Even in the absence of flashing golden effects, Shen Mo's visible reaction was one of pure, unadulterated shock. He ran a hand through his hair, his eyes wide.
"You... you actually pulled this from a Tier Two Jar? The client's fortune truly knows no bounds," he muttered, half to himself.
"What exactly is this?" Zabuza snatched the metallic, cuff-like bracelet. Observing Shen Mo's intense reaction—a man who had just effortlessly frozen time—Zabuza felt a surge of genuine anticipation. If this can shock him, it must be an item of immense power. Having already witnessed the low-tier miracles, he did not dismiss the object for its feminine appearance.
"That is the Kampfer Bracelet," Shen Mo finally managed, looking pointedly at Haku. "In its native universe, the Kampfers are an elite warrior caste. The Vow Ring grants them exponential power boosts. Even a mundane individual who wears it will experience a dramatic increase in all physical parameters, and gain access to abilities akin to a Bloodline Limit."
"A Bloodline Limit?" Zabuza's eye flashed with avarice. As a seasoned ninja, he knew the devastating power of inherited Kekkai Genkai, with Haku being the prime example.
"That is not its most terrifying feature," Shen Mo said, offering a genuine, if slightly strained, smile. "When combined with a specific companion weapon—which usually requires a Tier Three purchase—the duo can unlock a terrifying synergy with an extremely high power ceiling. Such coordinated power is usually reserved for equipment orders far above this tier. It is truly potent."
Yes, Shen Mo thought. The truth was that this was a magical girl transformation item that required the user to be female, or would convert the user to female upon use. It was perfect for the soft, pure-hearted Haku, a meta-joke on the tragic realization that Haku was, in fact, male.
"Remarkable." Zabuza did not doubt the merchant's claims. The alluring promise of obtaining such unexpected, game-breaking equipment simply by purchasing a jar was overwhelmingly persuasive. A surprise at every turn.
The power of a Bloodline Limit was too tempting.
Click—!
Without a moment's hesitation, Zabuza clamped the Kampfer Bracelet onto his wrist. The cuff instantly sealed, the metallic join disappearing perfectly into the surrounding bracelet.
"I perceive no immediate change," Zabuza noted, frowning slightly as he flexed his hand. "And this ornament is entirely too delicate; it looks like something a woman would wear."
Shen Mo was genuinely aghast. He actually did it.
Zabuza Momochi—the Demon Man of the Hidden Mist—had just willingly donned the legendary Gender-Bending Transformation Bracelet.
In the split second it took Shen Mo to register the intent to wear the bracelet, Zabuza's action was already complete. The transformation covenant was sealed.
"What is that ridiculous look on your face?" Zabuza demanded, sensing the profound horror radiating from the merchant. A knot of deep dread coiled in his gut. He yanked at the bracelet, attempting to remove it.
It would not budge.
Zabuza's frown deepened into a scowl.
Shen Mo sighed, covering his face with his hands. "You were far too impulsive. The Kampfer Bracelet is a Vow Ring. Wearing it signifies an immutable oath. You cannot remove it—not even by severing your hand. The bracelet would simply reappear on the other limb. Unless, of course, you acquire a specific, high-tier counter-item to annul the contract later."
The item was clearly meant for Haku, but fate—or Zabuza's impatience—had intervened.
Zabuza remained ignorant of the bracelet's full implication. Hearing it was permanent only confirmed his initial suspicion that something was gravely wrong.
"You claimed this would increase my physique and grant me a Bloodline-like power. Why do I feel absolutely nothing?" Zabuza pressed, his voice tight with rising fury.
"It requires activation. Simply call out the transformation phrase in your mind," Shen Mo instructed, looking pointedly at Zabuza's bare, muscular chest.
There's no point in stopping the inevitable now, Shen Mo concluded. The transformation was tailored to the user's personality and status.
A sudden, intense blue light erupted from the bracelet, engulfing Zabuza entirely.
