Chapter 312: Time Travel from the Fire Nation to the Water Nation

But beneath it all, there was a lingering awareness, something unspoken, but felt by all.

The inn on the first floor was starting to get busy. Several other guests were chatting, and the occasional sound of cups hitting the table, chairs being pushed aside, and the waiter shouting to the kitchen could be heard.

But it wasn't as busy as last night. Not as quiet as yesterday afternoon, either. The morning atmosphere was typical of a port village—lively, busy, but unhurried. In the distance, the occasional sound of a ship's whistle drifted in through the windows.

The sounds of people calling from the dock were also faintly audible. There was the scent of the sea, the scent of damp wood, and the faint aroma of oil from frying food starting to cook.

But despite all this bustle, for Aoki and Mei, time seemed to pass slowly. Every second seemed to stretch, every moment too clear, too sharp to ignore.

Because that morning… was their last morning together.

After breakfast, they would walk to the dock, accompanying Mei until she boarded the ship.  From there, Mei would set sail for Kirigakure—a different life, a different direction.

But for now, all they had to do was enjoy breakfast. Shortly after, the old innkeeper emerged from the kitchen, carrying the food they had ordered, just like last night: four pieces of fried chicken, two glasses of iced tea, and two glasses of iced milk.

The four of them began to eat heartily. After a few minutes of enjoying their food and sipping their drinks, they prepared to leave. Aoki stood up first, followed by Tetsu, Ajisai, and Mei.

Before leaving, they politely bid farewell to the old innkeeper and quickly made their way out.

Aoki led the way to the dock where Mei's ship was waiting. The ship would take Mei to Kirigakure. On the way to the harbor, Aoki bought some snacks for Mei.

According to Mei's explanation, the voyage from the Land of Fire—where they were currently located—to the Land of Water would take several days.  Under normal conditions, the journey would take only a few weeks at most, and a month would be almost impossible.

Furthermore, given the calm and favorable weather this month, their journey would likely only last a few days.

After purchasing some supplies for Mei, they continued their journey to where Mei's ship was stationed.

The road leading to the harbor began to fill with the sharp, pungent smell of sea salt, mixed with the damp wood of the old dock that had long braved the wind and waves.

A cool sea breeze blew gently, playing with the strands of hair that had escaped their ties. The morning air still held the refreshing salty scent of the sea, while the sky on the eastern horizon slowly faded from dark to pale blue, then gave way to a soft orange hue that blossomed like flower petals.

The first rays of sunlight began to touch the calm surface of the waves, making them sparkle like shards of glass. The faint call of seagulls could be heard in the distance, signaling that the day had truly begun. Time passed silently, but its presence was palpable in every beat of the morning.

It wasn't long before they reached the place where the various ships were tied together with ropes.

The sound of creaking wood could be heard from the ships, gently rocking in the waves.

There was a faint smell of smoke from fishing boats being prepared for departure, and the cries of sailors exchanging signals could be heard, creating a symphony typical of a bustling harbor.

In the distance, sea gulls hovered above the masts, their calls seeming to welcome the beginning of a new day.

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