"I will talk with Aoto about it and then I will make my decision," Hiruzen said.
"Of course... We will be waiting for the happy news," Kisuke said. He had a smile on his face, and Corazon, who had been silent the entire time, smiled as they bid goodbye to him. After they left, there was complete silence in the office. Hiruzen spoke a bit aloud in the open air.
"What is the deal with this man named Kisuke Urahara?" Hiruzen asked.
"Do you want me to bring the documents pertaining to the person, Hokage-sama?" An Anbu appeared out of the blue and asked.
"Yes," Hiruzen replied. After about 15 minutes, a small file was placed on the table. Hiruzen opened the file and went through it. There was nothing wrong with the file, and Hiruzen learned that Kisuke was a genius in a small village in the Fire Nation itself.
He excelled in two ways: innovation and swordsmanship. He and another person named Tessai had been friends since they were young and were brought up together. Normally, Kisuke shouldn't have come to Konoha, but bandits appeared out of nowhere, who were supposed to be ninjas, and they destroyed the whole village.
Tessai and Kisuke were able to defend themselves before managing to escape. Kisuke's swordsmanship played a huge part in this, and thus they were safe in the end. Hiruzen read the whole report and just looked at the ceiling in a blank stare.
"Is there any problem, Hokage-sama?"
Hiruzen sighed for a second before replying, "I feel like this person Kisuke is more powerful than he is letting on."
"Uh... He was able to defend against many ninjas, so his swordsmanship must be superb," the Anbu member said.
"No. You don't understand. I feel like he could take me on if given the chance," Hiruzen replied. This almost made the Anbu member laugh out loud. A random person taking on the Hokage? What a joke! But of course, he didn't say it out loud, as it would be disrespectful to someone like him. However, he felt like Hiruzen was overestimating a random person he had just met.
"Anyways, I will visit Aoto and see what his deal is," Hiruzen said.
---
Naruto and the others were once again busy at the library while the others taught him. Shikuro returned early after dropping off Unohana and thus was teaching his son and Naruto diligently. As expected, Naruto was struggling, and it was taking time for him to understand what was going on.
"System, are you sure he has high talent?"
[
The system is never wrong.
]
"Aoto sighed and didn't say anything more, just letting nature take its course. Kisuke returned soon.
'Corazon, you will have to help Zimmer to start a production company,' Aoto said as Corazon returned.
'I will. Zimmer, are you ready to go?' Corazon asked. Zimmer sighed a bit and then nodded. After both of them left, Kisuke and Aoto returned to the library.
'How was the Hokage?' Aoto asked.
'He is good, and I am pretty sure he doubts me,' Kisuke said.
'Doubts you? Why is that?' Aoto was confused.
'I mean he doubts that I am more powerful than my files say,' Kisuke explained.
'How do you figure that?' Aoto asked, unsure of how the Hokage could even think like that.
'It's just intuition. Maybe that's why he didn't sign and accept the new proposal, and he wants to talk with you,' Kisuke said.
'Well, I will come up with my best poker face for this.'
'I hope it will be a good and convincing poker face.'
They both laughed and then got back to work. Kisuke took care of the logistics while Aoto tended to his shop, acting like a normal shopkeeper. He also sent files over to Kisuke so he could go through the books and start operating as a manager.
Aoto knew that regaining the same number of customers after taking in Naruto would take time, but he was willing to wait and watch. One day, Naruto would be a hero to the village, so his investment now would pay off in the future.
Every hero needed a villain, and as far as villains go, Pain was the only one Aoto had to worry about from before. He couldn't allow someone to devastate the whole village, especially after making the roads. As he pondered this, he thought about the computer deal with Konan, who had repeatedly suggested that he meet her boss.
Aoto had never agreed because he knew he wasn't a match for Pain. He might have been lucky with Chomei because that beast didn't think straight when it attacked, but Pain was different. He wouldn't last a second in front of his attack, or any other Akatsuki member for that matter. The only safe place was his shop.
Konan's words spurred him into action, and he burned the midnight oil learning magic. The Uchiha family had already started to become restless, and in the few meetings he had with Fugaku, he didn't seem to be in a good mood.
The last time Aoto saw him in a good mood was during the birth of Lyanna. She was a cute and healthy child. Aoto and his friends had gone to congratulate him and his family. Sasuke had grown up to be a sensible and happy child under the tutelage of his brother and his family.
But time was ticking, and even though now the Uchiha family was reaping huge returns thanks to Aoto's investment, some people in the clan were still causing significant problems for Fugaku.
---
Evening.
Aoto was just working on the computer, getting things in order when Hiruzen walked in.
'Hokage-sama... Welcome.'
'Aoto... Do you have the joints for the month?' Hiruzen asked.
'Of course. They're here,' Aoto said as he brought a large box and placed it on the table. Hiruzen would consume them occasionally, so the box would probably last for quite a number of days. Hiruzen took the box and placed it inside his magical pouch.
---
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