The Shopkeeper of Konoha

Hiruzen and Aoto looked at each other with two pairs of sharp eyes and it lasted for a full second. Any observer would think that a fight could start at any time. The distant sound of chirping crickets carried through the night, complementing the tense silence inside the KFC. The surrounding buildings casted long shadows, adding to the cloak of secrecy that shrouded the restaurant.

But then suddenly Hiruzen began to laugh. His laugh were so high pitched that they echoed throughout the entire restaurant. The most intriguing aspect of all was that his chuckle truly felt sincere. Even when Hiruzen seemed to be on full fight mode and showing cruel eyes, the system didn't notify Aoto that he had become a threat. He was perplexed because of this.

"Hahahah.. I like you.. I really like you." Hiruzen remarked as he cautiously pulled a band out of the tiny bag he was carrying. The band was a blue colored one made out of durable fabric and on the middle of the lang band was a metal plate which had a sign of a leaf-shaped design with a swirl at its center.

Aoto could easily make out that it was the shinobi headband one was given when they became a genin and would follow him or her till the end of their lives. Ordinarily, it was particular to a certain village, but occasionally there were exceptional situations, such as the Fourth Great Ninja War.

"What's this?" Aoto questioned out of confusion.

"A sign that you are now a shinobi." Hiruzen said while beaming broadly. Aoto heard that with his eyes wide open. He believed that Danzo had sold him, or perhaps the people under Danzo that he had taught a lesson before.

But if that were the case and Danzo had told Hiruzen how he was defeated, Hiruzen would have approached him the following day to inquire about his power. But Hiruzen didn't seem to have such thoughts or was curious about him. So what took place?

"Neither do I have chakra nor have I ever been to the academy. You already did a check." Aoto said as he wanted to enquire if Danzo had sold him or not indirectly with the last sentence. Hiruzen said while shaking his head.

"A shinobi doesn't need to have chakra always to prove their presence. With your work, you have demonstrated a high level of intelligence and knowledge. This headband is a token of Konoha's gratitude to you for defending it, or in your case, for saving future lives and altering how people generally view the world." Hiruzen spoken.

"However, Hokage-sama, even if you grant me the headband, I still can't accept missions." Aoto remarked that he wasn't sure why he was being given this particular item.

"I know and you won't have to take missions. You will do whatever you like and Konoha will help you. You have the will of fire inside you for passing your knowledge to others. Konoha doesn't care where you get your jutsus or your knowledge, as long as you protect the village and uplift it. You are doing more than enough by sharing the books. That goes beyond anything anyone could hope for. If Konoha had gone for the private collections of all shinobis, then the village wouldn't last for a long time. " Hiruzen spoken. Aoto was quite astonished by this. Not because he heard the elderly guy's kind remarks, but rather because of the way the old man drew him in.

He was giving this headband to Aoto to help him feel at home. Although it may not have had much financial significance, it had symbolic meaning. Hiruzen knew that though Aoto loved money but his previous records had shown that he was very desperate to become a ninja and wanted to wear a headband. At least, it was the Aoto's intention prior to the new guy taking control of his body.

Hiruzen pulled that string and gave him the headband to make Aoto feel that he belonged to Konoha and always had a home here. Aoto accepted the headband without objecting. He felt a tiny sense of happiness when clutching the band. Perhaps it was because the deceased spirit had wished for it, or perhaps it was because he himself had desired to become a ninja. He wasn't a true ninja, but at least he had the genuine headband that Hokage had given him.

"But Hokage-sama, what about the school and the books?" Aoto enquired as that was his major worry.

"Naturally, Konoha will shortly begin construction on a school. The pupils that come to study will also receive your books. However, the information will be made available to both ninjas and individuals who failed to graduate from the academy. This will give the normal people living here a purpose and it will help to unite the village."Hiruzen spoken.

'This old man does have a good head over his shoulders.' As Aoto saw Hiruzen use the books to introduce the Konoha residents to the shinobi world, he had a thought. No wonder, Tobirama saw something in this person rather than going for someone who belonged to his own clan.

"Thank you" Aoto spoke while feeling a little teary-eyed. He truly didn't anticipate this from Hiruzen, who he had assumed would be prepared to beat him.

"However, please verify it by checking my books from the medical ninjas." Aoto spoke because he didn't want to leave any room for interpretation and then face retaliation.

"Although I will double-check the books, I trust you. You shouldn't be concerned. Your trust will never be betrayed by Konoha." Hiruzen said. He knew this child didn't trust people readily, so he had to have faith in him before he would have faith in him. Nodding, Aoto.

"May I borrow the book?" Hiruzen enquired. Aoto shrugged, not particularly caring for any one book. He could see 100 books once the school was open and do his assignment. But out of nowhere, Hiruzen inquired about the book's pricing.

He wouldn't say no, of course, since he was getting paid. He only granted him permission to take the book for free because he was the Hokage. He would never be lenient in front of others.