"Are we having fish today?" Tetsu asked enthusiastically. Tetsu's eyes sparkled as he looked at the fish slowly turning golden.
"Better than instant ramen all the time," Aoki replied casually, deftly flipping the fish.
Ajisai remained silent, but the way she sat slightly leaning forward made it clear that she was also eager to eat.
After ensuring the fish was perfectly cooked, Aoki pulled out three plates from a storage scroll. He handed one plate to Tetsu, another to Ajisai, and kept one for himself.
"Enjoy your meal," Aoki said briefly.
Tetsu immediately took the first piece, blowing on it a few times before biting into it with enthusiasm. "Delicious!" Tetsu exclaimed with sparkling eyes.
Ajisai took her fish more calmly, blowing on it briefly before taking a slow bite. Her expression remained flat, but the slightly quicker pace of her eating showed that she enjoyed it.
Aoki simply smiled faintly before starting to eat.
In the quiet forest, with the campfire slowly burning, they enjoyed a simple breakfast that felt far more valuable than the instant ramen they usually ate.
...
...
...
Time passed unnoticed. The sun had shifted from the eastern horizon, leaving a faint orange hue behind the towering tree canopy.
The morning air in the Konohagakure forest felt cool, with dew still clinging to the leaves and branches swaying gently in the breeze. Birds chirped cheerfully, while a faint rustling sound could be heard from the bushes, perhaps from passing wildlife.
At the border between Konohagakure and Tanigakure, three figures walked slowly, carefully stepping on the damp, mossy ground.
They were Aoki, a man with sharp eyes and a secretive smile, followed by Tetsu, who was always full of curiosity, and Ajisai, a young girl with a calm expression that never truly left her face.
They had now entered the southeastern part of Konohagakure, searching for something more than just a resting place. They were looking for a base, a secret location that would serve as the headquarters for the group Aoki intended to establish.
Their steps paused for a moment as Tetsu moved closer to Aoki and asked with curiosity, "Boss, what kind of location are we going to choose?"
Aoki did not answer immediately. He stood tall, his eyes carefully observing the surroundings, as if weighing various possibilities in his mind. The cool morning air blew Aoki's hair back, while his sharp gaze scanned every nook in the forest.
"It shouldn't be conspicuous," Aoki finally said, his voice calm yet firm. "But it should be strategic enough."
Tetsu furrowed his brows, still not fully understanding Aoki's words. He scratched his head, his face clearly showing confusion.
"But... why choose Konoha, boss?" Tetsu asked again, his tone slightly hesitant.
Aoki smiled widely, but it was not just any smile. It was the smile of someone who held many secrets, a smile that sent a slight shiver down Tetsu and Ajisai's spines.
"Because Konoha is the center of the ninja world," Aoki replied.
"The center of the ninja world? What do you mean, boss?" Tetsu asked again, squinting his eyes, trying to understand the logic behind Aoki's words.
However, Aoki merely chuckled softly. "You don't need to know right now. When you start carrying out your duties as the leader of the group we will form, you will understand."
Tetsu huffed, still not entirely satisfied with that answer. However, he knew that Aoki was not the type to explain everything at once.
"Uh... Alright," Tetsu said with a hint of resignation.
Just as Aoki was about to continue their journey, suddenly—
"Boom!"
------------------------------
[Announcement: A New Novel Has Been Added!
The Puppet Maker in the World of Naruto
A man who is a scientist, researcher, and expert mechanic in robotics dies in a massive explosion that occurs in his laboratory while developing an advanced robot project. However, instead of experiencing death as he thought, the man awakens in another world—a strange place with vast stretches of desert.
There, the man is surrounded by people who can jump high, calling themselves ninjas. The confusion he initially felt grows as he realizes that this world is not unfamiliar to him. This is the world of Naruto! However, there is one thing that surprises him.
"Isn't this Sunagakure? Why am I not in Konoha? This poorest village... Oh my God, this is serious!"
Now, in the midst of a new life filled with danger and uncertainty, the scientist must find a way to survive in Sunagakure, a harsh place full of limitations. With his robotic knowledge, can the man change his fate in this ninja world, or will he fall along with the village?]
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