Shen Mo knew Sasuke's desire for cans was likely the strongest among all his clients.
First, his obsession.
His entire clan, including his parents, slaughtered in one night—by his beloved brother, no less. A weaker mind might've snapped. That he endured owed much to this hatred.
Second, his youth.
The younger you are, the more emotional your judgment.
Easily fixated.
Perhaps… a little guidance?
"Sasuke," Shen Mo said softly, looking at the boy. "I must warn you: the value of items in cans varies."
"I know," Sasuke said, his voice calming from excitement. "Take the Food Series cans. Those recipes help chefs far more than some rare ingredients."
"Not bad."
Shen Mo nodded slightly. Sasuke showed some analytical skill.
He continued: "But the strength you seek is far more complex than a chef's path. There are too many methods and routes to choose from. Have you thought about what kind of strength?"
Sasuke froze.
He'd only thought of strength, not its direction.
"Seems not," Shen Mo said, starting to walk, gesturing to talk on the move. "I've sold many cans, but for clients chasing strength, some spend fortunes, exhausting themselves, yet fall short of those who spend less. Why?"
"…" Sasuke pondered briefly, answering, "Talent?"
Can items boost strength, but under equal items, talent matters, right?
Like that man.
Despite Sasuke's burning hatred, he had to admit that man's talent was terrifying.
Once, he'd idolized him.
"Here, talent can be gained too," Shen Mo said, shaking his head lightly, then giving the answer: "It's luck."
Opening cans hinges on luck.
Only tycoons can rival Euro-lords.
Sasuke looked puzzled.
He thought opening enough cans would guarantee strength.
"You think those recipes outshine rare ingredients for chefs," Shen Mo said, using Teuchi's example, smiling mysteriously. "But in Food Series cans, there's a rare ability called 'God Tongue.' It lets you spot the tiniest flaws in food. With it, even without effort, you'd outpace most chefs by miles."
That's what you call a cheat.
God Tongue, naturally, isn't cheap.
But Shen Mo said it outright.
To spark Sasuke's hope in luck.
Before opening…
Everyone dreams of becoming a noble. Even peasants, in moments of self-mocking hope, long for a chance to slip into the world of riches and nobility.
Sasuke's growth was fast.
To keep him from "clearing the game" too soon and losing interest in cans, Shen Mo had to nurture and hint.
Or rather… tempt!
"Such a miraculous ability, just like that?" Sasuke said, incredulous.
Watching Teuchi open Food Series cans, he'd valued the experience orbs, strength-boosting fruits, and powerful skill books.
"Heh," Shen Mo chuckled. "My cans hold things beyond your imagination."
He stopped walking.
He reached out, lightly tapping Sasuke's forehead.
In an instant…
Sasuke's expression went blank.
His mind flooded with terrifying visions.
He saw someone wielding a rainbow lotus, shattering continents, flames scorching the sky—called Different Flame.
He saw someone piloting a colossal puppet, a drill piercing the heavens—called Mecha!
He saw wondrous Devil Fruits, a sword immortal cleaving the earth, Stands with countless uncanny powers…
These were real, existing powers, alien to this world!
Sasuke's body trembled uncontrollably.
His face lit with wild excitement and yearning.
With such infinite possibilities…
What was that man, who thought himself mighty?
Sasuke could hardly wait to see his brother—that powerful, cruel man—stunned and shocked when faced with these unimaginable powers!
It was too perfect.
Just picturing it brought a midnight giggle of glee.
Sasuke, abruptly thrust into a new world's door, felt his long-despairing, shadowed heart stir with hope for the future!
"Now you see what my cans truly are," Shen Mo said, looking at him meaningfully, arms spread. "Endless worlds, endless powers, endless possibilities. If your luck's good enough, even tonight, you could gain destiny-changing power."
"I can't hold back!"
Sasuke clutched his forehead, his crazed smile unstoppable.
Still just a middle-school-aged kid.
His mind was already imagining…
What power he'd gain tonight.
Pity.
Shen Mo looked at him, amused.
Poor kid, probably never realizing can outcomes had little to do with luck.
Because—
He, the official, secretly controlled the odds.
"Well then," Shen Mo said, his face beaming with sincerity, "here's to your good luck."
"I'll definitely pull powerful strength!" Sasuke said, inexplicably confident, quickening his pace to lead.
Shen Mo stifled a laugh, scooping Haimaru—dozing and slipping from his shoulder—into his arms, following Sasuke. Passing the alley where he'd tossed the Anbu, he glanced over.
Empty.
Gone?
His earlier methods were harsh but caused no lasting harm beyond mental fear. His goal achieved, no need to waste more money.
He just wondered…
What would the aging Third Hokage do?
And Danzo, dubbed Konoha's Pot King.
Shen Mo glanced at the System in his mind, the Trade Point counter, his expression calm and unruffled.
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