The girl was silent for a moment, as if considering something, before finally answering in a soft voice, "My name is Mei. Mei Terumi."
The moment the name left her lips, Aoki was shocked—or rather, Aoki pretended to be shocked.
Aoki had guessed that this girl was Mei Terumi from the start. Long reddish-blonde hair that fell to her ankles, piercing green eyes, and a distinctive hairstyle that was tied in a herringbone pattern at the back. Two short bangs covered part of her face, while two other long bangs crossed over her chest, just below her chin. The girl was wearing a long-sleeved navy blue dress, with black pants that were slightly torn in several places, a sign that the girl had just been through a dangerous situation.
However, what surprised Aoki more was not the fact that Aoki had met Mei Terumi, but the fact that Aoki had been matched with Mei by Aunt Nansa.
In the letter Aoki received a few years ago, Aunt Nansa—Mei's mother—mentioned that Aunt Nansa wanted to match Mei with Aoki. But Mei herself didn't know about this. In fact, Mei hadn't seen her mother for a long time. The only person who knew about this match was Aoki.
Aoki swallowed and tried to stay calm, but Mei seemed to catch the change in Aoki's expression.
"Why are you surprised?" Mei asked with a frown, her eyes scanning Aoki's face suspiciously.
"Ah? Hahaha, it's nothing!" Aoki laughed nervously, while Aoki scratched the back of his head with his free hand.
However, it was precisely his strange behavior that made Mei feel like there was something he was hiding. Unfortunately, Mei couldn't demand an answer at this time. The pain from the wound on her shoulder was still throbbing, blood continued to seep through the tear in Mei's clothes, and more than that, Mei was currently being carried by Aoki—something that made Mei feel quite awkward.
Suddenly, Tetsu's voice broke the silence. "Boss, are you sure there's a place for us to rest in the middle of this forest?"
Aoki turned his gaze to Tetsu, then nodded firmly. "Of course. That's also where we can treat Mei's wounds," Aoki said, Aoki's voice, firm and full of confidence.
Tetsu stared at Aoki for a moment before sighing. "Okay, boss. I trust you," Tetsu finally said, before following Aoki.
They walked through the increasingly dark forest, the moonlight only able to penetrate between the leaves, creating long shadows on the ground. The night wind blew softly, carrying the scent of wet soil and fallen leaves, occasionally the sound of night insects could be heard calling from a distance.
After a few minutes of walking, they finally saw something in the distance—several wooden houses standing in the middle of the forest, with dim lights shining from their small windows.
Tetsu stared at the sight with wide eyes. "There really is a village in the middle of this forest?" Tetsu muttered in disbelief.
"Of course." Aoki turned to him while still walking. "Although the number of Ninja Villages is not many, ordinary villages like this are scattered throughout the ninja world. They choose to live far from civilization, either to avoid conflict or simply to seek peace."
Tetsu nodded slowly, where Tetsu stored the information in his head.
Meanwhile, in front of the village entrance, two men stood guard. One held a spear, while the other carried a short sword at his waist. The flames from the two torches set near the gate swayed slowly in the night wind, creating moving shadows on their wary faces.
Aoki tightened his grip on Mei before walking faster. "Come on, we're here," Aoki said.
Tetsu and Ajisai followed behind, glancing at the village that stood before them.
------------------------------
[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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