Don't Ever Let Go

Chapter 49: Don't Ever Let Go

Resurrection was actually an ability that Paladins could master themselves?

Tsunade was clearly shocked by this answer.

If she had not met Shen Mo, she thought she would never have another chance to see Nawaki again in her lifetime.

And yet there was actually a Job Change Item that granted resurrection as an innate ability?

Sasuke, Kakashi, and the others wore equally stunned expressions.

It had been nothing more than a casual remark.

Yet they could already imagine what sort of people these so-called Paladins were.

And the item drawn from this jar.

Could turn people into Paladins and even grant them the qualifications to purchase Paladin-exclusive jars!

"How do I use this thing?"

Tsunade's gaze gradually sharpened. Her expression was no longer relaxed, and even her brows drew together slightly, showing that she had become completely focused.

Not to mention the power of a Paladin.

Just the chance to obtain resurrection with a higher probability was enough that she had to seize it.

"A Job Change Item is different from ordinary items." Shen Mo explained softly, "Nominally, it appears randomly in the jars, but in reality, every one of my customers who can draw such an item must possess the basic qualifications. The fact that you drew it means that you have at least the qualifications to undergo the trial."

What Shen Mo said was not wrong.

Before deciding to put the Holy Light Seed inside, he had also used Detection on Tsunade.

He had detected her compatibility with the Holy Light.

Converted into a probability, it was roughly sixty-four percent.

Neither high nor low.

"But qualifications are only qualifications." Shen Mo's tone gradually grew more serious.

This time, Tsunade did not interrupt him. Instead, she listened with utmost seriousness. Even Sasuke, Kakashi, and the others felt tense.

They had a feeling.

This item might be the true secret behind how the jars changed fate.

"I said just now that Paladins are guardians of hope. This is a heavy responsibility. It can be said that every Paladin must hold the belief that 'as long as I do not fall, my companions by my side will not suffer.'"

As if.

Shen Mo silently added those two words in his heart.

Remembering all those useless players from the games of the past.

Shen Mo felt that if those players had truly been Paladins, then the Holy Light must have been blind.

But that did not stop him from bluffing.

Tsunade had clearly been drawn in by Shen Mo's words.

If her earlier remark, "Isn't that just me?" had been only half a joke, then now, a genuine yearning had risen in her heart.

Although Tsunade looked careless and violent.

Deep inside.

She possessed an exceptionally gentle side.

She had been the first to propose establishing a training system for Medical Ninjas. During the war, she had done everything in her power to save others. Even now, her desire to resurrect and protect Nawaki no matter what was also an expression of that gentle side of her heart.

As long as I do not die, my companions will not suffer.

Those words represented what she truly yearned for.

And Paladins possessed such an ability?

"To be honest, although you drew a Paladin Job Change Item, I don't think your chances of passing the trial are very high." Shen Mo decided to offer her some verbal assistance. "Do you know what qualities a Paladin must possess?"

"" Tsunade looked troubled and asked tentatively, "Nobility and loyalty?"

Those were the only two qualities Shen Mo had just mentioned, and she truly had little confidence in them.

There was no need to mention nobility. She certainly was not someone addicted to gambling.

As for loyalty, she had abandoned Konoha, which had given birth to and raised her, and wandered outside for more than a decade.

"Those two qualities are important too, but they are not the most important."

Shen Mo shook his head. If that had been the standard, Tsunade could not possibly have had a more than sixty-percent chance of being acknowledged by the Holy Light.

This person had quite a few shining qualities, but she also had plenty of flaws.

And the most fatal flaw among them.

Was weakness.

"If you were still the person I first met, there would be no way you could draw this kind of jar, because you were too weak when facing darkness and despair." Shen Mo sighed. "Paladins must naturally harbor gentleness in their hearts, but they absolutely cannot be weak. No matter how deep the world's darkness is or how heavy the despair before them, a Paladin's heart must remain filled with light. Only then can they guide the power of the Holy Light."

Although Shen Mo felt that Tsunade was suited for this path.

He also hoped she could succeed.

But unless he changed the nature of the Holy Light, it would not work if she was not suited for it.

Even if he could spend Trading Points to make Tsunade gain the Holy Light's acknowledgment right now.

The road ahead would only become more and more painful.

It was like someone who liked playing warriors insisting on choosing a mage. It was easy to stray from the proper path.

""

A trace of shame flickered in Tsunade's pale golden eyes.

Countless people had lost those important to them during the war.

Yet she had developed Hemophobia because of it.

Forget facing despair with a smile.

She did not even dare look at blood.

But.

Even though she felt ashamed, Tsunade still stubbornly looked at Shen Mo, clenching her fists.

"I'll try, and I'll definitely pass and show you!"

This was not only for the sake of resurrecting Nawaki, but also to prevent such tragedies from happening again.

That helplessness and despair.

She absolutely did not want to experience them a second time.

"Then give it a try."

Shen Mo gave Tsunade a deep look and moved his finger. The item radiating holy light flew out of the jar and hovered before Tsunade.

"You only have to do one thing: catch it. No matter what happens, do not let go."

"Just catch it?" Tsunade took a deep breath and formed hand seals.

Strength of a Hundred Seal Release!

Ninja Art: Creation Rebirth—Byakugou Seal!

The diamond-shaped seal on her forehead immediately opened, slowly transforming into black markings that flowed from her eyelids down her face.

In an instant, Tsunade's aura seemed to change.

This was her true strongest state!

Then—

She reached out and caught the orb of light.

In that very instant.

It was as if she were half-asleep and half-awake. Everything around her, whether the woods, the grass, or Kakashi and the others, slowly faded away.

Shen Mo was the last person to disappear.

"Don't ever let go."

His final warning continued to echo in Tsunade's ears.

Until she was completely submerged in darkness.

Although her feet still stood on the ground, if the orb of light in her hands had not continued to radiate a soft glow, Tsunade might even have suspected that she had already closed her eyes.

She looked around, but could not see anything.

Darkness.

In this world, it seemed there was nothing but darkness.

Perhaps because humans instinctively feared the dark, traces of panic rose in Tsunade's heart. She walked several steps, but this time, even the sensation of the earth beneath her feet disappeared. She seemed to have entered a boundless black world. The only thing she could feel and see was the orb of light in her hands.