Shen Mo knew the situation.
After Zabuza's death, Haku had been scraping by, taking black market missions—troublesome and slow.
Then…
Hiruzen Sarutobi sent someone to find him, offering funds and a Konoha commission.
The task: join the fight against the Akatsuki.
For Konoha, this bolstered their forces while keeping Haku, a can-opener, under watch. It was a win-win, even allowing them to monitor Zabuza's status—whether he'd be revived.
Worthy of a Hokage.
For Haku, money was tight.
Coming to Konoha was risky, but refusing might mean Konoha's pursuit. Then, let alone Level 4 cans, he might not even gather enough to revive Zabuza.
So, he came to Konoha.
Shen Mo pondered.
His form appeared silently before them.
The street's passersby didn't notice.
"Hey, the can-selling uncle!" Naruto shouted, pointing.
Kakashi, Sasuke, and Haku tensed instinctively.
"I was in Konoha, saw you, and dropped by," Shen Mo said, smiling, his gaze on Haku. "You've saved quite a bit in such a short time."
"Yes," Haku said respectfully. "Some from Zabuza-sama's old subordinates, some as a deposit from the Hokage."
Totaling about seven million points.
Enough for two Level 4 cans.
"You have five Level 4 can slots, but if you can't gather enough by the deadline, buy what you can," Shen Mo said.
That was why he appeared.
With twenty million in reserve, he needed just four million more for Ikaros.
Haku had exactly that.
"Can I buy them one at a time?" Haku's eyes lit up.
Level 4 cans were exorbitantly priced.
Five Level 4 cans equaled five hundred Level 2 cans.
Buying one by one could boost his strength first.
"Correct," Shen Mo said. "Your money should cover two cans now."
"Yes!" Haku nodded firmly. "Sir, I'd like to buy two Level 4 cans."
With the Akatsuki war looming, Haku wanted to maximize his strength.
"Level 4 cans…" Sasuke clenched his fists.
What could they hold? He wanted to buy some too.
Last time, he nearly died, only saved by hearing Itachi's name in a haze, fueled by hatred. But it showed his strength wasn't enough—he needed more cans.
"Then—" Shen Mo's voice rang out.
From his feet, crack-crack sounds emerged as space fractured like glass.
Passersby…
Walked through the cracks, oblivious.
Mirror Dimension.
Not their first time seeing it, but the disorienting spatial distortion always chilled them.
"Have you decided on a series?" Shen Mo asked kindly.
"Yes! I want the Equipment Series again," Haku said, voice tense.
Continuing with Equipment Series meant Zabuza could use the items upon revival.
Haku's loyalty was unwavering.
Shen Mo nodded.
With a wave, two half-meter-tall cans appeared.
Level 4 cans!
"So big!" Naruto, who'd never seen Level 3 cans, gasped.
"Size only indicates level, not contents," Shen Mo said, chuckling, gesturing to Haku. "Don't be too nervous. At Level 4, the worst is a Blue Rare item—a senior member's gift, a chance from fate."
The cans' contents weren't his doing.
Precisely…
He'd listed ten items, and two were randomly chosen.
What would Haku get?
Haku stared at the cans, tension unrelieved by Shen Mo's words.
These were cans Zabuza delayed revival for!
One equaled a hundred Level 2 cans.
If he didn't get something powerful, how could he face Zabuza?
But no matter the nerves, he had to open them.
Haku's trembling hand reached out.
The others watched tensely, wondering what mighty items a Level 4 can held.
Only Shen Mo's focus was elsewhere—on Haku's arm, where a blue Kämpfer Bracelet gleamed.
He'd worn it after all…
"Hoo—" Haku took a deep breath and opened the first can.
Humm—!
A dragon-like roar and a soul-stirring melody rang out as a blue mist dragon flew from the can, circling it.
"What's that?" Naruto's eyes widened.
"Congratulations," Shen Mo said, smiling. "You got a Blue Rare item. For a Level 3 can, that'd be a Grand Prize. Tsunade's opened tons of Level 3s and never got one."
Level 4 cans guaranteed items worth at least six hundred thousand points.
Blue Rare, at minimum.
For Level 4s…
Only Purple Epic items were Grand Prizes.
"What's inside?" Sasuke cared more about the power.
Haku reached past the blue mist, pulling out the item.
A dazzling, exaggerated dagger.
Twisted like lightning.
Shimmering with rainbow hues.
"This…" Shen Mo was surprised.
"Sir, what is it?" Haku held the dagger cautiously, feeling no power boost or anything special.
"Rule Breaker: Replica," Shen Mo explained. "It's a replica of an ultimate weapon. Though shaped like a dagger, it's not for combat but for breaking magical contracts."
Indeed.
This dagger was a replica of Caster Medea's Noble Phantasm from Fate.
Full power, but with limited uses.
"Breaking contracts?" Haku didn't quite understand.