Not long after, they stopped in front of a small house with old wooden walls. Several herbal plants hung on the porch, their aroma faintly wafting through the air. Dim candlelight was visible from the window cracks, indicating that the house's occupants had not yet fully fallen asleep.
Yachi stepped forward and knocked on the door several times.
"Knock! Knock! Knock!"
The atmosphere fell silent again. No sound came from inside.
Yachi knocked again, this time harder.
"Yes! Yes! Oh my, it's already night! Who's coming at this hour?!" an old woman's voice could be heard from inside, clearly annoyed.
Aoki raised an eyebrow, while Tetsu and Ajisai stifled their laughter.
"Haha... Lady Misuki is just like this," Yachi whispered with a small smile. "Besides, we are indeed disturbing her in the middle of the night."
"Not a problem," Aoki replied casually, although he secretly felt a bit guilty.
A few seconds later, the wooden door opened, revealing an elderly woman with neatly tied gray hair. Her face was full of wrinkles, but her eyes were still sharp and authoritative. The old woman wore a simple brown outfit with an apron that looked quite worn.
The old woman's gaze first fell on Yachi, then shifted to Aoki and his group. However, when she saw Mei still in Aoki's arms, along with the bloodstains on Mei's clothes, her expression changed instantly.
"We apologize for disturbing you, Lady Misuki," Yachi said respectfully. "These children have come seeking help. This girl is injured on her shoulder. Can you assist them?"
The old woman sighed deeply before crossing her arms over her chest. "Haah... Very well. Hey, boy, bring the girl inside," Misuki said in a firm tone.
"Alright, excuse me," Aoki replied before stepping inside, still carrying Mei.
The room inside the house was small but felt warm, with wooden shelves filled with glass bottles containing potions. The aroma of herbs and medicines filled the air, giving the impression that this place was indeed used for healing.
"Place the girl on the bed," Misuki ordered, pointing to a wooden bed with a thin blanket.
Aoki carefully lowered Mei, ensuring she did not feel pain as she lay down. However, as Aoki was about to stand up again, Misuki fixed a sharp gaze on him.
"Now get out," Misuki said in an undeniable tone.
Aoki frowned. "Huh? Can't I stay here?" he asked with a small smile.
Misuki clicked her tongue in annoyance. "You naughty boy! You're a man, while this girl is injured! She needs to remove her clothes to be treated. Are you this girl's lover? Her husband? If not, then get out immediately!"
Hearing that, Mei's face turned red, while Tetsu and Ajisai could only chuckle softly.
Aoki, not wanting to prolong the issue, finally sighed and walked out with the others.
As the door closed behind them, Yachi let out a small laugh. "Hahaha, Lady Misuki is indeed like that, but she is a good woman."
Aoki smiled faintly. "I understand."
...
...
...
Aoki stood patiently in front of the small house, the cold night air brushing against his skin. Only the sound of crickets and the rustle of the wind could be heard, adding to the silence of the night in this remote village. Torches placed in several corners of the street flickered dimly, dancing in the wind, casting moving shadows along the walls of the wooden houses.
After a while of waiting, a rustling sound came from inside the house, followed by the creaking of door hinges. The wooden door slowly opened, revealing an elderly woman in her fifties with long gray hair neatly tied back. The old woman's face was gentle, but there were signs of fatigue around her eyes.
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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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