Takuya knew—Sasuke's hunger for the jars might be the strongest of all his customers so far.
First, because of obsession.
His entire clan, including his parents, was wiped out in one night. And the one who did it—was the brother he loved most. Anyone weaker-minded would've gone insane. The only reason he held on was because his hatred was that strong.
Second, because of his age.
The younger someone is, the more their decisions are driven by emotion, not reason.
Easy to spiral. Easy to fixate.
Maybe... he could be guided?
"Sasuke," Takuya said gently, watching the boy in front of him. "I need to remind you: the items inside the jars vary in value."
"I know." Sasuke's voice slowly calmed down. "Like those gourmet jars earlier—the recipe scrolls were way more useful to the chef than some rare ingredients."
"Exactly."
Takuya gave a small nod. Sasuke still had some thinking ability, at least.
"But the power you're after is far more complex than cooking. There are way more routes and choices. Have you thought about what kind of strength you want?"
Sasuke froze.
He had only ever thought about becoming strong—never how.
"So you haven't." Takuya started walking, gesturing for Sasuke to walk with him. "I've sold a lot of jars. When it comes to chasing strength, some people pour in massive effort and sacrifice, grind themselves half to death—and still fall behind others who put in much less. Know why?"
"..." Sasuke thought for a bit, then answered, "Talent?"
The jars gave items that could boost strength—but even with the same boost, talent would still matter, right?
That guy, after all...
Even through all his hatred, Sasuke had to admit—that man's talent was monstrous.
Once, Sasuke had admired him more than anyone else.
"In my shop, talent... can also be bought." Takuya shook his head and gave the real answer. "The difference... is luck."
Opening jars? Of course it's about luck.
The only people who can compete with lucky bastards are the mega-whales.
Sasuke looked confused.
In his mind, if he just opened enough jars, he had to get strong.
"You said the recipes help more than rare ingredients," Takuya continued, using Handa again as an example. He smiled mysteriously. "But what if there's something in the gourmet jars called 'The God Tongue'? It lets you detect even the tiniest flaws in flavor. Someone with that can surpass most chefs without needing anything else."
Yep. Straight-up cheat ability.
And no, it wouldn't be cheap.
But just mentioning it would light a spark in Sasuke.
Before opening a jar, everyone hopes—what if I'm the lucky one? Even people with the worst luck still believe, just maybe, this jar will be the one.
Sasuke had been growing fast.
To prevent him from hitting endgame too quickly and losing interest, Takuya needed to seed that anticipation and desire.
In other words... temptation.
"That kind of ability... you can get it just like that?" Sasuke couldn't believe it.
What he'd actually been interested in earlier were the experience globes, the strength-boosting fruits, and the powerful skill books.
"Heh." Takuya chuckled. "My jars are full of things you couldn't even imagine."
He stopped walking.
Then, reaching out, he gently tapped Sasuke on the forehead.
In that instant—
Sasuke's face froze.
His mind was flooded with terrifying visions.
He saw someone wielding a rainbow lotus, smashing mountains and igniting the heavens—Heavenly Flames.
He saw massive puppets forming drills to pierce the sky—Mechas!
He saw mystical Devil Fruits, sword saints splitting the world with a slash, bizarre and impossible Stands...
All of it—real power. From worlds beyond this one.
Sasuke's whole body trembled uncontrollably.
His face twisted into pure ecstasy and hunger.
With all these possibilities...
That so-called powerful brother of his? What even was he?
Sasuke could already imagine the moment—
His brother's stunned expression when faced with powers beyond all imagination.
Just picturing it made Sasuke want to laugh out loud in the middle of the night.
A door to a new world had flung wide open.
His long-suffering heart, dark and weighed down by despair, now surged with hope.
"Now you understand what my jars truly are, don't you?" Takuya looked at him meaningfully, spreading his arms. "Endless worlds, endless power, endless possibilities. If your luck is good enough, you could gain the strength to change your fate tonight."
"I can't wait anymore!"
Sasuke clutched his forehead, his face split in a manic grin he couldn't contain.
Still just a kid in middle school.
His mind was already racing—
What kind of godlike power would he pull tonight?
Too bad.
Takuya glanced at him with an amused look.
Poor kid. He'd probably never realize that what comes out of a jar… doesn't really depend on luck.
Because—
He was the system, and he controlled the drop rates.
"Well then," Takuya said warmly, "let me wish you good luck in advance."
"I will get something powerful!" Sasuke declared, full of blind confidence, then hurried ahead to lead the way.
Takuya tried not to laugh, hugging the half-asleep, wobbling Furball in his arms as they walked.
When they passed by the alley where he'd dumped those ANBU earlier, he glanced over.
Empty.
Gone already?
His earlier methods were rough, sure, but besides the psychological trauma, he hadn't done any real damage. The goal was achieved—no need to waste extra money.
Now he was curious—
How would the aging Third Hokage react?
And Danzo—the so-called "King of the Konoha Pot."
Takuya opened his system and glanced at the transaction point balance.
Face still calm as ever.