Selling Cans from Naruto to Beyond

No one expected Zabuza to make that choice at the end.

But the battle wasn't over.

Haku was still nearly unscathed.

Surrender or seek revenge?

Shen Mo watched quietly. This was truly their stage of fate.

He'd done all he needed to; whatever the outcome, he wouldn't interfere.

At this moment…

Haku's tears finally fell, large drops, though he struggled to stifle his sobs.

Zabuza's gaze held dissatisfaction, but she lacked the strength to speak.

She simply closed her eyes.

As if refusing to see Haku's weakness.

If not for her faint breathing, she'd look dead.

On the other side…

After a third potion was poured into Sasuke's mouth, his heartbeat seemed to stabilize slightly.

But he remained critically weak.

Zabuza's final strike had severed his heart's blood vessels.

Shen Mo saw clearly.

Half of Sasuke's soul had detached, pulled by an unknown force toward the afterlife. The potions barely saved his body; whether his soul fully returned depended on his will.

But if he truly died, the badge would claim his soul—Shen Mo had added that function.

"Lord Zabuza!" Haku wailed.

Zabuza's breath grew weaker.

She'd blocked the sword.

But the sword aura had shredded her organs.

She could feel her life fading—limbs weakening, breathing labored, mind fogging. Without the Kämpfer Bracelet's power, she'd already be dead.

Even with it, she was slipping toward death.

Naruto looked up.

Seeing Haku's tears, he recalled the visions of their original fate.

In that fate, Haku died for Zabuza. Now, Zabuza had rejected that chance, pushing Haku away.

Their fates had changed.

But Sasuke… seemed unchanged.

Naruto's fists clenched, an unfamiliar emotion surging within.

Back then…

If Sasuke hadn't saved him, he wouldn't be so gravely wounded.

Now, Naruto could only watch, helpless!

So weak.

How could he earn recognition? Become a hero?

"Damn it—!" Naruto slammed the ground.

Too few cans opened!

His power couldn't protect anyone!

"Naruto…"

Kakashi looked at him, mouth opening, but no words came. He'd felt this pain before.

Words were powerless.

Kakashi just looked at Haku and asked:

"Do you still want to fight?"

His injuries were near his limit, but the potions he'd taken seemed to be working.

If this girl wanted to continue…

He wasn't confident.

Kakashi gave a bitter smile. He hadn't expected Zabuza to land a fatal blow on Sasuke at the last moment.

"You…" Haku seemed to realize something, snapping her head up. "Do you have more potions?"

"You mean…"

Kakashi understood, glancing at Zabuza, his smile truly bitter now.

If he had more potions…

He'd give them to Sasuke, still teetering between life and death, not himself.

Haku, seeing Kakashi's silence, understood.

After a moment…

She gently laid Zabuza's body down from her arms.

Standing, she gripped her bow.

"I must earn enough to revive Lord Zabuza!"

Her gaze was now ice-cold, devoid of emotion, like a tool.

For Lord Zabuza…

Haku could seal all weakness, becoming a true tool.

He'd do anything.

"As expected…" Kakashi's smile was bitter. Taking a deep breath, he said, "Naruto, the fight's not over. Leave Sasuke there. Even if he dies, we can revive him."

"…" Naruto stood, teeth gritted, glaring at Haku with a terrifying gaze, a violent aura faintly stirring within.

Hatred of his own weakness…

Stirred the Nine-Tails within him.

Shen Mo saw clearly.

The Nine-Tails' seal was nearing its limit. If the fight continued, its power would leak, and a Nine-Tails frenzy was almost certain.

Another fight was coming.

Shen Mo sighed, silently buying another pack of sunflower seeds.

Having set the stage and revival system, from his perspective, even total death was fine—it'd sell more cans.

"Hm?"

Shen Mo let out a soft hum, turning his head.

Outside the Mirror Dimension…

On the bridge, a small figure held a badge, cautiously approaching.

Gato.

Shen Mo was surprised. Freed from genjutsu and now with decent strength, why was Gato here?

When planning the Fate Stage, Shen Mo had added a function to all badges.

They were keys to the Mirror Dimension.

Near a Fate Stage, they'd heat up, guiding the holder.

So…

As Kakashi's team faced their final battle…

Gato abruptly appeared on the stage.

At first, he was bewildered, muscles tensing, until he saw Shen Mo floating above.

"Honored Lord," he said, immediately bowing with a fawning smile. "I didn't expect to find you here."

Shen Mo said nothing.

Haku, however, stared at Gato in disbelief.

"Gato? Why are you here?"

Especially seeing the membership badge in his hand.

Gato…

This kind of person was a Chamber member?

"Haku, I came for you and Zabuza."

Gato barely recognized Haku in her female gear but glanced at Shen Mo, seeming to piece things together.

"You're Gato!" Naruto roared, ready to charge, only stopped by Kakashi. He shouted, "You hired Zabuza and Haku to kill Dazuna!"

The true culprit.

The mastermind!

"I'm wronged!" Gato, the culprit, looked aggrieved. "I was controlled! If not for the honored lord freeing me from genjutsu last night, I wouldn't even know what happened!"

Shen Mo's eye twitched.

Bold words.

Gato's heart was already dark; Obito's control just made him dumber.

But Shen Mo knew what Gato was up to.