Though Danzo's heart had yielded to this potent knowledge, staring at Shen Mo, he grew warier.
This knowledge, those visions…
Truly from another world.
He doubted this world's money meant much to such a being. Even now, he didn't know the merchant's goal.
But…
Good stuff should be grabbed first, probed later.
Danzo was hooked on that info, his horizons widened.
Sensing Danzo's thoughts, Shen Mo could only think: classic Danzo.
But this was enough.
Knowledge could broaden vision. If Danzo's truly grew, he'd see controlling or killing Shen Mo's can buyers was pointless. Goal achieved.
"I was shallow," Danzo said, smiling for the first time, sighing. "You're too mysterious. I worried for Konoha's safety, but it seems you'll bring great aid."
Shen Mo rolled his eyes inwardly.
Without telepathy, he might've bought it.
Then he noticed…
Was Danzo trying to cozy up to Sarutobi's style?
"Any paying can customer, I won't refuse," Shen Mo said calmly, then added, as if recalling, "Speaking of, those thugs using force the other night—Hokage said some subordinate acted alone? I'm less kind to such pests."
Danzo: "…"
No wonder he felt cornered from the start.
Sarutobi really pinned it on him.
That old fool!
His ambition exposed, his eye…
"I'd like more cans," Danzo said, glancing at Tsunade, lowering his voice. "But I hope you'll keep my secrets."
"Just a merchant," Shen Mo said offhand, tossing him a membership badge. "Next time, contact me with this. No need for Tsunade."
Danzo qualified for Level 2 cans anyway.
And he clearly loved the King's Way cans.
"Then, I'll take my leave," Danzo said, pocketing the badge. Out of cash, he had his men gather the items and left.
At the door, he paused, half-turning.
"Tsunade, you may despise me, but all I do is for Konoha's strength… and to end wars."
With that, he left, his back seeming upright.
Shen Mo sighed inwardly.
That effective?
But, reading Danzo's true thoughts, he knew the shift's cause.
—Confidence.
Before, Danzo lacked it, masking it with ruthlessness.
He'd sulked in shadows, self-pitying.
Now, he had some confidence.
It changed people.
Shen Mo mulled a bit, then dropped it. As long as Danzo couldn't kill his customers or block his profits, whatever.
He turned.
Tsunade was staring at him, expression complex.
"Think I shouldn't sell to Danzo?" Shen Mo guessed, even without telepathy.
"If he becomes Hokage, many will die," Tsunade said, lips tight, but not resentful.
"So, what's your strength for?" Shen Mo looked at her, musing aloud. "Fates intertwine, clashing. My cans just offer possibilities, hope… but you walk your own path."
If this world were a game, Shen Mo, as the house, sought balance.
If Danzo had power but no vision, he'd kill Sarutobi first.
Then every can buyer, even weaklings like Sasuke and Naruto.
Until power was his alone.
Like gamers who grief newbies, ruining the game's vibe.
But beyond Danzo, Naruto's villains—early Zabuza and Haku, later Orochimaru, Akatsuki, Obito, Madara—weren't so petty. They were Shen Mo's expected high rollers.
So…
Don't think me too noble, Tsunade.
"…"
Tsunade went quiet, head lowered, staring at her chest.
"You're right," she said, lifting her head, her usual smile back. "Hope's enough. I'm not scared of Danzo."
"Then earn more cash," Shen Mo said, shrugging, avoiding her gaze, scanning around. "Where's Shizune?"
"Her?" Tsunade crossed her arms, her smile brighter. "Gave her a mission. She left yesterday."
"You…"
Shen Mo's eyes widened.
He'd read Tsunade's mind—Shizune's task.
Yup—raking in cash.
"Hmph, they saw me as a fat sheep, winning piles from me over years," Tsunade said, unashamed, eyes curving. "Lost at gambling fair and square, no grudges. Winning it back at the table's fine."
"…"
Win it back, sure, but not with Felix Felicis.
Shen Mo half-laughed, half-cried.
He'd thought Tsunade wouldn't cheat. Guess cans' allure won.
But…
"Well done," Shen Mo said, thumbs up. More profits soon.
"Really…?" Tsunade, just bold, blushed at the praise, then grabbed his wrist to cover it. "Teacher told me to host you. Come on, tour Konoha. Maybe find business."
Shen Mo didn't resist.
Business needed balance, not money's grip.
Speaking of…
"Naruto's probably up," Shen Mo thought, planning to harvest more chakra. Steady trickle, right?
"Oh, they left early for a mission, with Rin," Tsunade said casually.
Shen Mo blinked.
Land of Waves?
Wait—
Kakashi had a stash of potions, plus Sasuke with jōnin-level skill, and Naruto with crit gauntlets…
Zabuza and Haku might get a bento on sight.
--------------------
Want to read ahead? Early chapters on: patreon.com/ShadowKage