The holographic projection displayed Shen Mo standing on the bridge, the background figures momentarily blurry, yet Tsunade easily recognized the familiar shapes of Kakashi and his two students—confirmation that the demonstration was real and ongoing.
"The Stage of Destiny is a controlled battlefield created by the Chamber of Commerce for the inevitable clashes of destiny between its members..." Icarus's quiet, precise narration detailed the fundamental purpose of the system.
What followed was a sequence that physically changed Tsunade's perception of power. The projection displayed the spontaneous creation of the battle arena, the instant warping of space, and the manipulation of matter as if it were a child's toy.
Tsunade had intellectually known Shen Mo was immensely powerful, but seeing the raw, casual scale of his ability—to tear reality apart and construct an entire, insulated world with a mere thought—was terrifyingly humbling.
Then came the staggering benefits. Tsunade's mouth formed a perfect, silent "O." This mechanism, the Stage of Destiny, would not merely influence the Shinobi World; it would redefine it.
The ability to Resurrect.
As long as a member holds the badge, even death is merely an inconvenience, solvable by opening a Tier Three Jar. This confirmed the fate of Rin Nohara and offered an escape from the ultimate consequence of their brutal world.
"A battle exclusively for members," Tsunade murmured, her expression hardening. "This requires an immediate discussion with the Professor."
She suppressed her urgent desire to storm the Hokage's office and continued watching.
When the first cosmic crack appeared, displaying the terrifying presence of the Tier Four VIP, even in holographic form, the sacred Holy Light residing within Tsunade's body reacted violently. A deep, primal sense of chaotic threat pulsed from the image, instantly affirming that an existence of unimaginable scale lay beyond the veil.
Just looking at the projected image of the VIP is enough to drive a person mad. Shen Mo's previous warnings resonated with chilling clarity. So this is the true magnitude of the senior members of the Chamber of Commerce.
Tsunade felt a suffocating pressure. If this incredibly powerful and terrifying force could casually observe their world, what would happen if they chose to descend?
"In most cases, VIP members only have viewing privileges," Icarus explained with a touch of robotic naivete. "However, if the main server is present, voice privileges may occasionally be granted, and it is possible for small amounts of information to be accidentally leaked..."
Tsunade felt the pressure ease marginally when the projection showed the VIP being silenced by Shen Mo. Good. The terrifying VIP was not omnipotent here. The growing power of Shen Mo and the Merchant Guild he represented was, paradoxically, the world's best defense against the infinite, terrifying chaos beyond.
When the 3D action ceased, Icarus's cute figure reappeared, delivering the final, crucial instruction.
"If a member visually confirms another member and is willing to engage in combat, they may spend 300,000 points to activate the Stage of Destiny. If the opposing member refuses combat or surrenders, they will be charged the activation fee. All members, please seize this opportunity offered by the Chamber of Commerce to change your destiny. The introduction ends here."
The holographic light snapped back into the badge.
Tsunade sat in silent contemplation for a full minute, processing the implications: mandatory combat, financial penalties, immense rewards, and the threat of cosmic observation. She realized she could replay the entire video. She immediately stood up and charged toward the Hokage's office.
Not only Tsunade, but every single member—from the nervous, ordinary rich men in town, to the calculating Danzo Shimura, and the plotting Gato—was watching the projection.
Anxiety, anticipation, fear, and wild excitement warred on their faces. They shared one terrifying conclusion: The fundamental order of this world was about to change irrevocably.
Inside the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi, his aging face etched with deep wrinkles, was watching the same Icarus projection for the third time. He calmly continued smoking his pipe, the dense smoke filling the room.
Finally, Tsunade could bear the oppressive silence no longer. With a roar of frustrated energy, she waved her hand, generating a powerful gust of wind that instantly dispersed the smoke. She slammed her hand down on the desktop, leaning in fiercely.
"Old man, say something!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly regarded her. "I had anticipated this day would come, Tsunade," he said, his voice raspy with fatigue. "But the resulting mechanism... this outcome still surpasses my darkest predictions."
"You knew from the beginning the Stage of Destiny would happen?" Tsunade asked, surprised.
"No," Sarutobi said, his expression softening to profound bitterness. "I merely knew that we would not be the sole purchasers of these Jars. Our enemies would inevitably acquire them too."
From the moment Shen Mo appeared, Sarutobi's first impulse had been to attempt to control him. He had quickly realized the futility of that effort, and now, that futility had become global catastrophe.
Tsunade fell silent, realizing her own culpability. She had known the risk when she took Danzo's Jars.
"This is called 'an opportunity to change our destiny,' but is it not simply a brilliant mechanism to drag us into an even greater vortex of fate?" Sarutobi sighed, tapping his pipe gently. "Perhaps, in the end, only a few will manage to transcend this world and achieve their own, selfish quests."
He spoke with an air of defeat, of a man watching the fate of his world unfold from beyond his control.
"Old man," Tsunade stared hard at her teacher, her brows furrowing. "You have truly aged."
Sarutobi looked up, surprised by the directness of the insult.
BAM! Tsunade slammed her other hand down on the desk, leaning in close, her gaze burning with an unyielding flame. "Shen Mo made it clear: You must fight for your own destiny. If you are too paralyzed by fear to fight for Konoha in this great vortex of fate, then step aside and leave it to me. I am not yet as old as you are!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was worried about rogue ninja and enemy Kages acquiring the Jars. Tsunade was terrified by the thought, but she was not paralyzed by it.
"I am well aware of the things you've permitted over these years," Tsunade continued, ignoring the Sandaime's defensive posture. "I understand that some tragedies couldn't be prevented, but I will not allow Nawaki to be resurrected only to find a ruined, destroyed Konoha."
Her ultimate stated reason was for her brother, Nawaki. But she knew the truth: the village was the anchor of her world, the place she was destined to protect. If the Sandaime couldn't lead effectively in this new reality, she would take the reins.
Sarutobi's greatest fear—that Tsunade would return and attempt to seize the position of Hokage—was manifesting. He took a long, thoughtful drag from his pipe, looked at her fierce, youthful face, and finally asked with a weary, bitter expression: "What, specifically, do you intend to do?"
"It is very simple."
A vibrant, confident smile split Tsunade's young, beautiful features—a smile that promised both hope and absolute destruction.
"We will assemble the families we trust implicitly. Then, we will all begin buying Jars together!"