"Ms. Misaki, thank you once again." Aoki bowed slightly, a polite smile gracing his face, though the reflection of unspoken sadness flickered in his eyes.
There was a faint sense of guilt—because he had to leave, because he couldn't give more time.
"Grandma Misaki, thank you so much." Mei said softly, stepping forward to embrace the elderly healer.
The hug was not just a formality, but one filled with warmth and a deep emotional connection that had grown so quickly.
Misaki returned the embrace with her thin, trembling arms, gently stroking Mei's back as if she were hugging her own granddaughter.
"Tetsu." Misaki turned when the boy stepped closer.
"Grandma Misaki, thank you for welcoming us." Tetsu said in a flat voice that was slightly forced to sound calm. A faint smile appeared on Tetsu's face, but the boy's eyes trembled slightly, as if holding back something he didn't want to let out.
"You little rascal." Misaki murmured, gently ruffling Tetsu's hair. "Don't act up too much, okay? But… don't turn into a too-serious child either."
Tetsu smiled, this time more sincerely.
Ajisai stood a bit further back, clutching the bag she always carried. She bowed her head deeply and only said, "Thank you," in a barely audible whisper.
Misaki looked at Ajisai for a moment. Her eyes softened instantly, and without saying anything, Misaki stepped closer and pulled the little girl into her embrace.
Ajisai froze for a moment, her body stiff as a stone, but slowly she melted into the hug, and her eyelids began to moisten.
"Take good care of yourself, Ajisai." Misaki whispered, her voice sounding a bit hoarse.
Ajisai nodded without saying anything. But from the look in her eyes, it was clear that she held onto a warmth she didn't want to forget quickly.
A little while later, Misaki walked with them to the village gate. Her steps were slow but steady, as if she wanted to savor every second of their time together as a final memory.
Along the way, the villagers waved slowly, and some small children who had played with Tetsu and Ajisai waved their hands with sad smiles.
As they neared the main gate, two figures appeared from the side of the road—Yachi and Zekai, just back from patrol. Their faces looked tired, but upon seeing Aoki and the others, they immediately stopped.
"Aoki?" Yachi squinted, a bit confused.
"Oh! Mr. Yachi!" Aoki greeted, raising his hand and smiling.
"Eh? You're leaving?" Zekai asked, his eyebrows raised, his tone revealing unhidden surprise.
"That's right." Aoki replied with a nod.
"So you really are leaving, huh?" Yachi smiled, but that smile carried a faint sense of loss.
"Yes." Aoki answered again, this time in a quieter voice.
Yachi looked at each of them, from Aoki to Ajisai, then bowed his head slightly. "Well then… see you. I hope your journey goes smoothly."
Misaki stood beside them, slipping her hand into her sleeve, then said with a gentle smile, "Do come visit often, okay?"
Aoki looked at Misaki. His smile remained faint, but this time his eyes looked glassy. "I'm not sure… but I'll make sure to come. Maybe once a year, or once every two years. But I will come."
Aoki didn't want to make grand promises. The world was too dangerous, the roads too uncertain. But Aoki had already placed this village in his heart as one of the places he would always remember.
Because in this village, there were small memories with Tetsu, Ajisai, and of course Mei—memories too precious to be erased by time or war.
------------------------------
[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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