Before Haku's widening eyes, the miracle occurred. Zabuza's short black hair lengthened instantly, cascading down his back. His immense, skilled musculature dissolved, his frame thinning and elongating dramatically.
His simple ninja trousers and twin leather shoulder belts dissolved, replaced by a skintight, light-blue bodysuit with a deep V-neck, paired with opaque black stockings and tall, armored boots.
When the light dissipated, the person standing before Haku was a tall, lithe woman with smooth, olive skin. Though her face was still obscured by the familiar bandages, her overall physique was breathtakingly feminine.
"Zabuza... sama?" Haku whispered, utterly stunned, unable to process the total transformation.
Shen Mo maintained a poker face. This was Zabuza's error, not his.
"What is the meaning of this—!?" Zabuza roared, his voice now a startlingly high-pitched, smooth female timbre that did not match his aggressive posture.
He looked down at his slender hands and the terrifying changes wrought upon his body. He felt the rising power within and desperately concentrated, summoning his chakra.
A ball of vibrant, controllable blue flame materialized in his palm. He ignored the profound shift in his gender. He simply gripped his greatsword and shouted at Shen Mo with the rawest, most concentrated fury of his life.
"Explain this betrayal, merchant!"
His chest heaved violently beneath the light-blue outfit. Haku, standing beside him, blushed furiously, his eyes darting between the angry, female Zabuza and the impassive merchant.
"The Kampfer Bracelet is intrinsically attuned to female physiology," Shen Mo explained calmly, shrugging his shoulders.
"When a man wears it, it necessitates a transformation into a female form to fully utilize its power, just as you experienced. However, it also delivered the promised benefits: enhanced physical conditioning and Bloodline-like abilities. Have you not noticed the surge of power?"
Shen Mo gestured toward the controlled flame in Zabuza's palm. The Kampfer set was an amplification system, and Zabuza's transformation had granted him the magical ability to manipulate fire, similar to a hero's unique power.
Zabuza stared at the perfectly controlled flame, then felt the undeniable surge of amplified strength coursing through his new body, confirming Shen Mo's technical truth.
"You said this item was perfectly suited for us!" Zabuza snarled, his new high-pitched voice adding a layer of high-strung indignation to his rage. If the bracelet was female-attuned, how could it be suitable for two adult males?
"Of course it is suitable," Shen Mo countered, raising an eyebrow in feigned surprise. "You were simply too impatient. My meaning was that it is perfectly suited for Haku. Haku's mind is a rarity in your world: pure, intelligent, and deeply innocent. Even a temporary shift in his outward gender would not cause the mental distress that a hardened killer like yourself must now be experiencing."
A perfect example of his own cruelty turned back on him, Shen Mo thought. The killer who treats his only friend as a mere tool had just sacrificed himself for that very tool's power, allowing Haku to keep his physical form and potential.
Zabuza's anger seemed to stall. The merchant's explanation, though devastatingly insulting, was logical—Haku's personality was indeed softer and purer.
"Furthermore," Shen Mo pressed, sensing the momentary hesitation. "The purpose of this transformation is to grant you power. Do you sense that you are now weaker, or stronger?"
Zabuza gripped his greatsword. The fury was still there, but now mixed with the cold calculation of the assassin. He was undoubtedly stronger.
"Then how do I acquire the companion weapon you spoke of? And more importantly... how do I reverse this obscene transformation?" Zabuza hissed, the new voice struggling to convey his malice.
"The companion weapon is likely a Tier Three item—a separate purchase entirely," Shen Mo replied. "As for reversing the transformation... that will require an advanced, customized contract, likely involving a highly valuable item or a significant portion of your remaining lifespan. The price for reversing fate is never cheap."
Shen Mo paused, his smile returning to one of professional satisfaction. "But before we address that, you still have nine more Tier Two Jars to open. Shall we see what other treasures destiny has prepared for you?"