Kurenai, like a diligent student from her academy days, focused intently on Shen Mo.
She seemed to grasp something.
"Exactly, self and principles," Shen Mo said calmly. "Self means a strong heart, not tying your worth too heavily to external things. Principles mean having an unbreakable moral line."
Kurenai mulled over his words.
Then, it clicked.
The former fortified her against the temptations of illusions; the latter anchored her to avoid losing herself in the power to manipulate minds.
"It seems you truly have the aptitude for genjutsu," Shen Mo said with an approving smile, then shifted tone. "Now, let's talk goals. I've traced your destiny from birth to now… Your father hoped you'd at least leave him a grandchild before dying?"
The question made even Kurenai blush.
If it weren't Shen Mo, she might've thrown a punch.
"Tch."
Shen Mo got his answer from her mind.
He recalled a post from a forum expert: Kurenai's deepest obsession stemmed from her father's final words before dying, stopping her from joining the Nine-Tails battle.
As a ninja, her life was uncertain, but her father wanted her to bear a child to carry on the Yuhi clan's Will of Fire.
Because of those words…
Kurenai, ever rule-abiding, chose to conceive before marriage.
Even Shen Mo raised an eyebrow.
This dream…
What use were cans for that?
Still, she hadn't yet started dating Asuma Sarutobi—years too early.
Ideas flashed through Shen Mo's mind.
But in the end, he just shook his head helplessly. "You have the aptitude for genjutsu and the resolve to grow stronger. But if your dream is just to find a good man and raise a family, you won't go far on the path of strength."
His expression stayed gentle, but his tone carried a hint of disappointment.
From his perspective, those lacking strong can-opening drive, no matter their talent, weren't prime clients.
Especially after stressing the desire to change fate so often.
He couldn't contradict himself.
Leaving those words, Shen Mo moved on from Kurenai, accepting not every client would be top-tier. His gaze settled on the last person, Asuma Sarutobi.
Asuma had finished his Level 2 cans, but no destiny-altering item appeared.
"I want ten more Level 3 cans," Asuma said, looking at Shen Mo with slight nervousness.
"Still the Buddhism Series?" Shen Mo asked.
"Yes."
Asuma nodded, eyes glinting with quiet excitement as he recalled the legacies he'd gained.
Shen Mo filled the cans with positive, benevolent elements.
Doing good with wisdom and compassion, protecting others, even sacrificing oneself—it aligned perfectly with Asuma's Will of Fire. Plus, his easygoing nature meshed well with the village's "common folk."
"As you wish," Shen Mo said, saying little more.
He provided ten Level 3 cans, slipping in a Monk class-change item.
Turning back…
Kurenai seemed to have sorted something out and resumed opening cans. Shen Mo, after a thought, added a Genjutsu Master class-change item for her.
With that…
Six ninjas with new subclasses were born.
Each gained a new power, their strength transformed dramatically.
But amid the excitement…
They knew it wasn't just power that changed—new challenges awaited.
"If you want to buy more cans or have questions about their items, contact us via the badge. Ikaros will usually respond," Shen Mo said with a smile.
"Please guide us," Ikaros said earnestly, hovering.
Her attitude eased the group's tension.
They flashed their friendliest smiles.
The Chamber's mysterious power made even an assistant like Ikaros a potential threat they couldn't counter. That worry lingered since noticing her, only now slightly fading.
Unlike usual, Shen Mo didn't leave immediately. "We'll stay in Konoha for a while, mainly to let Ikaros get familiar with this world."
An excuse, of course.
Shen Mo sensed Konoha might get lively soon.
He wasn't in the mood to stay home gaming.
This tied to his grand entrepreneurial plan.
"Most welcome," Hiruzen Sarutobi said, feigning delight, though uneasy inside.
Be it Konoha's upcoming challenges or his own plans…
Shen Mo's presence was the biggest wildcard.
But he knew he had no control over it.
He looked to Tsunade. "Tsunade, handle the hospitality."
"Got it," Tsunade nodded.
Then, eyeing Ikaros's wings, she frowned.
They were… a bit conspicuous.
Shen Mo caught her thought. "Ikaros, retract your wings. It's fine."
"Okay."
Ikaros obediently folded her wings.
Since Shen Mo's arrival…
Ikaros had been markedly docile, her initial aura softened, her gaze often fixed on Shen Mo, as if he were her entire world.
Though, in truth, she was just diligently learning to sell cans…
"Let's go."
Shen Mo nodded to Tsunade and the others, heading into the village.
…
Meanwhile…
Outside the village, a man with long, thick white hair approached slowly.
"Hey, look at him!" one of the gate guards called to his partner.
"That… that's…" the other guard's eyes widened.
"That outfit, that look—haven't seen him in years, but no mistake!" the first guard's voice trembled with excitement.
Because—
Approaching was one of Konoha's legendary Sannin.
Jiraiya!