The sheer, overwhelming force of Shen Mo's aura was not something that could be grasped intellectually; it had to be felt, absorbed deep into the psyche. Sarutobi Hiruzen, having now witnessed the instantaneous deployment and withdrawal of that god-like power, felt his caution transform into profound, political respect.
He silently revised his assessment of the world's power balance, realizing that even the rumored, terrifying force of the Akatsuki organization likely posed no threat to the proprietor of the Omniscient Chamber of Commerce.
A merchant from another world, the All-Knowing and All-Powerful Chamber of Commerce… Hiruzen mused, his mind racing. This entity is far beyond Konoha's ability to control. My only path, as Hokage, is to ensure the village benefits without offending the proprietor.
He puffed slowly on his pipe, his smoke curling into the still air. "Whatever items or assets you bring, I assure you, they will be assessed with complete fairness and impartiality for their true value," he declared, solidifying the new trade arrangement.
Shen Mo simply smiled, a relaxed, knowing look that hinted he was privy to the Hokage's every internal conflict. His gaze swept over the gathered Genin, pausing finally on the single, scarred eye of Kakashi Hatake.
The Copy Ninja. An intriguing prospect indeed.
Shen Mo activated his internal inquiry system, focusing it on the Jōnin. A catalogue of knowledge... a library of combat data stored entirely within his mind.
"One thousand, one hundred and twenty-one Ninjutsu," Shen Mo announced, the precise number hanging in the air like a chime. He directed his radiant smile toward Kakashi.
"A truly valuable client, Kakashi. Are you considering purchasing a jar? From the acquisition of specialized strength to the ultimate power of Resurrection; from the mending of broken friendships to the rekindling of lost loves… whatever your regret, whatever your deepest wish, simply sell a few memories of an unused Jutsu and purchase a jar. Your destiny, too, is negotiable."
He had even offered the possibility of selling the conceptual memories and combat experience of his vast, catalogued Ninjutsu, equating their worth to roughly twenty million transaction points. Though most were low-level techniques, the sheer volume made them valuable.
Kakashi stiffened slightly. His single eye widened fractionally, a sign that Shen Mo had struck a resonant chord. The word "Resurrection" echoed in his mind, conjuring the ghosts of those he had lost: his father, Sakumo; his master, Minato; and above all, the spirited, heartbreaking memory of Obito and Rin. Could such a thing actually be possible?
"Sensei Kakashi really knows that many Jutsu!" Naruto shouted, his initial shock quickly morphing into profound jealousy. He then bounded toward the merchant with his usual lack of filter. "What about me, Mister? Do I have anything I can sell?"
"Hmph, Kakashi-sensei only managed that feat thanks to the Sharingan. You, Dope, probably only know three Jutsu," Sasuke scoffed, leaning haughtily on his katana. Despite his dismissal, even Sasuke was inwardly staggered by the sheer volume of Kakashi's copied techniques. How many battles, how much blood, must he have endured to copy over a thousand techniques?
Giving Kakashi the time he needed to grapple with the possibilities of Resurrection, Shen Mo turned his attention fully to the blonde Genin. A swift mental appraisal of Naruto's internal composition was all it took.
His inherent Ashura Chakra… the residual protective Chakra seals left by Minato and Kushina… his own monstrous, unique reserves… All were viable assets.
Shen Mo suppressed a flicker of true regret. Pity. The bulk of the Nine-Tails' raw Chakra doesn't belong to him, or he could buy the village outright.
He fixed Naruto with a mysterious, captivating smile. "You, young man, are a reservoir of astonishing energy. While I recommend against selling your Ashura Chakra—it is too vital—I can assess your standard reserves. Based on the sheer, staggering volume available… if you were to commit to a total, temporary depletion, your entire reserve is worth approximately two million Ryo."
The announcement was deliberate and loud.
"That translates to forty Level One Jars, or four superior Level Two Jars."
Before Naruto could even process the magnitude of the number, Sasuke roared in disbelief.
"Chakra can be traded, too!?"
Every Shinobi possessed Chakra. If Naruto, a mere Genin, could monetize his, what did that mean for the entire Shinobi world?
"Chakra is absolutely tradable," Shen Mo confirmed with a nod. "However, Sasuke, your current reserves are perhaps only one-fiftieth of Naruto's total capacity. And critically, Naruto possesses an extraordinary natural regeneration rate, meaning he could potentially trade this amount once every single day without permanent damage."
Indeed, Naruto's immense natural vitality and Uzumaki blood meant his body acted as a perpetual motion machine of Chakra. He could create literal armies of Shadow Clones, train with the exhausting Rasengan for days, and most importantly, his body constantly drew upon the sealed Nine-Tails' power for rapid, unconscious healing.
This isn't just a customer, Shen Mo realized with an internal chuckle. This is a long-term, stable, self-recharging asset.
"Hahaha! I have that much Chakra?" Naruto's face lit up, his ego soaring for the first time that day. He started counting on his fingers, trying to calculate the days. Two million a day… how many days until I catch up to Sasuke's two hundred million?
Sasuke stared at his rival, a horrifying realization dawning. Fifty times my Chakra? If he sells that much every single day for a hundred days, he could surpass me without even trying! The Avenger felt a wave of crushing urgency.
"Naruto is a descendant of the Uzumaki clan, known for their powerful life-force and massive Chakra reserves," Sarutobi explained, though his words were tinged with anxiety. "But extracting Chakra, even for money, can be dangerous, Naruto. You…"
"Worry not, Hokage-sama," Shen Mo smoothly interjected, waving a dismissive hand. "The exchange process is entirely lossless and painless. Naruto, I recommend you try an initial exchange. Forty Level One Jars, to start?"
Naruto, driven by the desperation to catch Sasuke and the need for recognition, didn't hesitate. "Okay! I'll sell it right now!"
Hiruzen sighed, the fight draining out of him. He knew that to forbid the transaction now would only drive Naruto into secrecy. It was better to monitor the dangerous exchange in the open. Kakashi, too, held his silence, choosing to observe.
"A wise decision," Shen Mo said, offering a genuine, business-minded smile. "Now then, young Naruto. Have you decided which series of jars you wish to buy? Or perhaps, do you wish to change your Destiny?"
Change Destiny. Naruto considered the profound, weighty words.
Then, the hesitation vanished entirely. His fists clenched tighter than ever, and his blue eyes shone with an unshakeable resolve.
"I want to become Hokage!" he declared, his voice ringing with absolute certainty.
His wish was not for mere strength, but for acceptance; to stand as the respected, recognized pillar of the village.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression softened, a deep sense of relief washing over him. Compared to Sasuke's singular obsession with corrosive revenge, Naruto's ambition—to become the protector of his people—was the very embodiment of the Will of Fire.
"Hokage," Shen Mo murmured, acknowledging the weight of the title. "So your chosen Destiny, your ultimate desire, is to protect this village and the lives within it?"
"Yes! That's exactly it!" Naruto confirmed, nodding vehemently.
Sasuke, standing rigidly nearby, watched with a growing tension. If this idiot chooses a path of power that complements his raw Chakra, like some sort of terrifying Taijutsu or even… Kendo… he really might achieve his goal faster than me. The thought of Naruto surpassing him ignited a fresh spark of rage.
Tsunade, too, felt a strange, painful twinge in her heart. In Naruto's determined face, she saw a clear, echoing reflection of her lost, hopeful younger brother, Nawaki, who had shared the exact same, impossible dream.
"Speaking of protection and true heroes," Shen Mo said, opening his hands wide. The air before them shimmered once more, and a projection of light and shadow materialized, this time accompanied by sound—an audio-visual display of the highest quality