Shen Mo looked at Kabuto, making such a request.
He understood.
It worked.
Though Kabuto had talent, he'd been lost most of the time. Even inheriting Orochimaru's power and will, starting a war was a misguided path, not his true desire.
In such a state…
Even buying cans would lead to moderation, not relentless pursuit, as power held no meaning for him.
But finding a true purpose changed everything.
"You want to teach it the meaning of survival?" Shen Mo's gaze seemed profound. "Yet you don't even know why you live."
"I'll find it…" Kabuto lowered his eyes, but the struggling bird caught his attention again.
Shen Mo said nothing more.
A faint glow appeared on the bird.
Kabuto's face lit up.
He knew Shen Mo had granted his request.
"Thank you for your mercy." He bowed deeply, respectfully.
Shen Mo remained silent.
As if it were a trivial, unworthy act of charity.
In truth, he was quite pleased.
Even with mental powers, guiding hearts wasn't guaranteed.
He'd only tried.
Kabuto, tactfully, didn't linger on the bird, saying, "Sir, I'd like to buy two hundred Level 1 cans and four hundred ninety Level 2 cans."
"Very clever," Shen Mo said with a smile. "Sharp intuition. But right now, you may not draw a destiny-altering item—you haven't settled on the destiny you want to pursue."
Buying four hundred ninety…
Avoided hasty decisions and missed chances.
And now…
Kabuto indeed hadn't defined his desired destiny, but this bird might be a turning point.
Shen Mo waved his staff.
Six hundred ninety cans appeared.
Simultaneously, corresponding funds materialized from the void and vanished.
Kabuto no longer fixated on such miracles. Having seen life created, he knew he faced a godlike being.
Trying to grasp a deity's actions and power with mortal logic was asking for trouble.
Open the cans!
Recalling Orochimaru's openings, Kabuto felt an itch, curious about his own luck.
"Sir, can I start with Level 2 cans?" Kabuto asked.
"No issue," Shen Mo said casually.
He watched Kabuto with interest.
The Alchemy Series' prize pool was fascinating.
He'd included many items.
Like…
"Sir, what's this?" Kabuto stared at a can of liquid.
Glossy black, like dense metal.
"…" Shen Mo's heart twitched, but he kept his expression neutral. "Good luck. This is a rare tech product, T-1000 Liquid Metal Robot."
Yes, he'd added tech items to the pool.
As he spoke…
The liquid writhed, expanding into a human-shaped black figure before them.
A Grand Prize.
Just the third can, and a Grand Prize from Level 2?
Impressive luck.
"Liquid Metal Robot," Kabuto repeated softly.
"It mimics human thought but lacks emotion and can shapeshift into any human form," Shen Mo explained briefly. "Explore its functions yourself, but its value is a Grand Prize in Level 2 cans."
The T-1000 crushed ordinary humans.
Its resilience was exceptional.
But this was the ninja world.
Its usefulness depended on the user's skill.
"Shapeshifting and thinking…" Kabuto's eyes gleamed. It seemed useful for his situation.
He continued opening.
The Alchemy Series' cans, aside from a few intricately crafted items, mainly offered knowledge.
Theoretical knowledge.
Covering the essence of all things—from common water and sand to complex substances.
All-encompassing.
And these weren't just for alchemists.
"Chakra and jutsu seem to activate some transmutation techniques," Kabuto said, opening his eyes after absorbing a light orb.
He'd realized it.
Shen Mo smiled inwardly.
Alchemy wasn't tied to a specific power.
It used knowledge for material transformation.
Science could be called alchemy.
Isn't chemistry material transformation?
The magical displays…
Were just energy and will swiftly driving transmutation, something chakra could partially achieve.
"Alchemy's essence is applying knowledge," Shen Mo said slowly. "It's universal wisdom, like Strength or Agility Series. Of course, succeeding in class-change or gaining skills makes it stronger."
"Skills, like this orb?" Kabuto paused.
Before him, a light orb, different in color and size, floated slowly.
"Indeed, a skill orb…" Shen Mo barely maintained his composure.
What was this?
Eighty-some cans and two Grand Prizes?
He resisted checking the can's item list.
Keep some mystery.
Kabuto absorbed the skill.
Skill: Puppet Transmutation
Description: Any understood material can be transmuted into a puppet. Strength depends on understanding and transmutation cost.
A highly practical skill.
Greater understanding lowered costs. Even with poor understanding, high chakra costs could yield decent puppets.
It felt like…
Kabuto and Orochimaru were building an army.
Kabuto was very satisfied.
He kept opening.
Some people, when their luck explodes, it's unreal.
The next four hundred twenty-plus cans weren't as wild as the first hundred with two Grand Prizes, but still yielded two more!
Skill: Mighty Adhesive
Turn an area's ground into highly sticky material.
Equipment: Barrier Ring
Contains a transmutation array for a one-use high-defense barrier.
Kabuto's five hundred Level 2 cans produced two permanent skills, one powerful one-use item, and a Liquid Metal Robot—four Grand Prizes!
Shen Mo suddenly regretted.
He should've had Orochimaru wait before entering the coffin, to feel Kabuto's explosive luck as a jab.