Zabuza stared at the unassuming merchant, Shen Mo, who maintained a facade of serene innocence. The assassin's new, feminine body thrummed with amplified power, but his internal turmoil was a furious storm. Shen Mo's words rang true—the Kampfer Bracelet was indeed perfectly suited for Haku's unique skill set and pure heart.
He deliberately withheld crucial information! The assassin realized, his anger curdling into cold, professional caution.
"You stated there is a method to annul the contract," Zabuza stated, his hands clenching tightly, the strain of suppressing his rage evident even through his newly high-pitched voice. He had to use honorifics; the merchant's power was simply too absolute to challenge.
For a true shinobi, the gender transformation itself was only a minor practical inconvenience—a mere variation of the Transformation Jutsu. However, the nature of the change was what terrified him. This was not an illusion; he felt his fundamental self shifting, a complete internal restructuring that defied all known biological and magical boundaries of their world.
The terrifying power of the foreign merchant was far deeper than he had initially assessed.
"Under normal circumstances, an oath-bound weapon can only be removed upon the death of the wielder," Shen Mo explained calmly, observing the enraged, female Zabuza.
"However, the jars, by their very nature, make the impossible accessible. The Tier Two Jars contain a specific accessory designed to terminate such weapon contracts. Should you acquire it, you can safely remove the bracelet."
Shen Mo's claim was technically accurate; such an item had been designed for the system, even if its general necessity was low.
Zabuza hesitated, catching Haku's gaze—a look of unwavering admiration and respect that transcended their current absurdity. His resolve hardened. He needed power, and Haku needed protection.
"Open!" Zabuza growled, the strange, high vocal timbre lending an unexpected, almost comic intensity to his command. The tremors in his newly acquired chest region were driving him insane.
"The effects of the Kampfer system are also reversible, of course," Shen Mo reminded him, a subtle hint of regret in his voice.
Zabuza immediately retracted his transformation in his mind, and the blue light returned, reversing the change instantly. He was male once more. The loss of the enhanced power made him momentarily regretful. The equipment was undeniably potent.
If only Haku could wield it...
"Continue the jars!" Zabuza commanded. His focus was now entirely on securing the contract-termination item.
The Tier Two Jars flew open. Seven were left. Beyond the standard Light Spheres, a wearable item was retrieved: a pair of boots designed to significantly boost the wearer's speed.
"Why must this be for women?!" Zabuza exclaimed, his voice sharp with suspicion born from his previous deception.
"All wearable accessories of this type possess inherent gender specifications," Shen Mo clarified, conveniently omitting that this particular item was also targeted toward Haku.
"Haku, you test these," Zabuza ordered.
Haku complied. Watching the young man perform a series of unnaturally light, rapid movements confirmed the boost was substantial. Just a pair of shoes.
"Wearable equipment encompasses various components: footwear, upper body protection, gauntlets, accessories..." Shen Mo sensed Zabuza's growing fascination and poured fuel on the fire.
"If a full set is assembled, it can activate unique, overwhelmingly powerful set bonuses. With a complete equipment set, even an average person could ascend to true greatness."
The Equipment Collection mechanic was the most powerful tool in the salesman's arsenal. The human compulsion for completion—especially when the initial investment was high—became the driving force for endless spending. Missing just one piece meant all prior investment was operating below maximum efficiency.
Zabuza was hooked. "Ten more!" he demanded. He rationalized the expenditure: buying powerful, inheritable weaponry was a sound political investment. Surely, the money I retain will be sufficient.
For a period of time, the forest clearing echoed with the singular sounds of shattered ceramic and Zabuza's commands:
"Ten more!"
"Continue!"
"Damn it, why is this not the Forest Set belt? Open another batch!"
"Such powerful swordsmanship, why does the final piece remain elusive?"
"One last attempt! The final set!"
Time, once frozen, had been normalized by Shen Mo. Now, as the sun began to dip below the horizon, shrouding the forest in a dusky gloom, Haku quietly spoke.
"Master Zabuza, we have only seventy million Ryo remaining."
Zabuza's fortune of 250 million Ryo had been decimated.
Haku, meanwhile, was fully equipped. He now wore a light-green outfit, akin to a woodland elf's armor. His long hair was neatly tied back, revealing his delicate features, and an emerald-green jade bow hung across his slender shoulders, completing a look that was undeniably lovely, if entirely feminine.
He now lacked only the right wristguard to complete the "Forest Attire" collection.
"Only one more bracelet remains for your Forest Set to be complete!" Zabuza muttered, his voice ragged. He then looked down at his own incomplete gear.
"My own 'Earth Attire' is missing three pieces, but once you acquire that final component, the 'Wind Divine Protection' set bonus will activate! Your speed will increase by half again! Our chances of eliminating the Mizukage will skyrocket!"
"But what if we receive another duplicate?" Haku asked, biting his lip. They had already acquired duplicates of shoes, tops, and several accessories from various sets.
"If we get a duplicate, we can equip one of my followers!" Zabuza declared, his decision made. He ripped the bandage from his mouth, revealing his jagged, sharpened teeth—a feral expression that contrasted sharply with his manic determination.
"And did the gentleman not state that the greater the desire, the higher the probability of its manifestation? We have acquired eleven out of twelve pieces for your set! This final piece must open now. We stop after this batch!"
Eleven pieces from seven or eight different series, which was why the probability was so low. Yet, by some stroke of statistical madness, Haku had acquired eleven pieces of the Forest Attire set.
Haku blushed slightly, offering no further argument. His focus had shifted entirely to the completion of his powerful, beautiful equipment.
"Ten more!" Zabuza commanded Shen Mo, his desperation palpable. He then paused, his teeth grinding. "Wait. I've opened so many jars! Why haven't I found that item that cancels the contract, the one you mentioned?"
It was the item he truly needed, the only thing that could fix his immediate personal crisis.
"Such an accessory is not typically common in the lower tiers, as its utility is considered situational," Shen Mo replied regretfully. "Its rarity confirms you are not focused enough on its necessity. But that is understandable. Though uncomfortable now, one inevitably adjusts to these things over time."
Keep spending. The contract nullification is a Tier Three item anyway, or I'll customize an advanced Tier Two. Shen Mo smiled, ready for the next batch of revenue.
Would you like to see what Zabuza pulls in this final desperate attempt to complete Haku's set?