Temporary power-boost cans?
Shen Mo paused.
Kakashi was sharp.
Shen Mo himself loved using minimal transaction points for temporary abilities—convenient and cheap.
For example…
To take down the Third Hokage, a one-use ability, if chosen well, might cost just a million points. But permanent Third-level power? At least ten million.
Permanent strength versus one-time use—vastly different costs.
The issue was…
Fights often hinged on a single use, deciding victory or death.
One-use abilities weren't off-limits, but they needed limits. Otherwise, chaos would ensue, and no one would buy permanent boosts, only grabbing one-shots for survival.
"Kakashi," Shen Mo thought quickly, finding a solution, and said calmly, "you know, items of equal value come with greater flaws the stronger they are. Like your eye—great power, but great drawbacks too."
Kakashi's strength was defined by his Sharingan—his greatest asset and his greatest burden.
The "50-50" nickname was forced on him.
He had power but couldn't use it freely.
Kakashi knew this but had no choice now.
"Sir, it's my call," Kakashi said firmly.
"…Fine." Shen Mo seemed to sigh. "Fate's in your hands. I recommend—the Forbidden series."
Just one word…
Chilled Kakashi's heart. The ninja world had its own forbidden jutsu.
"The Forbidden series cans hold items and abilities that massively boost strength, but often at a terrifying cost," Shen Mo's voice drifted to Kakashi, a warning. "Some costs are worse than death."
"…I've made my choice!" Kakashi gritted his teeth.
Since reviving Rin, he refused to live with regret.
"Very well."
Shen Mo said no more. With a wave, two hundred Level 1 cans appeared before Kakashi.
Truthfully, Shen Mo thought Kakashi's side had better odds.
On the surface, Kakashi might not beat an enhanced Zabuza, and Sasuke and Naruto might not match Haku's maxed-out agility. But they had more trump cards.
Kakashi's eye, Sasuke's Heavenly Flying Immortal, Naruto's Nine-Tails, and plenty of potions.
Zabuza's side…
Oh, right—the Kämpfer Bracelet.
Shen Mo realized the outcome wasn't clear. The bracelet, meant as Haku's grand prize, was now on Zabuza, amplifying his already greater strength.
Meanwhile…
Zabuza's team made their call, selling off rarely used jutsu memories to buy cans for Haku, choosing the Agility series, similar to Naruto's Strength cans. After all, beyond overwhelming power, unmatched speed ruled.
Both sides began opening cans.
"Kakashi-sensei, what series did you get?" Naruto eyed the cans curiously.
"Just standard strength boosts."
Kakashi didn't elaborate. At his request, Shen Mo's voice reached only him.
Less than twenty minutes remained.
Kakashi sped up.
He opened the first can.
Inside, a book.
"A technique manual?"
Kakashi grabbed it, flipped it open, and… his face flushed.
A moving picture book.
From the magical Harry Potter world.
The contents…
Kakashi's nosebleed said it all.
"Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura, sneaking a peek, stood red-faced, sleeves rolled up, ready to punch. "What series did you buy?!"
"Kakashi…" Rin's eyes widened, hand over mouth, staring as if seeing him anew.
"I'm innocent!" Kakashi scrambled to hide the book, stopping the nosebleed, whining skyward. "Sir, why's this in here?!"
"…I didn't know this series had that," Shen Mo's voice sounded surprised. "Maybe your will was too strong?"
He'd slipped in the risqué book as a prank.
But Kakashi drawing it first? Classic Kakashi, the guy who carried that novel.
Shen Mo's words reached the whole team.
Suddenly…
The air turned awkwardly silent.
Everyone's looks at Kakashi grew odd.
A will so strong it pulled that from a can?
Who knew you were that Kakashi!
"It's a mistake!" Kakashi flailed, offering weak excuses. With Rin there, her stare—wondering how her pure teammate became a pervert—made him want to crawl into a hole.
Public execution!
"Hmph, it's irrelevant, Kakashi-sensei. Time's running out," Sasuke cut in, bailing him out.
"Right, right." Kakashi took a deep breath, refocusing on the cans, opening them rapidly.
He feared—and half-hoped—for more stimulating items.
To his slight disappointment, nothing that spicy appeared—just the usual experience orbs and a few potions.
The grand prize in these two hundred Level 1 cans was a technique—
Seven Injuries Fist.
The infamous self-damaging move.
Hurt yourself to hurt others—powerful, but costly, like Guy's Eight Gates.
No wonder it was the Forbidden series. Kakashi now grasped "forbidden."
He exhaled slowly but didn't hesitate.
"Sir, same series, buy them all."
"As you wish," came the calm reply.
Over a hundred larger Level 2 cans appeared.
Kakashi's lesser jutsu memories vanished completely.
Selling more would weaken him.
Facing these Level 2 cans, Kakashi felt tense anticipation.
Great power… and potential horrific costs.
But he opened them firmly.
The twelfth can held something new—
A card.
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