Chapter 349: Aoki Tells Kuzan

There were only a handful of other customers sitting far away on the opposite side, busy with their own breakfast. That quiet distance made their conversation sound all the clearer, as if the restaurant belonged solely to the three of them.

“Well then, what exactly happened during your travels, Aoki? You even went as far as getting married? I didn’t expect that—not even an invitation to your wedding,” Kuzan said with a calm face.

Though his expression looked composed, a slight note of irritation could be heard in his voice. Kuzan leaned back against his chair, arms crossed over his chest, his sharp gaze demanding an explanation without the need for raised tones.

“Boss, it’s not like that… it’s just that… uh, well, it’s hard to explain.” Aoki spoke while awkwardly scratching the back of his head.

His movements looked clumsy, his lips twitching upward as though he tried to force a smile but failed. His eyes flicked toward Kurisu, who sat quietly beside him, as if silently pleading that his wife would step in and help explain.

“In that case, just explain it slowly,” Kuzan replied in a level tone, though the subtle pressure in his voice made Aoki feel there was no room left to hide.

“So…” Aoki finally began, speaking carefully and unhurriedly.

He started from the point after leaving Konoha Village, when he decided to become a bounty hunter. Aoki had worked hunting rogue ninja to earn money, but also to test himself through dangerous battles.

On each mission, Aoki had to track down missing-nin hiding in different places—some concealed themselves in remote villages, some fled into thick forests, while others vanished into lonely mountains.

By confronting such ninja, Aoki not only received coins as payment but also gained experience and life lessons. Each duel was a test of courage.

He learned to read the movements of his opponents, to understand various techniques, and most importantly, to steel his own heart. On quiet nights after battle, Aoki often sat alone beneath a sky glittering with stars, pondering the meaning of the path he had chosen for himself.

For several months, Aoki kept traveling from place to place. He saw bustling markets in foreign villages, stayed at cheap inns with hard beds, and sometimes slept beneath trees when he had no other choice. With every journey, he felt the vastness of the world—but also the loneliness of walking such a solitary road.

Until one day, his journey brought him to Kurisu.

“Here’s your order!” Michiyo suddenly appeared, carrying their food.

Her hands moved deftly, placing one plate after another on the table—rice, grilled fish, fried chicken, along with glasses of apple juice and iced orange juice. The warm aroma of grilled fish seasoned with spices immediately filled the air, blending with the freshness of newly squeezed citrus.

“Ah, thank you,” they all said almost at the same time.

“Well then, why don’t you continue the story later, after we eat!” Michiyo chimed in with a smile. She then sat back down between Kuzan and Kurisu, her face radiating satisfaction at having managed to ease the tension that had just been lingering.

They ate together. The faint sound of chopsticks tapping against plates accompanied their light conversation. Every so often, small laughter broke out—sometimes because of Kuzan’s spontaneous remarks, sometimes because of Michiyo teasing Aoki. Before long, their food was finished.

Then Aoki continued his story. He explained that after months of chasing and confronting various fugitives, he eventually met Kurisu. At that time, Kurisu was the owner of a brothel.

When they heard this, both Kuzan and Michiyo were taken aback. Yet neither showed a negative expression. They only glanced at one another, startled, but quickly masked their surprise so as not to offend.

Aoki went on to say that during that time, he had been pursuing a rogue ninja who had hidden inside Kurisu’s brothel. That night had been filled with tension.

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