"You talk so much about opening more Jars, yet you didn't open a single grand prize yourself," Tsunade muttered softly, the jealousy still sharp. She then abruptly changed the subject. "I remember you mentioning an assistant, right? That little girl with wings from the video—why haven't I ever seen her?"
Observing the size and simplicity of the room, it confirmed that Shen Mo lived alone.
"Ah, Ikaros," Shen Mo replied, a genuine smile gracing his face. "She is currently deployed in another world. You will see her soon enough."
He spoke the truth; it would be very soon.
In fact, it was highly likely to be within the next few days.
Ikaros, the Strategic Use Angeloid, codenamed the Queen of the Sky, was a sentient mechanical lifeform possessing terrifying combat power—capable of destroying an entire country with a single strike. Her strength was, quite literally, world-breaking. She was simple, innocent, highly evolvable, and immensely valuable.
Shen Mo had been painstakingly saving up his funds, the progress persistently hovering near the required amount. However, the unexpected mega-purchase by the Hyūga Clan had changed everything.
Neji's purchase, combined with the two thousand Tier Two Jars just ordered, brought his profits tantalizingly close to the total required for Ikaros's acquisition. With the certainty that the Hyūga Clan would continue to purchase Jars in the coming days, the necessary Transaction Points were virtually guaranteed.
The thought alone filled him with silent excitement.
"In that case, I will look forward to her appearance," Tsunade said, her slender eyes narrowing slightly, her thoughts indecipherable.
"And try not to refer to her as a 'little girl'," Shen Mo added playfully, looking back at Tsunade. "I believe she was already the strongest being in her world tens of thousands of years ago."
"Tens of thousands of years..."
Tsunade's eyes widened, and she nearly choked on her tea. Tens of thousands of years ago?
The recorded history of the Shinobi World barely stretched back a few hundred years. She couldn't even begin to conceptualize a life that existed across such a vast timeline.
Can a person truly live that long?
And if so, the age of the man before her likely far surpassed her most radical initial assumptions.
"...Indeed," Tsunade's voice was dry. "We simply lack the capacity to imagine the nature of your existence."
"Then work diligently toward becoming a Senior Member," Shen Mo repeated his mantra.
As a 'player' in the grand scheme, the simple instruction was to level up and spend money—a path that guaranteed progress.
Tsunade was silent for a long time, allowing the shock to subside.
"Compared to you, I suddenly feel like a child," Tsunade finally stated, forcing herself to stand and collect her composure. She walked toward the open door. "I'm going to help them open a few Jars now to test their luck. If things go well, I'll be back to buy more of my own."
Shen Mo remained seated, watching her back as she left.
He understood the truth: Tsunade was deliberately choosing to interact with him on the friendly, casual terms she had established at the very beginning, avoiding the philosophical terror of his true nature.
It is perhaps better this way.
Shen Mo casually snatched a small dried fish from Himari's platter. It was surprisingly flavorful and chewy. However, when he reached for a second, Himari had already gathered her snacks and retreated, glowering at him from a safe distance.
Stingy cat.
Over the next few days, a peculiar situation unfolded within the Hyūga compound. The Clan Head, the elders, and the main family were all sequestered in the training grounds, access strictly forbidden to outsiders. Even Lady Tsunade had abruptly taken up temporary residence within the compound.
Concurrently, Neji Hyūga had moved out, an agreement having been struck with Hiashi to temporarily conceal the removal of his Caged Bird and his new status.
Then, the outside world began to change.
Ninjas from other countries started arriving in Konoha. The Chūnin Exams were imminent.
On this particular morning, Shen Mo sat atop a tall Konoha structure, sipping a cold cola. His vantage point offered a clear view of the entire village.
Shinobi occasionally leapt across the rooftops. Due to the Exams, Anbu security was at its maximum. Villagers were strictly warned against interacting with the foreign ninjas.
"There are many scenes that never made it into the anime," Shen Mo observed with genuine interest.
The anime depicted only a microcosm. In reality, Konoha boasted nearly ten thousand ninja, with hundreds of Genin. However, the Chūnin Exams were reserved for elite Genin who hadn't yet accumulated sufficient mission experience but whose strength was undeniable. Most Chūnin achieved their rank through years of successful missions.
This year, Konoha had perhaps a dozen participants. The other villages had sent similar numbers. The event was less an "exam" and more a showcase and assessment of each village's rising generation.
But right now...
"Konoha's contingent is abnormally strong," Shen Mo thought, directing his focus toward a few key locations.
Naruto, Sasuke, and Neji—all three had opened Jars, their current strength already far surpassing typical Genin.
"Hmm?" Shen Mo's gaze abruptly sharpened.
He spotted an unexpected figure walking beside Naruto: Haku.
Haku? Why is he in Konoha?
Curiosity piqued, Shen Mo instantly relocated, his figure materializing near Naruto's group.
Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Kakashi were walking down a busy street with Haku in tow. Naruto was walking with his head bowed, looking utterly devastated and depressed.
"Naruto, that is enough!" Sakura finally snapped, grabbing his collar forcefully. "Does realizing that Haku is actually a boy truly disappoint you this much?"
"Because Haku is even prettier than Sakura!" Naruto yelled back, gesturing wildly at Haku. "And he's wearing women's clothes!"
"Stop that! These are men's clothes!" Sakura punched Naruto hard in the stomach, clearly annoyed that her own attractiveness was being compared unfavorably to Haku's.
Haku was indeed wearing a white kimono, a traditional men's garment, but his delicate features made it appear almost feminine.
"You two..." Haku watched the squabbling pair, pressing his lips together in a slight, subtle smile. "Are you always like this?"
"Naruto is just an idiot," Sasuke muttered, his eyes intensely focused on Haku, watching his every move. "But I will be keeping a very close eye on you!"
Sasuke looked ready to attack the moment Haku showed the slightest hint of aggression.
"Ahem." Kakashi offered a dry cough, stepping between his students. "Sasuke, Haku is currently a wandering shinobi contracted by Konoha, invited by the Hokage himself. Your mission is simply to ensure his well-being and lodging while he is here, not to keep a close eye on him."
Though that was precisely what they were doing, Kakashi couldn't say it aloud. He recalled the Hokage's instructions.
"The Fourth Mizukage is deceased, and Zabuza's ambitions are permanently curtailed. Since Haku is also a Jar opener and not inherently malicious, we cannot allow him to be exploited by criminals like Gato again, or risk him falling completely into darkness..."