The Shopkeeper of Konoha

The three of them appeared near the dilapidated shrine. It was once the Uchiha clan's shrine when Madara was the head, and after his 'death,' the shrine was abandoned. Whatever remained was then moved to the clan's Patriarch.

Now, after some years, everything looked unkempt with overgrown trees and bushes. The roof was falling apart, and someone would have to move it if they wanted to go inside. Itachi bowed down to Aoto again in gratitude.

Aoto gave one last hug to him, and Loki proceeded to make themselves invisible with magic. They also moved one of the sturdy branches among the trees, while Itachi just waited for Obito to arrive. The wait was silent and kind of creepy.

It was very late at night, and one could only hear occasional hoots of owls or crickets. Sometimes the cries of birds could be heard from a far-off distance. Another thing Itachi made sure of was that Obito didn't get involved in the massacre, unlike the original story. There was no moon in the night, contrary to the actual story, as Aoto remembered Sasuke seeing the moon behind Itachi.

Times had changed, as he could also tell that Itachi hadn't awakened the Mangekyo. He and Kisuke had already discussed how to artificially awaken the Mangekyo using technology and also ensure that they wouldn't lose eyesight when using it. That had been the main topic of research for both Kisuke and Unohana for some time now.

After about half an hour, Loki, who had been idle and just playing with a Paliko that Aoto had gifted him, heard a rustle. Both of them became alert. Another thing Itachi made sure of was that Obito didn't get involved in the massacre, unlike the original story.

"It's over."

"Good work. I assume you will take me up on the offer." Aoto and Loki, from the side, heard his voice for the first time. There were no greetings, just to-the-point dialogue. This guy had really changed from one death and made his whole personality around her.

The people of this world definitely need therapy.

"I have my own agenda for joining your group," Itachi said.

"Everyone in the organization has their own agenda, and they can do whatever you want to commit to; the organization wouldn't meddle," Obito spoke, trying to imitate Madara. Itachi nodded, and he let go of his Anbu mask, which he had been wearing.

He didn't look back and jumped into one of the trees, vanishing from their sight after a few jumps into the cold and dark night. From afar, Aoto and Loki could hear the sirens go off, a siren that meant every single citizen of Konoha was asked to be in their home and not go out.

Obito didn't immediately leave and just stood there, watching into the darkness of the night, into the stars that shone so brightly. The place was away from the village, and thus the stars were ever so bright.

"You can come out since you have sneaking on us the entire time." Obito spoke up and his words were heard by Loki and Aoto clearly. They didn't seem to be surprised at all as Loki didn't make his magic that apparent and any normal shinobi with a bit of expertise could sense him. 

Aoto came out while clapping his hands. Obito didn't say anything as Aoto slowly clapped while Loki just stood behind and made sure that this guy didn't pull any 'prank' on them.

"Aoto Yamazaki, the one with the golden hands." Obito said every slowly and his words were crystal clear. 

"Golden hands? That's a new name. But I like it." Aoto said. 

"Thanks for massacring the Uchiha." Obito said. 

"Ah no thanks. Itachi did it himself and took all the burden." Aoto said not hiding or deflecting at all. Since this guy was going to unhinged, it would be better to throw him unhinged answers back, forgetting the fact that Aoto himself came out clapping in a sarcastic way.

"I presume you are here to join our organization. You are welcome." Obito said. This made Aoto dumbstruck. He didn't expect that these words from Obito and thought maybe he would start a fight, but no, he was delusional enough to think he followed Itachi to join their organisation. 

"No offense Madara.. I think I told your organisation long before that I will not join. Did you take the wrong medicine that time?" Aoto asked. This made Obito flinch internally but didn't show up for everyone as he was wearing a closed mask. Obito was also taken aback that this guy even called him Madara but for some reason his intent on the name felt different. It was as if Aoto knew who he was and just calling him in a sarcastic way.

"Then why did you help Itachi in the massacre? If not to join." Obito asked. 

"C'mon Madara. You have a better poker face than that. You know all too well that Itachi is being sent to your organisation as a spy of Konoha and you keep him away from the core." Aoto said. 

Obito didn't expect that. He wasn't expecting this businessman knew of his plans too, with Itachi. In response he slowly got into fight mode. Obito couldn't let someone like Aoto or Itachi to get into his plans. Since Aoto knew of his plans, it could be guessed that Itachi knew of it too.

It was better to get rid of them. It was dangerous for them to know of his true aims and he felt as if Aoto knew more. He attacked with his bare hands alone and though he had heard how he had taken down Hidan and even got rid of the seven tails, he didn't think much of it. 

But the moment his hands came an inch closer to the nose of Aoto, his body stopped. No he didn't stop by himself, but he stopped in mid air itself! He couldn't even move his eyelids as he looked at the face of Aoto in horror. All masked by the mask.