The revelation—that Resurrection was an inherent, masterable ability of the Paladin profession—shook Tsunade to her core. For years, she had been paralyzed by the conviction that the loss of Nawaki was final, an unchangeable tragedy. To learn that a power capable of reversing death actually existed, and was now within reach, filled her with a fierce, absolute concentration.
Sasuke and Kakashi also bore expressions of stunned realization. The casual description of the Paladin's power painted a picture of individuals who were not just powerful ninjas, but spiritual anchors capable of defying fate itself.
Tsunade's golden eyes became razor-sharp, every trace of previous levity gone. She frowned slightly in intense focus.
"How do I activate this item?" she asked, her voice low and demanding. She needed to seize this opportunity that promised the higher possibility of resurrection.
"Job transfer items are unique," Shen Mo explained softly, his gaze steady. "While they appear in the jar, every client must possess the basic prerequisite spiritual qualifications to even receive them. The fact that you pulled the Paladin Seed means you are fundamentally qualified to undertake the trial."
Shen Mo's words were factual. Before planting the Holy Light Seed, he had run an internal analysis on Tsunade, revealing a 64% spiritual alignment with the core Paladin ethos. High, but not absolute.
"But attributes are just attributes," Shen Mo continued, his tone turning heavy, lending weight to the moment.
Tsunade, along with Sasuke and Kakashi, listened with rapt attention. This, they felt, was the truth behind the jar's ability to truly reshape one's fate.
"As I said, Paladins are the Keepers of Hope. This is an immense burden," Shen Mo intoned. "Every true Paladin must possess the foundational belief: 'As long as I stand, my comrades shall not suffer loss.'"
Or at least, Shen Mo thought wryly, that's the ideal the Holy Light is supposed to enforce. He was reminded of the countless morally questionable "Paladins" in ancient gaming lore, but his task now was to inspire, not expose hypocrisy.
Tsunade was visibly moved. Her seemingly carefree exterior masked a deeply empathetic core. She had pioneered the medical ninja system and risked her life constantly during the war to save others.
Her single, overwhelming drive to resurrect Nawaki and protect him at any cost was a reflection of that gentle heart. The phrase, "As long as I do not fall, my friends will not suffer," resonated with her deepest, most desperate wish.
Does the Paladin truly offer that power?
"To be frank, even with this item unlocked, I believe your probability of passing the trial is currently low," Shen Mo offered, deciding to inject some coaching. "Do you truly understand the required character of a Paladin?"
"Noble and loyal?" Tsunade repeated Shen Mo's earlier, insufficient description, her voice tinged with uncertainty. She knew she was not consistently noble (given her gambling debts) nor loyal (given her long departure from Konoha).
"Those are important, but not the most critical elements," Shen Mo confirmed. He knew Tsunade's 60% alignment score was compromised by two significant flaws, the deadliest of which was a profound spiritual vulnerability.
"If you were the person I met initially, you would have never opened this jar, for you were too fragile in the face of despair and darkness," Shen Mo sighed.
"A Paladin must be kind, but never weak. No matter how deep the world's shadow, no matter the magnitude of the despair before them, a Paladin's heart must be an inexhaustible source of light. Only then can the Holy Light be channeled."
Tsunade's pale gold eyes flashed with an intense, burning shame. She, the legendary medical ninja, the warrior Sannin, was crippled by hemophobia—a direct consequence of her devastating losses in the war. She couldn't even stand the sight of blood, let alone face despair with a heart full of light.
Yet, rather than retreating, her shame fueled her resolve. She clenched her fists, glaring at Shen Mo with fierce, unyielding stubbornness.
"I will take the trial. And I will show you that I am worthy!"
Her mission was no longer just about reversing Nawaki's death; it was about purging her own weakness, ensuring that the helplessness she felt at the moment of his and Dan's passing would never return.
"Then take the trial."
Shen Mo gazed deeply at her, then used a subtle exertion of his newly acquired psychic energy. The item, glowing with sacred light, gently floated out of the jar and hovered directly before Tsunade.
"You have only one task: catch it. No matter what happens next, do not let go."
"Catch it, then." Tsunade took a massive, centering breath. Her eyes hardened with determination.
Clap!
She slammed her hands together, weaving a complex sequence of seals.
"Yin Seal: Release!"
The diamond-shaped seal on her forehead instantly fractured, transforming into black lines that raced down her face.
Ninjutsu: Creation Rebirth: Strength of a Hundred Technique!
Tsunade's entire aura changed. This was her true, absolute combat state—maximum physical strength combined with continuous, instantaneous cellular regeneration.
With this power surging through her, she reached out and closed her hand around the ball of light.
CRACK.
In a flash, the world dissolved. Though she remained upright, the forest clearing, the grass beneath her feet, the concerned faces of Kakashi and Sasuke—all slowly faded. Shen Mo was the last figure to vanish.
"Never let go," his final warning echoed, fading into the consuming void.
Then, there was only darkness.
Tsunade felt a primal spike of panic, the innate human terror of the unknown void. She instinctively tried to move, but the ground beneath her feet was gone. She was floating, unmoored in a world of infinite blackness.
The only thing she could feel, the only thing she could see, was the soft, persistent glow of the Holy Light Seed clutched tightly in her hand.