"No need to grasp sword intent to use it?" Sasuke beamed.
He now knew how terrifying sword intent was.
A swordsman without sword intent was worlds apart from one with it.
Even after opening so many cans…
In terms of sword intent, he'd barely started.
"Try it, and the info will flood your mind," Shen Mo said, smiling, gesturing.
Sasuke didn't hesitate.
He reached out, touching the skill orb.
A strange rush of information filled his head.
—Heavenly Flying Immortal!
A sword technique created by White Cloud City Lord Ye Gucheng, with Flawless Sword Intent. Striking from above, its momentum is glorious and swift, unleashing 320% of the user's maximum attack strength.
In Sasuke's mind, a vision of that white-robed swordsman wielding the move appeared.
A sword descended from the heavens, like a dazzling bolt, pure and flawless, utterly magnificent.
So strong!
Even Sasuke, newly armed with this skill, could easily gauge its power!
Forget the strength—just that speed, like lightning, was impossible to dodge!
A killing blow!
If he used this skill, could he kill that man…?
Sasuke's eyes gleamed.
Shen Mo, with one glance, knew he was fantasizing again.
Oh well.
Uchiha Itachi wouldn't kill Sasuke anyway. Let him dream.
"Looks like a solid skill," Shen Mo said with a light chuckle.
"Exactly."
Sasuke nodded, hesitated, then shared the skill's details and effects with Shen Mo, word for word.
Not out of trust, he told himself.
It's just that this mysterious merchant was so strong—maybe he'd offer tips on using it.
Yeah, that's it.
Sasuke looked at Shen Mo, faintly expectant.
"Heavenly Flying Immortal, huh," Shen Mo drawled. "Ye Gucheng—he was Ximen Chuixue's rival."
"Rival?" Sasuke exclaimed.
"No world can hold two peerless swordsmen," Shen Mo said, shrugging. "They dueled to the death to transcend their swordsmanship."
"Who won?" Sasuke asked, oddly nervous.
"Ye Gucheng died," Shen Mo sighed.
"As expected…" Sasuke exhaled, recalling Ximen Chuixue's image with longing. "That Sword God really is the strongest."
Even knowing Ximen Chuixue wasn't as heartless as he seemed, after grasping the Heartless Sword's truth, Sasuke admired him more.
He even felt he wanted to be that kind of person.
Powerful, cold.
"Alright, you've got a few cans left," Shen Mo reminded. "It's probably dawn outside."
He sat on the ground, Haimaru sleeping sweetly in his lap, stirring lazily, seeming close to waking.
Sasuke resumed opening cans, heart still brimming with hope, but the last few yielded nothing remarkable.
A bit of regret, and…
Unsated hunger.
Even the pile of tier-one cans…
He opened them all in one go, using what he could, then let out a long breath.
Only then did a surreal daze hit him.
The memories in his mind, his body's strength, the fine sword he'd pulled.
In just one night…
He'd undergone an earth-shaking change.
Sasuke looked at Shen Mo, mouth opening, hesitating.
"Ask what you want," Shen Mo said, smiling.
"Who are you?" Sasuke took a deep breath. "Why sell these miraculous cans?"
To him, the wealth he'd paid…
Was nothing compared to the treasures in these cans.
Those treasures didn't belong to this world.
"Didn't I say?" Shen Mo's lips curved. "I came to this world to give people a chance to change their fate, that's all. Right now, your fate has changed. Your strength, your situation, your future—since opening these cans, everything's different, isn't it?"
"Exactly."
Sasuke nodded firmly, looking at his hands.
His gaze sharpened.
But it wasn't enough.
He was strong now, but he could be stronger—at least… the Sword Physique.
Without a Sword Physique, he'd never reach swordsmanship's heights.
"I should be able to become a member now, right?" Sasuke said eagerly.
"Of course."
Shen Mo handed over a badge, watching Sasuke carefully tuck it into his chest.
Done.
All this time tonight wasn't for a one-off deal.
He stood, just as Haimaru woke, blinking sleepy eyes, glancing around, then expertly climbing Shen Mo's clothes to his shoulder, flopping down to sleep again.
Okay, waking was an illusion.
As the two emerged from the basement, one after the other…
A sun rose slowly on the distant horizon.
The morning's first rays bathed Sasuke.
Maybe it was a trick of the light…
But Shen Mo felt the boy's inner gloom had halved. That abyss-like despair was now touched by hope. Sasuke adjusted the fine sword at his waist, tying it to his back with a rope.
"Any plans next?" Shen Mo asked, as if casually.
"Swordsmanship training needs battle to hone," Sasuke said, gaze resolute. "So first, I'm quitting the ninja team!"
As a genin, doing trivial tasks like weeding or catching cats was pointless.
He'd quit.
Besides, with his current strength, he'd far outstripped the other two.
Even Kakashi—he was confident he could win!
He'd go find Kakashi now!
Shen Mo blinked, unsurprised by Sasuke's plan. His strength had transformed overnight.
Right now…
Sword in hand, he'd likely reached jonin level. He wasn't weak to start, and those physique-boosting orbs, items, and sword moves weren't for nothing.
Even with Heavenly Flying Immortal…
This'd be fun.
What would people think, seeing Sasuke now?
Shen Mo pondered, following Sasuke.
A prime chance to advertise.
"Mind if I tag along? I've got nothing else going on."
"Of course not."
Sasuke found it odd but nodded, his tone even carrying respect.
Bluntly put, in terms of respect, Shen Mo topped his list, surpassing Kakashi.
Partly due to strength.
But mostly… self-interest.
Sasuke still craved more cans from Shen Mo, aiming for a Sword Physique. No way he'd offend him.
What if he stopped selling cans?
--------------------
Want to read ahead? Early chapters on: patreon.com/ShadowKage