Selling Cans from Naruto to Beyond

Among the ten series, this so-called Scholar Series was, in Shen Mo's view, one of the least suitable for Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Yet he picked it.

Fate was indeed a trickster.

Following his principle of entertainment—no, impeccable service—Shen Mo briefly explained the wonders of this Scholar power to Hiruzen.

Seeing Hiruzen's half-understanding look and the others' confusion, Shen Mo knew words alone couldn't convey such an alien power.

Time for some promotional visuals.

"See for yourself, and you'll understand."

He waved his hand, conjuring vivid images.

Grand, breathtaking scenes unfolded.

An old man in white robes, long beard flowing, stood on azure clouds, holding a book. With a cold glare, he spoke incomprehensible words brimming with killing intent. Golden specks flew from his mouth like a blazing sun, and wherever they passed, enemy soldiers clutched their ears, screaming, bleeding from their orifices, bodies bursting.

Another stood on cracked, barren earth, tears streaming as he wrote furiously. Finishing a poem, divine light erupted, piercing the heavens. Moments later, rain fell with the world's chants, reviving grass, sprouting fields. The desolate land transformed into a golden sea of wheat in moments.

Others healed with words, subdued demons with ink, or gained enlightenment after endless study, reclaiming youth…

These unbelievable scenes showcased the power's marvels.

Not just Hyuga Hiashi and the others, even Hiruzen's eyes widened.

A look of awe and expanded horizons.

Words… could be this powerful?

Other worlds were truly bizarre, wondrous, and terrifying.

"Now you should understand," Shen Mo said, dismissing the images, addressing the group. "In endless worlds, there are endless powers. Only our Chamber can bring these powers to shine in different worlds."

His tone was calm.

But all felt the transcendent weight beneath it.

They couldn't fathom…

What kind of terrifying force this Chamber was.

Nor imagine…

What powerful beings existed in other worlds.

Hiruzen recalled an image of an old man's scroll turning into a 3,000-mile sky-shrouding curtain, sweeping rivers. Fear mixed with yearning.

In that world…

The older, the stronger.

Knowledge accumulated endlessly.

Unlike ninja…

Whose strength waned with age, leaving only theory and skill, unable to perform as chakra and body declined.

"Mr. Shen Mo," Hiruzen said, eyeing the paper, his gaze tinged with expectation. "This paper…"

"It holds Scholar energy," Shen Mo said, summoning a brush and handing it over. "Write your best character, ideally with emotion."

Level 1 can items weren't precious.

But they were enough to demonstrate.

All eyes fixed on Hiruzen's paper.

After those images…

Not just Hiruzen, everyone was eager.

Once your worldview shattered, curiosity surged, especially for such a powerful force.

Hiruzen thought for a moment.

Taking the brush, he wrote with utmost care and focus.

—Fire.

In this world, brushes were common for writing.

As Hokage, Hiruzen had decent calligraphy, especially for "fire," as if writing himself. As the final stroke fell, a strange sensation emerged, like his spirit connected to the word.

No need for Shen Mo's guidance.

He knew how to use it.

With a wave, the paper with "fire" ignited, becoming a fireball, shooting out.

Boom!

It hit a tree trunk as thick as a bowl, leaving a small burning flame.

"This power…" Asuma Sarutobi seemed disappointed. "Far weaker than Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu."

"It's just a Level 1 can," Hiruzen said, not too disappointed. He knew Level 1 cans were for experiencing.

The key was…

He used no chakra, no seals.

Just a word, and a fireball formed.

Not bad.

"This power isn't so simple," Shen Mo said, eyeing the burning tree, his tone slightly surprised. "Attribute. Your word carries an attribute."

"Attribute?" Hiruzen looked at Shen Mo, puzzled.

Shen Mo pointed.

A stream of water appeared, dousing the flame.

But after the water passed…

On the soaked tree, the flame flickered back, growing, returning to its original size.

This stunned everyone.

"That's not normal," Kurenai Yuhi said, stepping closer to investigate. She smothered the flame with her hand, but when she lifted it, the fire reignited.

What was this fire?

Looking at Shen Mo's faint smile and the flame, they felt an indescribable sensation.

Just a small flame…

Breaking their common sense?

"Let me try," Hyuga Hiashi said, stepping up. He struck with a palm.

Crack!

The burning section broke, the tree collapsing.

But—

The extinguished flame reignited at the break, starting as a spark, growing.

Unquenchable?

"The power manifested by Scholar energy is deeply tied to the writer's will," Shen Mo said, unmoving. The flame and a chunk of wood were lifted by an invisible force, floating. "Ever-burning. This is your understanding of fire. As long as there's wood to burn, no matter how many times it's doused, it reignites… until all fuel is gone."

As he spoke…

The wood burned to ash.

The flame shrank.

With the last ash, it scattered in the wind.

Hiruzen watched.

Something stirred in his heart.

"Indeed…" His eyes flickered with emotion. "Where leaves dance, the will of fire burns endlessly. This is my understanding of fire."

"…"

Shen Mo stared at Hiruzen's touched expression, unsure what to say.

It wasn't leaves burning.

This was a thriving sapling, burned to nothing, relentlessly consumed.

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