If Tsunade's first impression might make someone think of a cosplayer…
Shimura Danzo would never spark such a mistake.
Like Kakashi, he hid one eye, but where Kakashi seemed a cool chuunibyou, Danzo was a ruthless gang boss, his lone eye glaring from the shadows, judging everyone with maximum malice.
One misstep…
And he'd issue cruel orders without mercy.
Of course, Shen Mo saw this clearly thanks to his new telepathic powers. To most, Danzo was just a quirky old man long in power.
But Shen Mo hadn't expected…
Him to come knocking.
"You're the can merchant, Shen Mo, right?" Danzo eyed the man who appeared from nowhere.
Entry method… unknown.
That alone set Danzo's nerves on edge.
He hated anything beyond his control. Even a sliver had to bend to his will for him to rest easy.
But this man…
Was uncontrollable from the start.
Reading Danzo's thoughts, Shen Mo found it amusing and chuckled. "Heh, as expected. Every world has folks like you. I wondered when this world's power-hungry would find me. Didn't expect it so soon."
"Power-hungry?" Tsunade glanced at Danzo, then Shen Mo, questioning.
"People obsessed with power," Shen Mo explained calmly, smiling. "They crave control over everything, even others' fates, which clashes with my trade. Yet, they yearn to master their own destiny more than most—making them my customers."
That was Danzo in Shen Mo's mind.
He'd want to control Shen Mo.
And buy cans.
"Oh?" Tsunade nodded, looking at Danzo, seeming to agree.
If it was Danzo, that fit.
Though she'd just returned…
Her fame, and the Senju name, ensured whispers of recent events reached her—like the Uchiha massacre years ago. After it, Danzo lost his Hokage advisor post. The implications were clear.
At that, Tsunade's gaze on Danzo held a trace of disgust.
She didn't much like the Uchiha, but pushing—or even joining—a clan's extermination?
That crossed her path.
Danzo's face darkened.
In Shen Mo's eyes, he felt like a clown.
Power-hungry?
He couldn't even argue.
"Beyond control lies danger," Danzo said, his visible eye narrowing, staring at Shen Mo. "You seem to know me well. But you've been in Konoha just two or three days. Where'd you get my info?"
He hadn't taken Shen Mo seriously.
Just another cryptic group.
But…
Last night, his Root agents spotted the dead Rin.
Edo Tensei or not…
Anyone with such a jutsu threatened Konoha.
So, today, he came.
To dig up this merchant's secrets.
But Shen Mo saw through his schemes, crystal clear, and sighed inwardly. Telepathy was, as he'd thought, perfect for business.
Now, he just smiled at Danzo, speaking slowly. "I've seen much. You aim for the mountain's peak, but I've long soared atop endless clouds. Your everything is laid bare to me."
Calm tone, calm face.
Yet oddly convincing.
Tsunade, who'd glimpsed wonders and other worlds' edges, felt the weight of his words.
Danzo?
"Hmph," he scoffed. "All pretense. If you're so lofty, why sell cans? What's the gain? The goal?"
To Danzo, Shen Mo's actions had a purpose. Not knowing it made him dangerous.
Classic power-hungry thinking.
Assuming the worst of everyone, even the incomprehensible.
Tsunade's brows furrowed.
"Danzo," she said, voice heavy. "Don't judge Konoha's guest with your vile thoughts."
Shen Mo had helped her immensely.
"Tsunade," Danzo snapped, darker. "Mind your place. I'm just worried you're fooled by someone with ulterior motives. You, gone a decade, abandoning Konoha—how can you vouch he's our guest?"
"You—!" Tsunade flinched, stung by that last jab, glaring, fists clenched, itching to punch.
Those years…
To the now-transformed Tsunade, they were a weak, dark past.
Danzo ignored her, staring at Shen Mo.
Again.
Beyond his control.
He hadn't wanted to clash with Tsunade, planning a polite probe with covert moves. But this man exposed his psyche from the start, then, with a few words, tanked his image in Tsunade's eyes, sowing discord.
Such treachery!
Shen Mo, reading his thoughts, nearly laughed aloud.
Earning a "treacherous" label in Danzo's mind?
A small badge of honor.
But…
This guy wasn't here for cans.
Realizing this, Shen Mo's smile faded, his gaze on Danzo less warm.
Hands behind his back, he sighed softly. "I'm no longer keen on tangling with power-hungry types like you. Our visions are worlds apart. Your desires, sins, fate—I see them all."
For someone like Danzo…
Without a sharp warning…
He'd never play nice. He'd likely scheme to sabotage Shen Mo's business.
Danzo's lips curled in a mocking smirk.
Such cryptic talk? He'd played that game out.
--------------------
Want to read ahead? Early chapters on: patreon.com/ShadowKage