The Protagonist's Trio

The Protagonist's Trio

Tsunade now completely believed that Shen Mo came from the New World.

There was no other explanation for so many incredible products.

As a result, she was somewhat curious about what someone who had witnessed different worlds would think of Konoha.

"I told you before, didn't I? The Jars are meant to change one's fate." Shen Mo withdrew his wandering gaze and looked at Tsunade as well.

"That's what you said." Tsunade nodded.

"But not everyone in every world or every city longs to change their fate." Shen Mo's eyes held a hint of amusement. "Human emotions spread collectively. Contentment, numbness, giving up on oneself, or beliefs so stubborn they're nearly impossible to change—all of these can make it difficult to stir a desire to change one's fate."

Tsunade seemed thoughtful.

War brought out the human side of people. Having experienced war and wandered across many places, Tsunade could understand what Shen Mo meant.

Even she herself had spent a long time living in a daze, numbing herself.

"What will you do for people like that?" she asked.

"Nothing." Shen Mo shrugged. "We're merchants, not saviors. We won't force anyone to buy. Whether they want to change their fate, whether they can pay the price, and whether they have that kind of luck are all up to the customers themselves. If a customer feels satisfied, they only need to stop buying Jars. Once the time is up, the Badge and their membership status will be reclaimed."

Naturally, he was only saying this to make himself sound impressive.

Doing business with a salted-fish mentality definitely wouldn't work.

If guidance and temptation were possible, they were still necessary.

Take Tsunade, for example.

If he hadn't brought up resurrection, how could she have the motivation she did now?

"How many transactions must be completed within how much time?" Tsunade instead grew somewhat nervous.

That was simply how people were. The more they cared about something, the more they cared when nobody pressured them.

If someone begged them desperately to buy, as if appealing to heaven and earth,

they would instead feel disdain and contempt.

"For a Junior Member, the period is six months, and you need to purchase at least ten sets of Level 2 Chests." Shen Mo gave her a roughly appropriate number.

Tsunade breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, it wasn't too many.

The three of them walked forward in silence for a while.

Tsunade's voice came again.

"You mentioned the desire to change one's fate just now, but you still haven't said what you think of Konoha."

"My opinion? Of course, I see business opportunities everywhere." Shen Mo grinned faintly. "There are people with dreams and desires everywhere here. Whether or not they have the ability to achieve them, none of you reject change. Even those satisfied with the status quo still hope for something better."

""

Tsunade did not speak again this time.

She naturally knew what Konoha was like. From her deceased grandfather and second grandfather, Nawaki, and Dan Katō, to the current Third Hokage, and even Orochimaru and Jiraiya—nearly everyone she knew harbored some profound pursuit.

If they learned about these miraculous Jars,

they would probably become deeply fascinated, just like she had.

This mysterious man.

Out of the corner of her eye, Tsunade studied Shen Mo beside her. He wore a smile and seemed friendly and composed.

If he truly possessed enough power to bear all this, he might bring earth-shaking changes to the whole of Konoha.

"Is this the place?" Shen Mo stopped.

In front of them was a humble little shop, a one-story building with the words "Ichiraku Ramen" written on a white rolling shutter. Even from outside, the aroma of ramen drifted straight toward them.

Shen Mo's gaze suddenly sharpened.

He had seen several people inside.

This outfit...

They were actually the protagonist's trio.

Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke—three children who looked to be around twelve or thirteen.

That was unexpected.

Although Shen Mo had wanted to see the famous Ichiraku Ramen, he hadn't planned to deliberately interact with the trio. After all, they were only children who had recently become ninjas.

"Teuchi." Tsunade walked straight in and looked at Teuchi, the owner of Ichiraku, standing behind the counter. "You've gotten much older."

"Lady Tsunade?" Teuchi looked at Tsunade in delight. "I'd heard customers mention it, but Lady Tsunade really has returned!"

"Lady Tsunade?"

Sakura turned her head toward Tsunade, and her breathing immediately quickened.

This was Lady Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin and a top Medical Ninja?

She was actually this young!

As Konoha's war hero, Tsunade had been written into the history textbooks at the Ninja Academy. Thus, apart from the still-confused underachiever Naruto, even Sasuke looked at Tsunade solemnly.

The news of Tsunade's return had spread throughout nearly all of Konoha today. Even Sasuke had heard about it.

The legendary powerhouse of Konoha.

He wondered who was stronger compared with that man.

"Five large bowls of ramen to start." Tsunade ignored the children's gazes and found a seat. "It's rare for someone else to be treating, so bring out the expensive kinds."

"Miss Tsunade, you really are..." Shen Mo followed her in and helplessly shook his head.

Ichiraku Ramen was famous for being cheap and delicious. Why come here if they weren't going to order that?

"Don't call me 'Miss.' Just use my name." Tsunade spoke casually, then sniffed the aroma in the air and couldn't help sighing. "I've been to quite a few places over the years, but when it comes to ramen, this place still makes the best."

Teuchi had poured sincere emotion into his ramen, which was why it had already become famous even when he was young.

Even Tsunade had left many memories here.

"This is certainly something to look forward to." Shen Mo sat down beside Tsunade as well, looking at Teuchi with a hint of meaning. "But I'm an extremely picky customer."

Although it had only been a few days, after tasting the explosive deliciousness of the Food Wars! World, Shen Mo felt that Teuchi's ramen might not be enough to make him praise it.

After all, once one became accustomed to luxury, it was hard to return to simplicity, even when it came to taste.

Teuchi, however, was full of confidence.

"In that case, I have to recommend the 'Best Taste.'" Teuchi pointed to the largest lettering on the menu. "This is my proudest creation."

"That's right, that's right, old man!" Naruto immediately shouted from the side. "This is the most delicious ramen!"

"Old man?" Shen Mo glanced at Naruto, then looked around.

"Don't bother looking. He's calling you." Tsunade watched Shen Mo's expression and actually smiled rather smugly.

Judging by their faces alone, she was definitely much younger than Shen Mo.

"" Shen Mo's mouth twitched. He narrowed his eyes at Naruto. "Then let this old man teach you a truth: never use the word 'best' lightly, no matter what field you're talking about."

"You'll know once you taste it, old man." Naruto didn't care in the slightest and continued recommending it enthusiastically.

Shen Mo said nothing more.

However, the smile curling at the corners of his mouth seemed to grow even wider.

Teuchi must have saved up quite a bit, too.