Shen Mo had arrived earlier, observing from the sidelines.
He wanted to gauge Ikaros's performance.
The result pleased him. Though she followed protocol mechanically, her presence was commanding.
It felt like…
His plan to train a customer service, sales, assistant, and Sky Queen was on track for success.
Seeing Shen Mo, Tsunade relaxed.
For some reason, facing Ikaros gave her a sense of pressure.
Maybe it was her aura, or maybe Shen Mo's mention of Ikaros's age last time.
"Master."
Ikaros also relaxed, calling out happily, as if seeing a savior.
Master?
Tsunade's expression stiffened, glancing suspiciously at Shen Mo.
"Ikaros, I'll take it from here," Shen Mo said with a smile, not elaborating on the title.
Ikaros floated behind him, looking obedient.
Shen Mo faced the group, his smile warm as ever.
"Looks like you've finally sorted out the funds," he said.
Though it sounded like a jab, Shen Mo's tone and expression carried no mockery.
"…" Hiruzen Sarutobi paused, stepping forward respectfully. "Sir, did you visit Hidden Sand a few days ago?"
Tsunade's eyes widened at her teacher's boldness.
"You're direct," Shen Mo chuckled. "Yes, that was me."
Even if he denied it, they'd guess when they met.
No point hiding it.
But, noting their concern, he decided to share a bit more.
"Your world is fascinating," Shen Mo said.
Everyone stared, unsure of his meaning.
"Most people want change to some degree, but those driven enough to qualify for cans are rare," Shen Mo said, hands behind his back, his smile carrying depth. "Yet your world is different, brimming with misfortune—perfect soil for desire to grow."
He wasn't wrong.
Sibling rivalry, comrades clashing, love and hate intertwined.
This world's essence seemed built on such conflicts.
The group fell silent.
But Hiruzen caught something deeper.
If this "fascinating" world was as Shen Mo described, what would he do?
Sell cans to more people?
Hiruzen felt a deep unease but knew, against such a being, their only option was to grow stronger.
"Because the world is full of misfortune, we must change it," Hiruzen said, turning to the others, his aged voice steady. "The First Hokage founded Konoha to be a sanctuary in this harsh world. We must protect it, no matter what."
"Yes, Lord Hokage!" they shouted in unison.
Even Tsunade clenched her fists.
At this moment…
Their hearts and goals aligned.
"Sir," Hiruzen faced Shen Mo, "could you recommend series for them?"
"Of course," Shen Mo nodded. "Most have distinct traits. Ino-Shika-Cho suit Perception, Control, and Gourmet Series. Kurenai should stick with her strength in the Genjutsu Series. As for Asuma Sarutobi… anything works."
Shen Mo had planned each person's series.
Including guaranteed class-change items.
Except for Asuma Sarutobi.
He truly could pick anything.
Asuma, confused, pointed at himself. "Why can I pick anything?"
"You lack a clear specialty," Shen Mo explained. "You have resolve to sacrifice for Konoha, but beyond protecting family and village, you lack a driving goal. So, anything fits. You might not even get a destiny-altering item."
That was the truth.
Shen Mo's impression of Asuma Sarutobi: a guy with an enviable lover, killed by Kakuzu for a 35-million-ryō bounty, his death fueling the next Ino-Shika-Cho generation's growth.
Beyond that…
What were his traits?
Even Shen Mo couldn't pin down his series or class.
"…"
Even someone as laid-back as Asuma looked deflated, his stubbled face drooping.
"Then, Asuma, pick one of ten series like the teacher," Tsunade decided, not dwelling on it. Her peripheral vision caught Might Guy opening cans rapidly. "You're almost done already?"
In their brief talk, Guy had opened hundreds of cans.
Only a hundred-plus Level 2 cans remained.
"Oh!" Guy responded loudly, opening cans even faster.
"Wait, wait," Tsunade called, approaching with a pitying look. "So many, and no Grand Prize?"
"Not sure," Guy said, pausing. "Got two skills, though. Don't know if they're Grand Prizes."
Tsunade's face froze, then she laughed, masking something. "What? That's pretty good! Why didn't you say?"
"Because…" Guy's expression turned rare and glum. "The skills are strong, but I can use them without training. Feels like… something's missing."
"Missing some hot-blooded spirit?" Shen Mo interjected.
"Exactly, missing youthful passion!" Guy nodded vigorously, clenching his fists, shouting into the sunlight. "The buff orbs and technique legacies—oh! I feel my youth breaking through again, itching to train and master them!"
He couldn't help but feel thrilled.
Though he always trained passionately…
Taijutsu's progress slowed with age, unlike his youth.
For Guy, cans broke his limits, giving new training goals and passion—more enticing than instant-use skills.