Shen Mo hadn't reacted yet when Tsunade's voice rang out.
"Two thousand!?"
Her face flushed, mouth agape, as if she wanted to say something but couldn't.
That was how much? Ten billion ryō!
In her decade-plus of gambling, she'd only lost that much.
"Lady Tsunade, this taps centuries of Hyuga wealth," Hyuga Hiashi said helplessly. "Luckily, Lord Shen Mo accepts various materials, or we couldn't gather this sum quickly."
True enough.
Money was unstable.
Ninja clans like the Hyuga hoarded treasures, weapons, and rare minerals instead.
Of course, ten billion wasn't their entire fortune.
The Hyuga owned vast assets in Konoha and industries in the Land of Fire. Their Byakugan, a renowned Bloodline Limit, made them favorites among nobles and merchants.
Hiring bodyguards, issuing missions…
Hyuga involvement always inflated mission funds.
In one word: filthy rich.
Tsunade's figure seemed to gray, first stung by Neji's luck, now by the Hyuga's wealth. Only she felt broke and luckless.
"But why so many Level 2 cans?" Tsunade rallied, zeroing in. "The same money buys fewer high-level cans with better rewards."
"Because it's not just for me—Hinata and Hanabi too," Hiashi said gravely. "Level 3 cans—buy ten without a destiny item, and you'll never get one."
As clan head, Hiashi lacked the resolve to change the status quo.
But now, he felt a spark of ambition.
He wanted to seriously ponder the Hyuga's true future.
When he found his answer…
He'd buy Level 3 cans.
Hinata and Hanabi needed time too.
The other five hundred…
Were the elders' idea, for elite clan ninja, boosting strength while pooling funds for more cans.
In short…
This ten billion was just the start.
"I see… regardless, more strength benefits Konoha," Tsunade said slowly, her expression growing serious.
Clearly, she realized…
A clan like the Hyuga approached can-buying differently from individuals.
"Which series for these two thousand Level 2 cans?" Shen Mo asked.
"Fifteen hundred Fighter Series, five hundred Medical Series," Hiashi said, decided.
"Done," Shen Mo nodded.
In the training ground, treasures poured in and vanished as cans appeared in droves.
Neji's expression soured.
He aimed to challenge the Hyuga, but his funds paled compared to the clan's.
"Sir, with all my remaining money, buy Nen Series cans!" Neji declared, going all-in. He had to keep buying.
"Done," Shen Mo said, inwardly delighted.
Finally…
This was the moment he'd orchestrated.
Mass can purchases, a flood of transaction points.
The system converted wealth to points under strict rules: voluntary trade, profits within fivefold.
Force was forbidden; limitless gouging, impossible.
Only irresistible cans…
Could rake in wealth rapidly, even endlessly, while shaping the world.
Shen Mo eyed the fervent crowd, his gaze hiding a gleam of excitement.
This was just the beginning.
"Lord Shen Mo," Hiashi said respectfully, "would you stay at our estate a few days? We'll meet all your needs."
"Of course," Shen Mo said, smiling.
He knew can-opening was better with him around—what if a Level 2 can held a destiny item?
Call it after-sales for a big deal.
"I'll stay too," Tsunade said suddenly, her eyes gleaming at the pile of cans, as if blinded.
She couldn't miss so many openings.
Shen Mo understood.
It was like watching can-opening livestreams.
Envy, jealousy, sympathy…
A mix of emotions, endlessly entertaining.
With so many cans…
Sorting, testing, and absorbing would take days.
"No need for a room," Shen Mo said.
He walked to a wall, tapped it with his staff under everyone's gaze.
A door appeared.
Opening it revealed a brightly lit room.
"What's that?" Tsunade's eyes widened. It was just a thin wall.
"My room," Shen Mo said simply. "Not in this world—think of it as between worlds' seams. I'm a merchant traveling countless realms, but I prefer my familiar home."
"Meow."
Hiju leapt from Hanabi's head to Shen Mo's shoulder, curling lazily, tail brushing his back, urging him home.
Perhaps an illusion…
But in that moment, Shen Mo seemed more human.
Even a terrifying being like him had a home he cherished?
"Can I see inside?" Tsunade blurted.
"Lady Tsunade?" Shizune gasped, startled.
"If not, forget it," Tsunade said, realizing her request was bold.
But she was curious.
As Shen Mo's terror grew clearer, the distance between them widened. Their brief friendship felt like her naive fantasy.
Was his gentle smile a mask, hiding an abyss of coldness?
Hearing he had a cozy room…
She hadn't thought twice—she just wanted to see it.