Su Yu hadn't expected to be worn out in broad daylight.
Luckily, he had grown increasingly skilled at his tasks.
Since Aunt May had taken the initiative to request his help, Su Yu, as a gesture of gratitude for her kindness in taking him in, diligently performed a Thai massage for her.
By the time dinner rolled around, Aunt May was utterly relaxed, so much so that even walking seemed like a challenge.
At the dinner table, Peter Parker sat absentmindedly.
Aunt May, equally distracted, occasionally glanced at Su Yu, her expression brimming with contentment and satisfaction.
Meanwhile, Su Yu focused entirely on eating, replenishing his energy.
Suddenly, a breaking news segment interrupted the TV broadcast.
A man in a suit, holding an iPad and gesturing dramatically, exclaimed:
"My goodness! Viewers, this is shocking news! The famous playboy Tony Stark has reportedly gone missing as of three hours ago!"
"Is this the result of human depravity, or a moral dilemma? Stay tuned for tonight's news to find out!"
"This program is brought to you by Stark Industries!"
The unexpected broadcast piqued the interest of the trio at the table.
Aunt May commented with a pointed tone:
"Tony Stark? Isn't he that playboy billionaire? Hmph, men with money always turn bad! Parker, you must never be like them, understand?"
"Mm-hmm," Peter Parker muttered distractedly, nodding without much thought.
Su Yu, however, kept his expression neutral, ignoring Aunt May's implied remarks as he focused on the news. Internally, he mused:
"Tony Stark missing? Looks like the big events are about to start!"
The birth of Iron Man marked the beginning of the Marvel saga.
At least, it did on the surface.
This also signaled the onset of looming crises, as well as the arrival of a transformative era.
In the past, he might not have had the means to intervene in these grand events, forced instead to passively endure.
But now? Things were different.
"According to the system's hidden settings, participating in storylines should speed up the search for trading partners!"
With this thought in mind, Su Yu made up his mind.
But first, he needed to grow stronger!
Ding!
A new character from across the multiverse has been located. Would the host like to initiate a trade now?
The system's notification rang out, brightening Su Yu's expression.
"A new trading partner? Who could it be?"
Trading across the multiverse was key to his rapid power growth.
His curiosity surged as he checked the system's trading interface.
Displayed prominently was the identity of the person in question.
Su Yu's eyes gleamed with intrigue.
"It's... him?!"
Uchiha Sasuke.
A tragic figure, the lone survivor of a family massacre perpetrated by his own brother.
From a lonely orphan to a wanderer, his journey was fraught with hardship, culminating in redemption.
This protagonist's life story was as tumultuous as they come.
At this particular point in time, Sasuke had just defected from Konoha and chosen to follow Orochimaru.
Yet inwardly, he was filled with uncertainty, unsure if he had made the right decision.
"Such a tragic anti-hero," Su Yu thought, smirking lightly as he wrapped up dinner and headed to his room.
Having been thoroughly sated, Aunt May didn't disturb him that evening.
Inside his room, Su Yu issued the command.
"System, initiate the trade!"
A virtual screen appeared, revealing the interior of a cave.
There stood Uchiha Sasuke, his expression stoic.
"Shopkeeper, greetings," Sasuke said with a calm but tense demeanor.
His face betrayed no emotion, but internally, he was deeply uneasy as he gazed at the mysterious man before him, reputed to have powers spanning the multiverse.
"Uchiha Sasuke," Su Yu said with a faint smile. "What do you wish to trade?"
"I..."
Sasuke hesitated, uncertainty flickering in his usually resolute eyes.
He yearned for power, but he knew he lacked the means to pay for it. What could he possibly offer in exchange?
For a moment, he faltered, unsure how to proceed.
Su Yu remained silent, watching Sasuke with an enigmatic expression, an air of subtle pressure emanating from his gaze.
"Phew..."
After a long pause, Sasuke exhaled deeply, his hands clenching.
Finally, he looked up and spoke, his voice tinged with desperation:
"Shopkeeper, I want to know one thing... the truth behind the Uchiha clan massacre!"
"The truth?"
Su Yu's eyebrows raised slightly as he silently thought, Just as I expected.
This was Uchiha Sasuke in his essence: calm, pragmatic, and capable of making the wisest choice, even in moments of doubt.
"Please, shopkeeper, I beg of you!" Sasuke's voice was filled with urgency.
Through the system, he understood Su Yu's capabilities. Surely, this omniscient figure knew the truth behind his clan's tragic demise.
Asking this question might be the only trade he could afford to make!
"I can tell you," Su Yu said, nodding, "but..."
The unfinished sentence caused Sasuke's heart to sink. He hurriedly pressed:
"Shopkeeper, anything you want—whatever I have, it's yours!"
"Don't be so hasty," Su Yu said, waving his hand dismissively.
"This matter involves deep and murky waters. You're not ready to handle it—at least, not with your current strength! All I can say is... Dōjutsu runs deeper than you know."
"But..."
Sasuke's frustration was palpable, yet Su Yu continued:
"If you wish, I can reveal the truth anytime. But for now, I believe gaining strength is your priority.
"Tell me, Sasuke, wouldn't you like to learn the true potential of the Sharingan?"