For anyone using an experience orb for the first time, it's a magical sensation.
Like training in a dream for ages.
Upon waking, the training lingers in the mind, even etched into the body.
Now…
Neji couldn't help but raise his palm, exhaling sharply.
"Ha!"
He thrust his palm forward, fierce and commanding, a wide, powerful strike. A bang echoed as the air exploded, a faint palm-shaped compressed airwave rolling outward.
Hiashi and the others' eyes sharpened.
The Hyuga clan was renowned for its unique taijutsu.
As experts…
They instantly recognized the power of this palm technique. More astonishingly, Neji had mastered its basics.
"This is opening cans…"
Neji understood.
He turned to the remaining cans, speeding up without hesitation.
Each one—whether memory orbs or enhancement orbs—he memorized: type, quantity, use.
Even weapons were carefully sorted.
In the process of opening cans, Neji was the most meticulous, serious, and uniquely uninterested in chasing Grand Prizes among all who'd come before.
He wasn't greedy.
But valued every bit of power.
Shen Mo felt a pang of admiration.
If not for Neji's burning desire to grow stronger, Shen Mo might think he'd only spend what he deemed necessary.
Such players existed in games.
"Sir, I just absorbed a skill orb," Neji said, pausing.
"Skill orb?" Tsunade exclaimed first.
A skill orb from a Level 2 can was almost certainly a Grand Prize.
"Oh, what is it?" Shen Mo asked.
He hadn't been paying close attention, missing that Neji got a skill orb.
"Wind's Blessing," Neji said, looking at his palm.
A faint breeze swirled above it, making a soft sound.
"Bloodline Limit?" an elder said instinctively.
"It's different from a Bloodline Limit," Shen Mo clarified. "A blessing-type skill, letting you wield wind to an extent. Decent, but not very strong."
This skill boosted a Fighter's movement speed.
It qualified as a Grand Prize.
But compared to Sasuke's Heavenly Flying Immortal from a Level 2 can, it fell short.
"It's already very strong," Neji said, clenching his fist, awed. "For Hyuga taijutsu, it's a significant boost. I can even refine moves with it."
The Hyuga's Gentle Fist relied on rapid, continuous strikes.
This skill was a perfect match.
Combined with the earlier techniques and force exertion methods…
Indeed.
The Fighter Series suited his combat style perfectly.
"Gaining power from cans doesn't waste your talent. Maximizing their potential depends on you," Shen Mo said, pausing. "Also, new techniques, as novel knowledge, can be traded to me for points—and they're worth a lot."
He felt it was time to nudge these premium players toward creating new value.
Not a one-time deal.
Tsunade and Neji caught the key detail.
Worth a lot!
Encouraging new techniques?
Tsunade began pondering.
Neji filed it away, resuming his can opening.
He'd opened fewer than thirty cans.
"Getting a Grand Prize so fast? Not bad luck," Tsunade said, her tone tinged with envy.
Or rather, she felt an uneasy premonition.
Like…
When she saw Naruto open cans.
She'd opened thirty Level 3 cans with no Grand Prize.
Damn it! Was fate this cruel to her?
When Neji's next fifty-plus cans yielded no Grand Prizes, Tsunade felt a twinge of pity.
"Besides quantity, Grand Prizes matter," she said, lips pursed, voice low. "After all, our future enemies won't just be ninjas…"
"Not just ninjas?" Neji paused, looking at Tsunade.
Then, as if realizing something, he turned to Shen Mo.
"You're not my only customers," Shen Mo said, his smile carrying weight. "So, no matter when or how strong, you can't stop moving forward."
This was for both Neji and Tsunade.
His presence changed much.
But one thing remained: the need for effort and struggle.
"…"
Neji fell silent, then bowed respectfully to Shen Mo.
"No matter what, your arrival saved me. Before you, some things were impossible, no matter how hard I tried."
"True," Tsunade said, lips twitching, nodding reluctantly. "Though we're probably insignificant to you, some things… we have to thank you for."
She touched the Revival Coin in her pocket.
Perhaps that's why…
Even if Shen Mo sold cans to Konoha's enemies, causing Kakashi's injury, she couldn't resent him.
Shen Mo said nothing.
His smile unchanged.
But inwardly, his amusement grew.
Earning money while pleasing players? Perfect.
Neji continued opening cans.
"Tsunade's right," Shen Mo said, watching. "No Grand Prizes can still strengthen you, but to stand out among members, or become a senior member, Grand Prizes are key. They're your critical opportunities."
When everyone opened similar cans, trump cards mattered.
Grand Prizes were trump cards.
Clearly…
Neji realized this.
His mindset grew tense.
At the eighty-fifth can…
Finally, an equipment piece appeared.
"A Grand Prize?" Tsunade's eyes widened, shocked and stung. "Equipment from Level 2 cans is rare, likely a Grand Prize."
Damn it!
Why were these kids so lucky?