Tsunade now fully believed Shen Mo was from another world.
So many unbelievable items—there was no other explanation.
Thus, she was curious about how someone who'd witnessed different worlds would judge Konoha.
"I mentioned before, cans are about changing destiny, right?" Shen Mo said, pulling his wandering gaze back to Tsunade.
"You did say that," Tsunade nodded.
"But not every world, every city, has people yearning to change their destiny," Shen Mo said, his eyes glinting playfully. "Human emotions spread collectively. Contentment, apathy, self-abandonment, or stubbornly unchangeable beliefs—these stifle the desire to alter destiny."
Tsunade seemed pensive.
War exposed human nature. Having endured wars and wandered far, Tsunade understood Shen Mo's point.
Even she had spent long stretches numbed and adrift.
"What do you do with such people?" she asked.
"Nothing," Shen Mo shrugged. "We're merchants, not saviors. We don't force sales. Whether someone wants to change their destiny, can pay the price, or has the luck—that's up to the client. If they're content, they just stop purchasingcans. After a time, the badge and membership are revoked."
This was, of course, just talk to boost his mystique.
A slacker's mindset wouldn't cut it in business.
Guiding and enticing, when possible, was necessary.
Take Tsunade.
Without the promise of resurrection, would she have this drive?
"…How much trading is needed in how much time?" Tsunade asked, suddenly tense.
People are like that—the less they're pushed, the more they care about what matters to them.
Begging and groveling for sales…
That'd only spark disdain.
"Junior members have six months to purchase at least ten sets of tier-two cans," Shen Mo said, tossing out a rough figure.
Tsunade exhaled in relief. Not too bad.
The three walked silently for a stretch.
Tsunade's voice broke the quiet.
"You talked about the desire to change destiny, but you didn't share your view on Konoha."
"My view? It's a goldmine of opportunity," Shen Mo said, grinning slightly. "This place is full of dreamers, people with needs. Whether they can achieve them or not, you all embrace change. Even those content with the present still aspire to something better."
"…"
Tsunade fell silent.
She knew Konoha well. From her late grandfather, granduncle, Nawaki, Dan, to the current Third Hokage, even Orochimaru and Jiraiya—nearly everyone she knew harbored deep pursuits.
If they learned of these wondrous cans…
They'd probably be as hooked as she was.
This mysterious man…
Tsunade's sidelong glance studied Shen Mo, who smiled amiably, his demeanor polished.
If he truly had the power to handle all this, he might turn Konoha upside down.
"Is this the place?" Shen Mo stopped.
Before them was a modest shop, a single-story building with a white curtain scrawled with "Ichiraku Ramen." The aroma of ramen wafted out, greeting them.
Shen Mo's gaze sharpened.
He spotted a few people inside.
That attire…
It was the main trio.
Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke—three kids, about twelve or thirteen.
This was unexpected.
Shen Mo had wanted to visit the famed Ichiraku Ramen, but he hadn't planned to deliberately meet these three. After all, they were just kids who'd only recently become ninjas.
"Teuchi," Tsunade strode in, eyeing the Ichiraku owner behind the counter. "You've aged quite a bit, huh."
"Lady Tsunade?" Teuchi said, delighted. "I heard rumors from customers, but you're really back!"
"Lady Tsunade?"
Nearby, Sakura turned, her breathing quickening as she stared at Tsunade.
This was… one of the Legendary Sannin, the top-tier medical ninja, Lady Tsunade?
She looked so young!
As a Konoha war hero, Tsunade was in the ninja academy's history books. So, aside from the clueless slacker Naruto, even Sasuke regarded her solemnly.
All day, Konoha had buzzed with news of Tsunade's return. Even Sasuke had heard.
A legendary Konoha powerhouse.
He wondered how she'd compare to that man.
"Five big bowls of ramen to start," Tsunade said, ignoring the kids' stares and plopping into a seat. "Since someone's treating, bring out the priciest kind."
"You're really something, Tsunade…" Shen Mo said, shaking his head helplessly as he followed.
Ichiraku Ramen was known for cheap, delicious food. Pricy? What a joke.
"No more 'Miss'—just call me Tsunade," she said casually, then sniffed the fragrant air, a touch nostalgic. "I've been to plenty of places over the years, but for ramen, nothing beats this place."
Teuchi poured genuine passion into his ramen, making him famous even in his youth.
Even Tsunade had memories here.
"That's something to look forward to," Shen Mo said, sitting beside Tsunade, his glance at Teuchi carrying a hint of meaning. "But I'm a very picky customer."
Though it'd only been a few days, after tasting the explosive flavors of the Food Wars!world, Shen Mo doubted Teuchi's ramen could impress him.
Taste, after all, was hard to downgrade once you'd gone upscale.
But Teuchi was brimming with confidence.
"Then I've got to recommend the 'Supreme Flavor,'" Teuchi said, pointing to the boldest item on the menu. "It's my proudest creation."
"Exactly, exactly, Uncle!" Naruto shouted from his seat. "It's the most delicious ramen!"
"Uncle?" Shen Mo glanced at Naruto, then around.
"No need to look—it's you he's calling," Tsunade said, catching Shen Mo's expression and smirking smugly.
By looks alone, she was way younger than Shen Mo.
"…" Shen Mo's lip twitched. He narrowed his eyes at Naruto. "Let this 'Uncle' teach you a truth: never toss around the word 'most' lightly, in any field."
"Just try it, Uncle, and you'll see," Naruto said, unfazed, eagerly endorsing it.
Shen Mo didn't press further.
But the curve of his smile grew sharper.
Teuchi probably had some savings, right?
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