"Talk about opening more cans, and not a single Grand Prize," Tsunade muttered, then, as if recalling something, asked, "I remember you have an assistant, right? That winged girl from the projection. Where is she?"
From the room alone…
Shen Mo lived solo, no doubt.
"Ikaros," Shen Mo said, a natural smile forming. "She's in another world now, but you'll see her soon."
He wasn't lying—it'd be soon.
Perhaps…
In just a few days.
Ikaros, Strategic All-Purpose Angel, mechanical lifeform, codenamed Queen of the Sky, wielded nation-destroying power, capable of world-ending might. Adorably naive, highly evolvable, and exorbitantly costly.
Shen Mo had saved for so long, his progress near zero.
But today, he met the Hyuga—a filthy rich clan.
Neji's cans plus the two thousand just now…
Profits neared the target.
The Hyuga would likely buy more cans soon, pushing him over the edge.
He felt a flicker of excitement.
"I'm looking forward to it," Tsunade said, her slender eyes narrowing, thoughts unreadable.
"Also, don't call her a little girl," Shen Mo said, smirking playfully. "Tens of thousands of years ago, she was already her world's strongest being."
"Tens of thousands of years…"
Tsunade's eyes widened, nearly choking on her tea.
Tens of thousands of years ago?
In the ninja world, history stretched back mere centuries. She couldn't fathom someone existing that long ago.
Could anyone live that long?
And if so…
This man before her might be far older than she'd ever imagined.
"…No wonder," Tsunade said, voice dry. "We can't even imagine what you are."
"So, strive to become a senior member," Shen Mo said, repeating his mantra.
As a player, grinding and spending never failed.
Tsunade fell silent, slowly recovering from the shock.
"Compared to you, I feel like an infant," she said, standing, rallying herself. "I'll help them open some cans to test my luck. If it's good, I'll buy more from you."
Shen Mo stayed seated, watching her leave.
He knew…
Tsunade was likely back to her initial ease around him.
That was fine.
Shen Mo grabbed a dried fish from Hiju's plate. Tasty, chewy.
But as he reached for another, Hiju snatched her snacks and darted off.
Stingy cat.
…
Over the next few days, the Hyuga estate buzzed with strangeness.
The clan head, elders, and his family holed up in the training ground.
No one else was allowed near.
Konoha's Tsunade suddenly moved in for a few days.
Also, Hyuga Neji had moved out. Whatever deal he struck with Hiashi, they agreed to hide his branch family status and the removal of his Caged Bird seal.
Then…
Foreign ninja began trickling into the village.
Indeed.
The Chūnin Exams were approaching.
That day, Shen Mo sat atop a Konoha building, sipping iced cola, his vantage point overlooking every corner of the village.
Ninja leapt across rooftops now and then.
With the Chūnin Exams, Anbu security was at its peak, and even civilians were barred from freely approaching outsiders.
"So many scenes the anime skipped," Shen Mo mused, intrigued.
The anime was a mere snapshot of this world.
It seemed like only a few ninja existed.
But in reality…
Konoha's ninja numbered in thousands, with hundreds of genin. Only elites with insufficient mission counts but proven strength took the Chūnin Exams. Most chūnin advanced through sheer mission volume.
This time…
Only a dozen or so from Konoha were participating.
Other villages sent similar numbers.
Less an exam…
More a probe into each village's young talent.
But now…
"Konoha's trio is a bit too strong," Shen Mo said, glancing in several directions.
Naruto, Sasuke, Neji.
All had opened cans.
Their strength was extraordinary.
"Hm?" Shen Mo's gaze sharpened.
Near Naruto, he spotted an unexpected figure.
—Haku.
Yes, Haku.
Why was he in Konoha?
Curiosity piqued, Shen Mo's form flickered, appearing near Naruto.
Naruto's group—plus Kakashi—walked the streets with Haku.
Naruto's head hung low, his expression utterly dejected.
"Naruto, enough already," Sakura snapped, grabbing his collar. "So what if Haku's a boy? That's got you this down?"
"But Haku's cuter than you, Sakura!" Naruto clutched his head, pointing at Haku. "And he's wearing girl clothes!"
"Enough! That's male clothing!" Sakura, fed up, punched Naruto's stomach, perhaps irked that Haku outshone her.
Haku wore a white kimono.
Definitely male attire.
But on him, it looked almost like female clothing—no mistake there.
"You guys…" Haku watched their antics, lips pursed, offering a faint smile. "Always like this?"
"Naruto's just an idiot," Sasuke said, staring Haku down. "But I'm watching you!"
As if he'd strike the moment he found an opening.
"Ahem," Kakashi coughed. "Sasuke, Haku's a wandering ninja hired by Konoha, invited by the Hokage. Your mission is to look after his daily needs, not to 'watch' him."
Though it was totally about watching.
Kakashi recalled the Hokage's words.
"With the Fourth Mizukage dead, Zabuza's ambitions are impossible. Since Haku's a can-opener and not evil, we can't let him be used by people like Gato, falling into ruin…"