The introduction of the Witness Betting System hung in the air like an electric charge, instantly shifting the focus from existential dread to palpable avarice. The rule was simple, yet brutal: winning the destined clash meant a potential tripling of one's investment; losing meant annihilation.
In the high-risk, high-reward ecosystem of the Jar Merchant, the very concept of a betting service was a double-edged sword. Conventional wisdom dictated that such systems only allow the strong to consolidate their power and the weak to be crushed underfoot.
But here, where destiny itself was on the line and the likelihood of grievous injury or even death was near absolute, the stakes served a darker, more intoxicating purpose. The promise of massive returns would only intensify the desperation and conviction of the Jar Buyers—a pure, unfiltered adherence to Shen Mo's doctrine: the winner advances, the loser perishes.
A visible spark of raw ambition flew between Sasuke Uchiha and Momochi Zabuza. Both men, driven by monumental, all-consuming goals—revenge and revolution, respectively—felt an intense, almost physical thirst for the promised gains. Victory here meant not just survival, but a leap forward in power that might otherwise take years of grinding effort.
"Second," Shen Mo's voice accelerated, sensing the shift in their mood, "once defeated, you have the option of leaving your non-essential possessions here in the arena and exchanging them for a specific amount of points. I emphasize: these items must be purely supplementary; things not tied directly to your core combat strength or personal identity."
It was a strange, almost bureaucratic loophole in a cosmic battle, designed to wring every last bit of value from the combatants. A consolation prize for the defeated, a safety net for the deeply ambitious.
"And now," Shen Mo proclaimed, his voice softening with the gravity of the announcement, "the third, and arguably the greatest, benefit: Resurrection."
The word landed with the weight of revelation.
"Any individual who falls in battle on this Stage of Destiny shall not be claimed by the underworld or conventional death. Their soul will be drawn into and held within the Member Badge they possess. As long as a living comrade retains possession of that badge, they gain the privilege to purchase a limited, member-exclusive Jar of Revival from the Merchant Guild."
A collective, sharp intake of breath swept through the group.
"These unique Resurrection Jars are priced at Tier Three level. I do not care if the deceased was a fledgling Genin or a warrior of Six Paths caliber—a single successful opening of a Tier Three Resurrection Jar guarantees a special item capable of restoring life. The probability of success, however, is not fixed; it is tied directly to the will and determination of the one opening the jar to bring their comrade back."
Shen Mo let the monumental implications settle, observing the slack jaws and shining eyes below.
The main motivation for engineering this high-risk environment was indeed mercenary. Shen Mo was acutely aware that, strategically, losing high-potential customers like the formidable Kakashi, the powerful Zabuza, or the highly profitable Naruto/Sasuke duo represented a substantial financial loss for the future.
However, he could not, under any circumstances, intervene or offer subtle hints. Any preferential treatment, any sign that he valued future profit over the integrity of the process, would instantly shatter the image of the Chamber of Commerce as an objective, all-powerful entity. Since he could not prevent the fights between his customers, he had to provide a mechanism to make the risk profitable.
No matter who falls, the revenue streams must flow.
If Sasuke perished, his older brother, the tragic and monstrous Uchiha Itachi, would undoubtedly enter the system, pouring vast sums into Tier Three Jars to resurrect his foolish little brother—a guaranteed financial windfall.
The more brutal the conflict, the greater my victory, Shen Mo thought, perfectly content to remain a neutral observer. The betting system was the final piece of the profit puzzle, designed to drain the last reserves of the competitors before the fight. The conversion to "Points" served a practical purpose, too: stabilizing the transaction currency against the volatile, inflationary nature of Ryo in this world.
The true, horrifying genius of the system, however, was immediately grasped by the combatants: the badge was the key to resurrection.
"Naruto," Sasuke's voice was low, cutting through the silence as he fixed his gaze on his teammate. "If I fall, you will take my badge. I demand that you resurrect me, no matter the cost."
It was a command masked as a concession, a raw acknowledgment of their shared fate.
"You won't die, Sasuke!" Naruto's voice was unusually grave, the carefree swagger gone, replaced by a fierce, almost desperate sincerity. He vividly recalled the catastrophic vision of Sasuke's death. "You will not suffer that fate! I vow, on my life, that I will not let you die!"
He saw it clearly now: Sasuke's true destiny was self-sacrifice. Naruto would not allow that script to be completed.
Sasuke turned his head away, a rare, infinitesimal smile twitching at the corner of his mouth—a private moment of connection forged in the crucible of impending doom. The often-strained bond between the two rivals, a shaky foundation laid during their early training, was now solidifying into a concrete, unbreakable covenant.
"Since the conditions are understood," Shen Mo announced, his voice regaining its professional tenor,
"we shall proceed with the final preparations. You have half an hour to finalize your purchases and place your wagers. This is a Stage of Destiny, so participation is restricted to members. However, Haku and Kakashi—you have been granted temporary member status. You may now decide on your participation."
As he spoke, two glowing numbers, representing their current bet values (initially zero), materialized above Haku's and Kakashi's heads.
But the betting wasn't the biggest shock.
"Kakashi!" Zabuza roared, clutching his Teigu, Kubikiribōchō. His eyes widened in a blend of betrayal and sudden, cold relief. "You're not a customer? You're not a member?!"
This was the source of his earlier hesitation! If he hadn't worried that Kakashi might suddenly unleash some unholy, jar-obtained power, he might have already finished the Copy Ninja.
"The same could be said for you, Demon of the Mist," Kakashi retorted, entirely unperturbed. "Didn't you claim your partner, the girl, opened more Jars than you?"
"Hmph. I wasn't lying." Zabuza snarled.
"Neither was I," Kakashi replied, his eye crinkling in a familiar, exasperating grin.
The exchange was a tense, deceptive dance. The truth was that Shen Mo had deliberately delayed confirming Kakashi's status, observing the effect of the uncertainty on Zabuza.
Now, with the rules established, all pretenses were dropped. Both sides quickly lowered their voices and huddled with their respective allies. The final thirty minutes were precious; they needed every edge, every potion, every scroll they could buy, for there was no assurance of victory.
"Sir," Kakashi whispered, ensuring his voice carried only to the Merchant above, "the total value of my non-essential ninjutsu library and other assets must still equate to approximately eighty million Ryo, correct?"
"That converts to five million points," Shen Mo's voice filtered directly into Kakashi's ear, correcting him with subtle authority. "For your reference, a Tier One Jar is currently priced at three thousand points."
Kakashi mentally calculated the conversion. Five million points. Enough for over two hundred Tier One Jars, or perhaps one hundred and fifty Tier Two Jars. It was a significant investment, but the gravity of the looming confrontation was absolute. His first duty was to his students.
He bypassed the thought of permanent power upgrades and went straight for the crucial need.
"Sir, do you possess any Jars containing items that offer a substantial, but temporary, increase in combat ability?" Kakashi asked directly. "I require items such as Strength Pills, Combat Stimulants, or Power Potions. Something that offers a burst of power, even at a high cost. My priority now is ensuring my students' survival."
He was looking for a single, overwhelming advantage—a temporary trump card that could breach Zabuza's defenses, knowing that in this game of fate, a momentary spike in power could mean the difference between life and a one-way ticket to a Tier Three Resurrection Jar.