The caution displayed by Hiashi Hyuga and the leaders of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio stemmed from their roles as patriarchs. Their primary focus was the perpetuation and growth of their powerful bloodlines, not reckless individual advancement. The Jars, however, were inherently designed to empower the individual who sought to violently change their destiny.
Tsunade noted this inherent conflict. Her initial plan—simply getting the most trusted Jonin to buy Jars—had ignored Shen Mo's core philosophy about changing fate. If these initial buyers lacked the desperate will to achieve the Job Change Items, their resolve would crumble when faced with escalating crises.
We must never neglect the cultivation of an exceptional new generation, she realized with a growing certainty.
"Nonetheless, securing our current combat power must take precedence," Tsunade conceded, her brow furrowing. "But if more suitable candidates arise, they should be prioritized... Shen Mo, I wanted to ask: Can items acquired from the Jars be sold back for trade points?"
If they could monetize their less useful rewards, they could fully empower the Jonin now, buying time until the next, more resolute generation emerged.
"Of course," Shen Mo replied instantly. This brought a hopeful smile to Tsunade's face, but it was quickly tempered by his continuation.
"However, to discourage customers from maliciously farming prizes, the Chamber of Commerce stipulates that anything obtained from a Jar will only be valued at one-fifth (20%) of its original cost when traded back through the Chamber."
The system was brutally efficient. The actual power value a customer received was often around 20% of the Jar's price—a reality customers never grasped. The low recycling rate served to mask this profit margin. If a customer was truly desperate for one more draw, they might sell back their "useless" items, generating a small number of new Jars and a secondary profit for Shen Mo.
"Only one-fifth," Tsunade murmured, disappointed, though she had suspected the valuation wouldn't match the original trade-in price. She accepted it as an immutable rule of the mysterious Chamber of Commerce.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was deep in thought. While selling at a fifth of the price was a painful loss, if he was destined only for the Yin-Yang School path, shouldn't he consider selling off all the rewards he received from other power schools to fund his Job Change pursuit?
Just then, Shen Mo subtly picked up on a ripple in the network—contact from another established member.
"Other customers are also contacting me," Shen Mo informed the Konoha group. "If any of you decide on a purchase, contact me directly via the Badge."
Tsunade simply nodded, her expression conveying a mix of curiosity and unease.
With that, Shen Mo's figure dissolved, his exit as sudden and silent as his arrival.
The secluded grove fell into a deep silence. The lingering scorch marks and the unnerving, perfectly erased depression in the ground were stark reminders that the incredible event had been all too real. Their very perception of reality had been fundamentally altered in a single afternoon.
"Lady Tsunade," Kurenai Yuhi finally spoke, her voice strained. "How much do we truly know about this entity?"
Kurenai articulated the collective fear. The magic of the Jars was one thing, but the man who sold them—Shen Mo—was a source of profound dread.
"Very little," Tsunade admitted, her pale gold eyes clouded with complex emotions. "Initially, I saw him as a savior, a source of hope. But now I realize that his kindness is non-exclusive, and the power he reveals is constantly escalating."
The difference between the first Shen Mo she met and the entity who stood before them today was immense.
"There is no value in pondering his origins," Tsunade concluded, her gaze hardening with resolve. She raised her hand, her authority undisputed. "Our sole focus now is this: We must acquire the Jars and achieve greater strength before our enemies can react to this new reality."
"Yes!" Hiashi Hyuga was the first to respond.
The clan heads—Hyuga, Sarutobi Asuma, and the Ino-Shika-Cho leaders—exchanged significant glances, all nodding firmly. They sensed that an irreversible, epoch-making change had begun within Konoha.
Meanwhile, Shen Mo reappeared in a desolate, quiet corner of the Chamber of Commerce network, answering a call from his second client.
"Senshin, Kitahara Yuuki."
The voice on the other end, belonging to the samurai who had delivered Shen Mo his first major profit, was filled with suppressed tension. Yuuki had been observing the 'Stage of Destiny' footage and was clearly terrified by the escalation of Shen Mo's revealed power. He saw Shen Mo now as an entity capable of world destruction.
"Of course," Shen Mo's voice was gentle, designed to soothe the client's panic. "Is this still for the Samurai Series Jars?"
"Yes, sir," Kitahara Yuuki managed, daring not to inquire further.
"How much are you looking to acquire?" Shen Mo asked.
"We have prepared approximately 100 million Yen worth of materials, which we intend to use for purchase," Kitahara Yuuki replied respectfully.
Shen Mo was momentarily surprised. In less than two weeks, the little northern family had generated 100 million Yen—half of their initial total tradable assets. The rewards from his first Jar purchase had clearly enabled rapid wealth creation.
"No problem," Shen Mo confirmed.
He quickly processed the transaction. After checking the client's total purchase amount, he made a strategic adjustment: he inserted a Gale Warrior Job Change Item into one of the Tier Three Jars and ensured it was flagged to appear within the first ten Jars opened.
He then initiated the teleportation of the Jars to Kitahara Yuuki's location.
The transaction was complete: swift, silent, and profitable.
Would you like to know more about the Gale Warrior Job Change item, or return to Konoha to see how the Jonin begin their Jar fund accumulation?