Despite the revelation of true, profound power, Danzo's gaze on Shen Mo remained deeply suspicious. The sheer depth of the knowledge imparted—all pointing to concepts far beyond the scope of their world—confirmed that this merchant was a true alien. Danzo still hadn't discerned Shen Mo's ultimate objective, which remained his core source of anxiety.
However, the means must precede the end. Danzo knew he had gained essential tools.
"I admit I was operating with a shallow perspective," Danzo confessed, a rare, forced smile creeping onto his face. He even managed a grudging sigh of respect. "Your Excellency is indeed mysterious. I initially feared for Konoha's security, but now it seems you have rendered a great service to our village."
If only he couldn't read minds, Shen Mo thought, rolling his eyes internally. He was well aware that this sudden shift was merely a tactical deployment of false respect. He also psychically noted a fleeting desire in Danzo to align himself with Hiruzen Sarutobi, leveraging this new economic power.
"As long as a customer pays the requested price for the jar, I never refuse business," Shen Mo replied calmly. He then delivered a veiled warning: "By the way, regarding those clients who attempted to use force last night—I understand from the Hokage that it was a rogue subordinate acting independently. Malicious clients are generally a burden, and difficult to negotiate with."
Danzo's controlled expression flickered. The initial pressure he felt had been justified. Sarutobi Hiruzen had already visited Shen Mo to smooth over the prior incident. That sly old bastard!
"I still require more jars," Danzo stated, looking pointedly at Tsunade before lowering his voice slightly. "I trust you will continue to keep my secrets protected."
"I am merely a businessman," Shen Mo reiterated casually, presenting Danzo with a Membership Badge. "The next time you wish to purchase a jar, contact me directly. There's no need to involve Tsunade-sama."
Danzo was now qualified for Tier Two Jars and clearly satisfied with the unexpected value of the King's Road knowledge.
"Then I shall take my leave." Danzo tucked the badge away. With his coffers empty, there was no reason to remain. He ordered his subordinates to collect the remaining goods and began to exit.
At the threshold, he stopped and slightly turned his head.
"Tsunade," he said, his voice carrying a sudden, almost vulnerable sincerity, "you may despise me, but everything I do is for Konoha's stability. And more importantly... there will be no more war." He then walked away, his back ramrod straight, disappearing into the morning light.
Was it truly that effective? Shen Mo frowned, reading the true thoughts behind Danzo's statement. The change was driven by a surge of self-confidence. Danzo's past ruthlessness was often a defensive cover for profound self-doubt.
Now, armed with "The King's Cultivation," he felt he finally had the intellectual framework and the tools to succeed, replacing insecurity with genuine, if dark, conviction.
Shen Mo decided he didn't need to interfere further. As long as Danzo wasn't attempting to murder his customers or block his revenue streams, the system was stable.
He turned to Tsunade, who was watching him with a complicated expression.
"Do you believe I shouldn't have sold Danzo the jar?" Shen Mo asked, predicting her internal conflict.
"If he truly becomes Hokage, many people will suffer," Tsunade admitted, though she no longer looked angry.
"And what is your power for?" Shen Mo gazed at her, his voice reflective. "People's fates are complex and interwoven. My jar offers a new path, a hope, but you must still walk the road yourself. If Danzo is a threat to the world, then your job is to overcome him."
Shen Mo knew that if this world was a game, his role as the merchant was to maintain balance. If Danzo, a notorious "grief player" (one who enjoys ruining the experience for others), gained too much power without wisdom, he would quickly move to eliminate all other "players"—starting with the still-weak Sasuke and Naruto.
Don't start hating me, Tsunade, Shen Mo mentally reminded himself.
Tsunade remained silent for a long moment, looking down at her clenched fist. "You're right," she said, lifting her head, the confident smile returning. "Hope is enough. I am not afraid of Danzo."
"Then you need to acquire more funds," Shen Mo shrugged, then glanced around the clearing. "Where is Shizune?"
Tsunade's smile became mischievous. "I gave her a mission. She left yesterday."
Ah, money. Shen Mo mentally tapped into Tsunade's psychic thoughts and was immediately amused.
Yes, she's actually earning money.
"Hmph, those people have treated me like a fat sheep for years and taken mountains of my money!" Tsunade huffed, her eyes narrowing slightly. "I may lose money at the gambling tables due to poor luck, but I will certainly win it back outside of them."
She's using the funds from the initial jar sale to legally (and perhaps slightly illegally) acquire more money, rather than just cheating at the gambling tables. Shen Mo gave her a genuine thumbs-up. "Well done."
Tsunade actually blushed at the praise. To cover her slight embarrassment, she grabbed Shen Mo's wrist with a firm grip. "My master told me to be polite to you. Come, I'll give you a tour of Konoha. Perhaps we can arrange some more transactions."
Shen Mo did not resist. A bit of balance between profit and pleasure was necessary.
I should check on Naruto and his team...
"Ah, they left early this morning. They had a mission and took Lin with them," Tsunade said casually.
Shen Mo froze, the casual mention of the mission hitting him with the force of a premonition.
They're going to the Land of Waves?
He quickly calculated the current Team 7 composition: Kakashi, armed with Resurrection Coin confidence and possibly other jars; Sasuke, now with the power of an elite Jonin; Naruto, wearing his Critical Hit Gloves; and Rin—the resurrected thirteen-year-old.
Zabuza Momochi and Haku can literally be annihilated the moment they step onto the bridge. The standard plot was about to be utterly destroyed by the new reality. The Zabuza Bento Crisis was officially underway.