"It certainly sounds like... you've managed to pull something quite significant," Tsunade commented, her eyes widening. She was a mixture of envy, amazement, and intense curiosity.
Despite the fact that the actual mechanism of the item remained unknown, phrases like "extremely high value,""usually requires a Tier Four Jar," and "the only one possible to obtain in this tier" were more than enough to establish its immense power.
"The Immovable Wisdom King, or Fudō Myō-ō, is a venerated deity in certain worlds," Shen Mo began to explain the item's philosophical function. "'Immovable' denotes a compassionate heart that is firm and unshakeable. A person with the Heart of the Immovable King will gain mastery over their emotional state, achieving a calm, rational mind, which aids in the mastery of techniques and martial arts. In essence, it enhances their innate temperament as a combatant."
For an item valued at only 140,000 Transaction Points, its utility was less about raw power and more about its miraculous, fundamental influence.
The stunned expressions of the Hyūga members confirmed its profound impact.
"This is truly unbelievable," Tsunade murmured, staring at the Jar. "A person's character is shaped by talent and life experience. Can something external truly alter that?"
"Does the cross you wear not increase your courage?" Shen Mo glanced back at her. "Though not a major prize, it is actually quite rare. Items that fundamentally alter temperament, physique, or innate talent are exceedingly scarce. This is merely the most rudimentary Heart of the Immovable King. The advanced version, if acquired, could potentially illuminate all truths, granting complete comprehension, allowing one to master any martial art or technique, no matter the difficulty, with a single practice attempt."
Such items possessed the power of true miracles.
However, Shen Mo noted, such retroactive additions often caused subtle shifts in the recipient's personality. This was one reason he hadn't sought one for himself; simple, overwhelming force was his preference.
"Sir, is the sole effect simply to make one calm and rational?" Neji inquired, his voice laced with faint disappointment despite his amazement.
He believed the effect was redundant for him. He was a genius who already maintained perfect composure in battle; his confidence was absolute.
"Indeed, it will likely provide little benefit to you," Shen Mo confirmed, his gaze drifting with amusement toward Hinata.
As expected, Hiashi Hyūga became agitated. "Neji," he pleaded. "May I purchase this item from you?"
Hiashi immediately understood the item's specific value to his daughter. Hinata, the Main Family heir, was crippled by her temperament: timid, overly compassionate, and unable to defeat even her younger sister, Hanabi. Without profound, immediate change, her likelihood of survival in the field was negligible.
"Hiashi," one elder interjected, his tone sharp. "Hinata's talent is currently far inferior to Hanabi's. She may not be suited to inherit the Clan Head position. If you possess surplus funds, you should allocate them to strengthening yourself or Hanabi."
"That is correct," another elder chimed in. "For the Main Family, there can only be one true heir."
"Clan Head, you must exercise prudence," warned the third.
Hinata's performance had been consistently disappointing. If she failed to improve, Hanabi would inevitably inherit the Main Family, and Hinata, stripped of her position, would be subjected to the Caged Bird seal, mirroring the tragedy of Hizashi Hyūga. The elders would not allow funds to be wasted on someone likely to become a mere Branch Family guardian.
Hinata, subjected to the elders' ruthless dismissal, lowered her head, her eyes already pooling with unshed tears.
Hiashi's face darkened. He had already risked the elders' wrath by allowing Neji to be freed and endowed with funds. Demanding more for Hinata now was political suicide.
Tsunade frowned, ultimately sighing. It was an internal clan matter. Underperforming members were often marginalized or sacrificed—a cruel reality in most shinobi clans, enforced with particular brutality by the Hyūga.
Neji, watching Hinata's timid, tearful posture, finally understood her position within the family. He had always viewed her as incompetent, but also arrogant in her Main Family status. Now, he saw her vulnerability.
"So..." Neji clenched his fists, his voice tight with suppressed rage. "Is this how you treated my father, too?"
Everyone looked at him, including Hinata, who tentatively raised her head.
Neji took several deep, ragged breaths, trying to control his fury. He wasn't pitying Hinata; he was channeling his rage over his father. Hizashi and Hiashi were brothers, yet Hizashi had been discarded by the Clan—albeit willingly sacrificing himself for his brother. Neji's resentment was focused on the system that demanded such sacrifice as a baseline expectation.
Neji swept a cold gaze over the elders, finally settling on Hinata.
"Take this item and utilize it," he commanded.
"Ah," Hinata started, quickly waving her hands. "No, Brother Neji, this is yours."
"The Sir himself stated it is largely useless to me!" Neji's tone was cold and definitive. "Hinata, you are utterly weak; your heart is overwhelmed by the fear of conflict. As you stand now, you have no right to expect protection from me. That has been my belief, and it remains unchanged. However, if this item can change you, I demand to see what you become."
Will she continue to surrender to fate until they place the seal on her? Or will she finally find the resolve to compete with her sister? Neji had to know.
"But—"
Hinata still tried to refuse, but one of the elders seized the opportunity.
"Since this is Neji's personal decision, Hinata, you must accept it." The elder's expression was one of barely concealed delight.
It was a valuable item acquired for free. If Hinata genuinely transformed and surpassed Hanabi, it would be a pleasant surprise. The heir would remain Hinata. If she failed, they lost nothing and would simply continue training Hanabi.
Hinata finally bit her lip. She hesitated one last time, then nodded her acceptance.
Shen Mo observed the unfolding drama silently. The Hyūga Clan's money was now effectively his, regardless of the internal politics.
The core motivation for his attention shifted to Neji's actions.
Hiashi Hyūga was now certain to become a client. And between Hinata and Hanabi, at least one would inevitably begin purchasing Jars—initially, it would have been Hanabi.
Now, however... whether the focus shifted to Hinata, or whether Hiashi simply funded both sisters, the outcome was the same for Shen Mo: double the profit.