Leaving the Kitahara estate, Shen Mo turned back, gazing at the brightly lit mansion, faintly abuzz with commotion.
He looked up, unconsciously reaching out, making a grasping motion toward the pristine full moon.
Only then…
Did an excited smile spread across his face.
Eleven million!
That was the Trade Points he now held. After costs, he'd netted a full ten million from this deal!
A strange feeling stirred within him.
Not just from the massive haul.
The entire process had been deeply satisfying—especially watching those men grow obsessed with his cans, thrilled by the powerful items they opened.
"It's a bit like designing games," he said, his face alight with joy. "Making customers find happiness in opening cans, changing their fate through cans. This feeling… it's not bad at all."
Some people find joy in swindling with restraint.
Like a mischievous kid pulling pranks.
Shen Mo was that type.
As a child, he'd played countless harmless yet exasperating pranks. After entering game design, he poured his heart into crafting "happiness."
In short…
This only solidified his resolve to be a can merchant.
So, what's next…
He turned to the quiet streets bathed in moonlight.
This town wasn't small by any means. Part of the Land of Fire, it was encircled by high walls like Konoha to fend off wild beasts. The Kitahara family wasn't the only wealthy clan here—just the biggest.
But…
Shen Mo wasn't in a rush to target the next one.
With over ten million Trade Points, his unease from the sudden shift in worlds had greatly eased.
So, for now…
Find a place to stay, shake off the fatigue.
"A mysterious merchant like me staying at an inn? That's a bit beneath me," Shen Mo muttered, searching the System. "I remember there's a super handy travel item. Found it!"
The Anywhere Door.
A spatial item from the Doraemonworld.
Stick this door on any wall, and it opens to a nonexistent room. Remove the door from inside, and the wall outside returns to normal.
In other words…
It creates a pocket dimension home!
Worth two million three hundred thousand Trade Points.
"As expected," Shen Mo said, confirming his guess.
Compared to terrifyingly powerful, equally pricey items like the Time Machine or If-Only Telephone Booth, this item—wondrous but less impactful—was reasonably priced.
The System judged an item's value…
By its effect.
So—
"Buy it!"
With a fortune in the millions, Shen Mo didn't hesitate to buy himself a comfy, secure room.
Earning money was for enjoyment.
Beyond necessary savings, being too stingy only robbed money of its true value.
After purchasing, he found a secluded wall, attached the door, and opened it. To his delight, the interior came fully equipped with modern furniture—a microwave, washing machine, electric water heater, the works. It was like a high-end bachelor pad.
For a moment, he felt like he was back in the modern world.
"Gotta keep hustling for cash," he said.
Shen Mo removed the door from inside, then treated himself to a lavish meal from the Food Wars!world. The explosive flavors on his tongue dispelled the loneliness of dining alone.
While he indulged…
His presence had left others sleepless.
Tsunade and Shizune were racing back to Konoha overnight, while Yuki Kitahara, after dismissing and warning his baffled guards, locked the doors.
Time to open cans!
Though old, Yuki Kitahara still held absolute authority in his household.
So, he opened every can himself.
His two sons could only watch, eyes wide with longing.
Tier-two cans came with descriptions of their items.
No need to worry about their effects.
Yuki Kitahara opened them slowly, methodically, even sorting them—disposable items on one side, potions on another, weapons and tools on a third. When he found items that could quickly boost his strength, like Experience Auras, he used them without hesitation.
His eldest son…
Kyota Kitahara, watched with naked envy.
His second son, Ryuta Kitahara, kept his head bowed respectfully.
Finally…
All the cans were opened.
Aside from the least valuable coins, every item held considerable value.
Among them…
The most precious was, without doubt, the Fountain of Youth.
Three whole bottles.
Each extended lifespan by one month.
Yuki Kitahara closed his eyes slowly, then, after a long pause, snapped them open, fixing his sons with a stare.
"Kyota, Ryuta, tell no one of this! It concerns the future prosperity of our Kitahara family."
"Yes!" Both sons trembled.
In their father's eyes, they saw killing intent.
If they leaked this…
Even they, his sons, would face no mercy.
"Kyota," Yuki Kitahara continued, his tone commanding, "take some of the items to the ninja black market and sell them for top price. Ryuta, you're coming with me to the capital."
His words left both sons stunned.
But…
Their expressions carried different meanings.
One was crestfallen, the other elated.
Until now, trips to the capital had always gone to the eldest, Kyota Kitahara, while Ryuta stayed behind to manage the town's assets.
Now, the roles had reversed.
Though Yuki Kitahara didn't say it outright, his intent was clear.
His favor had shifted from his eldest son to his second.
Kyota Kitahara opened his mouth but dared not speak, clenching his fists and lowering his head, perhaps fearing his father would see the resentment in his eyes.
But Yuki Kitahara's mind was already elsewhere.
He clutched the badge.
The image of that enigmatic figure lingered in his thoughts.
Excitement, nervousness, fear—a swirl of emotions still filled his chest.
He wasn't naive enough to think such a being would have only him as a client. Those wealthier and more powerful than the Kitahara family were countless.
So—
He had to act fast.
He vividly recalled that the Fire Daimyo's father-in-law was quite elderly. Even after treatment by the renowned medical ninja, Tsunade-hime, he was said to be unlikely to survive this winter.
This… was his opportunity!
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