Teuchi, the ramen chef, was utterly lost in the profound experience of the ramen. Tears streamed down his face as he savored every spoonful, an emotional reaction that bordered on religious reverence.
"Mister," Naruto approached Shen Mo, his eyes burning with excitement. "Do you have any more ramen like that?" Naruto, a lifelong devotee of both fresh and instant ramen, was captivated.
"This particular ramen was gifted to me by a former client, preserved in a secret way," Shen Mo replied with a cryptic smile, avoiding a direct answer.
"He must be a truly great chef," Teuchi murmured, having finished his bowl until it was cleaner than if it had been washed. A look of yearning settled on his face.
Shen Mo looked at the chef pointedly. "Mr. Teuchi, you don't believe that this bowl of ramen is the ultimate peak of cuisine, do you?"
Teuchi's mouth dropped open. This single bowl had evoked the deep, comforting feelings of meeting one's mother—it was the door to a culinary world he hadn't known existed. Could there truly be something more delicious?
"I only presented ramen of this caliber because your body and taste buds are too weak to handle true gourmet food," Shen Mo explained, his smile becoming mysterious and slightly intimidating. "I have witnessed chefs who pursue the ultimate cuisine. Do you know what their path entails?"
Teuchi swallowed hard. Even Tsunade, Sasuke, and Naruto were now leaning in, captivated by the merchant's shift in tone.
"Power!" Shen Mo clenched his fist, and a small, sharp pop of displaced air sounded—a subtle, customized effect of his system to enhance the theatricality.
"Unparalleled power! These chefs embark on a path to empower themselves with the very food they eat. The better the dish, the greater their strength. With this power, they journey into deep mountains, abyssal seas, and hidden caves—the most dangerous places—in pursuit of rare ingredients."
"In their world," Shen Mo's voice deepened, resonating through the small shop, "everything is categorized into only two groups: delicious and not delicious! And they are called—"
"—Gourmet Hunters!"
The term echoed in the silent shop. Teuchi repeated the words, "Gourmet Hunter," a strange, profound longing blooming in his heart.
"Mister," Naruto burst out, unconvinced. "If they are so powerful, why have we never heard of them?"
"Yes, it's not in our books," Sakura agreed, pulling out a small notebook instinctively.
"Hmph," Sasuke scoffed, though his eyes never left Shen Mo. "Such talk is meant to fool children. Getting stronger is not so easy as simply eating more." Even as he dismissed the idea, the lost look on his face suggested that the possibility of a rapid path to power held deep appeal.
Shen Mo focused on Sasuke. Of the three young Genin, Sasuke was the most promising client: driven by power at any cost, determined, and intelligent.
"If anyone else claimed this, I would dismiss it," Tsunade said, her eyes fixed on Shen Mo, a hint of regret in her tone. "But coming from you, I know it is true. It is just not something easily accessible to us."
"Miss Tsunade..." Teuchi looked at her, stunned by her confirmation.
"This man is gorgeous—no, I mean his wares are extraordinary," Tsunade corrected herself quickly, picking up her chopsticks.
"Since Lady Tsunade believes you," Teuchi stated, his gaze meeting Shen Mo's with fearless determination, "I also believe and understand what a true chef's pursuit of deliciousness must entail."
Shen Mo smiled, his admiration genuine. "As expected. Your drive mirrors the great chef who created this ramen. So... do you wish to follow his path and become a true Gourmet Chef?"
"What!?" Teuchi's eyes were wide, pupils contracting. He had accepted the mystery, but he hadn't imagined being invited to join it.
"Under normal circumstances, acquiring such power would be nearly impossible," Shen Mo declared, standing up and opening his arms wide. "However, I am a merchant who aids clients in changing their destiny. Be it power, fulfillment, or dreams—anything you pursue can be realized through me. Therefore, sir, would you care to purchase a set of Gourmet Jars?"
As the question left his lips, a small array of jars materialized on the counter beside the ecstatic chef.
"Ahem," Tsunade coughed, nearly choking on her noodles. "You have a Gourmet Series too?"
"As I've said, my jars offer opportunities for destiny change," Shen Mo repeated, letting his words hang in the air. "Immense power, hope in despair, dream fulfillment—anything is possible, requiring only a small price and significant luck."
Out of the corner of his eye, Shen Mo caught Sasuke's expression. The young Uchiha was staring intently at the jars, his fists clenching involuntarily. The deliberate emphasis on power was having its desired effect.
"You." Tsunade's brow furrowed slightly, then relaxed into a sigh. "Teuchi, I must warn you: this man's jars are beyond your comprehension. Be prepared to lose your ordinary life." She had already determined his intent was to sell, and she had no right to stop a man from pursuing his dreams, especially since she was neck-deep in her own desperate quest.
"Isn't it just an ordinary jar?" Naruto, who had been staring at the jars, reached out to touch one.
Pop!
Shen Mo snapped his fingers. Naruto's hand passed straight through the jar, which shimmered like a ghost.
"Fifty thousand Ryo each," Shen Mo said with a faint smile. "You must pay first, or offer an item of equal value, before you can touch and open them."
"Fifty thousand Ryo!" Naruto yelped. That was an exorbitant amount for a mere Genin.
Naruto recoiled, looking longingly at the jars.
"Honestly, to embark on a true journey of culinary mastery, these jars are negligible," Shen Mo said, sitting back down. "Don't fret too much about changing your life. You can just buy one set to try."
The hook was set. Once they experienced the taste of the change, could they ever resist the temptation of the jar again? The answer, Shen Mo knew, was a resounding no.