The legacy of the Ninja Sect is a secret that can create top-tier warriors, and the Rinnegan is the eyes of the legendary Creation Sage. Either one can greatly enhance Danzo's strength.
Danzo saw hope of surpassing Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Since childhood, whether in strength or status, he had always lost to Sarutobi Hiruzen. He would not give up any hope of surpassing him.
"I want all of the Rinnegan. As compensation, I can give you the Wood Release."
As he spoke, the masked man gathered Chakra, and a small tree swiftly grew in Danzo's office.
"Wood Release!" Danzo could no longer manage his expressions, looking at the masked man in shock.
The legacy of the Ninja Sect and the Rinnegan may be great, but currently, they were just unattainable dreams for him—visible but untouchable.
Yet now, the masked man had practically demonstrated Wood Release before him.
"Just who is he? Why does he possess Wood Release? Could it be another experiment with Hashirama Cells, and it succeeded?" Danzo's mind raced.
Although Danzo also had a Wood Release ninja at his disposal, having someone under his control compared to mastering it himself were two very different matters.
Moreover, if the masked man had truly cracked the Hashirama Cells completely, wouldn't it mean he had the ability to mass-produce Wood Release ninjas? Just the thought of rows of giant wood warriors appearing on the battlefield made Danzo terrified.
At this moment, Danzo suddenly felt that the masked man could indeed be Uchiha Madara, the man who discovered a method for extending life.
Because if the masked man was Uchiha Madara, then everything he exhibited made sense.
The ability to disregard Konoha's Great Barrier, easily infiltrate the Root Base, his potentially hidden superpower.
"Fine, but I have a request. Before you help me master Wood Release, should we get the Rinnegan, I must hold one of the eyes, and once I have Wood Release, I'll return the Rinnegan to you," Danzo replied after some thought.
Danzo did not want to give up the Rinnegan, but compared to the unknown benefits of the Rinnegan, the powerful Wood Release was surely more practical.
Of course, the main reason is that Danzo is the passive party in this transaction.
He doesn't know the true identity of the masked man, nor the forces he commands; meanwhile, the masked man can silently infiltrate his office.
If given the chance, Danzo would still attempt to achieve an outcome where he could have it all.
After all, this is the legendary Sage Eye. Just from seeing the masked man's obsession with the Rinnegan, it's apparent the potential that comes with the Rinnegan is extraordinary.
If the Rinnegan wasn't powerful enough, would the masked man kindly offer him Wood Release as compensation?
"How do we collaborate?" Danzo suppressed the chaotic thoughts within him and asked.
Right now, the most important thing is to cooperate to capture Sosuke and Nagato; otherwise, everything is meaningless.
"What you need to do now is to augment your power in the Land of Rain as much as possible, using Konoha's forces to strike the Ninja Sect if necessary. When it comes time for you to act, you will be informed," the masked man replied.
Danzo frowned, realizing this made him akin to the masked man's subordinate.
However, when considering the rewards he could gain from this, his rising emotions were suppressed again. As long as he could obtain Wood Release, the Rinnegan, and the Ninja Sect legacy, everything was worthwhile.
"One last question." Before leaving, the masked man asked curiously.
"I may not respond," Danzo said indifferently, not truly viewing himself as the masked man's subordinate.
"What does it feel like needing to relieve oneself?"
Danzo's eyelids twitched fiercely, feeling the masked man was deliberately trying to insult him, and he said nothing with a darkened face.
He was prepared for the masked man to ask for secret information on Konoha, and yet this was all?
Seeing Danzo refusing to answer, the masked man showed a disappointed expression, opened the door, and silently descended underground.
"Is it a deliberate attempt to disrupt my judgment? Who in the world is it…" Perceiving the sudden disappearance of the masked man's aura, Danzo's expression turned somber.
Even if they are cooperative partners, the ability of the masked man to come and go in the Root Base without his consent made Danzo extremely wary.
Being able to appear at the Root Base with such ease means the masked man could appear at his home.
Should the masked man infiltrate during his sleep, wouldn't he be in danger?
Danzo furrowed his brow, unable to guess the masked man's identity.
"However, even if you are truly Uchiha Madara, you are merely a weakened, old Madara, not the Madara who could injure the First Hokage." After realizing this, Danzo's brows relaxed.
If the masked man were Uchiha Madara and at his full strength, he wouldn't need to cooperate with Danzo; he could directly strike the Ninja Sect, eliminating Nagato and Sosuke together.
Since the masked man desires cooperation, it proves he cannot handle the Ninja Sect alone and requires Danzo's power. Otherwise, the masked man could enjoy the Rinnegan and Ninja Sect legacy independently.
"Should I ask Orochimaru for help?" Danzo thought of his collaborator.
He immediately shook his head, realizing that more allies mean the reward would be divided further. He certainly didn't want another competitor vying for the Rinnegan.
If Orochimaru were also promised Wood Release, it would be even more disadvantageous for him.
Currently, he collaborates with Orochimaru because he himself isn't strong enough, his forces aren't large enough.
If he were powerful enough, he could easily abandon Orochimaru.
The following day, in the morning.
After dealing with Root affairs, Danzo headed straight to the Hokage Building's Hokage Office.
The Ninja Sect legacy, Rinnegan, Wood Release were all tempting, but the tangible benefits of his subordinates' mastery of Observation were too close at hand for Danzo to abandon.
The wooden door was first forcefully pushed open, followed by the Anbu outside vaguely hearing a fierce discussion.
After the discussion voice subsided, a loud closing of the door concluded, and Danzo emerged from the Hokage Office.