Revival… a skill Paladins naturally wield?
Tsunade was floored.
Without Shen Mo, she'd thought seeing Nawaki again was impossible.
But a job that has revival as a skill?
Sasuke, Kakashi, and the others wore stunned looks.
Just that casual line…
They could already picture what kind of people Paladins were.
And this can's item…
It lets someone become a Paladin, even granting access to exclusive Paladin cans!
"How do I use it?" Tsunade asked, eyes sharpening, face serious, brows furrowed—laser-focused.
Forget Paladin powers.
Just the higher revival chance? She had to seize it.
"Job-change items aren't like normal ones," Shen Mo said softly. "They seem random, but only those with basic qualifications among my customers can pull them. You got this, so you're at least eligible for the trial."
Shen Mo wasn't wrong.
Before planting the Holy Light seed, he'd tested Tsunade's compatibility.
Probability? About sixty-four percent.
Not high, not low.
"But eligibility is just that," Shen Mo said, tone growing heavier.
Tsunade didn't interrupt, listening intently, as did Sasuke and Kakashi, tense.
They sensed it.
This item might be the cans' true fate-changer.
"I said Paladins are hope's guardians—a heavy duty. Every Paladin must hold the belief: 'As long as I stand, my comrades won't suffer…'"
Yeah, right.
Shen Mo mentally added two words.
Recalling game teammates who were total duds…
If they were real Paladins, Holy Light must be blind.
Didn't stop his pitch.
Tsunade was hooked.
Her earlier "That's me" was half-joking, but now, she genuinely yearned.
Tsunade seemed brash and violent.
But inside?
Deeply gentle.
She pioneered medical ninja training, saved lives in war, and now, her desperate wish to revive and protect Nawaki reflected that softness.
As long as I don't fall, my comrades won't suffer.
That was her true desire.
And Paladins… could do that?
"Honestly, though you pulled the Paladin job-change item, I don't think your odds of passing are high," Shen Mo said, nudging her verbally. "Know what Paladins need most?"
"…" Tsunade hesitated, guessing, "Noble and loyal?"
Shen Mo's earlier words, but she wasn't confident.
Noble? Not a gambling addict.
Loyal? She'd abandoned Konoha, wandering for over a decade.
"Those matter, but aren't key," Shen Mo said, shaking his head.
By that standard, Tsunade wouldn't hit sixty-plus percent for Holy Light approval.
Her personality had plenty of strengths—and flaws.
The worst?
Weakness.
"The you I first met? No way you'd pull this can. You were too weak against darkness and despair," Shen Mo sighed. "Paladins need gentleness, but never weakness. No matter how deep the darkness or heavy the despair, a Paladin's heart must shine, guiding Holy Light's power."
Shen Mo thought Tsunade fit this path.
He wanted her to succeed.
But unless he tweaked Holy Light's nature, no dice.
Even burning Trade Points to force her acceptance now…
Her path would grow painful.
Like a warrior main picking mage—bound to stray.
"…"
Tsunade's golden eyes flickered with shame.
Countless lost loved ones in war.
But she got hemophobia from it.
Laughing at despair? She couldn't even face blood.
Yet…
Despite shame, Tsunade stared at Shen Mo, fists clenched, defiant.
"I'll try, and I'll pass—watch me!"
Not just for Nawaki's revival, but to stop tragedy's repeat.
That powerlessness, despair…
Never again.
"Then try," Shen Mo said, giving her a deep look, flicking his finger. The holy-glowing item floated from the can, hovering before her.
"Your task? One thing: grab it, and no matter what, never let go."
"Just grab it?" Tsunade inhaled, hands forming seals.
Yin Seal: Release!
Creation Rebirth: Strength of a Hundred!
The diamond mark on her forehead dissolved, black lines spreading from her eyelids across her face.
Instantly, her aura shifted.
Her true peak state!
Then—
She grabbed the light orb.
In that moment…
Like half-asleep, half-awake, everything—forest, grass, Kakashi, and crew—faded.
Shen Mo was the last to vanish.
"Never let go," his warning echoed in her ears.
Until… total darkness.
Her feet felt ground, but without the orb's soft glow, she'd think her eyes were shut.
She scanned around—nothing.
Darkness.
This world seemed only darkness.
Maybe human instinct feared it, but panic stirred in Tsunade. She took steps, and now, even the ground's feel was gone. She was in an endless black void, the orb in her hand the only thing she could sense or see.
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