Tsunade had been about to ask Shen Mo a follow-up question regarding his assistant and the rules for accessing Tier Four Jars. But before she could formulate her thoughts, Might Guy let out a sudden shout of surprise.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was holding a calligraphy brush that glowed with a faint, silvery luminescence. It had no accompanying visual fanfare—no dragon, no rainbow light.
"An ordinary Literary Treasure," Shen Mo observed, a hint of professional disappointment in his voice. "It is not comparable to the Blue Rare or Epic items. Even at Tier Three, this is considered a standard item."
A standard Tier Three item was still worth 60,000 trade points, but in the context of the dazzling blue dragon and the ultimate prize, it felt mundane.
Yet, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression, though slightly crestfallen, betrayed an underlying tenacity. He had come too far.
"Lord Shen Mo," he ground out, having opened the last few of his original Tier Three Jars. "I will sell more ninjutsu."
Before the lure of the Job Change Item, they had carefully calculated their sales, worried about depleting their personal power base. Now, facing the ultimate goal—the Yin-Yang School Job Change—the difference between success and failure was too vast to measure in mere ninjutsu.
His silence was a tacit approval of a final, desperate intellectual liquidation.
Unfortunately, even after buying and opening over thirty more Tier Three Jars, Hiruzen Sarutobi's luck remained stubbornly cold. No further Blue Rare items appeared, let alone the mythical Epic-tier prizes.
Shen Mo could offer no assistance. His sales were dictated by a system-generated, randomized list, and he rarely intervened unless absolutely necessary.
In the end, Hiruzen Sarutobi was forced to concede defeat for the moment, his expression a mask of regret.
"Everyone, this concludes the demonstration of Lord Shen Mo's Jars," he announced, regaining his Hokage composure. He smiled gently at the assembled Jonin. "You now understand why we summoned you. Tsunade and I trust you completely; you are Konoha's most elite ninja. You must now purchase Jars and strengthen yourselves. Everything is for the protection and future of Konoha."
Tsunade's eye twitched slightly. Sarutobi's current rhetoric bore no resemblance to his initial, reluctant opposition to the Jars. In this moment, she gained a completely new—and somewhat cynical—understanding of her teacher's political adaptability.
"Hokage-sama, but I don't know many ninjutsu!" Might Guy cried out, his fist raised in dramatic despair. "Curse it! Kakashi knows the most! I bet he's already opened dozens and become ultra-powerful!"
Tsunade cleared her throat delicately. She avoided mentioning that Kakashi's Jars were all purchased and opened by her.
She looked at the assembled group. "You are not required to purchase Jars immediately. Return, organize your available ninjutsu, and find a means to secure the necessary funds. If capital proves insufficient, we will coordinate a solution. Hiashi Hyuga, you are likely the most capital-rich among us."
Tsunade's final comment directed attention squarely at the head of the Hyuga clan.
Hiashi Hyuga nodded with practiced humility. "The Hyuga clan is, after all, Konoha's preeminent clan. Should Lady Tsunade require assistance, my clan stands ready to donate a portion of our wealth for her discretionary distribution."
A silent consensus settled over the group, save for the perpetually oblivious Might Guy. The Hyuga clan's willingness to invest was expected, but Tsunade being placed in charge of distributing communal funds, with the Third Hokage present, was a clear signal: the torch was silently being passed. Hiruzen Sarutobi's gentle smile seemed to confirm his tacit acceptance of Tsunade as the Fifth Hokage.
Shen Mo, observing their internal calculations, found the politicking amusing, noting that this level of public cooperation and strategic investment would never have happened in the original timeline.
"For now, we will focus on enabling each of you to fund your own purchases," Tsunade interjected, maintaining control.
Hiashi Hyuga then addressed the Merchant. "Lord Shen Mo, how should one proceed to make a purchase once the funds are secured?"
"If you possess the full funds, deal directly with Tsunade or any other Badge holder," Shen Mo replied curtly.
"If only a partial amount is available, my Hyuga clan can immediately provide the necessary supplementary funding," Hiashi offered, his respectful tone unable to completely mask the confidence of his financial power. He looked at the other Jonin, his status suddenly amplified by the transactional nature of their new reality.
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a twinge of envy. Despite being the Hokage, he was financially limited to selling his intellectual assets, whereas Hiashi Hyuga commanded vast generational wealth.
"That is acceptable," Shen Mo said casually, acknowledging Hiashi. But then he paused, giving Hiashi Hyuga a soft hum before saying:
"However, I must inform you that you are not a quality customer, as your desire to fundamentally alter your destiny is insufficiently strong."
The statement, delivered without malice, caused the entire group to freeze.
"What happens if one's desire is not strong enough?" Tsunade couldn't help but ask, sensing the profound implication.
"I have reiterated this principle repeatedly," Shen Mo said, folding his hands behind his back and looking from Tsunade to every person present. "The purpose of the Chamber of Commerce is to offer opportunities to those who yearn to change their fate. In most instances, only those with the most fervent ambition will seize these opportunities, advance, and continuously strive for more. The conflict among the destinies of those who open these Jars is exceedingly fierce."
Shen Mo was not merely a peddler; he was a gatekeeper for future potential. Only those with deep, consuming desires—like Tsunade, Sasuke, Naruto, or even Zabuza—would generate the ambition and creativity necessary to continue generating wealth and knowledge after their initial funds were depleted.
Hiashi Hyuga, a man content with the rigid order of his clan, lacked this vital spark.
Hiashi remained silent for a long moment, the Merchant's judgment hitting him harder than any physical blow.
Only Might Guy remained oblivious, slapping Hiashi heartily on the shoulder. "What's the fear, Hiashi! As long as we can move, our youth remains unconquered! Let's go run a thousand laps!"
His innocent declaration unintentionally emphasized the profound gap between the cautious, wealthy leader and the driven, ambitious ninja.