The Shopkeeper of Konoha

Mikoto set Itachi over a table to the side while holding Sasuke in her hands. In frustration over what had happened to her handsome son, she clinched her fists. She was more upset about what had happened than Fugaku, but they couldn't blow the matter out of proportion at this instant.

At this point, the Uchiha family could not make another error. Fugaku and Mikoto both were considerably more composed now as they stood facing Aoto.

"Why are you doing this to us?" Fugaku immediately questioned. He was merely curious as to why Aoto was pursuing them after being so kind to Shisui.

"You are seriously not udnerstanding? I'm not pursuing you. You were the one who struck me. I defended." Aoto spoke the truth.

"As far as I'm aware, you've never attended a ninja academy and haven't studied any ninja methods. You have done more than enough to merit being imprisoned on charges of spying in Konoha based on what you just did." said Fugaku. Aoto chuckled while listening to Fugaku.

"Let's not fool ourselves, Fugaku-san. The only thing it will do is to make the senior management suspicious of you because you won't be able to show them that I am a spy. The elders will see it as an attempt to discredit someone who is legitimately providing Konoha with medical supplies and summoning creatures."

Fugaku ceased talking. Aoto had already developed into a valuable strategic asset for Konoha, and no one would ever be permitted to hurt him. It would become more and more difficult to demonstrate that Aoto was a spy of any type.

"Then why did you want to check on Itachi? As a shinobi you know doing this is very disrespectful. And you even cursed our child of dying young." Mikoto made a statement.

"Mikoto-san, imagine for a moment that I didn't curse your child and that he actually had a serious illness, perhaps a fatal one. In that case, what would you do?" Asked Aoto. Fugaku and Mikoto weren't prepared for those words.

In their imagination their children were perfect, though Fugaku was hard on his kids, it didn't mean that he wasn't proud of them. His son was more of a genius than he ever was. Therefore, he didn't think his son contracting any diseases, but after hearing what Aoto mentioned, it made sense.

"How do you know my son is sick?" Fugaku enquired.

"I didn't say I am sure. I am saying that I check on people before I sell my wares. I did the same with my cigarettes and controlled the supply, and even for the chicken, I wouldn't allow too much be sold on one particular person for a long period of time. The same is true for your kids. What if there is a probability that one of your children would develop a terminal illness and pass away before their time? What would happen to the Palico I handed him at that point? Wouldn't that Palico be heartbroken?"

"But that is invasion of his privacy." Fugaku retaliated. Even if Aoto's statements made sense, he wasn't ready to merely let a complete stranger like Aoto, who displayed incredible skills, gaze up at him. Aoto was very close to the upper echelon and he even said that he could erase memories.

What if Aoto used some techniques to control his son? He didn't want to take that chance.

"That's okay. You are not required to believe me because I am not a doctor. Good technology and equipment would soon be available in hospitals to quickly and effectively detect diseases. You can check there with your children. Although the current medical standards are not up to par, they will be shortly. In fact, you should both go in for routine exams." Aoto spoke, trying to make a joke at the last end.

He had a good feeling that the pair would enjoy giving him a few punches. They were merely holding back for the benefit of their kin and offspring.

"So this was all about the health of my children and your business ethics? How do you explain your ninja techniques then?"

Even if they did go and tell the higher ups, he would be more protected since Hokage would think he had gained better control on his Yin and Yang release. So he was free of any worry.

"Fugaku-san, I make a living by selling summoning creatures. You can't expect me not to have some cards up my sleeves, can you? Additionally, it's not just your kids. I have concern for all kids. It's fine if its older men and women, but children are easily to get attached with. I'll treat the Hyuga family similarly. Actually, I should have posted a sign stating the terms." Aoto spoke without showing any of his hands. What these two thought of his invincibility didn't matter to him.

"Then why do you look so convinced that my children had some problems?" Fugaku inquired since he knew Aoto gave Itachi a few side-eyes when he enquired about his kids. He unmistakably focused only on Itachi, not Sasuke. His instincts informed him that Aoto didn't have clear eyes for Itachi and believed the boy had a problem.

"Did I? I don't remember giving out that vibe." Aoto declined and simply grinned back.

"So you'll sell us the Palico if we get a medical record stating that my child is healthy?" Mikoto enquired. She was curious as to whether Aoto would stick to his code of conduct for business even if things had turned out quite strange. But she was also certain that, given what he had done, Fugaku would not permit her to purchase any Palicos from him. The act of erasing memories cannot be done lightly at all.

"Sure, that. I am a businessman that just considers financial gains, but I also have moral principles. An unhappy customer is the last thing I want to see and even for my products." Aoto assured.

"Fine. I'll see how Itachi is doing. It's too early to check on Sasuke. Let me test whether your curse is effective." Fugaku spoke as he picked Itachi up by the shoulder. He needed to leave this store because he was not being held there. It was getting more dangerous by the second.