In Shimura Danzo's mind, Uchiha Itachi, who slaughtered his clan for Konoha's sake, was no ally.
Let alone the Akatsuki.
Pitting wolves against tigers was Danzo's specialty.
He'd already eliminated plenty of powerful figures.
…
Shen Mo remained oblivious to Konoha's reactions, but even if he knew, it wouldn't matter.
He had only two goals.
Ensure his strength and display his strength.
Only then could he claim "harmony breeds wealth."
Right now, Shen Mo's top concern was—how much money did Sasuke have?
Following Sasuke to the Uchiha clan's grounds, the area was eerily silent, deserted. Weeds on the ground, dilapidated houses, and dark stains on wooden walls silently narrated the Uchiha clan's tragedy.
Looking at Sasuke's frail silhouette…
Shen Mo felt a pang of empathy, absent when watching the anime.
Expecting him to face it all with Naruto's sunny optimism was asking too much.
"This way."
Sasuke cleared cobwebs from the house's entrance, pushing the door open. Clearly, he hadn't returned here in a long time.
How the wealth stayed un stolen was a mystery.
But Shen Mo soon learned.
A hidden chamber.
Not accessed from the house, but from the courtyard, through a special seal concealing a passage plunging dozens of meters underground.
Shen Mo even spotted some weapons.
This must've been one of the Uchiha clan's secret stashes for their planned rebellion against Konoha.
Quite the surprise.
He'd assumed Konoha would've looted everything clean.
"Here, it's all here," Sasuke said, turning to display it all, asking eagerly, "How much is it worth?"
Shen Mo's gaze swept over it.
Two chests of precious metals and jewels, hard currency. A pile of ninjutsu scrolls. Two chests of weapons. And some cash.
Total—12 million Trade Points!
Worthy of the Uchiha clan. Even these remnants neared the entire wealth of a town's richest family!
"About 200 million," Shen Mo told Sasuke, converting to currency.
Sasuke's eyes lit up.
He'd guessed it'd be substantial, but not this much!
"The most valuable are these ninjutsu scrolls," Shen Mo said, pointing to the pile. "They include insights from your clan's strength, some you haven't even seen, subtly boosting their value."
Ninjas might have less cash than merchants.
But in Shen Mo's System, their worth was high.
Why? Skills.
Currency's exchange value in the System could fluctuate with the world's economy, but practical assets like abilities and knowledge were hard currency.
"Then exchange it all!" Sasuke said without hesitation, each word deliberate. "I want to open cans!"
Of these scrolls, he'd studied the ones matching his attributes.
Though clan relics…
Compared to strength, they were nothing!
"As you wish," Shen Mo said, smiling, but didn't rush the trade, looking at Sasuke. "So, have you decided which series of cans to open?"
In the visions he'd shown Sasuke, each represented a can series.
Abilities from other worlds.
Via the System, they could be used in this world too.
"No," Sasuke said, unexpectedly shaking his head, then looking deeply at Shen Mo. "You choose."
"Hm?" Shen Mo was surprised.
"I don't know which ability's strongest or if it'll help me avenge, but you should," Sasuke said, struggling to curb his urgency.
He ached to open cans, grow strong, and face that man for revenge.
But he didn't know what to pick.
In those visions, every power seemed so mighty, each peak promising easy vengeance. Yet he wanted faster, better, stronger!
He craved advice from this powerful figure.
"Since the client trusts me so," Shen Mo said, smiling faintly, "I'll provide better service. One question: what's the most standout strength of the person you seek to avenge?"
"The most standout strength?" Sasuke seemed stumped.
"With revenge as your goal, for the least cost and best effect, you need to target their strengths," Shen Mo explained patiently. "For example, if they excel in close combat, I'd recommend high mobility and strong ranged attacks. Just an example."
Sasuke got it. As a ninja, he understood combat counters.
But he didn't know.
Thinking it over… there seemed to be no weaknesses!
In every aspect, that man was exceptional.
Sasuke had only ever focused on getting strong, on revenge, never delving into specifics. His strength was far too low to even consider such details.
Now, thinking deeply, it was terrifying.
Utterly flawless.
Taijutsu, ninjutsu, genjutsu…
"I see," Shen Mo said, chuckling inwardly. "Seems like a well-rounded person."
He knew Itachi's strengths. Aside from stamina, weakened by illness, he had nearly no flaws—a genius who excelled at everything.
In that case…
He had an excuse to push a more profitable direction.
"Swordsmanship—" Shen Mo said slowly, "the path of slaughter, perfect for revenge. At its peak, it can break all techniques with one strike. No matter the foe's methods, a single sword cleaves through. You saw the swordmaster's vision."
Sasuke's eyes gleamed.
He recalled that vision.
One sword, shattering the sky, sundering the earth, its edge unmatched.
"Can a sword break ninjutsu?"
"Easily," Shen Mo said, his tone resolute.
"Genjutsu too?"
"It can slay inner demons—what's mere genjutsu?" Shen Mo said, cradling Haimaru, as if it were obvious.
"Yes!" Sasuke clenched his fists, envisioning himself facing that man with a sword, his body trembling with excitement. "I choose swordsmanship! Give me cans!"
He couldn't wait.
"Of course," Shen Mo said, smiling, waving his hand. Two hundred tier-one cans appeared on the ground.
Swordsmanship was strong, but to reach the level of breaking all with one strike…
It was expensive.
--------------------
Want to read ahead? Early chapters on: patreon.com/ShadowKage