The Shopkeeper of Konoha

Shisui and Aoto were seated across from one another.

"Aoto, I truly apologize for the issue the Uchiha clan caused you." Shisui muttered as he bowed his head. Aoto became surprised and puzzledly gazed at Shisui.

"Exactly what for?" Asked Aoto.

"For my clan member's Arisu behavior." said Shisui.

"Ah! I almost didn't think of him. Hahaha.. You are not required to apologize to him. Since he does not represent a clan, that clan cannot be held accountable for his bad behavior." Added Aoto. That response was unexpected by Shisui. After being imprisoned, the Hokage brought Arisu back to the clan, where he informed clan leader Fugaku of his actions.

In his rage at Arisu, Fugaku gave up on Arisu's year-long right to leave the clan. Shisui was a police officer, thus he did run into Arisu after he was given a warning. He learned what his clan member had done there, and Arisu also expressed his outrage that Aoto had treated the Uchiha clan unfairly like other people.

That was the reason Shisui was so taken aback when she observed Aoto being hospitable. He should have been holding him at the same regard as Arisu, more so after what Arisu had done. However, this was untrue. In actuality, Aoto's statements caused him to think otherwise. He was unsure whether which account was accurate.

"Still, Arisu is my distant family member and I needed to make it up to you." Shisui spoke and gave him a tiny bag. This was the sum of money that Fugaku had sent to Aoto as payment for Arisu.

Aoto didn't want to accept it, but he knew that if he didn't, people could think he wasn't ready to forgive Arisu. He eventually accepted it, so.

"Aoto I need to ask you for another favor." said Shisui.

"Favor? You intend to purchase the Palicko, correct?" Added Aoto. He already knew what had occurred. Fugaku must have been informed of the new Palico that had appeared in his shop. Shisui had been dispatched by Fugaku to apologize and win over his favor for this reason.

The other clan heads had to have learned about this if Fugaku knew about it. This meant more business was on it ways to him and the Uchiha was the first to knock at his door.

Shisui nodded and grinned at how smart this guy was. He had been instructed by Fugaku to obtain a Palico. Shisui didn't mind spending any money because he was currently pretty affluent thanks to the high level tasks he had completed at the Hokage's request.

Aoto told him about the various types of Palico he had because he was delighted he had come. Shisui selected the Gathering Palico because of its reputation for stealth. Shisui thought a Palico like this would be appropriate for him.

Shisui spent 600k ryo on this without thinking twice. The collecting Palico wasn't as expensive as the Bombardier and Healer because it was solely helpful for covert attacks.

"I can sell you this but there is one condition." Before accepting the money, Aoto stated.

"Condition? What condition?" Shisui began to wonder.

"That you can't die before the Palico dies." Added Aoto.

Shisui responded, "Eh," thinking he hadn't heard Aoto correctly. He then requested Aoto to repeat himself, and Aoto did so.

"Are you cursing me to death?" Shisui inquired, and his expression had suddenly turned grave.

"Shinobis don't typically live long lives. Even the best ones lose in war, and they endure enormous suffering. Second Hokage, Fourth Hokage, and other quite outstanding individuals were great but perished in combat. If you pass away fairly soon, I don't want the Palico to feel lonely." Shisui's failure to comprehend Aoto went unnoticed by him.

"So you want the Palico to pass away before I do? Is that what you're requesting?" Shisui enquired while growing angrier by the second and got disgusted about how Aoto was treating a Palico. He really believed Aoto was requesting that he let beloved Palico pass away before he did.

"Is it that hard to comprehend. Why don't you just accept your condition and make every effort to live forever? Why not pass away in old age?" Aoto was baffled as to why this man misunderstood his two sentences.

"You were the one who claimed that shinobis don't live lengthy lives. In that regard, I will also pass away very soon." Shisui shared his viewpoint.

"Then make an effort to survive all of your risks. If you can't defeat your enemy, run." Added Aoto.

"A shinobi can never evade their responsibilities. Even if doing so results in death, he or she must carry out their obligations." Shisui was being very morally upright, but he did comprehend what Aoto was attempting to say before about the problem. Aoto wanted Shisui to die old. It was a good dream, but he didn't think it would ever come true.

"Duties? Hmmm.. For example there is an enemy hell bent on destroying the world and Konoha goes and side with this person. Now, what are your responsibilities?"Unexpectedly, Aoto posed a hypothetical query.

"What? What does that mean, exactly?" Shisui was baffled as to why Aoto had asked such a ridiculous query.

"Yeah. Imagine that Konoha's upper management believes it would be better to form an alliance with someone who is strong enough to destroy this wonderful world. Then, what will you do? Your duty to Konoha? Or your obligation to humanity?" Once more, Aoto gave an explanation.

"Of course, I'll accompany Konoha." After a brief pause, Shisui said.

"Are you certain? Won't you feel any remorse for the babies, the mothers, the innocents all over the world that will be killed. Konoha only has issues with the villages of the other five larger nations, so what about the smaller villages? Simply put, they are leading the best life they can."