The Shopkeeper of Konoha

Employment until Aoto negates the contract and what was this about deleting his memories from others brain? Was this a paper seal of some kind that would function like the Danzo's seal did? What was this clause of the multiverse?

"You don't have any other way to get out of here if you don't accept the contract." Aoto remarked while pointing out that he would undoubtedly perish if Shikuro rejected the pact. Shikuro took a moment to consider Aoto before deciding. Danzo tactics was cruel for him anyways and he was trying to find a way to get out of that hellhole.

He now has a chance. Though he was unsure of Aoto's personality, he had a gut instinct that, despite the brutality he had just unleashed on them, Aoto was more kindhearted than Danzo and less manipulative.

Even though he could have easily used the Sharingan eye for himself, he outright handed it away. Shikuro wasted little time in placing his thumbprint in the position of his signature after biting the tip of his finger.

[

Employee contract sealed. Aoto Yamazaki now employs Shikuro Aburame. It should be noted that Aoto Yamazaki must always pay Shikuro fairly; else, the employer will suffer the consequences.

]

"Damn, even I have a restriction."

Meanwhile, Shikuro felt a weird sensation that passed through his body after he put his blood spot down. He had the impression that he was subject to a slight constraint, but he wasn't sure where. He wasn't sure where it was but it was ever present inside him.

He was aware that going forward, Aoto owned him and could command him to perform any task as long as compensation was made in exchange for his services. He merely prayed that Konoha wouldn't be in any danger.

"Shikuro Aburame. Do you know why I took fancy at you and not Fuu Yamanaka?" Aoto enquired after receiving the notification. Now that he was bound by a confidentiality agreement, he was free to express himself fully.

"I am sorry I know not Aoto-sama." Shikuro responded in a respectful manner.

"Sama? Oye? Do I really look that old?" After learning of his designation, Aoto became irate.

"Uh! no.. Nothing like that." Aoto was still a teenager in all respects and was not yet an adult, at least not in his own views.

"So don't call me sama, please. I don't govern over others or have a superiority complex like that a**hole Danzo, nor am I old. Do you understand?" Aoto bellowed.

"Yes. Yes.." After addressing Aoto as sama, Shikuro wasn't prepared for such a resounding response.

"Be aware of that. And it's because of your son that I chose you over Fuu." Added Aoto. This made him shudder. He didn't anticipate that his biggest secret would have been revealed to someone else. He kept the fact that he had a son from everyone and guarded it fiercely. The Roots were generally forbidden from feeling emotions, and those who did were instructed to control their feelings so that they wouldn't interfere with their tasks.

They were prepared to shed their own blood in order to protect and strengthen Konoha. He didn't want his son to choose the same path as him, which was why he had kept him stashed away. But how did Aoto know that he had a son recently? He was the child's sole parent because the mother passed away during childbirth, and he frequently visited the infant, but only after completing the necessary safety steps and making sure that the Roots were unaware of it.

However, he also understood that this situation couldn't last forever, and he was prepared to place his son in the care of Shino's father, Shibi Aburame, for adoption.

"What.. What do you want with my son? How do you know of him?" Shikuro was worried because for a split second, he believed Aoto was conducting research on his son.

"Chill, Shikuro. I meant that I wouldn't want your son to be fatherless if he is brought up by you. Don't you think so?"

"Fatherless?" Shikuro enquired. As he was still alive, he was unable to comprehend. After Shikuro's passing, Torune, Shikuro's son, finally joined Roots. Torune and Shino were basically raised as brothers together before Danzo snatched him up. When Shibi refused to accept his request for Shino to join the roots, Torune ultimately offered himself up to save his brother.

This eventually led to his demise at the 4th Great Ninja war at the hands of Obito and later sealed again by the hands of Shino himself. Shikuro's continued existence meant that Torune still had his father since Shikuro passed away under unknown circumstances, most likely at Danzo's hands or while on a mission.

And Aoto had warned against going to the Aburame clan was because he didn't want Danzo to go for Shino or other clan members. The Aburame clan was really a powerful one and deserved to grow in their own speed. Aoto thus managed to save both the father and the son.

"Attend to your son well. Let him join the Academy like all others and give the fatherly love that he deserves. Don't die too soon. There is lot of world for you to see." Added Aoto. Shikuro was shocked to hear Aoto because he was still unsure of who he was and how he knew about his son.

'Was that all he wanted? He only took me in to look after my son, right? But I'm positive that he placed limitations on me. So he's compassionate and fierce at the same time?'

As Aoto continued, Shikuro was contemplating all he had just stated.

"Now go. I am sure you have injuries. Go and let your child have a normal childhood instead of dying in foolish missions. Remember, you work for me now and you can't go around dying on me. Work for me until I deem to have been satisfied." Added Aoto.