The Shopkeeper of Konoha

After a few days of their return, Aoto was called into the Hokage’s office. The call was official, and he had to go, so Aoto showed up at the office like a good citizen of Konoha. He was a bit confused about why he was called, but he went anyway.

"Ah, Aoto-kun. Come in," Hiruzen was in his office, and he wasn’t the only one present. There were some high-ranking Anbu ninjas and also Kakashi. It was basically a high-ranking meeting, except for the old ones who had controlled things behind the scenes.

Those old ones had lost most of their control over Konoha after what Aoto did to them in their last meeting. One was even exiled and made to go with the daimyo as an advisor. This was the highest insult one could receive.

"What is this all about?" Aoto came and sat in the lone chair in the center while they stood in a semi-circle behind the Hokage.

"Your techniques have caused quite the ruckus, Aoto-kun," Hiruzen said with a sigh and a hint of embarrassment.

"I didn’t do anything," Aoto replied, as he couldn’t remember if he had broken any current laws.

"Yes, but your adopted brother has been sending prisoners, half-dead, to Konoha," Hiruzen said.

"He should get a medal for that," Aoto said.

"No. He sent them directly inside Konoha, using space-time jutsu. That technique is dangerous, and anyone could coerce Naruto into revealing it," one of the shinobi in a mask said.

"Nobody can learn that technique forcefully, even if they’re taught the basics and steps. I won’t say why, but it’s just not possible," Aoto said.

"How sure are you about that?" Hiruzen asked with all sincerity.

"About 99%, if you want to scale it," Aoto said. Hiruzen nodded.

"I will allow this transgression one time, but nobody is allowed to use this jutsu inside Konoha again," Hiruzen said.

"But Hokage-sama, what if someone forces him to use it, thus infiltrating the village?"

"For that, Kakashi is here. What do you think, Kakashi? Will you be able to protect Naruto?" Hiruzen asked.

"Until he becomes a chunin, I promise to keep an eye on him," Kakashi said. He also wanted to say that Naruto had other techniques too, and soon he wouldn’t even need his help and would be a unit of his own.

If anything, the only reason he might fail would be because of his own stupidity. But that too could be honed, and he was ready to be more battle-ready than during the Land of Waves mission.

"Then it’s settled," Hiruzen said. Aoto was just a bit annoyed that he had been called for this small matter and was ready to leave when Hiruzen spoke again.

"But it was still a breach of the law." Aoto scrunched his eyebrows when he heard that. He didn’t know what kind of game Hiruzen was playing, but he wanted to see.

"The chunin exams are coming," Hiruzen said.

"And?" Aoto asked, as he already knew the chunin exams were on the horizon and thus the whole orchestra of his death.

"Two villages have decided to conduct the test, and it will be held here," Hiruzen said. This was where Aoto was surprised.

"Did you just say two villages?" Aoto asked.

"Yes, thanks to the economic connections we have with Sunagakure and Iwagakure, both Kages decided, along with me, that Konoha would host the chunin exams," Hiruzen explained.

"How were you able to convince another grandpa who’s almost as old as you, if not older?" Aoto asked.

"Hahaha... He’s one year older than me, and even though he’s very conservative in his approach, he accepted the suggestion. Thanks to you, Aoto-kun," Hiruzen said.

"What did I do?" Aoto asked.

"He’s quite intrigued by you, and apparently, he wants to have closer relations with you," Hiruzen said. If it had been any other person, Hiruzen would have suggested training him to be a spy for Konoha, since Onoki was very interested. But he knew that idea would be swatted away, even with the mere mention of it.

"I’m glad I’ve been helpful to Konoha in building a relationship with another village," Aoto said.

"Thus, we have decided that you, Shikuro, Unohana, and Urahara will be appointed as examiners for the upcoming exams," Hiruzen said.

"Oye... Oye... I will not accept it," Aoto flat-out said.

"But you did break the law, and thus you have to serve the punishment," one of the Anbu behind him said.

"I don’t care, I’m not interested," Aoto said. He didn’t want to be in the whole mess that would be created by Orochimaru.

"Aoto-kun, after the chunin exams, I will resign as Hokage. Do me a favor in my name," Hiruzen said. Aoto was ready to bolt out if he was pressured more, but when he heard that, he couldn’t help but do a double take.

"And who will be the next Hokage?" Aoto asked.

"We haven’t decided yet, but I’ve asked someone to bring in Princess Tsunade. Since you’re not interested, she’s my next best choice," Hiruzen said.

"Hahahha... Princess Tsunade wouldn’t help you after what happened during the war," Aoto said.

"I know, and that’s why I sent someone to help convince her to come back," Hiruzen said. "If you still think she wouldn’t be a good fit, you can always sit in my place."

"No, thank you. I’ll be surprised if you’re able to convince her," Aoto said. Hiruzen just smiled.

"So you’re on board with the whole examiner job?"

"Fine. But this is the last time I’m doing something like this," Aoto said.

"Then please convince the others too," Hiruzen said. Aoto wanted to say, "Screw you," but stopped himself. There was no point. He would be dragged into the mess, and a part of him was curious about the enigmatic and crazy Orochimaru.