Despite the steep cost, pulling a trump card like this so quickly left Kakashi fairly satisfied.
He kept opening cans.
The Forbidden series, beyond the usual enhancement orbs, mostly held items, techniques, and abilities with heavy prices.
Like xianxia-style potential pills or amplification secrets.
Using them led to prolonged weakness or severe injury.
Besides the early Berserk Alpha Stigma experience card, Shen Mo had slipped in another "grand prize" useful for this fight.
A short sword, crafted from an unknown material.
Its appearance alone made Sasuke and the others light up.
Weapons from Level 2 cans were rarely ordinary! They often had unique, powerful effects.
Like Tsunade's Courage Cross or Naruto's Gauntlet of Justice.
Drawing a weapon was a guaranteed win!
"Dolkier's Sword Scale, from the same world as the Alpha Stigma," Shen Mo's voice reached Kakashi's ear, tinged with sentiment. "Kakashi, you're quite tied to that world."
"…"
Kakashi's eye twitched.
He wanted nothing to do with that world.
Cautiously eyeing the sword, he asked:
"Does this… do the same thing?"
If it caused loss of control, it'd be useless—indiscriminate with allies nearby.
"Relax, it won't make you lose your mind," Shen Mo said, as if reading his thoughts.
"Good." Kakashi exhaled.
"Pierce your arm with it, twist it up, down, left, right a few times, and your hand turns into a dragon's, spewing decent flames," Shen Mo said, adding, "The cost is negligible, Kakashi. Your luck's not bad."
"…"
Kakashi's arm twitched instinctively.
Pierce his arm?
Twist it around?
Negligible cost?
What kind of world was this, full of stuff like that…
"Regrets?" Shen Mo, floating above, teased. "No refunds. I warned you, Kakashi. Cans are fair. For greater power at less cost, fate must align, or you bear the price."
Honestly, Shen Mo hadn't expected Kakashi's choice.
But balance was key.
Temporary power could be granted, but not cost-free like Shen Mo's own. That'd be too broken.
Kakashi stared at the sword, deeply feeling what kind of cans he'd chosen.
If cans were fate…
Opening these felt like embracing his future.
But a cautious glance at Rin.
Then at Sasuke, Naruto.
His trembling heart, shaken by the costs, steadied.
"…No, this is what I want."
He solemnly stored the sword.
If someone had to pay a price…
From now on…
It'd be him.
Shen Mo saw his resolve and said no more. Good news—stronger resolve meant more cans.
The remaining cans held nothing noteworthy.
On the other side…
Zabuza and Haku finished opening theirs. Keeping high-level jutsu, Zabuza sold enough low-tier ones to make Haku a member.
Just that…
Felt like losing momentum.
Still, Shen Mo gave Level 1 cans something good—a movement technique from a wuxia game.
Spirit Fox Step.
Lithe as a fox, elusive, hard to catch, and valuable.
The final pre-battle can opening ended.
"Time's up."
Shen Mo's voice boomed like a bell, echoing across the space.
"Seems you're not betting."
Though discussed briefly, neither side, lacking guaranteed victory and with revival possible, wagered everything.
Shen Mo didn't mind.
Wagers were for bitter feuds.
Not just life-or-death, but all-or-nothing.
Losers, even if revived, would have nothing.
"Anyone storing items besides badges and personal strength?" Shen Mo asked.
"Storage."
Kakashi and Zabuza both nodded.
Unstored rare gear would be taken if they died.
Storage fees were cheap—just over ten thousand points for their current gear.
"Good—!"
Shen Mo, seeing the system confirm the transaction, felt a thrill.
As expected.
Transactions included services, not just items.
Future stages would cost members points to request.
A nice income stream.
Dying outside the stage? No revival perk.
And…
Confirming his theory, Shen Mo smirked, thinking of his plan.
Let's make this stage livelier.
"Battle countdown begins! Members, prepare."
Shen Mo waved his staff, water forming a one-minute timer above.
Then, as if musing, he said:
"The first fate stage in a new world should have spectators, right?"
"Spectators?" Kakashi and the others froze.
Then…
A sudden shift.
A tear ripped open in the sea barrier above. Instantly, an indescribable mental pressure crashed down, forcing everyone, including Kakashi, to the ground.
Boundless fear, anxiety, madness, delirium—like nightmare murmurs and demonic roars—thundered in their minds.
They desperately wanted to look at the rift, as if it'd ease the chaos.
But…
A soul-deep instinct screamed:
Don't look.
Look, and die!
The contradiction and distortion nearly broke their minds.
Thankfully, it lasted only a moment.
"Mind your influence. You're just a spectator," Shen Mo's voice came from above. With a wave, the terror receded like a tide, the mental chaos and memories of it fading, as if it never happened.
What was that?
They looked up. Beyond the rift, only endless darkness.
Nothing.
Only their sweat-soaked backs told of what had just passed.
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