In truth, Orochimaru's current power was still slightly inferior to Tsunade's.
In a normal state, he would never have done something so foolish.
But now, Orochimaru was lost in mental chaos.
In short, he'd lost his wits.
This was something Shen Mo hadn't anticipated.
He'd misjudged Orochimaru's near-death mental state and the Necromancy Series cans' light orbs, which lured and corroded the darker aspects of the human heart.
Like growing numb to death after seeing too many corpses, or losing morals after committing too many wrongs.
However…
If one could break free from sinking into darkness, the benefits would be immense.
Orochimaru was still struggling.
With a pained expression and deep unwillingness, he fought desperately, despite no hope of breaking free, despite blood seeping from his body, never giving up.
"Orochimaru."
Shen Mo watched, restraining his arms spread wide and binding his legs.
As if tied to an invisible cross.
"To become a merchant traversing myriad worlds, one quality is crucial—" Shen Mo's voice rang clear in Orochimaru's ears, then he heavily intoned four words, "Fear the Infinite!"
Those words thundered in Orochimaru's soul like lightning.
His pupils trembled.
A moment of clarity returned.
"Infinite worlds mean infinite possibilities," Shen Mo said, hands behind his back. "The evil god you deem unmatched might be a mere toy to some beings. If you cannot maintain fear of the infinite, your fate ends here. Ultimately, why do you pursue immortality?"
That final question pierced Orochimaru's heart.
His soul quaked.
He was always a man driven by purpose.
Pursuing immortality…
Was to chase knowledge and power unattainable in a single lifetime.
That was his true goal!
"I…"
Orochimaru let out a pained cry, his mental sea roiling violently.
White warmth, black despair, gray neutrality.
All facets of his character shook, clashing and intertwining.
Shen Mo showed a faint, imperceptible smile.
He withdrew his power.
Then flung Orochimaru away.
Orochimaru curled into a ball, his expression ferocious, torn by his craving for the evil god's power, his pursuit of immortality, and past emotions surging within.
"A mere evil god…" Orochimaru gritted his teeth, nearly roaring, "How could it seize my will!"
His pursuit was not this kind of fate!
His left hand gripped the armband on his right, as if summoning all his strength.
His soul roared.
Then, tearing off a chunk of skin, he ripped the armband away!
In that instant…
Disordered whispers seemed to emanate from the armband.
Orochimaru's strength drained completely.
The armband fell, its red glow fading. Orochimaru collapsed, gasping for breath but lacking the strength to breathe.
Mordiggian's Armband.
It drained the user's life to the last sliver.
Breaking the pact…
Was akin to embracing death.
Orochimaru felt his life slipping away, his soul floating, as if detaching from his body.
Yet…
He had no regrets.
"Those who gain power from death… a single misstep, and death catches up," Orochimaru thought, his final regret lingering.
All tangible things perish eventually, whether as mighty as the First Hokage or as frail as a battlefield civilian.
He'd resolved to master death but was prepared to be overtaken by it.
Orochimaru closed his eyes.
But…
After ten seconds, he still lived.
He opened his eyes.
Before him was Shen Mo, still wearing that smile.
"You… saved me?"
Orochimaru found he could speak, even sit up with difficulty.
Only this mysterious merchant…
Could grant such a miracle.
"I didn't save you," Shen Mo said, smiling. "Your cans aren't finished."
Orochimaru glanced at the hundreds of Level 2 cans remaining.
Then looked back at Shen Mo.
"Fine, I saved you," Shen Mo admitted, squinting slightly. "You still have potential. Otherwise, the moment you attacked me, you'd have been reduced to ash."
Orochimaru's corpse-like face broke into a genuine smile. "Is this also a merchant's quality?"
"No," Shen Mo shook his head, speaking meaningfully. "It's just my preference. I don't mind giving a push to those with potential, but if you hadn't broken free, death would still be your only fate."
He didn't hide his personal intervention.
If controlled well, it was fine.
From his perspective, letting a value-creating person like Orochimaru die was a loss.
"I never thought I'd still be someone expected to grow," Orochimaru murmured, his smile widening. "Meeting a merchant like you… perhaps fate hasn't entirely abandoned me."
Shen Mo raised an eyebrow.
He could clearly sense a change in Orochimaru.
Sinking into darkness and emerging was a rare, life-altering growth for someone choosing power from darkness.
This Orochimaru…
Might walk a path entirely different from the original.
Shen Mo felt a spark of anticipation but didn't show it.
He only said calmly, "Keep opening cans. Your fate lies within them."
"Kabuto," Orochimaru called, weakly extending a hand. "Help me."
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru."
Kabuto, covered in dust, hurried over, glancing nervously at Shen Mo before supporting the frail Orochimaru.
They continued opening cans.
Much like before.
Necromantic materials, knowledge, and legacies.
But now…
Shen Mo observed Orochimaru's soul. Though still weak, it was growing steadier.
The black mist that surged in…
Dissolved into gray within moments.
It seemed…
Even opening Necromancy Series cans or switching to its class, Orochimaru would no longer truly succumb to evil and darkness.
A blessing in disguise.
"No matter how others view it," Shen Mo said softly, looking at the cans, "true necromancy researchers see themselves as brave and exceptional. They wield the darkest powers… yet remain unmastered by darkness."