Aoki chuckled softly. "Hahaha, alright then. Let's go inside."
As soon as they entered, the atmosphere inside the house felt much warmer compared to outside. The aroma of spices and herbal concoctions filled the air, creating a typical ambiance of a healer's home. The dim light from the oil lamps gave a cozy impression, although the shadows cast made the room feel a bit gloomy.
Misuki guided them through a narrow hallway to a room before stopping in front of it.
"This is the room where you can sleep," Misuki said.
Aoki nodded. "Alright. Thank you very much, Mrs. Misuki," Aoki replied before stepping inside with Tetsu.
Inside the room, there was a simple bed with a thin mattress, a small wooden table in the corner, and a window slightly ajar, allowing the night air to come in. The wooden walls looked old but were still sturdy.
Aoki walked to the bed and sat on the edge, taking a deep breath before finally lying down. Aoki's body felt tired, but his mind was still racing.
"Get some sleep, it's already late," Aoki said to Tetsu, who was still standing near the door.
"Understood, Boss! Good night!" Tetsu replied, then quickly climbed onto the bed on the side near the wall.
Aoki stared at the ceiling, his mind filled with various plans. Now, Aoki had finally met Mei Terumi. However, they had just met, and it would feel strange if Aoki suddenly tried to act familiar. If he wanted to build a good relationship with Mei, Aoki needed to find a more natural way—starting small talk, building trust, and waiting for the right opportunity.
With that thought, Aoki finally closed his eyes, allowing his mind to sink into the silence of the night.
...
...
...
Early in the morning, even before the sun fully rose on the horizon, Aoki opened his eyes. The cold air seeping through the window crack made Aoki exhale softly, realizing that although this place was more comfortable than sleeping in the wild, the chill was still unavoidable.
As Aoki turned to the side, he saw Tetsu still fast asleep, curled up under a thin blanket. The mischievous boy slept peacefully, his innocent face showing no signs of the hardships they had been through.
Tetsu's breathing was steady, and occasionally his lips moved as if mumbling something in his dreams. The dim light coming through the window illuminated a small part of Tetsu's face, revealing his messy hair after a night of deep sleep.
Aoki smiled faintly, then very carefully began to rise from the bed. Aoki's movements were practiced, almost soundless, ensuring that no excessive vibrations would disturb Tetsu's sleep.
As Aoki lowered his feet to the cold wooden floor, he felt the rough texture beneath his soles. The floor was old, but still sturdy enough to support this simple building.
Taking a deep breath, Aoki moved toward the door. His hand reached for the wooden doorknob, feeling the slightly rough surface due to age. With careful calculation, Aoki slowly turned the knob and pulled the door open bit by bit, making sure there was no excessive creaking sound. Once there was enough space for Aoki to pass through, he stepped out of the room and carefully closed the door behind him.
Outside the room, the hallway of the old healer's house was still shrouded in morning darkness. The faint aroma of medicinal herbs mixed with the humid air, reminding Aoki of various places he had lived. This house was simple—consisting of just a few rooms with old wooden walls that occasionally creaked softly as the wind blew through them.
On one side of the hallway, there was a door slightly ajar. It was Misuki's room, the kind old healer who had welcomed them the night before. Aoki knew that Ajisai, the little girl who was with Misuki, was sleeping in that room.
------------------------------
[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?]
________________________
[Note: 440+ latest chapters have been added! For Just 3$ You Get Access To Chapters Way Ahead,
Now you can access the chapters before Webnovel And Scribblehub by following,
Just become a patron on Patreon:
Patreon.com/Alex_Fabianoki]