Though he thought Konoha was a prime spot, Shen Mo saw Tsunade's expression and knew.
She wanted to tie him to Konoha.
That wouldn't do.
Konoha had plenty of rich folks, but so did other places. More importantly…
As a mysterious merchant, he couldn't afford to seem like he could be controlled.
"If Lady Tsunade is willing to refer clients, that'd be ideal," Shen Mo said with a light chuckle. "Through the badge, you can contact me anytime, anywhere. If a client wants to buy cans, I'll be there in a flash."
"No need for the hassle—just come with me," Tsunade said, arms crossed, her tone absolute, radiating authority.
"That won't do," Shen Mo replied, his smile unwavering as he stood. "I have many clients. So, Lady Tsunade, until we meet again."
With an elegant bow…
Before Tsunade could react…
A soft pop, and he vanished like a phantom.
A short-range Apparition, worth seven hundred Trade Points.
"Lady Tsunade!" Shizune gasped.
"Space ninjutsu?" Tsunade frowned, but quickly shook her head, dismissing it. "No, it's not like that."
As the First Hokage's granddaughter, she'd seen the space-teleportation ninjutsu developed by her granduncle, the Flying Thunder God.
But this was entirely different.
A technique from another world?
Tsunade pondered briefly, then shot to her feet.
"Shizune, we're going back to Konoha."
The otherworldly merchant's existence had to be reported to the Third Hokage ASAP—and she needed to gather funds to open that resurrection.
After decades away, Tsunade resolved to return to Konoha for the first time.
Whatever ripple effects this caused were none of Shen Mo's concern. Right now, he was strolling through this small city.
It seemed peaceful enough.
But it felt like walking through a movie set. In Shen Mo's original world, towns with such low-rise houses were rare.
"So, what's next?"
Shen Mo casually summoned a chicken drumstick, leaned against a wall, and munched, eyeing the sparse passersby. A wave of loneliness hit him.
In another world, all alone.
Diving into the System, he recalled how, upon realizing he'd transmigrated, he'd immediately searched for a "return to Earth" option. Nothing came up.
Customizing one…
"Insufficient Trade Points."
Hope wasn't entirely lost, at least.
"…Forget it, no point dwelling," Shen Mo said, finishing the drumstick and wiping his mouth. "How much for a custom identity search? Hm, just over thirteen hundred for a town this size? Let's find the richest one…"
In the Naruto world, the strongest were undoubtedly ninjas.
But the wealthiest? Not necessarily.
Ninjas didn't produce goods and were far outnumbered by civilians. Nominally, this world was run by ordinary people—merchants, nobles—who often held wealth rivaling or surpassing ninjas.
In this town…
The highest-ranking and richest was the head of the Kitahara family, Yuki Kitahara, currently enjoying a banquet.
He was well over fifty.
Frail and weathered.
His face was etched with wrinkles, yet he exuded a natural authority—perhaps from his fine attire, perhaps from the wealth and power he wielded.
Suddenly…
A soft pop, and a man appeared out of nowhere before him.
"Who's there?"
Several figures darted forward instantly.
The ninjas employed by the Kitahara family.
Shen Mo didn't flinch, merely thinking to himself…
"Exchange, Mirror Dimension."
In an instant, a mystical aura spread, an invisible barrier enveloping him and the Kitahara family.
A spell from Doctor Strange, a ten-minute pocket dimension costing two thousand Trade Points.
But the effect was flawless.
The ninjas outside froze.
Faces full of suspicion, they looked around, inches away yet seemingly blind to what was right in front of them.
This anomaly made Yuki Kitahara leap to his feet, eyes wide. His two sons fared worse—one trembling and retreating, shouting hysterically; the other at least had the sense to shield his father.
"Greetings."
Shen Mo had swapped into a pristine tuxedo, holding a small, elegant cane. He offered a faint smile to the three men before him.
"What's happening?"
"Did you do this?"
"Who are you? What do you want!?"
Yuki Kitahara stayed silent, but his tense posture and trembling hands betrayed his fear of the eerie scene.
The ninjas outside—even the supposed jonin retainer—acted as if they saw nothing, leaving moments later.
He didn't know how this man did it.
But without a doubt…
This was someone he couldn't oppose.
"Allow me to introduce myself," Shen Mo said, bowing gracefully. "I am a merchant, one who deals in extraordinary items."
With a flick of his cane…
Ten small cans appeared silently before them.
"I believe… you might be interested in my wares, Mr. Kitahara," Shen Mo said, his lips curling into a smile.
"A merchant?"
Yuki muttered the word, eyeing the clay cans. His heart steadied slightly. If it was about money, things weren't as dire as they could be.
"These are no ordinary clay cans," Shen Mo said, as if reading his thoughts, his face smiling, his voice deliberate. "For countless years, we've traversed countless worlds, selling miraculous cans to all. They hold unimaginable wonders. If luck favors the client, they might gain immortality, immense power, or boundless prestige. So, Mr. Kitahara, care to try a set?"
Yuki struggled to grasp Shen Mo's words.
But in this situation, he seemed to have no choice but to comply.
He opened his mouth, only to be cut off.
"Your wealth is already prepared."
As if anticipating his words, Shen Mo waved his cane again. Stacks of coins, even gold and silver treasures, materialized.
All of it belonged to the Kitahara family.
To the man standing before him.
A custom service, costing five thousand Trade Points.
Yuki Kitahara took a deep breath. Among the pile, he spotted his mother's heirloom ring, hidden in the most secure corner of his room. Such unfathomable methods—he'd never heard of them, despite his close ties to ninjas.
But with such power, why not just steal the wealth?
"We only conduct sincere transactions," Shen Mo said with a smile, waving his hand to cast a calming spell. "So, our client need not worry."
Inside, he was thrilled beyond measure.
The Kitahara family…
Held wealth exceeding ten million Trade Points!
His heavy investment paid off! Nearly ten thousand points spent on theatrics before the deal even began!
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