Today felt no different from the days before.
I, along with Aoki, Tetsu, and Ajisai, continued our exploration, searching for a location that Aoki had been looking for over the past few days.
We were deep in a dense forest, with towering trees blocking the sunlight that wanted to shine down on us.
The fragile branches crackled under our footsteps, and the air felt heavier as we ventured further into the woods.
"Boss! We've gone quite far. Should we head back to the village now?" Tetsu suddenly asked, his voice filled with curiosity.
From Tetsu's slightly breathless tone and his somewhat hindered steps, it was clear that he was starting to feel tired.
We had been searching for the intended location for several hours, and although Aoki always appeared calm, I could sense the growing tension weighing on us.
After that, the training began again—just like usual, Aoki patiently trained Tetsu and Ajisai.
The training eventually concluded, and the day was starting to turn to evening.
Time seemed to pass so quickly.
I glanced at Aoki, who seemed to be calculating the time.
I saw Aoki glancing at the sky, his sharp eyes estimating how much time was left before the sun completely set.
The air, which had been warm, was now starting to feel cooler, and the breeze carried the distinct scent of damp earth, mixing with the smell of decaying leaves, signaling that night was approaching.
A deep silence enveloped the forest, with only the sound of our footsteps breaking it.
I followed Aoki's gaze, watching the sky darken, signs that night was almost here. "You're right," Aoki finally said, his voice flat yet confident, "we chose a training area quite far away. We should head back before night falls."
"Phew... That's good. After all, training too hard isn't good either," I replied, letting out a long sigh, trying to calm myself.
I brushed some dust off my already dirty sleeves.
Occasionally, the cold wind brushed against my face, bringing a soothing sensation while also heightening my alertness.
I turned to Ajisai.
The little girl remained silent, her expression as usual—calm, unshaken, as if the world around her could never disturb her inner peace.
However, there was something different.
I could see Ajisai's movements were slightly slower, her steps lighter, indicating that even though she remained calm, she was starting to feel tired after this long journey.
...
...
...
We then continued walking at a steady pace, but after a while, Aoki suddenly stopped.
Aoki's steps halted without warning.
I was startled and immediately followed suit, stopping in place.
Tetsu and Ajisai also stopped without asking.
The air around us felt noticeably colder, as if all of nature was holding its breath.
An odd silence enveloped us.
The sounds of insects that usually filled the air had vanished, as if they too sensed that something was amiss.
Tetsu, confused, looked at Aoki anxiously. "What's wrong, boss?" Tetsu's voice was soft, with clear curiosity on his face.
Perhaps Tetsu felt that something was strange, even if he didn't fully understand.
Aoki did not answer immediately.
His sharp eyes narrowed, as if he was honing each of his senses, trying to catch every movement that was invisible to us.
I could feel the tension beginning to radiate from Aoki's body, even without him saying anything.
The atmosphere around us, which had been calm, now felt heavy with tension, as if we were surrounded by something unseen.
I held my breath.
Only Aoki could sense things like this, far more attuned to the dangers lurking around us.
------------------------------
[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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