Teuchi felt that never in his life had he been so full of fighting spirit.
He had a goal he wanted to achieve.
That was to make even more delicious ramen, earn even more money, and buy even more Jars!
Shen Mo took out the Jars Teuchi had purchased, then watched as he opened them with nervous anticipation. At the same time, he pondered the conflict from earlier.
Those Anbu ninjas were not particularly strong.
They were probably only Chunin.
The leader should have been a former Root ninja, likely possessing the strength of an Elite Chunin.
To intimidate them, Dragon Might worth one hundred thousand Trading Points had been enough. But if he faced Jonin, or even Kage-level opponents...
It would still be far from sufficient.
Dragon Might merely created an aura of invincibility. However, people with firm wills who dared to challenge the strongest could still attack under its pressure. They might even exceed one hundred percent of their strength in a desperate final gamble.
When that happened, it would not be so easy to resolve things so "cheaply."
Shen Mo estimated it.
Setting aside methods such as poison, Curse, and assassination, if he wanted to stylishly crush the Third Hokage, he would need at least three million Trading Points. And that would only be a one-time expenditure for a single battle.
If he bought a permanent ability instead...
He had enough money to buy Professor X's Mutant Ability, but the problem was that he would only be buying its initial potential. To develop it to Professor X's peak level would require at least a decade or two of constant work.
Unless he directly used Trading Points to upgrade it, but that would still cost a considerable amount.
Moreover, after making the purchase, the money Shen Mo had left might not be enough to guarantee that he could crush the Third Hokage along with Konoha's many Jonin.
I must maintain an invincible image, Shen Mo concluded inwardly. The more obsessed customers become with Jars, the greater the temptation surrounding me will be. Only an invincible and mysterious image can prevent endless battles to the greatest extent. Before my own strength truly grows, fighting is nothing but a waste of money. Therefore, I must always have twenty million Trading Points on hand.
If he spent twenty million Trading Points on consumable means, he might even be able to trade blows with Uchiha Madara.
This was his safety guarantee before he became powerful enough.
Only the Trading Points beyond those twenty million could be used at a leisurely pace to strengthen himself.
Sigh...
When would he have enough spare money to buy an Ikaros?
Shen Mo felt somewhat melancholy.
He suddenly turned his head and looked at Sasuke.
Sasuke jumped at Shen Mo's gaze.
That terrifying feeling from earlier seemed to surface from his memories again. His heart raced uncontrollably, and his limbs stiffened.
"Could it be that this young customer is also interested in buying Jars?" Shen Mo asked with a gentle smile.
He had not forgotten one of these highly promising protagonists.
"..."
Sasuke swallowed.
Then he nodded hard, clenched his fists, and said darkly,
"I want to become stronger, because there is someone I must kill!"
The reason he had been able to remain here despite that terror...
Was because of this desire.
Forget a little money—even a greater price, he would be willing to pay it.
"You want to become stronger." Shen Mo sighed softly. "That is the most common wish I have ever heard. Many people believe that power can accomplish everything."
"Can you do it?"
Sasuke pressed the question, staring intently at the mysterious and incomparably powerful merchant before him.
He was terrified that Shen Mo would say no.
"Of course." Shen Mo looked at Sasuke with interest. "In most cases, I do not care why customers wish to purchase my goods. As long as they can pay the price, everyone has the right to change their fate here. So, customer, how much are you willing to pay?"
It was impossible for all of the Uchiha Clan's wealth to have been inherited by this sole surviving orphan.
But his parents' assets alone should have been considerable.
And there were things of even greater value: Ninjutsu, bloodlines, or perhaps something else.
"I do not know how much there is, because I have never counted it. But it will not be little!" Sasuke let out a breath of relief and said in a lowered, somewhat excited voice. "It is at my home. Can you come with me? Besides money, there should be other things that can be exchanged!"
His parents had indeed left behind a great deal of money.
But he had never paid much attention to it.
He had even been reluctant to see those things, because they brought back memories of the past.
But now...
If he could use them to gain great power and avenge his parents, they would surely be happy as well.
"Of course, that will not be a problem." Seeing Sasuke's expression, Shen Mo also felt somewhat expectant.
Perhaps this Uchiha orphan really could bring him a pleasant surprise.
At that moment...
Teuchi had already opened a Level 2 Chest.
The second one produced Edamame again.
The same as before.
"Items found in Level 1 Chests can also appear in Level 2 Chests," Shen Mo explained with a smile. "It is just that the quantity is about ten times greater, and some of the quality is better as well. However, once a customer becomes a member, they can no longer purchase Level 1 Chests. Those are merely trial products for customers making their first contact."
Shen Mo had personally selected the value of every item placed inside each Jar.
Though it only took a thought.
Still, the small Jars were too cheap. If there were too many of them, they became rather troublesome.
Sure enough...
After hearing Shen Mo's words, Teuchi did not mind. Instead, he felt relieved.
There were many incredibly magical and delicious ingredients in the Level 1 Chests as well. It would have been a pity if he could no longer draw them later.
"This is your Member Badge." As usual, Shen Mo handed over a Badge. "If you wish to purchase Jars again next time, you can use the Member Badge to notify me at any time. If something prevents me from responding immediately, I will contact you as soon as I am free."
"Thank you!" Teuchi tightly gripped the Badge and looked at Shen Mo gratefully. "Thank you so much for giving me such an opportunity."
If he had not encountered Shen Mo...
He might never have witnessed a higher peak of culinary skill in his entire life.
His gratitude came from the bottom of his heart.
For Teuchi, who regarded ramen as his faith, this was an immense kindness beyond measure.
"You are welcome to purchase again next time." Shen Mo accepted that gratitude with a cheerful smile.
Though he had earned nearly four times the cost in profit, as long as the customer did not feel cheated and was happy, what did it matter?
You are happy, and I am happy.
That was what it truly meant to create happiness.
After leaving Ichiraku Ramen amid Teuchi's gratitude, Shen Mo stood beneath the dim lights and looked at Sasuke walking beside him, a faint curve lifting at the corner of his mouth.
And in Sasuke's eyes, that smile...
Carried an indescribably immense temptation.
Even before it had begun...
A feverish desire had already appeared deep within his gaze.
Before you continue