When ancient legends resurface and invisible power sweeps ANBU aside, even the Third Hokage realizes this shop is no ordinary place.
"In ancient wars," Ayato said calmly, "the followers of Ninshu would release bright lanterns into the night sky. They guided warriors home—so they wouldn't lose their way… and wouldn't lose their hearts either. These days, almost no one remembers such things anymore."
His gaze carried quiet meaning as it settled on Hiruzen Sarutobi.
No one understood the coming direction of the shinobi world better than Ayato.
Among the Three Great Villages, Konoha and Kumogakure still had one more conflict ahead of them. It wouldn't erupt into total war—but it would drag on for years, not truly ending until nearly two years later.
A long, exhausting stalemate.
"Ninshu?" Hiruzen narrowed his eyes slightly.
That word belonged to an era far older than the Warring States Period itself. Even Konoha only preserved a few fragmented records of it. Yet here it was—spoken casually inside a tiny shop.
However, before Hiruzen could pursue the topic further, Ayato didn't respond.
Because the system notification finally appeared.
[Ding!]
[Spoke a Zhongli signature line. Synchronization +0.1%]
[Current Synchronization: 10.0%]
[Notice: Every 10% synchronization grants a random skill from the active role.]
[Synchronization has reached 10%. Draw Zhongli skill now?]
[Yes / No]
Ayato's lips curved into a faint smile.
Without hesitation, he selected No.
Hiruzen was still sitting right in front of him. This was his first skill draw—he had no idea whether it would trigger visible phenomena. If golden light suddenly erupted around him, Hiruzen might drag him straight back to the Hokage Tower for "research."
That would be troublesome.
Very troublesome.
…
"Shopkeeper Ayato?"
Hiruzen called out when he noticed Ayato staring off into space.
"Ah—my apologies. I drifted off for a moment," Ayato replied smoothly, as if only now coming back to himself.
"…"
Hiruzen was momentarily speechless.
Someone zoning out while the Hokage was speaking?
That was a rare experience indeed.
"Where were we?" Ayato asked.
"Ninshu."
"Ah, Ninshu," Ayato chuckled lightly. "A massive organization in its time. Legends say it was founded by the Sage of Six Paths himself."
"The Sage of Six Paths?!"
Hiruzen's eyes widened slightly.
Konoha's historical records mentioned Ninshu—but none of them explicitly connected it to the Sage of Six Paths.
"And you're certain of this?" Hiruzen pressed.
"Of course. The legendary Sage of Six Paths," Ayato replied calmly.
"And how exactly do you know something like that?" Hiruzen's gaze sharpened.
"I have my own ways of gathering information," Ayato said lightly. Then his eyes narrowed just a fraction. "But… you didn't come to my shop just to discuss ancient history, did you?"
A faint, inscrutable smile touched his lips.
"…What are you implying?" Hiruzen asked.
"For example," Ayato said casually,
"the matter of the Fourth Hokage's son—Uzumaki Naruto."
Hiruzen's pupils contracted instantly.
Ayato could already imagine what Hiruzen had investigated. Kakashi's repeated visits alone were enough to draw attention. Once Hiruzen questioned Kakashi, it wouldn't be difficult to connect the dots.
"How do you know about that?" Hiruzen demanded.
"Minato Namikaze. Uzumaki Kushina. Uzumaki Naruto," Ayato listed calmly.
"Naruto simply took his mother's surname. Oh, and perhaps you didn't know—Naruto's name actually comes from Jiraiya's novel The Tale of the Gutsy Ninja, doesn't it?"
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Hiruzen's previously gentle presence transformed into the oppressive pressure of a true Kage. Invisible weight filled the room.
Almost simultaneously—
Four ANBU burst into the shop and positioned themselves behind Hiruzen in defensive formation. Cold eyes glinted beneath their masks, locked directly onto Ayato.
"Hokage-sama," the squad leader said respectfully, already shifting into a combat stance.
Hiruzen stared straight into Ayato's eyes for several seconds before slowly lifting a hand.
"It's fine. You may step outside."
"…This location interferes with sensory perception," the ANBU hesitated. "For your safety, we should remain."
"I said—step outside."
Hiruzen's voice carried undeniable authority.
"Apologies," Ayato said mildly, setting his teacup down. "You are not customers of this shop, so…"
He waved his hand casually.
The four ANBU were suddenly seized by an invisible force—as if space itself had pushed them backward. In the blink of an eye, all four were expelled outside the shop.
The doors shut gently behind them.
Ayato had activated the shop's Refuse Guest function.
[Function 4: Refuse Guests — Up to three uses per day. Rejected individuals cannot re-enter the shop that day.]
Hiruzen's eyes widened slightly.
That strange force…
He had never felt anything like it before. It resembled space–time ninjutsu, yet didn't match any known technique. Four elite ANBU—each at least chūnin-level, with the leader likely jonin-tier—had been dismissed effortlessly.
This alone forced Hiruzen to reassess the man sitting across from him.
"Well," Ayato said calmly, brushing his hands together as if dusting them off.
"Now that the non-customers have left, we can continue our conversation, Third Hokage."
"…Impressive," Hiruzen admitted slowly. "It seems age really has caught up with me. My apologies—my subordinates simply reacted out of concern."
He gestured subtly toward the door, signaling the ANBU to stand down.
Ayato had to admit—Hiruzen's composure was admirable.
Of course, that didn't mean he wouldn't deploy countless hidden measures later.
After all, Hiruzen was never a man who stopped at surface-level caution.
"It's fine. Please—have some tea," Ayato said indifferently.
A nearby songbird chirped softly.
"That ability just now… was that space–time ninjutsu?" Hiruzen asked, returning to his harmless-old-man expression.
"Yes… and no," Ayato replied vaguely.
…
For some reason, Hiruzen felt an uncanny familiarity in Ayato's tone and demeanor.
After a brief silence, Hiruzen stood up.
"Shopkeeper Ayato, thank you for your hospitality. I'll visit again another day."
As he rose, he casually placed an item into the donation box.
The conversation had ended—but Hiruzen's mind was far from settled.
This shop…
Was far more dangerous than he had anticipated.
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