With a quick transaction netting a hefty sum of trading points, Shen Mo decided that unless he felt like visiting, he'd stick to this laid-back way of selling cans.
Once he had enough to buy Ikaros, he could be even lazier.
However…
"The changes from the cans are starting to ripple," Shen Mo said, stroking Hiju in his arms, eyes narrowing slightly.
And Gato.
He'd planned to sell some assets—how was that going?
Days after earning big from Hiruzen Sarutobi and Yuki Kitahara, things seemed calm.
Shen Mo didn't do much.
Work-life balance was his motto. He could push hard for work briefly but let himself slack off when free.
These days, he stayed in his little home.
Playing games.
Watching movies.
Petting Hiju.
With the all-purpose trading system, even in this world, he enjoyed a life barely different from modern society—arguably richer, with access to full-immersion VR games.
The only downside?
No internet.
But Hiju's presence nicely filled that small sense of loneliness.
Like now—Shen Mo had just brought out some gourmet food when Hiju, lazily curled on the bed, twitched her nose, lifted her head, and darted to the table, eyeing the grilled fish and reaching with her little paws.
"Not for you," Shen Mo said, swatting her paw and rubbing her soft belly. "Look at you, eating all day. You'll turn into a chubby catgirl when you transform."
"Meow!"
Hiju indignantly batted Shen Mo's hand, but after prodding her belly with her paw, she looked aggrieved, sadly turning away. She jumped off the table, buried her head in the blanket, leaving half her rear and a listlessly swaying tail exposed.
Shen Mo, amused, couldn't resist teasing. "Not eating? This is Erina Nakiri's work."
"Meow." A lifeless sound came from the blanket.
"I'll eat it all then." Shen Mo waved the fish plate toward Hiju.
"Meow!" An indignant huff.
"Hahaha!" Shen Mo laughed. "Cat demons don't get fat easily. I'll get you a cultivation method to digest anything."
The blanket lump stirred, her rear and tail retreating as Hiju's head peeked out, gem-like eyes skeptical.
"Meow?"
"It's true," Shen Mo said.
Using a knife and fork, he sliced the fish, releasing an irresistible aroma that filled the room.
"Meow!" Hiju cheered, pouncing, only to be frozen mid-air.
"Wash your face and paws," Shen Mo said, popping a piece in his mouth, savoring it.
Delicious.
He wasn't big on fish—not like Hiju—so he got himself a deluxe meal too.
As Hiju returned with wet face and paws…
Shen Mo's gaze sharpened.
A contact from Gato.
More precisely, a plea for help.
"Lord, save me!" Gato wailed. "I'm being hunted! It's the Akatsuki—they found me. I'm no match…"
Shen Mo frowned.
Not because Gato was hunted by the Akatsuki—that was expected.
But because Gato sought his help.
If every member bothered him during life-or-death crises, even buying Ikaros as an assistant wouldn't save him from the hassle.
"This is your fate to fight," Shen Mo said calmly, his voice booming like a bell in Gato's mind. "If you lack the courage to struggle, you're unfit to remain a Chamber member!"
He felt a rule was needed.
At least to set his stance.
He might watch out of interest, but they couldn't expect his aid.
Still…
Shen Mo was a bit curious.
Grabbing a towel, he wiped Hiju's wet face, ate his meal, and opened a live feed.
Gato wasn't lying.
He was being hunted, visibly wounded from a fight. A clear gash marked him; without makeshift cloth bandaging, blood loss alone could've killed him.
His pursuers…
Shen Mo recognized them instantly: a young man in a black robe with red clouds, sporting the signature three-tomoe Sharingan—Sasuke's driving force, Itachi Uchiha.
The other, a burly man with shark-like bluish-brown skin wielding an exaggerated, scale-covered weapon, was Itachi's current Akatsuki partner, Kisame Hoshigaki.
Shen Mo hadn't expected…
To first see this duo in such a context.
Now…
After Shen Mo's warning, Gato didn't dare resent him, but the recent fight showed he had little chance against the Akatsuki.
He could only hide in the dirt, controlling his breathing, face twisted in rage.
Damn it, the Akatsuki reacted too fast.
Just half a day more, and he'd have secured another fortune.
He hoped to evade them.
Itachi and Kisame searched meticulously.
"Who's that Gato impersonating?" Kisame asked, slightly out of breath.
"Your wound—any issues?" Itachi asked, eyeing him.
"If it were anyone else, they'd be dead," Kisame said, glancing at his chest, marked by several clear dents.
Those were from Gato's sudden combo punches.
Thinking of that brief, terrifying burst and odd fighting style…
Kisame's expression grew serious.
Itachi, noting Kisame's recovery, said no more. His scarlet Sharingan scanned the area, voice low. "My Sharingan confirms it's Gato himself—no Transformation Jutsu or genjutsu."
--------------------
Want to read ahead? Early chapters on: patreon.com/ShadowKage