Shen Mo understood Might Guy's mindset.
He knew the importance of growing stronger.
But he also cherished the process of getting there through relentless effort.
"You remind me of two people I know," Shen Mo said, eyeing Might Guy with a slight squint, then smiling. "Keep opening. I can now guess what kind of destiny you'll pull."
"Destiny…" Might Guy looked at the remaining cans, his lips curling into a radiant, gleaming smile. "I'm excited myself."
Born with little ninjutsu talent, he seemed fated to never excel as a ninja.
Yet, Might Guy's life had been a battle against that fate.
He proved through action…
Even without talent or genius, effort and struggle could make an exceptional ninja.
Just like his father.
"Ohhh!"
Might Guy sped up, opening cans as if flames engulfed him, barely glancing at their contents.
To most, he seemed like a hot-blooded fool.
But sometimes…
Like now…
The cans' defiance of fate merged with Might Guy's passion, igniting a fiery resolve that even others felt burning within them.
"Let's open cans too," Shikaku Nara said, arms crossed, head lowered, chuckling softly. "Our youth may be gone, but we're not so old we can't pull a destiny-altering item, right?"
"Even you're saying that, Shikaku?" Inoichi Yamanaka grinned, ready to dive in. "You're the least motivated of us three. If you're this fired up, we've got no excuse."
"The Gourmet Series probably has tons of food," Choza Akimichi said, far more practical, practically drooling.
Kurenai Yuhi stepped forward too, ready to start.
Though each planned to open only Level 2 cans, with six people—including Might Guy—the total surpassed Kazekage Rasa's haul.
Shen Mo clearly felt…
His earnings were picking up.
Still not enough, though.
Nursing his mild greed, he summoned everyone's cans.
Including Asuma Sarutobi, who drew his series from ten options.
—Buddhism Series.
Shen Mo: "Σ(°△°|||)︴"
Why this one?
The Buddhism Series, rooted in a faith spanning countless worlds, indeed birthed powerful abilities, so Shen Mo included it.
But he never expected Asuma Sarutobi to draw it.
"Buddhism, huh," Asuma said, surprised. "My monk friend once said, despite my rough look, I've got a Buddhist heart."
"You mean Chiriku," Hiruzen Sarutobi said, knowing his son's close friend.
"Your nature does contrast your appearance," Shen Mo said, still bemused, adding, "But my Buddhism differs from what you know. Can you sacrifice everything to save others?"
"Of course," Asuma replied without hesitation, glancing at his father.
In his youth, he didn't grasp his father's Will of Fire.
But later…
He understood.
And resolved to dedicate his life to it.
Yes, Asuma Sarutobi had long ignited an unwavering Will of Fire.
"If you're set," Shen Mo shook his head, "fine. You can change if it doesn't fit."
In this world, monks could marry, have kids, and pass down temples.
Most didn't even need to shave their heads.
So neither Asuma nor Hiruzen saw an issue with the Buddhism Series.
Shen Mo just found it odd.
But as he said, if it felt wrong, swap it. It was a strong series.
Then…
Shen Mo's glance caught Might Guy.
From his latest can, a crystalline pill emerged.
"You got it," Shen Mo approached. "Your destiny-altering item."
Everyone paused their can opening.
All eyes turned to Might Guy.
"This is it?"
Might Guy stared at the mysterious pill, then looked expectantly at Shen Mo for an explanation.
Shen Mo studied the pill, silent for a moment, as if choosing his words.
Then…
He looked at Might Guy and asked, "You always talk about youth. But do you know youth's greatest enemy?"
"Youth's greatest enemy?"
Might Guy hadn't expected this question.
He thought for a while, then ventured, "Giving up effort due to discouragement?"
"Not at all."
Shen Mo shook his head, his dark eyes deepening.
"Limits and time," he said.
Limits and time!
Might Guy's mind reeled.
He'd considered this.
But avoided dwelling on it.
Because those were truths no amount of effort or passion could change.
Far crueler than mere talent.
"You don't need to think about it now. You haven't hit your limits, and you still have time," Shen Mo said, mercilessly laying out the harsh reality. "But one day, you'll stop improving. Time will wear you down. Even if your youthful spirit endures, your youth, in essence, will end."
Passion might never fade, but effort would eventually lose its effect.
Might Guy fell silent.
Yet he wasn't disheartened.
He clenched his fist, raising it, his fiery aura blazing even brighter.
"As long as I live, my youth won't fade! Limits or time—those don't matter. When I face my limits, I'll stake my life to break them!"
In his mind, he saw his father's final moments.
Yes.
True youth wasn't about defeating the strong but risking everything to surpass one's limits for what mattered most.
Might Guy believed his father's youth burned until his last breath.