Destiny-altering items…
Rasa knew their importance from the info in his mind.
But imagining it was still hard.
The other ninja looked to Shen Mo, seeking an explanation.
"Destiny-altering items, in other words, offer a chance to reshape your fate," Shen Mo said, glancing at them. "Like how fate gave you the potential to become ninja, not civilians."
That clarified it.
They were born to be ninja.
Environment, talent—these were fate's gifts, shaping their lives.
"Sir," Rasa asked, "destiny-altering items usually grant a new profession, distinct from ninja, with unique powers, right?"
The prior items promised prosperity for the village.
But they needed strength to protect it.
Rasa never forgot Konoha's looming threat.
"Correct." Shen Mo nodded, eyeing the glowing green seed. "This one, though common among Nature Series destiny items, is powerful. It's—Druid: Power of Nature."
Yes, Shen Mo chose a Druid class-change seed for Rasa.
He'd decided this when Rasa sought environmental transformation.
The Nature Series was tailored for it.
"Druid…" Rasa murmured, puzzled.
"Druids revere nature," Shen Mo smiled. "They understand its ruthlessness, marvel at its might, and draw power from it. They thrive in any environment and reshape nature. The first step is sensing its power. True Druids can even control all of nature."
The explanation was clear.
It was exactly what they craved.
Hidden Sand, born fighting harsh conditions, was once second only to Konoha.
"From the Second Kazekage, you've wielded sand as a weapon," Shen Mo said to Rasa. "You know nature's terror but draw strength from it. That's likely why you got Druid."
Rasa understood.
He saw the shared thread between himself and Druids.
Understand nature, master it, then… transform it.
Everyone looked at their Kazekage, tense yet proud.
Each village had its will.
For Hidden Sand, sacrificing all for survival and resistance was theirs.
"This must be my destiny."
Rasa braced for failure and touched the orb.
Instantly…
His world changed. He was in a forest, a quail, wings spread, soaring. He felt the wind, saw animals, witnessed brutal fights, and life's tender birth…
To others…
Rasa was enveloped in green light, standing still.
"He's undergoing the Power of Nature's trial," Shen Mo explained. "Whether he senses it depends on him."
Normally, becoming a Druid wasn't so complex.
But most had prior knowledge of Druidic teachings, faith, or nature's power.
Rasa had none.
So, Shen Mo's seed included a vivid illusion.
Rasa would experience being a bird, bear, leopard, and tree—four forms.
Representing ranged, tank, melee, and healing powers.
Druids were versatile jacks-of-all-trades.
While waiting, Shen Mo leisurely designed the Druid Level 3 can prize pool.
With the class set, filling it was easy.
Skills, gear, powers…
Druids, versatile across worlds, had no shortage of prize pool items.
And so…
Amid tense gazes, the green light on Rasa faded.
His body swayed.
"Lord Kazekage!" Maki steadied him.
Rasa's eyes were dazed, then cleared. He pushed Maki away, signaling he was fine.
Standing before them, he gazed at his ninja.
"Everyone," his voice carried newfound calm, "I now know what we must do."
"Lord Kazekage…" They stared at a transformed Kazekage.
"The Power of Nature gave me more than strength," Rasa said, raising a hand. A breeze swirled in his palm, lifting his hair. "It showed me life's essence: protecting life, enduring. The First Kazekage likely held this belief, saving desert dwellers to build Hidden Sand."
In that illusion…
He'd felt nature's entirety.
All life fought to survive, even battle, mirroring his past struggles, deepening his understanding.
Shen Mo watched Rasa's heart shift with interest, then asked, "You're now eligible for Druid Series cans. How many will you buy?"
Rasa, rare smile on his face, said firmly, "All."
"Is that so?"
Shen Mo, expecting this, waved.
All the gold vanished.
Over two hundred Level 3 cans appeared.
The ninja exchanged glances.
"Konoha likely has many can buyers," Rasa sat, opening cans while speaking, unmindful of Shen Mo. "Their wealth and ambition surpass ours. Without action, they might strike first. For this Chūnin Exam, you all stay. I'll take a few chūnin."
"Lord Kazekage!" Maki's face paled.
He knew Rasa had planned to attack Konoha.
"Plans changed," Rasa glanced at the items.
With these, they didn't need urgent war. Instead, they needed stability to develop.
So, he'd go to Konoha in peak form.
Not for war.
But to warn Konoha.
They had can users too.
Gold Sand Ninja · Druid · Rasa!
Shen Mo felt a pang of admiration.
Rasa was betting over 70 million transaction points on himself, creating a smokescreen to deter Konoha.
A risky move.
If Konoha saw through it, they'd target or stall him, then conquer Hidden Sand.
But if it worked, it could buy precious development time.