But behind that, there was an immense fear—fear that Mei would reject him, fear of losing the friendship that had been built, and even fear of being hated.
On the other hand, Aoki knew that staying silent would only lead to regret.
He took a deep breath, deciding to move forward despite trembling.
"Mei," Aoki's voice was hoarse but filled with burning determination, "there's something I've wanted to tell you for a long time."
Mei's eyes widened, full of attention and caution. "Hm? What is it, Aoki?"
However, Aoki wasn't ready to reveal everything yet. He chose to divert the conversation for a moment.
"Before that… I want to ask you something," Aoki said, looking intently at Mei.
"What?" Mei tilted her head, her curiosity now bubbling in her chest.
"Is your mother's name Nansa Terumi?" Aoki asked in a calm but heavy voice.
The air around them suddenly thickened. Mei's expression changed drastically. Her once warm and attentive eyes now trembled violently, her breath coming in gasps as if choked by deep emotion.
In a swift motion, Mei stood up, moving closer with a face full of lost control. Her eyes seemed to blaze red, and her lips trembled uncontrollably.
"How do you know my mother's name?! Aoki, do you know my mother? Tell me! Tell me if my mother is still alive?!" Mei's voice broke, filled with panic and unhidden hope.
The composure that usually characterized Mei vanished in an instant, replaced by despair and uncertainty.
Aoki gently took Mei's hand, trying to calm her down. "Calm down, Mei. I will tell you everything. Please, just calm down."
Mei took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. "Alright… but answer me. You know about my mother, right?"
Aoki nodded slowly, his gaze fixed on his right hand. With tension building, Aoki began to bite his thumb until fresh blood dripped, slowly falling onto his palm.
Before finally applying the blood, Aoki skillfully and swiftly drew a strange symbol in the damp earth with his fingers. His movements were quick and confident as he formed a complex hand seal.
"Kuchiyose no Jutsu!" Aoki shouted firmly, his voice breaking the silence.
Suddenly, white smoke billowed from the ground, swirling before slowly forming a small figure: a purple-furred cat with a treasure box symbol clearly displayed on its forehead.
The purple cat wore a small messenger bag, its large, expressive eyes seeming to understand the tense atmosphere around them.
"Meow~ Master Aoki, what's going on?" the cat's voice sounded innocent but with a hint of curiosity.
Mei stared at the cat with wide eyes, shocked to see Aoki's hidden abilities.
Aoki ignored Mei's surprise and commanded, "Bring out the letter you were guarding back then."
The purple cat nodded nimbly, opening the messenger bag, and pulled out a tightly bound scroll.
The cat carefully unrolled it, revealing a worn but neatly preserved letter.
Aoki quickly took the letter and handed it to Mei.
Mei grasped the letter with trembling hands, her face tense with a mix of anxiety and hope. She opened the seal and slowly began to read the words one by one.
Around them, the campfire continued to crackle softly, whispering untold stories, while the night breeze blew gently, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth, as if bearing witness to the new chapter that was unfolding.
The silence enveloping the night transformed into a field of surging emotions, wounds beginning to open, and hope slowly starting to grow.
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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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