—"You're too weak."
Those three words left Sasuke speechless.
"Can a sword cut water?" Naruto asked, still confused.
"Normal strikes are useless against elementalization," Shen Mo said, his longsword floating before him. "But every being has another innate power—willpower."
Buzz—
The slender sword trembled.
Suddenly…
An intangible aura surged, forcing everyone back a step, their skin prickling as if cut by a blade.
Sakura even thought her face was bleeding, but it was still smooth.
"Momentum, killing intent, fighting spirit…" Shen Mo paused, scanning them, then continued, "If you can harness these invisible forces, you can turn willpower into a weapon."
As he spoke…
The sword's aura compressed.
It was an indescribable sensation—something unseen, yet everyone felt something on that sword.
For Sasuke, it was profound.
Until finally…
In their perception, the sword gained a dark sheen, its sharpness no longer leaking.
—Haki.
From the One Piece world, the power of manifested willpower.
"Words can hurt; willpower can transmit," Shen Mo said, moving the sword closer, addressing Haku. "If this sword struck you, you'd die—elementalization or not."
"…I can feel it," Haku said, touching his arm.
Everyone saw goosebumps rise on his newly formed hand.
Even when his arm was severed, he felt no pain.
But now…
The sword's mere proximity stung his skin.
"I get it!" Naruto clapped, as if enlightened. "So, if your momentum's strong enough, you can scare someone to death!"
"(ー_ー)!!"
Shen Mo felt his demonstration was wasted.
"No way!" Sakura's forehead veins bulged.
"Idiot," Sasuke said, staring at the sword. "Will alone isn't enough. The key is controlling it… For me, it's sword intent. I've felt that power… Damn it!"
His last words were a whisper.
Sword intent!
Training to reach it felt so far off.
Except for Heavenly Flying Immortal, which carried sword intent…
His normal attacks couldn't.
He needed sword intent fast… More cans?
"I know, that's what I meant, right, Can Uncle?" Naruto said, acting like he'd meant it all along.
"You'll understand when you reach that level," Shen Mo said with a casual smile.
He sheathed the sword.
The Mirror Dimension around them dissolved silently.
"Envying others' luck solves nothing. Work hard to earn money or develop new techniques. That's how you open more cans and seize fate's chances. Keep at it," Shen Mo said, giving Naruto, Sasuke, and the others a gentle smile before vanishing.
They exchanged glances.
Their eyes held complex emotions.
"It's like… every time that lord appears, it feels like a dream," Sakura said, swallowing, still reeling.
"Exactly," Haku nodded, deeply affected.
In mere minutes, he'd ceased to be human.
Yet Shen Mo came and went so suddenly.
"Did you notice…" Naruto said uncertainly, "Uncle seemed in a really good mood today."
"Now that you mention it…" Sakura mused.
It did seem true.
He was always smiling, but usually intimidating. Today felt different, encouraging.
…
Shen Mo was in a great mood.
He'd finally earned enough for Ikaros.
"Though my strength now rivals hers, an assistant is essential," Shen Mo muttered in his small room. "Strong, obedient, and most importantly, highly adaptable and quick to learn…"
He was like an entrepreneur.
His earnings split two ways: personal use and expanding his "business."
With more can-buyers, his workload grew. Naruto pestered him daily, and the Hyuga, opening cans and finding unfamiliar items, kept consulting him. It'd only get worse.
Ikaros, a mechanical lifeform, could store vast knowledge, integrate new functions easily, and had great growth potential.
Most crucially, she didn't need sleep.
"Ikaros it is, the Chamber's first official employee," Shen Mo decided.
No hires yet.
So, he'd buy her.
"Meow!" Hiju swiped her paw, seeming annoyed.
"You don't count. You're just a cute mascot," Shen Mo said to the greedy cat.
Then, he opened the system and purchased.
Instantly…
A figure appeared in the room.
Pink hair, exquisite features, a tight, revealing armored outfit accentuating perfect curves. A weaker-willed person might need tissues for a nosebleed.
Most striking…
Pink wings extended from her bare back.
She slowly opened her eyes.
Her blue eyes, like fine art veiled in mist, hid a breathtaking allure, adding an unreal, dreamlike beauty.
"As expected…" Shen Mo murmured, gazing at Ikaros. "Anime and reality are worlds apart."
Ikaros's unfocused eyes seemed to lock onto Shen Mo.
Her lips parted slightly.
With a faint mist of breath, her melodious yet flat voice spoke.
"Master recognition ritual, commencing…"
A chain from her collar extended, binding Shen Mo's hand.
Then it faded.
Not gone, just hidden—the chain, a contract's manifestation.
"I am the Entertainment All-Purpose Artificial Angel, Alpha Model 'Ikaros.'"
With her self-introduction, Ikaros's demeanor grew livelier. Her gaze held timid anticipation as she spoke her final words.
"I will fulfill all your commands, Master."