Selling Cans from Naruto to Beyond

With Zabuza set on buying cans, the next step was choosing which ones.

"Your desired fate is to overthrow the Fourth Mizukage and save your village," Shen Mo said, smiling calmly, voicing Zabuza's deepest yearning.

"Save?" Zabuza echoed, his gaze on Shen Mo tinged with odd meaning. "Funny. Everyone thinks it's for my ambition."

Assassinating the Mizukage, staging a coup, even after retreating, always plotting the next strike.

As Kakashi had said.

Anyone hearing such a past would peg him as a wildly ambitious, ruthless man.

Yet Shen Mo claimed it was to save his village.

"My eyes see through all. Before me, just face your fate and desires," Shen Mo said cryptically.

"See through all…"

To Zabuza, Shen Mo radiated unfathomable mystery.

Being read like an open book wasn't pleasant.

"Exactly, just face your heart," Shen Mo said, glancing at Haku, his smile widening. "Like your feelings for this boy. You call him a tool, but your heart's bond transcends romance, defies death—I see an unbreakable tie between you."

"Lord Zabuza…"

Haku's eyes widened, turning to Zabuza, disbelief evident.

"Nonsense!" Zabuza flinched, masking it with a sharp retort. "Haku's just my tool, nothing more! Ninjas must be cruel and cold."

"…" Shen Mo only smiled.

Zabuza's tsundere streak was clear—his tears after Haku's death in canon weren't fake.

Shen Mo merely planted a seed for Zabuza to face his feelings sooner.

Speaking of…

Some items seemed perfect for Haku's cross-dressing flair.

Might be worth leveraging.

"The money's here. How are your cans sold?" Zabuza asked, as if dodging Haku's gaze.

"Cans come in many types. Everyone starts with Level 1 cans…" Shen Mo explained the rules briefly, then raised his tone. "Given your wish, I recommend the Weapon Series cans."

"Weapons?" Zabuza recalled that fearsome sword hilt.

"Indeed," Shen Mo nodded, smiling. "For a coup, strong subordinates are key. The Weapon Series boosts your strength and provides powerful arms. As a Mist ninja, you know how vital strong weapons are to a village, right?"

Mist's pride was the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.

Seven blades, seven warriors.

Warriors died, but blades endured.

To villages or politicians, weapons outvalued subordinates—people died, but arms could be passed down, strengthening the village generationally.

"True," Zabuza mused, tempted.

For a coup, he had followers—Haku the best among them—or killing the Mizukage wouldn't suffice.

Weapons to empower his crew…

And himself…

Would boost his coup's odds.

Even post-Mizukage, it'd ease village acceptance.

"I'll take those cans," Zabuza nodded.

"First, Level 1 cans."

Shen Mo waved his scepter, summoning two hundred Level 1 cans.

For someone like Zabuza…

No special setup was needed.

Power alone made cans irresistible.

And as Shen Mo predicted…

After absorbing the first light orb, Zabuza's shock and thrill were unmatched.

"This simple, and it boosts strength?" He stared at his hands, then paused. "Wait, those brats…"

"Sasuke and Naruto?" Shen Mo named them, chuckling. "One seeks revenge, one protects. Their will to change fate isn't weaker than yours."

No direct admission, but it was clear.

Those overpowered brats…

Bought cans from this mysterious merchant too.

Zabuza hesitated, then turned to Haku. "Haku, absorb some orbs too."

Haku blinked, hasty. "Lord Zabuza, but…"

"No buts," Zabuza cut in. "Your talent outstrips mine. With your current strength, you're no match for those brats—not a proper tool."

The orb he'd absorbed was dagger training experience.

Zabuza, after years of practice, was already adept, gaining little.

But Haku could gain more.

All for the coup, Zabuza told himself.

Shen Mo just smiled.

Inwardly, he marveled.

Small gestures revealed true feelings. Haku's cross-dressing charm was terrifying, softening even a tough guy like Zabuza over time.

"Mhm," Haku murmured, blushing, eyes watery, at Zabuza's firm stance.

Cans opened one by one.

Being Level 1…

Beyond mystic orbs, most were weapons.

Exquisite, practical.

The priciest were two types.

Gear boosting minor stats, and magical weapon-storage items.

"Storage Ring," Shen Mo said, eyeing Zabuza's ring, smiling. "Rare for a Level 1 can. Its use? As a ninja, you get it."

"…"

Zabuza suppressed his excitement.

He did.

This reusable storage gear far outclassed sealing scrolls.

And the items just opened…

Even common weapons' value nearly matched his payment, plus rare gear and tons of mystic orbs!

Jackpot!

"You said Level 1's just a taste," Zabuza said, eyeing Shen Mo. "Level 2's where the magic starts—ten times the price, way more value."

"Of course," Shen Mo nodded, smiling.

"Ten to start," Zabuza said, holding back from buying all, wanting to save cash for other needs.

Shen Mo read this, smirking.

Save money? No chance.

He'd already claimed the 15-million-trading-point deal, even planning his own purchases.

"Ten Level 2 cans."

Shen Mo waved, slipping in the grand prize bait.

Zabuza's luck wasn't bad.

On the third can…

He hit the jackpot.

—A blue bracelet.

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