The appearance of the rare, specialized equipment had validated the power of the Tier Three Paladin Jars. The previously unattainable grand prize seemed within easy grasp, and the quality of the drops was undeniably superior.
Tsunade quickly opened the next two jars. They yielded a Strength Aura Sphere, a Stamina Aura Sphere, and a glowing ball of light the exact hue of the Holy Light. Her inner Paladin instincts immediately recognized its importance.
"An Ability Light Sphere," Shen Mo confirmed, chuckling. "And this is a Paladin-exclusive skill. This is the main draw of the limited edition jars—a dramatically higher probability of finding what you need."
Sasuke watched the procession of tailored, useful items with barely concealed jealousy. His general-purpose jars had produced a wide array of goods, many of which were irrelevant to his pursuit of Kendo mastery. Tsunade's jars, however, were almost perfectly optimized.
Even Tsunade was anticipating the reveal of this, her first acquired skill. She reached out and grasped the sphere.
A clear mental prompt appeared: Ability: Paladin Plate Armor Specialization.
The effect description was instantly absorbed: Passive Skill. Effect: When equipped with Paladin plate armor, Strength, Speed, Stamina, Spirit, Holy Light channeling, and Healing power are all granted a significant passive increase.
Tsunade was initially thrilled by the comprehensive buff, but her smile twisted into a wry expression. "Now I'm obligated to wear bulky, restricting armor."
"If you're specializing in Paladin Armor," Shen Mo replied, his smile subtly meaningful, "then you will have to determine what qualifies as armor. Sometimes, a well-placed internal mesh or a specially designed fabric structure, different from ordinary ninja vestment, can satisfy the skill's passive requirement."
Shen Mo knew the skill's requirements were precise, justifying its 60,000 Trade Point value. But he also knew the popular aesthetic for female Paladins often involved form-fitting, specialized armor, which Tsunade would need to reverse-engineer to maintain her fighting style.
"I understand," Tsunade sighed, accepting the challenge. She mentally cataloged the task, knowing this required careful planning.
She looked at the remaining two jars, her expression falling. She still hadn't pulled the ultimate prize.
Beside her, Kakashi had gone completely still, his face pale with dread.
"Is the chance of resurrection really that low, even in the Paladin series?" Tsunade asked, frowning with mounting frustration. Kakashi had paid an enormous price—his irreplaceable memories—for these jars. If they failed him now...
Shen Mo merely shrugged. One of the last two jars contained the prize. It was just a matter of luck.
"Kakashi," Tsunade said, running a hand through her hair in agitated defeat. "You open the final two jars."
Kakashi took a deep, shuddering breath. He knew his combat efficiency was already diminished. This was his last, best chance. He picked up one of the jars and shattered it.
Inside, a small, silver-white object, shaped like a worn coin, floated silently.
Shen Mo paused, then his eyes widened in an exaggerated expression of surprise and delight. He raised his voice, shouting over the tension: "Congratulations! Kakashi, you've opened one of the most practical resurrection items! This is your chance at resurrection!"
Kakashi's eyes went from dull resignation to confused disbelief, and then—finally—to absolute, incandescent euphoria. His fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white, fighting to suppress the intense, body-shaking realization.
Resurrection? It's actually possible?
He had mentally prepared himself for failure, only to be struck by this unimaginable success. Could this silver coin truly bring back his friends?
Shen Mo's smile was steady and reassuring, cementing the reality of the prize. "Congratulations, Kakashi," Tsunade echoed, though there was a complex, inexplicable surprise in her eyes. I opened eight, and found nothing. Kakashi opens two and pulls the resurrection coin? The difference in luck was stunning.
"How do I... use this?" Kakashi asked, his voice cracking, the seasoned ninja momentarily replaced by a helpless, hopeful child. He tentatively reached for the coin, then pulled his hand back. "Are there any conditions? Like... a corpse?"
He was thinking of Rin and Obito, whose bodies had either disintegrated or been lost.
"The Resurrection Coin is a special category of item," Shen Mo explained, nodding. "Its unique power allows for resurrection anytime, anywhere. It can repair a damaged body or completely reform a lost one. Its only limitation is that this particular, simple Resurrection Coin cannot revive someone exceptionally powerful."
The coin's value was 230,000 Trade Points—a minor profit for Shen Mo, but a necessary cost to secure Kakashi's long-term faith in the system.
Hearing the confirmation that a body was not required, Kakashi's breath grew heavy and ragged. Sasuke and Sakura watched, spellbound, finally understanding the profound, agonizing weight of this moment.
"To use it, hold the Resurrection Coin and focus your will on the person you wish to resurrect," Shen Mo instructed. "The coin will recall the soul of the deceased and begin the reformation of the body, shattering the boundary between life and death."
"Understood!"
Kakashi forced himself to take several deep, controlled breaths, stabilizing his trembling hands. He carefully picked up the silver coin.
Tsunade, Sasuke, and Sakura held their collective breaths, anticipating the miracle.
Kakashi clearly felt the coin connect with his consciousness, sending a singular, probing question: Identify the soul you wish to recall.
According to the plan—the practical, rational plan—he needed to resurrect Rin first.
But in that moment of absolute, life-altering power, an overwhelming image of Obito flooded his mind—his best friend, his greatest failure. What if I bring back Obito first? We could bring back Rin together. The impulse was instantaneous, a desperate, longing thought that the coin registered.
Then, the response flooded his mind, clear and absolute:
"There is no such person."