However, it was not just ordinary chatter—Mei often teased Aoki in unpredictable ways, whether with sharp words or small actions that left him confused.
"Hey, Aoki," Mei called one afternoon as they rested by the riverbank. "Why are you always smiling? Can't you ever be serious?"
Aoki glanced at Mei briefly before letting out a soft sigh. "No need to be serious if there's no reason," Aoki replied casually.
Mei chuckled softly and then shifted closer. "You... are really annoying," Mei muttered as she leaned her back against a large rock behind her.
Although he sometimes felt a bit uncomfortable, Aoki chose to remain silent and let their interaction flow naturally. Gradually, their relationship grew closer, even though both still held their own secrets.
Mei began to open up more about herself. She admitted that she was a ninja from a region near the water. However, she still did not directly reveal that she was from Kirigakure.
For Aoki, though, this was not a surprise. As someone who had watched the anime Naruto, Aoki already knew who Mei really was. But Aoki chose to hide his knowledge, allowing Mei to reveal her identity in her own way.
In return, Aoki also shared a little about himself. He claimed to be a Bounty Hunter looking for a place to establish a secret location with Tetsu and Ajisai. However, Aoki did not mention that this place would actually become the headquarters for the group he wanted to form.
During their journey, Aoki also trained Tetsu and Ajisai in sword techniques. Every day they practiced seriously, honing their skills with great diligence. Tetsu began to adapt more quickly to the techniques being taught, while Ajisai relied more on speed and agility in combat.
Seeing this, Mei finally decided to help out. She started training them in chakra usage and the basics of ninjutsu—something Aoki could not do because he was not a ninja.
"Ajisai, your chakra control is still poor," Mei said while observing Ajisai trying to channel chakra into the palms of his hands. "You need to focus more. Imagine the chakra flowing like water in a river, not like a stiff rock. On the other hand, you're good enough to use Bunshin no Jutsu (Clone Technique), Henge no Jutsu (Transformation Technique), and Kawarimi no Jutsu (Substitution Technique), even though you're still far from perfect."
Ajisai nodded slowly and then tried again more carefully.
"And as for you… You don't have a talent for using Ninjutsu. No matter how much I teach you the basic techniques, you still struggle to understand them. However, you have much better chakra control compared to Ajisai. Even so, you can't even use the most basic Ninjutsu like Bunshin no Jutsu (Clone Technique) and Henge no Jutsu (Transformation Technique). But for Kawarimi no Jutsu (Substitution Technique), at least you're a bit better—though the results are still not perfect," Mei explained to Tetsu.
"I understand! Thank you for the lessons you've given, Sister Mei!" Tetsu nodded respectfully.
"You're welcome," Mei replied, nodding her head.
In addition to teaching ninjutsu, Mei also kept an eye on Aoki. Every night, Aoki never missed his sword training. His movements were quick, precise, and had a dangerous aura that was hard to describe.
"You're not a ninja, but your sword technique... is quite impressive," Mei murmured one night, watching Aoki practice under the dim light of a torch.
Aoki merely glanced over briefly, then continued his training without saying anything.
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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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