The Shopkeeper of Konoha

He was confident that if they stayed inside the circle, nothing bad would happen to them, and thankfully it didn't. As soon as he entered the bakery, he tried to act normally and didn't get in the way of anything.

"System, now that I am inside the shop, at least tell me if there any spies?"

[

Host, nobody is present in the safe area. But there is someone that is keeping an eye on you 20 metres away from the safe zone in the north west direction.

]

This made Aoto tense up. When he returned back to his place he thought that his over cautiousness was over the top and he didn't need to be so scared as this was Konoha and nothing would happen to him, but he had overestimated himself. He definitely needed to finish his first assignment with the system so as not face this kind of situations again.

"Do I know him?"

[

The individual is not within the host's safety perimeter. Only because he has bad intentions toward the host is he detectable by the system.

]

The system had a weird way to measure emotions of a person and this was probably the reason why the system was always equipped to save him, even at times when there was a sneak attack. Because, at the end of the day, if one wished to attack, emotions were to blame. They wouldn't be able to hide it from the system.

It was something when Naruto was able to do when he first got his hands on the chakra of Kurama. He was able to distinguish between good and harmful motives. Only in this instance was his system able to perform significantly better.

Aoto kept all these thoughts in the back of his mind and carried on with his work. He started to close all the stores when it became late in the evening. After closing, he called all of his friends back from work to his home.

"Is everything going well?" John questioned after noticing that Aoto seemed a little more fidgety than usual. They had been sharing a home for a while, and he could practically tell if Aoto was experiencing any problems. Plus, he called everyone from work directly. They always gathered for dinner, but tonight was different. So, other people were also curious.

"Everything is fine in a way. Simply refrain from leaving for the upcoming days." Added Aoto.

"Don't go out!? You mean I can't go to school to sell the chicken?" Jon enquired.

"I can't go out for normal walks?" Arya questioned, looking heartbroken. Since Hot Pie hardly ever left the house, he didn't mind.

"I'm sorry, but you are not safe until everything is resolved." Added Aoto. Arya and John furrowed their brows, and Hot Pie quavered a little. The threat outside was indicated by Aoto's statements. They had previously heard that the shop was always the safest place to go and that it was guarded.

"How do you wish to get food if we don't go outside?"

"There is Kiriko's grocery that also comes under protection. You can purchase from them, and you can ask Ayame to bring other goods. For her work, give her more money. Stay inside the circle of protection until I tell you to leave." Added Aoto.

The three got silent and felt suffocated by the words of Aoto. They felt worthless. Years of training had yielded no results.

John clenched his hands and muttered, "Understood."

Aoto simply asked them to continue working without offering any other explanation. He went as well and assisted John in cleaning the restaurant. He occasionally used to assist them because it was a laborious and tedious task. But while working, his mind was alert.

At every moment he felt like the system was going to alert him but there was nothing. The roots were supposed to knock on his door, but they never did. But he was aware that he had been being watched.

And two more days of this nonsense passed. The roots were keeping an eye out for him. Even though they stayed away, Aoto's business suffered. Ayame was going out to bring the chicken but there was only much she could do.

People started to wonder why KFC didn't open a cart shop close to the school or why business at the restaurant had declined. John could only lie and say that he had been sick and couldn't go and buy the pieces themselves and that Ayame had been helping him.

Customers naturally mentioned that they could assign a mission, and any shinobi could then assist, but John insisted that this was only a temporary solution. It was only on the third day that there was movement finally. The roots seemed like they ran out of patience and on the night of third day Aoto heard a statement from the system.

[

Host, two anbu members have entered the premises and will be knocking on the window in 3...2....1..

]

*knock* *knock*

When he heard the notifications, Aoto, who had been on pins and needles, sighed. Aoto got up and opened the window to see two men in standard Anbu outfits carrying small chokutō behind their back and also wearing Anbu masks on their faces.

Everyone was startled by the knock, but Aoto urged them to remain calm so he could manage them. One of the Anbu wearing a Ram Anbu mask said.

"Aoto Yamazaki, follow us to our headquarters."

This wasn't a statement. It was a command. The other one who was wearing a Hound Anbu mask just stood there.

"Where are you from? I don't recall Hokage telling me that an Anbu was going to knock on my door." Added Aoto.

"Less questions. Just follow us." - The Ram mask.

"Why are you even bothering to speak with this kid. Just take him to the headquarters." - The Hound mask.

Aoto blinked after hearing that. He stated while maintaining a dead-on gaze at the Anbu masks' faces.

"So you are going to kidnap me anyways?"