According to Shen Mo…
The qualifications for opening cans weren't overly strict.
But—
Whether one could draw destiny-altering items from the cans…
Depended on the opener's resolve to change their fate.
Thus, selecting individuals with such determination and potential was essential. Tsunade had a faint sense that Shen Mo valued such people more.
"Please wait a moment, Lady Tsunade," Hyuga Hiashi said, his expression serious.
This was no small matter.
For him, the clan's legacy outweighed personal strength.
And now…
Shen Mo, that being, was coming to the Hyuga clan.
Hiashi stood and left to prepare.
It wasn't long.
Three elderly men in matching kimonos entered, their white hair neatly groomed despite their age. These were the Hyuga clan's three elders.
"Lady Tsunade," the elders bowed and knelt to the side.
"Where are the others?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
"They've been notified. The young and prime elites of our clan will arrive soon," one elder said, bowing slightly. "But, Lady Tsunade, we wish to meet this otherworldly merchant first."
They'd heard of Shen Mo from Hiashi.
They also knew Tsunade's and the Hokage's intentions.
But such a significant matter required seeing him in person to decide.
Tsunade's gaze swept over them. Their serious expressions showed no hint of disrespect.
She nodded but emphasized, "His power far surpasses our level. Even the legendary Sage of the Six Paths might not compare. So, absolutely no rudeness or arrogance."
"Rest assured, Lady Tsunade," the three elders said solemnly in unison.
Tsunade took out her badge.
She made contact.
"Tsunade, huh?"
Shen Mo's voice came through, sounding slightly weary.
"Lord… Shen Mo," Tsunade hesitated but added the honorific. "I want to buy some cans."
"Just some? Not a few?" Shen Mo's teasing tone came through. "If it's like last time, just a few cans, I'm too lazy to come in person. I'll just teleport them to you."
A vein pulsed on Tsunade's forehead.
She sensed a hint of disdain.
"Shizune's back," she said, emphasizing.
She glanced at the elders' odd looks.
Suddenly, she felt…
Her efforts to build Shen Mo's imposing image were wasted.
"Is that so?"
Unaware of her situation, Shen Mo bought a long-distance teleport and appeared before Tsunade.
The moment he arrived—
Buzz—
The others felt their minds reel, as if facing not a person but a boundless abyss, a vast galaxy, with only his deep, bottomless black eyes dominating their world.
They lost themselves entirely.
Only Tsunade's blazing Holy Light offered some resistance.
"Hm?"
Shen Mo let out a surprised sound, quickly closing his eyes and retracting his mental energy.
When he opened them, he was back to normal.
But the three elders stood, shocked, their hair drenched in sweat.
What… was this being?
"My oversight," Shen Mo said, looking at the startled elders with a hint of helplessness. "I was practicing, and some aura leaked…"
He spoke the truth.
It wasn't intentional.
He'd just bought the technique, combined with past accumulations and transaction point boosts.
He'd broken through to a planetary-level Psychic Warrior but hadn't fully adjusted.
As expected of a cosmic xianxia power system—utterly domineering. One breakthrough transformed his entire being, not just a single ability but a comprehensive evolution.
Still, the transaction points stung.
"You… still need to practice?" Tsunade gasped, biting her lip, her gaze complex.
She'd seen Shen Mo's power many times.
But that moment was the most perilous.
Like a colossal creature lazily rolling over, crushing ordinary people beneath like the sky collapsing.
"Why wouldn't I?" Shen Mo chuckled, shaking his head. "Advancing forward is vital. Infinite worlds, infinite possibilities—there's never a true peak."
He estimated his current combat power was slightly above someone like Uchiha Madara.
Compared to the Sage of the Six Paths, he might still fall short.
Lacking combat instincts, he couldn't fight above his level. Crushing with raw power was better.
So, he needed to earn more.
With that thought, Shen Mo glanced at the clearly Hyuga clan elders.
The Hyuga, one of this world's top clans.
The elders shivered.
Any odd feelings from Shen Mo's casual demeanor vanished.
For such a being, even rolling in mud dressed as a beggar would be a whimsical act. Who'd dare underestimate him?
Tsunade took a deep breath to steady herself, her gaze complex, but couldn't resist asking a lingering question. "When I first met you… I checked your body. Why…?"
Hm?
The elders' eyes widened, then lit up with interest.
Pretending they heard nothing, they slowly knelt again.
"…"
Shen Mo hadn't expected Tsunade to ask this publicly.
But it was a minor flaw.
"Crossing worlds isn't simple," he said casually. "Each world is like a raging torrent. The safest approach is to dip a finger in first, testing, then gradually enter. What you saw initially was just my probing finger… That's still far off for you, Tsunade. Focus on earning the right to open Level 4 cans."
"Just a finger…"
Tsunade's refined face showed realization.
After a moment of silence…
Her lips curved into a charming smile, and she laughed freely. "I feel energized, like I'm a teenage girl again. No, compared to you, I'm just a little girl, aren't I?"