Shen Mo understood the situation immediately.
After Zabuza's death, Haku had been forced into black market missions to raise money, a slow and perilous process. It was at this juncture that Hiruzen Sarutobi approached him, offering substantial payment and a commission from Konoha.
The objective of the commission was participation in the organized encirclement and suppression of the Akatsuki organization.
For Konoha, this was a multi-faceted move: they gained an unexpected boost in combat strength, maintained close surveillance over Haku (a Jar opener), and could monitor Zabuza's resurrection progress. Truly the work of the Hokage.
Haku, meanwhile, was in desperate need of funds. While coming to Konoha was risky, refusing would guarantee Konoha's pursuit. In that scenario, let alone Tier Four Jars, he might never secure enough money to resurrect Zabuza.
So, he came.
Shen Mo paused for a moment, then silently materialized before the group.
The surrounding civilians continued their normal activities, completely oblivious to his presence.
"Ah, it's the can-selling uncle!" Naruto shouted, pointing directly at Shen Mo.
Kakashi, Sasuke, and Haku all tensed slightly.
"I happened to be passing through Konoha and decided to check on you all," Shen Mo said with a gentle smile, his gaze settling on Haku. "It seems you've managed to accumulate a decent sum in a short time."
"Yes," Haku replied respectfully. "Part of it is assistance from Zabuza-sama's former associates, and the remainder is the deposit provided by the Hokage-sama."
The total amounted to roughly seven million Transaction Points—enough for two Tier Four Jars.
"You have five Tier Four Jar slots, but if you cannot raise the full amount in time, you should purchase as many as you can," Shen Mo advised.
This was the purpose of his appearance. Excluding his twenty million point emergency fund, he needed only four million more to acquire Ikaros. Haku was precisely the opportunity he needed.
"May I purchase them individually?" Haku's eyes immediately lit up.
Each Tier Four Jar was astronomically expensive, costing the equivalent of one hundred Tier Two Jars. The ability to purchase them one by one meant he could rapidly gain power.
"You may," Shen Mo confirmed. "With your current funds, you can afford two Jars, correct?"
"Yes!" Haku nodded firmly. "Sir, I wish to purchase two Tier Four Jars now."
With the impending threat of the Akatsuki, Haku was driven to maximize his strength immediately.
"Tier Four Jars..."
Sasuke's fists involuntarily clenched. He was consumed by curiosity about the power held within them and the desperate need to increase his own strength. His near-death experience had been averted only by a sudden, hate-fueled surge upon hearing the name Itachi Uchiha. His current strength was clearly insufficient.
"In that case—"
As Shen Mo finished his thought, a cracking sound emanated from his feet. The space surrounding their group began to fracture, like shattering glass.
The oblivious pedestrians continued to walk through the shimmering cracks without noticing the spatial distortion.
The Mirror Dimension.
Though they had seen it before, this visual displacement still sent chills down their spines.
"Have you decided on the item series you wish to purchase?" Shen Mo asked kindly.
"Yes! I want the Equipment Series again," Haku said, nervous anticipation etched on his face.
His continued focus on Equipment meant that any power acquired might potentially be used by Zabuza after his resurrection. Haku's devotion remained absolute.
Shen Mo nodded. With a wave of his hand, two enormous Jars, nearly half a meter tall, materialized before them.
These were the Tier Four Jars!
"So big!" Even Naruto, who had never seen a Tier Three Jar, couldn't help but shout.
"The size only indicates the Tier, not the contents," Shen Mo chuckled, then gestured to Haku. "Do not be overly tense. Tier Four Jars contain, at minimum, blue rare items. This is a blessing from the Senior Members and an opportunity given to you by fate."
The contents of these two Jars were selected by the system, not Shen Mo. He had listed ten high-tier items, and the system randomly drew two.
He was curious to see what Haku, the ultimate lucky purchaser, would pull.
Haku, however, was far from relaxed. These Jars represented the delay of Zabuza's resurrection—a hundred Tier Two Jars sacrificed for each one! If he failed to open anything powerful, how could he possibly face Zabuza?
Despite his anxiety, the Jars had to be opened.
Haku's hand trembled as he reached out.
The others watched him breathlessly, desperate to witness the power concealed within the Tier Four Jars.
Shen Mo's attention was fixed on the blue Kampfer bracelet still on Haku's arm. He's still wearing it...
"Hoo—"
Haku took a deep breath, then abruptly opened the first Jar.
Roar—!
A sound like a dragon's cry, accompanied by a melodic, soul-piercing tone, erupted. A miniature dragon formed of ethereal blue smoke flew out, circling the Jar.
"What is that?" Naruto's eyes were wide.
"That is a congratulatory signal," Shen Mo explained with a smile. "It signifies the opening of a blue rare item. In a Tier Three Jar, this would be the grand prize. Tsunade opened so many Tier Three Jars and never saw this sight."
A Tier Four Jar's worst content was worth six hundred thousand Transaction Points, placing it firmly in the Blue Rare category. For a Tier Four Jar, only a purple epic item would qualify as a grand prize.
"What is the item?" Sasuke was fixated on the power these items held.
Haku reached into the blue smoke and carefully pulled out the item: a dagger with a gorgeous, almost exaggerated design, twisted like lightning and shimmering with multicolored light.
"It's actually this..." Shen Mo was genuinely surprised.
"Sir, what is this item?"
Haku held the dagger cautiously, sensing no immediate physical enhancement or special energy.
"It is the Rule Breaker · Fake," Shen Mo explained. "It is a pseudo-product of an ultimate weapon. Although it appears to be a dagger, it is not primarily for combat, but a tool used specifically to break magical contracts."
The dagger was a replica of the Noble Phantasm belonging to the Heroic Spirit Caster, Medea. While its power was undiminished, its usage was finite.
"Break contracts?" Haku still looked completely lost.