Tsunade extended her hand, and a small, concentrated burst of Holy Light rapidly gathered and twisted, transforming into the distinct shape of a spear. The energy was pure, solidified, and carried an undeniable aura of sacred, inviolable majesty.
"No hand seals required..." The breathing of the Hyūga elders became audibly rapid.
Hiashi had already translated the skill's utility: it was an instant-cast Ninjutsu, devastatingly powerful, with no preparation time.
The elders exchanged glances, their earlier reluctance melting into grim realization. They had now witnessed the transformative power of the Jars firsthand.
If power could be acquired so quickly through wealth and resources, their Hyūga Clan was essentially sitting on a powder keg. If word spread, the entire Konoha ninja force would view them with suspicion, and the Hokage's demand for centralized resource control was a natural, preemptive response.
"Continue," Tsunade instructed, completely absorbed.
She hadn't registered the elders' internal turmoil. The first ten Jars had yielded only one skill and zero equipment, a truly depressing ratio that fueled her gambler's impulse.
She started opening the remaining Jars faster, one right after the other, driven by the anxious hope that the next one would finally yield a prize.
But as the old saying goes, bad luck tends to stick around.
It wasn't until the seventeenth Jar that a piece of equipment finally materialized. It was a shimmering, soft material item... a pair of pants.
They were pristine white, adorned with intricate silver patterns, radiating a soft, sacred glow. The hems were delicately embroidered with designs resembling angel wings.
Despite the divine craftsmanship, they were undeniably trousers.
This time, the elders remained completely silent, having learned their lesson.
Tsunade held the pants, a faint blush on her face.
"Do not dismiss this item," Shen Mo interjected, his voice carrying weight as his deep gaze focused on Tsunade. "A Paladin often confronts the darkest entities in existence. They must be clad in full armor; every article of clothing, every accessory, every belt, requires specialized crafting. What you hold is the Pants of Divine Authority."
"I wasn't implying they were bad..." Tsunade muttered defensively, holding the garment up. "What is their actual function?"
"The Divine Authority set embodies the majesty of a Paladin," Shen Mo explained simply. "Wearing them bestows a natural sense of overwhelming presence. It is, fundamentally, a form of mental interference."
By channeling Holy Light into them, she could unleash the Light of Divine Authority, an effect powerful enough to cause involuntary awe and even lead those with weak wills or deeply corrupt hearts to faint.
"A sense of oppression..."
Tsunade considered the implications but wisely chose not to model them in public. She carefully stored the pants.
She had only a dozen Jars left. Her nerves were tightly wound.
As Tsunade opened the nineteenth Jar, her hand suddenly froze.
Inside, a small, unassuming coin, emitting a soft, gentle light, floated quietly.
Shen Mo was genuinely surprised.
A Resurrection Coin.
The coin itself was not classified as a Grand Prize due to its basic utility, and its general drop rate was low. But for Tsunade, its significance was absolute.
Tsunade was motionless, staring. She cautiously reached out, intending to retrieve the coin, but at the last moment, she pulled her hand back and covered her mouth.
Tears began to stream down her face, unchecked.
Since learning that resurrection was possible, she had fantasized countless times about the day she could bring Nawaki back. Now that the means lay physically before her, the sudden reality shattered her carefully constructed composure.
"Tsunade-sama?" Shizune rushed to her side, filled with worry.
The Hyūga, including Hiashi, watched in stunned silence.
"Congratulations," Shen Mo said softly, his voice cutting through the tension. "You now possess the power to resurrect your younger brother."
The people present, including Shizune, gasped and looked up at the merchant in shock.
The item in that Jar—that single, simple coin—could return the dead to life?
Knowing Tsunade's past, they understood why she had lost control. Her decade of self-imposed exile had been driven by the agony of that loss.
"This is truly wonderful... Lady Tsunade can finally bring Young Master Nawaki back!" Shizune cried, embracing Tsunade from behind, her face contorted with overwhelming relief and profound sympathy for her mistress's years of pain.
"Shizune..." Tsunade gripped her hand, her gaze locked on the coin. She whispered hoarsely, "Not yet, not yet..."
She wanted him back desperately. She ached to see Nawaki again.
But not now.
Konoha was surrounded by enemies, both internal and external, and the village stood on the brink of war. If Nawaki were resurrected now, his youthful ambition would inevitably pull him back into the conflict, risking immediate, unnecessary death.
A soft, sacred light began to emanate from Tsunade's body, a physical manifestation of her inner turmoil and resolve.
Her tears stopped. Her gaze hardened.
"Everyone," she turned to face Hiashi and the elders, her voice no longer tearful, but firm and dominant. "I intend to build a Konoha that is thriving, secure, strong, and perpetually safe! Only a village like that can truly protect the people we cherish. Are you willing to stand with me and help achieve this goal?"
It was a direct, forceful declaration.
The elders glanced at one another, then cautiously measured the determination in Tsunade's eyes and the imposing presence of Shen Mo.
Finally, they nodded as one.
"The Hyūga Clan has been linked to Konoha's prosperity since its founding," the most senior elder stated slowly. "Only through a strong, flourishing village can the Hyūga lineage endure across generations. Given Lady Tsunade's will and commitment, our clan will offer our complete support."
The agreement, which had been tentatively drafted after Tsunade's previous visit, was now cemented with the weight of conviction.
"Excellent!"
Tsunade nodded solemnly. With immense effort, she carefully secured the Resurrection Coin.
Only Shen Mo, through his spiritual sight, truly understood the colossal force of will she had expended to suppress the most fundamental, human impulse. That desperate willpower was now entirely transformed, channeled into the singular, unwavering determination to reshape Konoha.