"Thank you, young man. Be careful on the road. Be careful at the inn, too. Don't hit anyone with an axe, okay?" the old woman joked with a chuckle, her shoulders shaking.
Aoki only responded with a soft laugh and a respectful nod. "Yes, you're welcome, auntie!"
With satay in hand and his stomach starting to growl again, Aoki gestured with his chin. They began walking toward the village center, leaving the small food stall by the pier.
Mei walked beside Aoki, slowly nibbling on the satay while occasionally glancing at him, who seemed busy counting the remaining change in his fist.
Tetsu walked behind them, his steps heavy, the wooden planks of the pier creaking with each step. Ajisai held the hem of Mei's shirt, her eyes watching the fishing boats tied to the wooden posts, battered by the salty sea breeze.
After walking past several rows of wooden houses, smoked fish stalls, and a couple of children running barefoot, they finally saw a three-story building standing at the end of the street.
The light blue paint had faded in some places, but it looked sturdy, as if it hadn't been eaten by sea salt. Above the large wooden door, a signboard for the Golden Axe Inn displayed two carved axes on the left and right sides, painted yellow, though the paint was starting to peel at the edges.
Aoki paused in front of the door, staring at the axe carvings with a puzzled smile. Aoki approached and patted Tetsu on the shoulder. "When you go to sleep, don't dream of an axe falling on your head."
Mei chuckled, and Mei covered her mouth with the back of her hand. Ajisai only pinched Aoki's arm lightly, protesting silently.
They pushed the door open. The wooden door slid heavily, scraping against the floor, making a creaking sound that bounced up to the ceiling. The aroma of fish soup and boiled vegetables assaulted their nostrils, mingling with the stench of the sea that permeated every corner of the wood.
On the left, several guests sat on long benches, wooden bowls in hand, the sound of low chatter mixed with the clink of chopsticks and small laughter. Oil lanterns swayed gently on bamboo hangers, adding warmth to the chilly sea breeze that still lingered through the gap in the door.
Aoki walked ahead, crossing the wooden floor that groaned softly under his shoes. In the right corner stood a simple reception desk, made of teak with several knife marks from who knows how long ago.
Behind the desk stood a stocky old man, his shoulders broad, his hands large and veins protruding down his back. His hair was graying, but his face still held the stoicism of a tough fisherman.
"Hello, son. How can I help you?" the old man greeted, his voice heavy, as if echoing in his own chest. He glanced at Aoki and his entourage in turn, as if assessing how noisy they would be.
"Excuse me, sir. We'd like to stay one night. We need lunch now, dinner tonight, and breakfast tomorrow. Also... can all four of our rooms have bathrooms?" Aoki asked, his voice polite but firm.
Aoki glanced to the side, seeing Mei staring at the floor, Tetsu holding an empty skewer, and Ajisai playing with the ends of her hair.
The old man chuckled, patting the notebook in front of him. "Four rooms aren't available, kid. But two rooms with two beds are available. How about it?"
Aoki turned around, looking at his three friends. Mei just smiled, her eyes reassuring. Tetsu nodded firmly, lightly hitting Aoki's chest.
Ajisai looked at Mei, then at Aoki, before nodding slowly. "It's okay. I'm with Sister Mei," Ajisai said, her voice calm.
------------------------------
[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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