Naruto Uzumaki, barely initiated into the rigorous life of a Shinobi, had not yet been tempered by the inevitable disappointments and harsh realities of the ninja world.
He was at the age of pure, unblemished idealism, making him the perfect target for infection—not by a disease, but by an inspiring, world-altering idea. The path of a hero, the destiny of becoming Hokage and the ultimate protector of Konoha, was the core longing of his very soul.
He now stood before Shen Mo, his blue eyes wide and shining with an almost unbearable, impatient eagerness.
A soft, lazy sound—"Miyav..."—drew momentary attention. Himari, the merchant's cat, stretched languidly on Shen Mo's shoulder. She opened her large, sapphire eyes, examining the frantic spectacle with bored curiosity before settling back into a gentle purr as Shen Mo instinctively reached up to scratch her belly.
"Since you yearn for the destiny of a hero," Shen Mo began, his signature enigmatic smile widening, "and you have seen the incredible deeds of these champions, you must identify their most fundamental commonality."
"Commonality?" Naruto crossed his arms, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, trying to process the complex montage of heroes. His eyes suddenly lit up. "I know! Most of them are… very big!"
Sakura threw her hands up in exasperation, her jaw slack. "Naruto! What kind of observation is that? That's not a partnership!"
Sasuke, however, remained silent, his gaze fixed on Shen Mo, a thoughtful furrow in his brow.
Shen Mo's smile only deepened. He nodded slowly. "Indeed. You are absolutely correct, Naruto. They are very large."
Sakura visibly deflated, her disbelief reaching its peak.
Shen Mo snapped his fingers, and the three-dimensional heroes reappeared—All Might, the Ice Man, and the terrifying Saitama. "In truth, the concept of protection comes in infinite varieties. Any type of power can be used for defense," he explained, his voice taking on the quality of a sage.
"However," he continued, emphasizing the point, "heroes don't merely protect; they must also embody hope and inspire confidence. Therefore, a trustworthy image and the delivery of shocking power are absolutely essential."
The concept resonated deeply with everyone present. Kakashi instinctively recalled the paralyzing fear induced by the sight of a perfect Sharingan; Hiruzen remembered the sheer, magnetic charisma of the First Hokage.
"Those heroes earlier…" Sasuke finally spoke, his mind dissecting the footage. "They all seemed to possess unbelievably strong bodies. They fought mostly with their fists, not with complex, lethal Ninjutsu or conventional weaponry."
"Precisely!" Shen Mo opened his arms wide, a grand gesture of confirmation. "As the saying goes, Strength trumps skill. Naruto, for an energetic, pure-hearted champion like you, I have the perfect recommendation: the Power Jar series!"
He had finally reached the primary goal of the presentation. While Sasuke's series was the precise, weapon-focused path of Kenjutsu, Naruto's blazing passion and formidable Chakra pool were perfectly suited for a path of raw, physical domination. A path where the body was the ultimate weapon.
Of course, Shen Mo mused internally, this extreme physical enhancement will consume far more resources than Sasuke's finesse-based Kendo. All the better for business.
"Power Jar?" Naruto mumbled the words, slightly confused but intrigued.
"Yes. Power," Shen Mo affirmed, his voice drawing Naruto in. "A fist that carries the raw, screaming energy of your body and the unbreakable will to protect to the very last moment."
He pointed to the screen, focusing the flow of images on the bald hero, Saitama. The footage began to play again: an unbelievably powerful being, a celestial-sized monster, an enemy capable of destroying continents—all meeting the same destiny. Saitama, with a single, shockingly simple punch, reduced them to cosmic dust.
The effect was utterly stunning. Even Tsunade, the world's foremost expert on overwhelming physical strength, wore an expression of disbelief. Is that truly a normal human body? How can such unlimited power be confined within such a small frame?
"Is a punch like that… the true power of a hero?" Naruto's young eyes slowly began to glow with a strange, fierce light. Hope, pure and bright, shone within him.
"It's more than just the offensive punch," Shen Mo pressed on, sensing the hook was set. "It is also an impenetrable defense. A hero must be invincible. No matter the attack, no matter how cowardly the sneak attack, the hero remains unharmed, because he is the hope for everyone standing behind him. The Power Jar is the most direct route to that destiny!"
The sales pitch was complete. Shen Mo didn't need to say another word.
"Okay! I choose that jar!" Naruto roared, his decision instantaneous.
He clenched his fists, mentally already playing the scene where he, Konoha's hero, would defeat any incoming enemy with a single, world-shaking blow.
Sarutobi Hiruzen watched silently. He found no objection. The physical path was a perfect fit for Naruto's Uzumaki heritage and immense stamina. Moreover, the projection of raw, imposing strength reminded him of the fearsome Raikage—a figure who commanded both the fear of his enemies and the absolute confidence of his people.
"You have decided, then?" Shen Mo smiled, the consummation of the sale near.
"I've decided!" Naruto nodded vigorously. The images of All Might and the others flashed through his mind, overlaid now with his own face. Soon, he thought. I will become Konoha's hero!
"Forty jars, then, to begin your journey?" Shen Mo asked, confirming the number equal to Naruto's initial Chakra valuation.
"Forty!" Naruto confirmed again, his excitement boiling over.
"Excellent!" Shen Mo's hand swept through the air. With a faint shimmer, forty identical, unremarkable Level One Jars materialized on the ground before everyone.
The sight instantly drew the rapt attention of the two newcomers: Sarutobi Hiruzen and Kakashi. Though they had heard of the jars' magic, they were now seeing the vessels of destiny firsthand. From the outside, they were plain, common pottery.
Kakashi activated his Sharingan, but the crimson eye provided no insight. The jars remained utterly featureless, refusing to betray their true nature to the legendary dōjutsu.
Perfect, Shen Mo thought, his smile reaching his eyes. The magic is in the contents, not the container. He was being deliberately generous with this initial batch, ensuring a rewarding spectacle not just for Naruto, but for his two new, high-purchasing-power customers.
"I will collect the transaction points later," Shen Mo said, gesturing toward Naruto. "Go on, open them! Even Level One Jars can hold pleasant surprises, especially for those with good luck."
Tsunade, ever the veteran, folded her arms across her chest with a sniff of superior knowledge. "First-level jars rarely contain anything of true consequence. They offer minor effects and a bit of a boost, at best. The real power is reserved for Level Two, or higher."
Sasuke nodded in immediate agreement, recalling his own experience: two hundred Level One Jars yielding mainly a large amount of experience aura and only the most basic sword skills.
"That may be true, but never underestimate the power of fate—or luck," Shen Mo countered, opening his hands in a gesture of philosophical surrender. "A jar can change a person's destiny, but the act of opening it is a matter of destiny itself. I have seen many individuals touch the edge of fortune in my long career. Every jar opened should be met with sincere expectation."
The stage was set for Naruto's transformation. Forty chances at a new heroic destiny.