After finishing the Level 2 cans, Kabuto moved on to the Level 1 cans.
This time, it was more normal.
From two hundred Level 1 cans, he drew only one Grand Prize.
A rare alchemical material.
Usable as a cost for transmutation.
"The power of the cans is truly remarkable."
Kabuto, even after the last can, felt unsatisfied.
Everyone who opened cans shared this feeling.
As if the self before and after opening were entirely different.
"Not a bad result," Shen Mo praised without hesitation. "Five Grand Prizes from fewer than seven hundred cans—a better ratio than Orochimaru's."
"I didn't expect this," Kabuto said, excitement lingering on his face. "With my will, to achieve such results."
From the information Shen Mo shared…
The cans' destiny was tied to one's deepest desires.
"Perhaps you haven't realized your true desire," Shen Mo said with a meaningful smile, adding, "But the Chamber views destiny as inherently uncertain. Unknown destinies are noble. Regardless, at this moment, you're favored by fate."
Kabuto's excitement gradually calmed.
Favored by fate?
His mind flashed to Nonō Yakushi's face and voice.
The only one who ever cherished him was the orphanage director.
"It seems the transaction is complete."
Shen Mo petted Hiju on his shoulder, who yawned lazily.
For her, selling cans was boring.
Yet she always stayed dutifully on Shen Mo's shoulder, never wandering.
"If you don't know your desired destiny, you won't draw a destiny-altering item. I need time to search," Kabuto said respectfully, his heart filled with awe for this being.
Not just due to the vast gap in status.
But because this being offered precious opportunities to those toyed by fate.
"Speaking like that shows you're consciously seeking," Shen Mo said softly. "Some are driven by vengeance, some crave love and bonds, some wish to mend regrets… The human heart is the most wondrous thing under destiny."
With his final words, his form faded like an illusion.
Kabuto stood long, gazing where Shen Mo vanished.
Reflecting on his last words.
After a while…
Looking at the Liquid Metal Robot, an idea struck.
"Can you truly become anyone?"
"Requires on-site scanning," the robot replied mechanically.
"Scanning?" Kabuto used Transformation Jutsu to take someone's form.
As expected, after writhing, an identical figure appeared.
Kabuto smiled.
This would ease short-term worries.
He hoisted Orochimaru's coffin, planning to bury it somewhere distant and hidden, checking periodically.
…
Shen Mo returned to his room.
"Meow, meow!"
Hiju leapt off, circling the table, meowing incessantly, impatient.
"I know you're hungry," Shen Mo said with a chuckle.
After enhancing her bloodline, Hiju's appetite had surged, a total glutton.
But her strength was steadily rising.
Shen Mo wondered if he should choose a bloodline or cultivation method for himself.
As his clients grew stronger, to keep intimidating them, his realm and strength needed to rise too.
He opened the system interface.
He had 65 million transaction points.
Twenty million were reserved for emergencies.
The remaining 45 million came from recent earnings from Hiruzen Sarutobi, Orochimaru, and Kabuto.
For enhancement…
Shen Mo recalled today—without spending points to boost telekinesis, he might not have blocked Orochimaru's punch unscathed. Telekinesis needed strengthening.
And he had to save points.
Over time, Shen Mo had deepened his understanding of the system's goods.
In terms of cost-effectiveness…
Custom services were less efficient than existing items, which were less efficient than self-cultivation.
Yes.
Buying cultivation methods, aptitude, and resources, then spending time practicing—or directly enhancing cultivation realms—saved significant points.
Shen Mo decided to buy the Psychic Warrior aptitude and techniques from Swallowed Star.
Telekinesis was versatile, and cultivating it to planetary or cosmic levels was straightforward.
With the explosive worldviews of xianxia settings…
As long as the system was robust, ceilings weren't a concern.
Enhanced telekinesis…
Would also boost skills relying on mental power, like time pause and telepathy.
"Hiju," Shen Mo said, grinning as he grabbed her, "we'll squeeze in daily cultivation. You need to save me money, got it? Or we'll never afford Ikaros."
"Meow!" Hiju squirmed, protesting.
"Or your snacks get cut in half!"
"Meow…" Hiju wilted, no longer resisting.
…
While Shen Mo planned his enhancement path…
Tsunade returned to Konoha.
Her dark expression showed her foul mood.
Orochimaru had escaped!
She hadn't expected him to have such fearless, loyal subordinates. Those four, clearly outmatched, fought to their last breath.
How vast was his influence? Could he survive? What was he planning? Could he use Edo Tensei on her grandfathers again, or others?
These thoughts sank Tsunade's mood further.
But…
The Holy Light within her offered steady warmth, calming her.
"No matter the situation, I must face it," Tsunade thought, sighing as villagers greeted her, then clenched her fists. "I really want to punch something… Damn it, I need to tell sensei."
Thinking of her teacher…
She felt a pang of frustration.
But with external threats looming, she couldn't withhold this from the Hokage.
Just then…
A ninja appeared before her, respectfully saying, "Lady Tsunade, Lord Hokage requests you visit the Hokage's office."
"Oh?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
After their tense morning parting, he was summoning her again.
But she was headed there anyway.