Not only were there answers, but some experience orbs directly granted understanding and insight.
Hiruzen Sarutobi then answered several Level 1 exam papers, absorbing over half the Scholar energy in each, one nearly reaching 80%!
Thinking of the first paper he'd wasted, he felt a pang of regret.
He should've waited for more knowledge before answering!
"Higher-level cans offer more complete, detailed knowledge," Shen Mo said. "Open enough, and you'll see Level 1 questions are truly simple."
But similarly, to easily answer Level 2 exam papers…
Open Level 3 cans.
Shen Mo watched Hiruzen, feeling a touch of pride.
Though he no longer needed to control specific items to hook customers…
As a planner, a series should be inherently captivating.
The Scholar Series was one of his proud creations.
Now—
In this secluded grove, a group of renowned ninja from across the shinobi world huddled nervously.
Watching Hiruzen open cans.
Level 2 cans, though derived from Level 1, were ten times more valuable.
Their exam papers held nearly ten times the Scholar energy of Level 1.
Hiruzen opened nearly a hundred, barely managing to answer four Level 2 papers, but the surging Scholar energy in him still felt deeply satisfying.
He estimated…
Reciting "An old steed in the stable still yearns to gallop a thousand miles" could sustain that state for nearly five minutes.
Five minutes could decide a life-or-death battle.
If he could answer all the papers…
In a single fight, he felt he could rival the First Hokage's power!
Cans were indeed powerful.
Now, each can Hiruzen opened carried his hope for a Level 2 "good item."
If a Level 1 literary treasure had such an effect…
What about a Level 2 treasure?
Or even this series' skills?
"I have to get one!"
Hiruzen maintained a calm facade, but inside, he was far from composed—this concerned his dreams, his ambition, and Konoha's future!
Shen Mo found it amusing.
Indeed, opening cans captivated all ages, even someone like Hiruzen couldn't resist its allure.
Hiruzen unconsciously sped up.
150… 200… 300… 350…
By the 400th can, his hands trembled.
Nothing?
How could that be?
He'd opened plenty of exam papers, writing papers, knowledge orbs, even scholar commentaries and usable war poems.
But the literary treasures or skills he craved? Not one.
"Mr. Shen Mo," at the 400th can, even Hiruzen couldn't stay calm, pausing to ask, "You said a class item lets you cultivate your own Scholar energy, like Tsunade's Paladin class?"
"Correct," Shen Mo replied, his dark eyes carrying a meaningful glint.
He said leisurely, "Class items differ from regular items. They decisively shape fate, tied to destiny itself. If your desire is strong enough, you're likely to get one in the last ten Level 2 cans or the first ten Level 3 cans. It's fate's gift, like Tsunade's."
In other words, a guaranteed item.
Salvation for the non-lucky.
"How does that work…?" The others gasped softly. "Aren't the cans' contents set beforehand?"
They'd assumed it was like a lottery, pre-packed.
Why would the last ten have a higher chance?
Hiruzen had randomly picked from the 500+ cans.
If something was there, it should've appeared earlier, not in the final ten.
"The cans are protected by the power of rules. Even someone as powerful as me can't know their contents before opening," Shen Mo said, his smile tinged with mystery. "They embody absolute unknown fate. Until it happens, no one knows what's inside."
"…"
Everyone, including Hiruzen eyeing the remaining cans, felt an inexplicable awe.
As if, while opening cans, fate's eyes watched from above.
"The last ten…" Hiruzen reached out, then switched to a farther can.
Though all were his, he felt their contents shifting.
Tension grew.
He kept opening, one after another.
As the remaining cans dwindled, everyone clenched their fists. Hiruzen even had sweat on his brow.
Could these 500 Level 2 cans…
Really yield only basics, not a single good item?
Shen Mo's expression turned odd.
He'd tested the 0.5% chance many times; it usually worked.
Yet 450 cans in…
Hiruzen, with his kindly appearance, a non-lucky?
Not even one grand prize?
Just as Shen Mo considered checking the item list…
Finally—
At the 470th can, a dazzling rainbow light shot up, carrying a mountain-like grandeur. Everyone's muscles tensed, knees heavy, as if a weight pressed their shoulders.
But they quickly realized.
This aura…
A great item!
Even with Hiruzen's composure, he couldn't hide his joy.
Without Shen Mo saying, he knew it was exceptional.
Shen Mo, too, sighed in relief.
Though he didn't interfere, buying cans randomly per the generated list, with so many watching, like with Naruto, a good item would spur others.
Many non-spenders were enticed to spend by others' great pulls.
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