouted from their bodies, turning them into horrifying "tree men."

In the depths of the laboratory.

"I've finally done it..."

Orochimaru murmured, his long pale hands clutching a test tube. Inside it, a fresh green bud pulsed with life.

He'd practically been living in darkness for the past six months. After countless efforts, extensive research, and even crossing ethical boundaries through human experimentation, Orochimaru had finally obtained what he sought.

He had successfully cultivated transplantable Hashirama cells.

The more Orochimaru studied these cells from the First Hokage, the more fascinated he became. The unbelievable vitality within those cells revealed to him the possibility of achieving eternal life in humans.

"Orochimaru, you've worked hard."

At this moment, a deep voice came from beside him. Danzo, leader of Root, approached slowly while leaning on a cane, emerging from the shadows.

Indeed, Orochimaru currently looked disheveled, his snake-like pupils dimmed, dark circles and bags clearly visible beneath his eyes—the image of a man consumed by his work.

"Orochimaru, I told you long ago that only within Root can your hidden research talent flourish fully! That stubborn fool Hiruzen Sarutobi doesn't understand the significance of the First's cells at all."

Danzo moved closer, showering Orochimaru with praise while simultaneously criticizing Hiruzen Sarutobi.

However, in response to Danzo's flattery, Orochimaru didn't even lift his head. His gaze remained fixed on the test tube in his hand without wavering.

Seeing this, Danzo frowned slightly, beginning to feel impatient. Just as he was about to urge Orochimaru to hand over the Hashirama cells, a chill ran down his spine—as if someone were standing right behind him.

Black Zetsu had arrived.

"Oh my, seems like I came at just the right time."

When Black Zetsu spotted the green bud inside the test tube, his eyes lit up.

Over the past six months, with Danzo's Root providing funding, manpower, and effort, and himself serving as the technical supervisor, their collaboration had indeed produced results according to plan—the successful cultivation of transplantable Hashirama cells.

Zetsu's sudden arrival sent a shockwave through both Danzo and Orochimaru. Each bore a mark left behind by Madara Uchiha, making them bow their heads respectfully before Zetsu, awaiting orders.

"Master, may I ask how the First's cells will be distributed?"

Danzo finally couldn't help but ask, making no attempt to conceal his intense desire for the First's cells.

"Since you're so eager, let Orochimaru proceed then—you'll be the first to receive them."

Looking at Danzo, Black Zetsu spoke with an ambiguous half-smile.

In his view, Danzo and Orochimaru were merely lab rats. Only after both had undergone the transplant and it was proven absolutely safe would he consider moving forward with Fugaku Uchiha, thus enhancing the latter's Mangekyō Sharingan power.

"Thank you, Master!"

Upon hearing this, Danzo's face lit up with excitement; his usual calculating demeanor completely vanished at that moment.

After all, these were the cells of Hashirama Senju—the First Hokage!

For Danzo, who had personally witnessed the might of the First Hokage, memories of such immense strength ran extremely deep.

"From now on, I have an important mission to assign to you two."

Black Zetsu glanced at the pair coldly and commanded, determined to make full use of these two tools.

Half a year ago at the Golden Exchange in the Land of Water, he had been forced to use the otsutsuki Teleportation to barely escape from Heiyan's grasp. Worse still, Heiyan had previously used Sage Art in a brutal strike that sliced off a portion of his head. The hatred burning within Black Zetsu toward Heiyan had now become absolute—there could be no reconciliation.

Heiyan must die.

And behind Heiyan, the entire Uzumaki clan must also be wiped out. For this clan possessed sealing techniques—one of the few forces in the ninja world capable of truly threatening Black Zetsu.

He had not forgotten how his beloved mother—Kaguya otsutsuki—had been ambushed using the sealing technique "Six Paths — Chibaku Tensei" by her own ungrateful sons. Without that betrayal, there was no way she could have been defeated.

Thus, Black Zetsu resolved to manipulate events behind the scenes, sparking a war across Uzu Country to eliminate the Uzumaki clan entirely—and above all… Uzumaki Heiyan.

So that all future threats could be eradicated in one decisive move.

In Black Zetsu's plan, over ten thousand ninja from various major and minor villages—the Mist, Cloud, Hot Spring, Kumogakure, and others—would serve as the main force.

The mole within Konoha had already been chosen: Danzo and Orochimaru.

Even Madara Uchiha would inevitably be drawn in too—for the Uzumaki were Konoha's most vital allies, and Madara had spent decades seeking every opportunity to undermine the village.

Thinking of it, Black Zetsu couldn't help but eagerly anticipate the sight: Uzugakure reduced to ruins, Heiyan helpless to resist as he was cornered and slain by countless experts.

Konoha Year 31, spring. All things came back to life, teeming with fresh vitality.

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