Selling Cans from Naruto to Beyond

Chapter 96: 96: A Lazy Can-Selling Plan



"You want to rally everyone to buy cans?" Hiruzen Sarutobi was startled by Tsunade's words.

These days, he'd been pondering how to pool the village's resources and entrust them to one or two people to buy cans.

Like Tsunade.

Or himself.

Concentrating power and funds could maybe create someone rivaling the First Hokage.

"Of course, everyone," Tsunade said, unaware of Hiruzen's plan but brimming with confidence. "The Fate Stage has shifted future wars to member battles. Since Konoha has a head start, we should press forward and widen that lead."

No matter how many Shen Mo had sold cans to…

Konoha should be at the forefront.

That was their edge.

They could build a group of strong members before other villages caught on.

"Why not focus resources to create one or two ultimate powerhouses?" Hiruzen couldn't help asking.

"…" Tsunade paused, her gaze on Hiruzen growing visibly disappointed. "Old man, is that really what you've been thinking?"

She'd wondered why Hiruzen hadn't acted in so long.

So this was his plan.

He'd been scheming to gather the village's resources.

Through lies or his "sacrifice for the village" rhetoric.

"Forget whether one supreme powerhouse beats many strong ones, or if clans would risk everything on a single bet. Let me make one point." Tsunade raised her hand, swiftly forming seals. "Holy Art: Holy Light Palm Healing!"

Her palm glowed softly.

Similar to the Mystical Palm Technique.

"This is…" Hiruzen's cloudy eyes widened slightly.

"You know I gained a power called Holy Light from cans," Tsunade said, displaying the glow. "These past days, I've been studying how to use it. This is one result—blending Holy Light into Mystical Palm for far superior healing. Old man, this is a new power!"

Tsunade's Holy Light wasn't overwhelmingly strong.

But it was wondrous.

It opened a new world, sparking endless ideas for new techniques.

Most importantly…

These new techniques could be traded as fresh knowledge.

"…"

Hiruzen looked at Tsunade's confident smile and the gentle glow in her hand.

For the first time, he felt his thinking lagging behind.

How long had it been since he'd developed a new ninjutsu?

His "Professor of Ninjutsu" title hadn't been mentioned in years.

"Sensei," Tsunade said, switching to a serious tone, staring at Hiruzen. "You've seen Sasuke's swordsmanship and those otherworldly heroes' images. Who knows what miraculous powers hide in cans? Do you still think an invincible powerhouse is guaranteed?"

All sorts of powerful skills.

Unpredictable trump cards.

Unimaginable gear.

Such battles would be more complex and perilous than ninja fights. Tsunade didn't believe focusing resources would create an unstoppable force. Even her grandfather and granduncle, powerful as they were, had fallen.

Not to mention—

Knowing about cans, would clans willingly hand over everything to become powerless dependents?

"…"

Hiruzen remained silent.

Despite Tsunade's words, he had his concerns.

But he knew he couldn't persuade her.

And if he tried other means…

Hopeless.

He was already old. Tsunade's return made her the only candidate for the next Hokage. With their disagreement on cans, it was obvious who the clans would support.

"Sigh…"

Hiruzen let out a low sigh, his face aging further.

Not meeting Tsunade's eyes, he stared at his desk, murmuring, "If you've made your decision, why ask me? Like you said, I'm old. Konoha will pass to your hands."

Hiruzen lacked the courage for low-odds gambles.

Like when Hyuga Hizashi died.

He knew it would chill the Hyuga clan, but with no confidence against the Cloud Village, he endured.

Now, too.

He could only endure.

"Then I'll handle this."

Tsunade got what she wanted but felt less joy than expected.

She gave her sensei, far older than her memory, a deep look.

Without hesitation, she turned and left.

She'd identify Konoha's trustworthy clans, then find Shen Mo to buy cans.

Shen Mo was unaware of Konoha's events.

But he could roughly predict them.

With the Fate Stage out, customer numbers would likely surge. He alone might not keep up, and even a purchased assistant couldn't help with the busiest task.

Namely—stocking cans.

So far, he'd placed every item himself.

The upside: he could rig outcomes, control drops, and build allure.

Like Tsunade, Sasuke, Naruto…

Their pulls were carefully chosen, luring them into the gacha trap step by step.

But now…

The can-buying atmosphere was taking shape.

The Fate Stage and job-change items fueled customers' desire for cans.

With more people…

Hand-placing each item felt clumsy.

"I need a lazy can-selling plan," Shen Mo mused, eyeing his system. "The system has a search function. Input 'swordsmanship,' set a price range, and it lists related items. But… I need to set grand prize drop rates."

Shen Mo frowned, troubled.

Even without baiting with specific items, grand prize odds had to be controlled.

Same value…

Thirty thousand points in cash versus a thirty-thousand-point skill—completely different.

Like some games in his old world.

They'd claim a 1% chance for ultra-rare SSRs. Some got it on the first pull; others spent hundreds and got nothing. That was the gap between non-lucky and lucky players.

But—

If the 1% rate held, from the official perspective, SSR distribution balanced with player spending, maintaining fairness.

Of course, for improvements, Tsunade and Naruto's cheat-like luck had to be neutralized.

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