The girl stopped in her tracks, and looked at Aoki.
Their eyes met.
Aoki froze for a moment. His black eyes widened as he recognized the girl in front of him.
'Mei Terumi...'
She was the girl who had been matched with Aoki, though she herself probably didn't know it.
The girl eyed him suspiciously. "Who are you?" Her voice was flat, but there was tension in it.
Aoki took a breath and stepped closer. "You're hurt," Aoki said, his voice softer than usual. "You should treat your wounds soon."
The girl stared at him for a moment before shrugging—then wincing in pain at the movement. "I can treat my own wounds," the girl replied, trying to sound casual. "I'll go now."
However, as the girl was about to leave, Aoki quickly blocked her way.
"Hey, move," the girl glared at Aoki.
Aoki remained standing straight. "I'll help you. If I remember correctly, there's a good place nearby. A place where you can safely treat your wounds."
The girl narrowed her eyes, eyeing Aoki suspiciously. "Are you sure? If you're lying..."
"I won't lie," Aoki smirked, raising an eyebrow. "After all, as a handsome man, how could I let a beautiful girl get hurt?"
The girl took a deep breath. "Huh! Handsome man?" the girl said in a mocking tone. "You're just an annoying guy."
Aoki chuckled. "Then, are you coming or not?"
The girl was silent for a moment before finally putting away the kunai that she had been holding.
"Tetsu, Ajisai, come out," Aoki called.
From behind the trees, Tetsu and Ajisai appeared with tense expressions.
"Do we really have to help the girl, Boss?" Tetsu whispered.
"Yes," Aoki replied casually. "Besides, we can't just leave an injured girl in the middle of the forest, right?"
Tetsu then nodded his head, while Ajisai kept holding Tetsu's arm tightly, staring at the girl with round eyes.
Under the dark night sky, the four figures finally continued their journey, with one additional person now part of the journey.
...
...
...
The silent forest at night was illuminated by the dim moonlight. The trees towered tall with leaves swaying slowly in the night wind. The twinkling starlight was faintly visible between the gaps in the branches, adding a magical impression to the atmosphere. Under the dark forest canopy, four figures were walking with hurried steps.
"By the way, are you three going together?" a girl's voice broke the silence, the girl's tone containing unconcealed surprise. The girl's eyes that sparkled under the moonlight stared at them with deep curiosity.
"Yes, is there a problem?" Aoki asked in a casual tone, but Aoki's eyes were watching the girl's expression closely.
"No, nothing," the girl answered, though her voice sounded a little muffled. However, her sharp gaze occasionally glanced at Tetsu and Ajisai, as if trying to read something from them.
Aoki took a deep breath before saying, "Then, let's go somewhere to treat your wounds."
The girl was silent for a moment. Her eyes lowered, she stared at the wound on her shoulder that was still bleeding, wetting her torn sleeve. The girl's expression showed hesitation mixed with a little discomfort, but finally, the girl nodded slowly.
"Hmm... Alright," the girl said in a small voice, then followed Aoki who started walking in front, leading their journey.
The atmosphere became increasingly tense as they walked deeper into the forest.
------------------------------
[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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