The scene was undoubtedly brutal—and eerie.
But Shen Mo's expression remained calm.
There was not the slightest ripple in his heart.
No bloodshed, no close combat, no follow-up responsibilities, and the targets were just a group of lawless bandits. Even though it was his first time taking lives, this kind of situation didn't burden Shen Mo's psyche in the slightest.
Gato, however, was nearly scared witless.
"Wh-What's going on!?" Gato collapsed to the ground in terror, his comical face twisted in sheer fear.
"Help me! Help—!"
Someone wailed as they fell right in front of him, grabbing hold of his ankle—then turning into a pile of gray dust, like crumbling soil.
"AAAH!" Gato's psychological defenses completely crumbled. Screaming, he scrambled backward on all fours in a desperate attempt to flee.
Yet, his body was being pulled back by an invisible force. The more he struggled, the closer he was dragged toward Shen Mo—whom he now saw as a devil.
Eventually, he seemed to hit some kind of limit.
His eyes rolled back, his limbs spasmed—and he fainted dead away.
Shen Mo watched, speechless.
Am I really that scary?
Wasn't this the same ruthless merchant who would stop at nothing to get his way?
His ability to cope was pitiful.
"Let's have a look."
Shen Mo narrowed his eyes and tossed a Mental Probe Device at Gato. Though he could get a vague sense of someone's condition through telepathy, nothing beat the speed and precision of a custom-made tool.
The results: his mind had been manipulated and controlled through illusion techniques.
The caster—Obito.
"Just as I thought…" Shen Mo had already suspected as much.
The Akatsuki was currently in the first phase of its wealth-gathering plan.
Relying on Kakuzu alone would never rake in enough cash.
More importantly, this was Team 7's first mission.
Shen Mo didn't believe for a second that Hiruzen Sarutobi would assign the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki to a mission without first investigating Tazuna's true identity and the enemies he faced. Even if Hiruzen genuinely had no idea, Kakashi—upon learning the truth—should've pulled Naruto out immediately.
Shen Mo had already pieced it all together.
Uchiha Itachi, acting as a spy for Akatsuki, had discovered Gato—this controlled and corrupted merchant. Hiruzen likely saw an opportunity: eliminate Gato and let Naruto witness firsthand how Tazuna embodied the courage of a nation. That's why Team 7 was sent on this mission in the first place.
Feels like a Dumbledore-style move.
Shen Mo gave a soundless chuckle, devoid of any clear emotion.
Then, he casually tossed out a Wealth Probe Technique at Gato.
His eyes lit up.
Excluding fixed assets, the available liquid funds added up to a staggering 500 million.
It was far from Shen Mo's own status as a top-tier magnate, but considering that Gato had been a mere puppet under control, yet still managed to retain so much capital—this was impressive.
That being the case…
A strange smile curled at Shen Mo's lips. He slowly raised a finger and tapped gently.
Genjutsu Release.
Gato had a long, long dream.
From childhood—small and bullied, ridiculed by others—to adulthood, when he used sheer ruthlessness to gain wealth, amass followers, dominate maritime trade, and grow rich through illegal ventures.
The first half of his life was like a legend.
He had once been full of vigor, convinced that no one on Earth could ever belittle him again.
Until—
He met that ninja wearing a swirling mask.
There were no words exchanged. Not even a fight. Just one glance—and he lost all control over himself. Most of his wealth was siphoned away. Even the ninja under his command abandoned him one after another. He was left wandering in a daze, endlessly making money, only for it to be taken from him again and again.
Like an unending nightmare.
Now—
He had awakened.
Gato opened his eyes and found himself still lying on the cold ground. Past memories—right up to the moment he lost consciousness—flooded back into his mind.
"You're awake?" came a calm voice nearby.
Gato shot to his feet. Despite his short, rotund figure, he moved with surprising agility.
He saw—
The mysterious man who had killed nearly a hundred people with just a snap of his fingers. Sitting leisurely in a chair, cane in one hand, a cat on his lap, smiling in a way that sent chills through Gato's very bones.
Thud—
Without hesitation, Gato dropped to his knees and knocked his head heavily on the floor with a loud bang. As if holding back sobs, he said:
"Thank you, my lord, for freeing me from the illusion."
Shen Mo glanced at him with interest. Though his mouth remained closed, a strange voice echoed directly in Gato's mind.
"Drop the act. That wretched soul of yours, struggling in despair, can't escape my eyes."
"…!" Gato trembled visibly.
"You hate them, don't you?" Shen Mo raised a brow. That voice—low and demonic—rang in Gato's ears once more.
"No matter how you struggle, no matter how much wealth you amass, you are still insignificant… an ant to be toyed with at will. Your pain, your hatred, your unwillingness—I see it all, plain as day."
Gato clenched his teeth so hard his gums began to hurt—but still, he bowed lower. He didn't even dare to clench his fists.
He truly did hate them. He truly was in pain.
His lowly, powerless existence contrasted sharply with his rebellious soul, threatening to twist his entire being.
Even as one of the world's richest merchants—
In the face of truly powerful shinobi, he was still just an ant, trampled and manipulated at whim.
"Excellent." Shen Mo's smile widened.
"I've received your will to change your fate. Then—decide. The chance to rewrite destiny is right here and now."
Though Obito had cast a genjutsu on him—confusing his perception—it hadn't fundamentally changed who Gato was.
The shady business deals, the insatiable ambition—all of it was the real Gato.
But… what did that matter in business?
Five hundred million meant thirty million transaction points.
It was the largest deal Shen Mo had ever handled to date.
And it wouldn't cause any significant disruption to the world economy.
So—seeing Gato's trembling, fervent longing, Shen Mo was now pondering what kind of power he should bestow.
Short and stocky… tough and compact, perhaps…
He had it.
Martial Artist.
The seed of "ki" from the Dragon Ball world would be the perfect catalyst for Gato's job transformation. With five hundred million at his disposal, Gato could potentially leap from a normal human straight to near-Kage-level strength.
A man once dismissed by all as a mere insect—
Was now poised to grasp such terrifying power.
Even Shen Mo was curious to see—how far could he go?
The next day.
Shen Mo left, thoroughly satisfied.
Behind him, Gato knelt respectfully, bidding him farewell. Though outwardly he seemed unchanged, the wild gleam in his eyes betrayed the storm raging inside.
"Akatsuki…" Gato muttered the name Shen Mo had casually let slip.
A grin—twisted and maniacal—spread across his face.
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