Selling Cans from Naruto to Beyond

Zabuza knew power's weight.

He wasn't obsessed.

But without strength, a ninja lost everything.

In the ninja world, weakness was sin.

"Try it, Haku."

Even Zabuza, who buried emotions to stay cold, couldn't hide his thrill.

"Lord Zabuza…" Haku had never seen him like this.

He took a deep breath, leapt lightly, and felt wind propel him seven or eight meters up. Swirling gusts made him spin like a falling leaf, graceful, landing only after a while.

Touching down, Haku sped up.

His form blurred like a gale, flashing too fast for Zabuza's eyes to track.

"Attack me."

Zabuza held a short dagger.

Whoosh—!

Silent ice arrows shot at Zabuza's limbs.

Blazing fast!

Zabuza blocked two with his dagger, two with his Earth Set armor, but one pierced an armor gap, drawing blood that froze instantly.

"Lord Zabuza!"

Haku zipped to him, winds fading, worry etched on his face.

"I'm fine," Zabuza said, unfazed, eyes blazing with uncontained excitement. "Unbelievable, Haku. You're that fast? With your talent, your strength might outstrip mine now."

Haku's old strength capped at chūnin.

Now…

He surpassed most jōnin.

With that speed, unless caught by binding ninjutsu, he was untouchable.

In one day!

Zabuza's joy mixed with deeper fear as he glanced at Shen Mo.

An otherworldly merchant…

He'd never imagined.

Beyond this world, such a mind-bending being existed.

More terrifying than legendary ninjas, even the Sage of Six Paths.

This was beyond their world.

"Sir," Zabuza said, emotions churning, hesitating before asking cautiously, "If we plan to trouble those Konoha ninjas again, would you permit it?"

Anyone seeing Zabuza now…

Couldn't link him to the infamous "Demon."

The man who dared assassinate the Mizukage, so wary and respectful.

But Haku wasn't surprised.

Who wouldn't tread lightly before Shen Mo?

"Such matters don't concern me," Shen Mo said, smirking at Zabuza. "Besides… you wouldn't really kill them, would you?"

"…" Zabuza went quiet.

He felt again—his thoughts laid bare before this man.

Right—

From the start, Zabuza never planned to kill Konoha's team.

His goal was the target, to claim Gato's bounty.

Why else stage that dramatic entrance, spouting nonsense?

Killing Kakashi…

Even if he toppled the Mizukage and won his coup, it'd stir pointless trouble.

"I'm just a merchant," Shen Mo said, lazily teasing a yawning Hiju in his arms. "As you chose your fate, this is mine—my choice. But don't underestimate those Konoha genin. You may spare them, but they might not spare a villain like you."

"If you don't mind, sir, I'll teach them what a true ninja is," Zabuza said, relieved.

His biggest fear was this man stopping him.

Gato's pay was hefty.

Enough for more cans.

Those Konoha genin?

Heh.

Zabuza doubted two genin could match his can haul, or that Kakashi's savings rivaled his.

Shen Mo, reading this, pictured a bizarre scene.

Ninja A: I spent a billion on cans. Scared?

Ninja B: Heh, I dropped three billion!

Ninja A: Damn, money makes you mighty, huh?

Ninja B: Haha, sorry, cash is king.

If that happened, who knew what this ninja world would become?

Shen Mo mused briefly, then let it go.

As he told Zabuza…

Selling cans was his chosen fate, and he found joy in it. Today's millions in trading points—if every day was like this, he'd soon afford an Ikaros. A cute, loyal angel girl to sell cans with? Sweet.

Zabuza, eager, opened his last cans.

Shen Mo…

Teased Hiju while pondering his next power buy.

He needed physical buffs—trading points for all-around boosts, plus Wolverine's mutant healing. Foolproof safety. But his ten-million-plus points might fall short.

Money was never enough.

Shen Mo got that now.

Meanwhile…

Zabuza finished his cans.

His face soured.

Nothing.

No final Earth Set piece, no contract-breaker.

"Such a pity," Shen Mo sighed theatrically. "But no matter. The Kämpfer Bracelet only transforms when active. Never use it, never turn female. There's always next time… or consider selling ninjutsu memories, emotions, lifespan?"

"…"

Zabuza swallowed hard.

"Lord Zabuza," Haku grabbed him, worried, whispering, "We have supporters in the village. We can gather more funds. Or… sell my memories, my lifespan."

Shen Mo's heart twitched.

Haku had just stopped Zabuza's fleeting thought.

"Looks like you're done buying cans," Shen Mo said, hiding regret. His form faded, voice lingering in their ears. "Want more cans? Contact me via your membership badge."

Finally—

Under moonlight, only Zabuza and Haku remained, staring at each other, like in a dream.

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