The old woman was wearing a simple, dark brown outfit that looked a bit worn, indicating that she prioritized comfort over appearance.
Seeing the woman approach, Aoki immediately stepped forward a few paces, his expression filled with hope and a hint of anxiety.
"How is Mei, Mrs. Misuki?" Aoki asked politely, though there was a subtle tension in his voice.
Misuki looked at Aoki for a moment before letting out a slow sigh. "I've cleaned the girl's wounds. The bleeding has been successfully stopped, and I've given her pain relief medication. If her body is strong and her recovery is swift, she could heal in one or two weeks. But if her condition worsens, it might take three to four weeks for her to fully recover."
Aoki nodded, feeling relieved even though some worry still lingered. He slightly bowed his head as a sign of gratitude. "Thank you very much for your help, Mrs. Misuki."
The old woman smiled faintly, her eyes gazing at Aoki with curiosity. "No problem. But, are you lost? Or did you just happen to pass through this village?"
Aoki gave a slight smile, trying to appear casual. "Ah, about that... We just happened to pass by."
Although Aoki's answer sounded light, his eyes unconsciously glanced into the house, trying to see Mei Terumi's condition. However, the light inside the house was so dim that it was difficult for Aoki to catch more details. All he could see was a faint shadow behind the fabric curtain hanging in one corner of the room.
Misuki observed Aoki's movements and stared at him for a few seconds before asking again, "So, do you have a place to stay?"
Aoki was slightly taken aback, then shifted his gaze to the dark village road. The night wind blew gently, carrying the scent of wood and damp earth. The flickering torches swayed lightly in the breeze, casting their shadows long and short on the stony ground.
"About that..." Aoki scratched the back of his head. "We don't have one yet. By the way, is there an inn in this village?"
Misuki shook her head slowly. "There is no inn in this village." She looked at Aoki and his friends for a moment before continuing, "If you need a place to stay, you can temporarily stay at my house. I only have three rooms—one is being used by the injured girl, and the other is for myself. You can use the remaining room. The little girl with purple hair can sleep with me, while the boy with black hair can sleep with you in the other room."
Aoki was surprised to hear the offer. "Really?"
"Of course," Misuki replied calmly.
Aoki couldn't hide the relief on his face. After a long and exhausting journey, having a decent place to sleep was something very valuable. "Then thank you very much! We really appreciate it!" Aoki said gratefully.
Without wasting any time, Aoki turned and walked towards Tetsu and Ajisai, his face still showing a bit of fatigue. He explained that they would be staying at Misuki's house, the village healer who had taken care of Mei.
Meanwhile, Yachi, who had brought them here, had long returned to the village gate. As a guard, Yachi had to resume his duties with Zekai, ensuring that the village remained safe from external threats.
"I'm fine with it, Boss!" Tetsu replied, shrugging his shoulders. "Besides, sleeping indoors is much more comfortable than sleeping outside."
Aoki then looked at Ajisai. "What about you?"
Ajisai, as usual, remained calm. The cold gaze in Ajisai's eyes did not change at all. "I'm fine, as long as I can sleep," Ajisai said briefly.
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[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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