Tsunade extended her hand, holy light rapidly gathering at her fingertips.
It formed a spear.
Pure energy, yet solid, radiating inviolable sanctity.
"No hand signs needed…"
The elders' breathing quickened.
Hyuga Hiashi had explained the significance of skills.
Equivalent to ninjutsu, usable instantly upon acquisition.
No hand signs, immense power!
The elders exchanged glances, smiling wryly.
Now they understood.
Why Tsunade valued this so highly, and why the Hokage demanded their funds.
If money and resources could grant such power, the Hyuga clan was on a tightrope. Once word spread, all of Konoha's ninjas would eye them, and the Hokage's wariness was only natural.
"Keep going," Tsunade said, oblivious to the elders' expressions, fully immersed in the thrilling tension of opening cans.
Ten cans, only one skill.
Not even a piece of equipment.
This was frustrating, quickening her pace unconsciously.
One can opened, straight to the next, as if the next held something great.
But bad luck persisted.
It wasn't until the seventeenth can that she finally got equipment.
A shimmering… pair of pants?
Pure white, soft material, adorned with intricate silver patterns, exuding holy aura, with angel-wing-like designs at the hem.
Yet, undeniably pants.
The elders, wiser now, stayed silent.
Tsunade held the pants, her face slightly flushed.
"Don't underestimate them," Shen Mo said, his deep gaze on her. "Paladins face the world's darkest enemies and must be armed to the teeth—clothing, accessories, even belts, all specially crafted. These are the Pants of Divine Authority."
"I didn't say they're bad…" Tsunade muttered, holding them up curiously. "What do they do?"
"The Divine Authority set embodies a Paladin's majesty, exuding an oppressive presence," Shen Mo explained simply.
It was mental interference.
Inducing instinctive awe.
Infused with Holy Light, it could unleash Divine Authority's Glow, potentially knocking out those with evil intent and weak will.
"Oppressive presence…"
Tsunade seemed thoughtful but wasn't bold enough to change pants in public. She carefully stored them.
She continued opening.
Only a dozen cans left.
Her tension grew, but at the nineteenth…
She froze.
Inside, a small coin floated, emitting soft light.
Shen Mo was genuinely surprised.
A revival coin…
A low-value Primary Revival Coin, not a Grand Prize, but with so many item types, its odds were less than one in seventy.
For Tsunade, though…
Its significance was immense.
She stood stunned.
Reaching cautiously, as if to take the coin, she stopped, covering her mouth.
Her eyes reddened.
"Lady Tsunade?" Shizune looked worried.
Hiashi and the others were bewildered, unsure what to say.
Tears fell from Tsunade's eyes, one by one.
Since learning revival was possible…
She'd fantasized countless times about reviving Nawaki.
But now, with the revival coin before her, her emotions overwhelmed her.
"Congratulations," Shen Mo said softly. "You can revive your brother."
Everyone, including Shizune, snapped their heads toward him, shocked.
Shizune, absent during Rin's revival, didn't know the coin's power.
Hiashi and the elders were stunned by the word "revival."
This can's item, this coin…
Could bring back the dead?
Tsunade's state confirmed it—only revival could shake her so, given why she'd left Konoha for years.
"That's wonderful… Lady Tsunade, you can revive Young Master Nawaki!" Shizune exclaimed.
She hugged Tsunade from behind, her face alight with excitement, joy, and deep empathy.
She knew…
Tsunade's pain over the years.
Such a formidable woman, trapped in despair and anguish, her tough exterior masking a soft, lost heart, pained Shizune deeply.
Now…
A turning point had come.
"Shizune…" Tsunade fought back tears, gripping Shizune's hand, staring at the coin, murmuring, "Not yet… not yet…"
She desperately wanted to see Nawaki.
So desperately.
But now wasn't the time.
Konoha faced internal and external threats, with war looming. If Nawaki returned, he wouldn't stay safe at home.
Soft light began emanating from Tsunade's body.
Everyone felt its holy aura.
Her tears stopped, her gaze firming.
"Everyone," she turned to Hiashi and the elders, "I will build a prosperous, beautiful, powerful Konoha, free from all threats! Only such a Konoha can protect those we cherish. Will you help me?"
Direct, resolute, commanding.
Her intent was clear.
The elders exchanged glances, cautiously eyeing Tsunade and Shen Mo.
Finally…
They nodded.
"Since Konoha's founding, the Hyuga have shared its fate," one elder said slowly. "Konoha's prosperity ensures our legacy. If Lady Tsunade has this will and resolve, the Hyuga will fully support you."
They'd reached a preliminary agreement during Tsunade's last visit.
Now, it was solidified.
"Good!"
Tsunade nodded solemnly, carefully storing the coin.
Only Shen Mo saw her heart.
He knew the immense willpower it took to resist reviving Nawaki immediately.
That willpower…
Transformed into her resolve to change Konoha.