The effect was instantaneous.
The moment the necklace touched her neck, Tsunade felt a distinct shift.
Most noticeably, the memories that once brought unbearable pain now, while still painful, lacked the crushing despair that made them intolerable.
It was as if…
She was clinging to the last straw on a cliff's edge, with an abyss below, yet refusing to let go.
"This is courage…"
She murmured, her eyes involuntarily welling up.
She was beginning to understand.
Why Nawaki charged forward. Why Dan threw himself into danger.
To protect what must be protected, to press on despite pain, danger, and despair—that was courage.
"Lady Tsunade?" Shizune looked at her with heartache and worry.
She had never seen Tsunade cry, not even when drinking alone in silence.
Tsunade seemed to snap back.
She stared at her pale arm. Suddenly, her fingers, painted with bright red nail polish, slashed across it.
Her skin split, dark blood oozing out.
"Lady Tsunade!" Shizune cried, rushing to stop the bleeding.
"Shizune!" Tsunade barked sharply.
Shizune froze, staring at Tsunade's stern expression.
She knew well.
Tsunade's hemophobia—sight of blood would make her tremble uncontrollably.
Wait—
Shizune realized with a start.
No trembling.
Tsunade, fixated on her arm, on the vivid red blood, still carried fear in her eyes—fear of the pain of losing those dear to her.
But! No trembling!
Shen Mo sipped his sake, a faint, almost imperceptible smile on his lips.
As expected.
The Cross of Courage, like a DNF cleric's courage aura, was a positive Buff effect.
Tsunade's hemophobia was psychological. With the Buff, her resistance to fear increased.
It wasn't a complete cure.
But with time to practice, adapt, and adjust her mindset, full recovery was only a matter of time.
He wondered…
When Orochimaru showed up, bit his finger, and found Tsunade unafraid, armed with a stockpile of powerful potions, what would he feel?
Not his concern, though.
While Tsunade worked on overcoming her hemophobia, Shen Mo tallied his haul.
From Tsunade, he'd acquired goods worth ten million four hundred thousand—six hundred thousand Trade Points.
Costs, including the clay cans, totaled roughly one hundred fifty thousand Trade Points.
A net profit of four hundred fifty thousand Trade Points.
Triple the profit!
Selling cans was indeed the true path of trade—a business that could drain every last coin from someone's pockets!
Pity Tsunade was poorer than he'd expected.
Shen Mo browsed his coveted items.
Dark-Dark Fruit: twenty-one million Trade Points.
Wolverine's immortality: eleven million.
Professor X's telekinesis: seventeen million.
Damn it.
Badass abilities all cost tens of millions of Trade Points. Customizing items outside their fantasy worlds doubled the cost—hardly worth it.
Still too poor.
He could opt for less impressive items, but he knew his limits.
Shen Mo had no combat instincts and no interest in fighting. His definition of ability was self-preservation. Not everyone was as upright as Tsunade. If he'd met Orochimaru today, he'd have to burn all his points to escape.
How about a subordinate?
If he didn't want to fight, buying a powerful, loyal subordinate wasn't a bad idea.
A figure flashed in Shen Mo's mind—a character he adored.
Strategic All-Purpose Angel—Ikaros.
The Sky Queen from Sora no Otoshimono, immensely powerful, and most importantly…
Gorgeous.
Gentle, obedient once bound to a master, and trainable—exactly Shen Mo's type.
He checked quickly.
There she was.
Value… eighty-two million!
Shen Mo struggled to keep his expression neutral.
Why so expensive? Professor X's telekinesis was only a fraction of that.
After some digging, he understood.
Fruits or abilities were just potential—growth depended on the user's development to reach their peak. That's why Wolverine's immortality, requiring no growth, cost millions.
Staring at the System's catalog of items…
Shen Mo found his drive.
Make money, buy Ikaros!
"Lady Tsunade," he said, looking at Tsunade, who had turned away, letting Shizune treat her arm. He handed her an item. "Please keep this safe."
"What's this?" Tsunade took it.
Though still pale, she now truly grasped how extraordinary this man's goods were.
A single necklace…
Had given her courage.
The item in her hand was a delicate badge, bearing the same pattern as the one on Shen Mo's forehead earlier "
All-Seeing Eye…
"This is a badge exclusive to tier-two clients, for communication," Shen Mo explained. "Infuse a bit of chakra, and it'll notify me. If you want to buy more cans in the future, Lady Tsunade, use this to contact me."
This thing wasn't cheap—three thousand Trade Points, due to customization.
But it was worth it.
Tsunade might be broke now, but with her status and skills, money would come easily.
She was a premium client.
"Oh? You're leaving?" Tsunade toyed with the badge, its material unidentifiable.
"I'm a merchant, after all," Shen Mo said with a smile, the implication clear.
You're out of money.
Why would I stick around?
"This mark," Tsunade said, propping her hands on her thighs, leaning forward slightly, her golden eyes reflecting Shen Mo's figure. "You call it the All-Seeing Eye. Does that mean your cans can do anything?"
Tsunade now…
Exuded an intangible pressure.
Not a hint of drunkenness remained.
Had the Cross of Courage pulled her out of her slump, even a little?
Shen Mo silently swapped in a Diamond Talisman worth three thousand Trade Points, tucking it into his clothes.
He glanced at the teleportation item in his cart.
After a pause, he decided it was time.
A little shock.
He smiled and said, "I don't know if they're truly omnipotent, but many have opened impossible miracles from my cans."
"Such as?" Tsunade pressed.
"…" Shen Mo met her eyes, slowly uttering one word: "Resurrection."
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