After a long silence, Neji and Sasuke seemed to realize something.
Their gazes met, tinged with mutual understanding.
"If neither of you will open it, maybe I should," Naruto said suddenly.
"You have that much?" Sasuke stared at Naruto, eyes wide.
"Of course! I sell chakra every day," Naruto said smugly. "I always save up—you never know when it'll come in handy."
His daily chakra sold for about 120,000 transaction points.
So, here, Naruto was the richest.
"Damn it," Sasuke muttered, envying Naruto's absurd chakra reserves.
Even Neji hadn't expected this.
Naruto being a member was surprising enough, but having spare cash?
Could… Naruto have opened the most cans?
Neji's gaze on Naruto sharpened.
For can-openers, no matter how weak they seemed, enough cans meant they couldn't be underestimated.
After all, those cans could change one's fate.
"Forget it," Sasuke said, losing his fighting spirit, shaking his head. "Since we're all joining the Chūnin Exams, fighting now is pointless. Let's settle it there."
"Agreed," Neji nodded gravely.
He realized—his opponents were a group.
Fighting now, he'd likely lose and have to pay the Fate-Witnessing Stage's cost.
But he was broke.
With consensus reached, Neji left abruptly.
Sasuke and the others followed suit.
From start to finish, none spared Gaara another glance.
Complete disregard.
"Gaara…" Temari watched him nervously, his clenched fists trembling, his dark-ringed eyes terrifying, signaling deep rage.
"Perfect…" Gaara's lips sank into his cheeks, a manic grin spreading. "More people to kill. If I kill them, it'll prove my existence, for sure…"
Fear surged in Temari and Kankuro.
But they bowed their heads.
Not daring to show it.
Shen Mo's brows furrowed.
So, for a staunch dark ideologue, fine—walk that path, and he'd provide matching power.
But don't get redeemed.
This darkness was just confusion. Following it would be pitiful and lead nowhere far.
Shen Mo sighed.
Watching Gaara leave, he chose not to appear.
"Master?" Ikaros looked at him, puzzled.
Wasn't he going to introduce her to old clients for work?
"I realized something," Shen Mo said, turning. "Your clothes need a change."
"Clothes…" Ikaros looked down, confused.
"Let's head back," Shen Mo said, smiling.
He'd planned to introduce Ikaros to Sasuke and the others, but seeing Gaara sparked another issue.
Ninja had talent but not always money.
He'd noticed this with Neji.
Without his intervention, Neji wouldn't have afforded cans. It'd likely be Hiashi Hyuga or the clan's jōnin, who had the funds to become members.
But then…
Talented, capable players like Neji might miss their future due to early poverty.
Also…
Over-relying on money transactions would collapse the world's economy.
Shen Mo felt he needed to rethink.
His future strategy.
He returned with Ikaros to his room.
Sat at his desk.
Took out a notebook.
"Goal."
Shen Mo wrote the word.
Then pondered.
"People's goals shift with growth, status, environment," he murmured.
Before crossing over…
His imaginable goal was founding a game company, designing beloved games.
That was his life's value.
After crossing, his goal became comfortable survival, achieved by selling cans through the system.
But now…
With his first goal mostly achieved, a second-stage goal emerged, forming as the Omniscient Omnipotent Chamber grew known and believed in.
—Build a true Chamber!
"A real Chamber, linking all worlds," Shen Mo said, licking his lips, excited. "If the Naruto world exists, others might too. Selling cans there beats running a game company by miles."
So…
He wrote solemnly:
"Goal: Build the Chamber."
After thinking…
He added:
"Means: Earn money."
The issue circled back to money.
Shen Mo mused.
And wrote:
"Core earning method: Sell cans."
Selling cans was solid. Within the system's transaction limits, it maximized earnings, so it had to stay central.
The problem now…
Expanding transaction targets and ensuring talented players got more resources.
Sure…
Developing new series blending otherworldly powers with ninjutsu was key for top players to shine later.
But they needed to open cans first.
Take Gaara.
No matter his talent, he's broke.
Neji had a guilty uncle; Gaara had a Kazekage father out to kill him.
"Ikaros, massage my shoulders," Shen Mo told his angel assistant, then mused. "Clients have plenty of motivation to open cans. The trick is expanding clientele without wrecking the economy while filtering high-potential players."
Ideally…
The best method would create a virtuous cycle of earning, opening cans, and growing stronger.
Clearly…
The biggest hurdle was the first step—earning money!
Shen Mo had a thought.
He opened the system, searching:
—World Gate.