What could Shen Mo possibly say to Aunt Tsunade's overly ecstatic expression? He simply had to accept the consequences of the massive boast he'd just made.
He performed a quick property survey on her account. To his internal surprise, she actually possessed forty-three million Transaction Points! How much Ryo did Shizune manage to win back?
"Let's dispense with the pleasantries," Shen Mo said, his curiosity piqued. "How many Jars are you intending to purchase?"
If she utilized all those points on Tier Three Jars, it would be sufficient to elevate an ordinary person to the level of a Kage, albeit the weaker end of the scale. When combined with Tsunade's existing power, the boost would be immense. Still, compared to Orochimaru's vast, hidden wealth, her total seemed modest.
"Tier Three Paladin Jars," Tsunade announced decisively. "I shall purchase thirty first, primarily as a demonstration for the Hyūga elders."
She didn't commit all her capital immediately. This caution was born from years of gambling experience: start small, test the waters. If her luck was poor, she would stop and mitigate the damage, not risk everything in a desperate spree.
"Perfectly acceptable," Shen Mo agreed readily. After all, all her funds were already destined for the Merchant Guild.
With a sweep of his hand, thirty pristine white Tier Three Paladin Jars materialized before them.
"These are distinct..." Hiashi Hyūga noted instinctively.
"These are limited series Jars," Tsunade explained, her hands already itching to start opening. "After you obtain a Destiny Item and successfully complete the class change, you gain the exclusive qualification to purchase these specialized Jars. This is why selecting the right person to open them is critically important."
If they lacked the qualification, or failed the difficult class change, the resources invested would be entirely wasted.
The Hyūga elders nodded solemnly. They understood the stakes. Shen Mo observed them: rigid, cold, and utterly devoted to the preservation and strengthening of the main family—even at the branch family's expense. Stubbornly pure in their own, twisted way.
"Furthermore, sincerity is paramount when opening Jars," Tsunade continued, her expression turning theatrical. "You must thoroughly wash your hands, straighten your clothes, and, while turning the lid, silently and continuously repeat your deepest wish in your mind..."
She immediately demonstrated, washing her hands carefully, adjusting her clothing, and then closing her eyes, silently mouthing: "Get a big prize, get a big prize..."
Shen Mo watched, a peculiar expression crossing his face. She's creating her own ritual. He had never once mentioned these steps.
Yet, the elders, including Hiashi, watched with utmost seriousness, occasionally nodding as if memorizing sacred, essential instructions.
Let it go, Shen Mo decided. Superstitious gacha rituals were universal; if it made the customers happy, so be it.
Tsunade completed her elaborate preparatory steps, but when she finally reached for the first Jar, her expression was one of genuine nervousness. Each Jar represented five hundred thousand Ryo!
Gulp.
The sound of swallowing was audible, even the elders were utterly focused, unable to look away.
Tsunade took a deep, centering breath.
She twisted the lid of the first Jar!
Inside... was a shimmering orb of light.
"A Skill Orb!" Tsunade's face instantly lit up with relief and delight.
"It's merely a basic Agility Orb," Shen Mo commented dryly, shaking his head. "This is not your first time opening the Paladin series, Tsunade. Can't you recognize the difference in the light's intensity?"
"Damn it!" Tsunade's joy deflated, but she swiftly absorbed the orb.
She tested the effect briefly, then turned to the Hyūga, maintaining her composure. "That orb can grant an ordinary person a speed roughly equivalent to a standard Genin."
Even the simplest item in a Tier Three Jar held substantial power, worth sixty thousand points.
"Just a simple orb can do that?" The elders inquired, surprised. While Genin speed was trivial to them, an ordinary civilian couldn't achieve it in a lifetime of training.
"This is merely the most basic filler item in the Tier Three inventory," Tsunade said, feeling marginally better after witnessing their astonishment.
She rubbed her hands together again, her eyes gleaming with renewed excitement.
"I have a distinct feeling! The next one will certainly be a Purple Epic Prize! No... a Blue Rare Prize! I know a Rare prize is coming!"
Hiashi quietly murmured the color definitions for the benefit of the uninitiated elders.
Tsunade continued her frenzied opening.
The second Jar, the third, the fourth...
Her smile began to fade. Nine Jars opened, all yielding common, forgettable filler. Not a single decent skill, let alone a major prize.
"How could this happen...?"
By the tenth Jar, her hands were clenched into white-knuckled fists. She looked ready to explode with frustration.
Shen Mo felt a genuine moment of anxiety. Tsunade's luck was legendary; he worried she might be interfering with the prize generation algorithm.
The tenth Jar, however, was different.
A brilliant Holy Light Orb shone within.
"A Skill Orb, finally," Shen Mo sighed internally, relieved.
"Hahaha!" Tsunade burst into laughter, a sound that bordered on desperate, tearful relief. "I told you! Sincerity always pays off! The skills found in Tier Three Jars are inherently powerful!"
"But..." an elder hesitated, then asked tentatively, "Did you not state that a Grand Prize would be accompanied by a unique visual anomaly?"
"..." Tsunade's forced smile froze on her face.
"Ahem, ahem," Hiashi Hyūga coughed quickly. "This is not a Grand Prize, Elder. But it is an excellent result. A specialized Skill Orb is far more valuable than the baseline items we saw earlier."
The embarrassed elder realized his gaffe, his face reddening. He wisely fell silent.
Shen Mo empathized with the awkwardness—he'd seen the exact same uncomfortable atmosphere when former customers struggled with bad luck.
"Tsunade, let's see what skill you received," Shen Mo prompted, ending the tension.
"Right." Tsunade absorbed the orb, still slightly deflated.
Skill: Spear of Victory.
Description: Gathers Holy Light into a dense spear, causing piercing Light attribute burn damage and binding the target upon penetration. The spear detonates after a short duration.
It was a powerful, mid-to-long-range offensive Holy Light skill, featuring both strong damage and control.
"Not bad at all," Tsunade admitted, cheering up immediately. She began mentally charting the skill's utility.
A wave of regret washed over her. If she had possessed this skill during her battle with Orochimaru earlier that morning, she was absolutely certain she would have secured his capture.