The Shopkeeper of Konoha

"Aoto, I am here for my daily dose." Asuma exclaimed as he entered. The nearby Arya and John were a little taken aback by this guy. By this time they had already understood that men and women who wore a particular type of uniforms were ninjas just the men who guarded the Wall wore blacks.

Additionally, based on the way he spoke, it appeared that they were quite close to their employer.

"These are...?" Asuma was a new guy in the store, so he was forced to inquire.

"They are new employees that I hired temporarily." Aoto remarked as he pulled out a few packages with joints enclosed in them.

"Oh!" They had features that were noticeably different from the locals, but Asuma remained silent. The confluence of numerous clans, each with unique characteristics, led to the construction of Konoha. Konoha's issue was with the strength scaling, not diversity.

"And this must be the famous Hatake Kakashi. It's nice to meet you." Added Aoto.

"You've heard of me?" Kakashi was somewhat touched that someone had heard of him. Although he was well-known in the community because of his work with the Anbu following the Third Great Ninja War, most people had forgotten about him. Rarely did he see anyone who seemed to recall him.

"You must be kidding Kakashi-san. You are one of the heroes of the fo... third great ninja war. Your deeds in the war are legendary." Aoto replied and he almost said 4th great ninja war and cursed their generations to an extra war that hasn't yet arrived.

Though Aoto changed his words, both Kakashi and Asuma did notice a very tiny flinch in his eyes when he spoke about the 3rd great ninja war but both of them didn't pay much heed as they thought a young boy like him who hadn't seen war might not know the war as closely as they did.

"Those are merely tales. In order to live and win the war for Konoha, I did whatever it took." Kakashi spoke, remaining as modest as always. He wasn't haughty in any way.

"Hey Aoto. Give me some thing that can help in making this depressed guy more lively. Do you have something like the weed that could help him?" Asuma blatantly enquired. Aoto didn't say anything in return, just stared at him.

"Do you think I am some kind of genie that fulfils your wishes everyday."

"What is a genie?" Asuma inquired out of confusion.

"Nothing.. Weed might help him in depression but I won't recommend this to someone who doesn't smoke. What do you say Kakashi-san?" Aoto turned to face Kakashi.

"No, I'm okay. I don't need any kinds of smoke." Kakashi responded, feeling a little embarrassed that his buddy had just betrayed him and told others about his downcast mood. Actually, according to the actual story, Kakashi wasn't supposed to be released from Anbu this early, but thanks to his butterfly effect, things gradually began to change. Asuma, Kurenai, and other characters urged Hokage to release Kakashi much sooner because he had just suffered an emotional setback.

"Sigh! Aoto I came here with a belly full of expectations and you let me down in this way?"

"I am just a confectioner, Asuma-san. How do I get strange things?" Aoto responded with a question.

"A confectioner who sells amazing smoke and medicinal honey. Do you believe those to be typical?" said Asuma.

"Fine fine.. I do have something that might give a smile on your face." At the conclusion, Aoto answered with slumped shoulders, as if he were under duress to give Asuma something.

"What?" Asuma was now genuinely shocked. He had only been making fun of Aoto the entire time. He didn't really anticipate anything more from him because the previous two items that had been sold were already miraculous.

"Yes. These friends of mine who have arrived from outside the village had come with their own special things or rather living things." As he pointed at John and Arya, Aoto said. Despite the fact that they were both perplexed by what Aoto was saying, they went along with him.

"What's that? Something unique from abroad? Bring it out already." Demanded Asuma.

"Kakashi-san. Asuma-san. Are you a cat person?" Asked Aoto.

"Huh?"

"Eh?!"

"Yes, are you a cat person? A cat that can act as your summoning animal?" The bomb was eventually dropped by Aoto.

"What? Are you kidding me? " Asuma was on the verge of shouting. Without wasting any time, Aoto entered the store's storage. After summoning two Palico from the system he lifted them up with one on each hand. When Aoto picked up either of the Palicos, they were both very well-behaved and didn't attempt to bite him.

He emerged from the room of storage carrying two cats. Asuma had been under the impression that Aoto was playing a joke on him, but when he noticed the cats in his lap, his mouth dropped to the ground. The two cats, one golden and the other a blend of black and white, were quite adorable.

The black cat wore a business-casual white and black uniform that contrasted well with its body color, while the golden cat wore a dress on its body and googles on top of its head.

"You.. You.. You have summoning animals? But you didn't even join a ninja school." said Asuma.

"Asuma-san, did you not hear what I just said. They brought them here so that they could be sold by them. They are actively looking for customers to get rid of the specials of their lands. Their land has been filled with these cats and they would be glad to help Konoha in any way possible." Arya and John swallowed and nodded in agreement when Aoto assigned them sole responsibility.

"You really have many of these animals in your place?" Kakashi gently stroked the golden cat's head. He smiled and started to soften a little at the sight of the adorable cats. Aoto couldn't see his grin, but his eye spoke volumes.

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