Starting with rogue ninjas, building the insect kingdom.

Chapter 157 First Visit to the Land of Hot Springs

A few days later, Shisei Aburame stepped into the border of the Land of Hot Water.

This place is completely different from the harsh cold of the Land of Snow. The air is filled with a faint smell of sulfur, and it is humid and warm.

Looking out, wisps of white mist rise from the distant mountains, a sign of natural hot springs.

Yugaku Village is nestled in this hot spring town. The village is small, but it exudes tranquility.

Wooden hot spring inns are built along the street, and the stone slabs are smooth and shiny from the moisture. Occasionally, villagers wearing yukatas stroll by.

Aburame Shisei changed into a simple kimono and wore a dark haori over it.

Even so, her ethereal beauty was still striking.

He is still a herbal medicine merchant, specializing in medicinal materials and local specialties—an identity that makes it most convenient for him to travel between countries.

Upon arriving in the Land of Hot Water, the primary task is to collect energy, and incidentally, to find out what that evil god really is.

But all these years he has stayed in the laboratory, and even when he leaves, he only moves around the familiar area of ​​the capital of the Snow Kingdom.

This was his first long trip in many years, so there was no need to rush. He planned to explore the land first and experience the local customs and culture.

He first went to the commercial district to sample the local delicacies. The streets were lined with vendors, displaying a dazzling array of specialties.

Of course, even here, he saw shops owned by Ryuji Ida—but the shopkeeper didn't seem to recognize him.

It seems that Ryuji Ida managed things well, not revealing his identity to the lower-level staff. Shisei Aburame went in, made a purchase, and paid like any other customer.

His outstanding appearance always brought him many advantages: many shops offered him discounts, and some girls were even willing to pay for his purchases for free.

But Zhicheng shook his head and rejected all of these offers—those women dressed in flamboyant or exotic attire were not running legitimate shops.

He never expected that in addition to the thriving tourism industry, the sex industry was also so prosperous in this place, and that business was conducted so naturally even during the day.

Of course, his stroll wasn't just idle wandering. Every now and then, mimicry scout insects would fly out from his sleeves and blend into the existing insect swarms of the Land of Hot Water.

As afternoon approached and dusk drew near, the number of pedestrians on the street gradually decreased.

Aburame Shisei decided to experience the hot springs here. He came to what seemed to be the most quaint inn, Yunoya, whose wooden signboard was blackened by the steam, but whose curtains were brand new indigo blue.

Welcome!

The proprietress was a middle-aged woman with a gentle smile. As soon as he entered, she greeted him warmly: "Is this your first time visiting the land of hot springs? Our 'Cloud Hot Spring' is the best. The spring water is drawn directly from the back mountain and is especially effective in relieving fatigue."

Aburame Shisei nodded, paid, received his yukata and wooden sign, and walked deeper into the wooden corridor.

On both sides of the corridor are small courtyards enclosed by bamboo fences, where moss grows lushly beside stone lanterns, and occasionally bamboo tubes are used to tap the stones, producing a crisp knocking sound.

The changing room was spacious and clean. He folded his clothes and put them in the locker, along with a few insects that were good at mimicking and changing shape.

Pushing open the wooden door leading to the bathhouse, a strong wave of steam hits you.

Before you is an open-air hot spring pool built of natural rocks. The water is a light milky white color, and fine white mist rises from the surface.

Several red maple trees are planted by the pool. Although it is early spring, their branches and leaves are still lush, probably nourished by the geothermal heat of the hot spring.

In the distance, one can see rolling green hills, shrouded in mist that blends with the steam rising from the pool.

Yu Nu Zhicheng first sat down on a wooden stool and used a wooden bucket to scoop up warm water and pour it over his feet, allowing his body to gradually adapt to the temperature.

The water temperature was just right, neither too cold nor too hot, and it had a faint sulfur smell. After rinsing himself thoroughly, he slowly stepped into the pool.

"call……"

As the warm water reached his waist, he couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.

The fatigue from days of travel seemed to melt away instantly in the spring water.

The water temperature was about 42 degrees Celsius, slightly higher than body temperature, but not stuffy.

He slowly sank down, letting the spring water soak up to his shoulders, leaving only his head and neck exposed.

The bottom of the pool is covered with smooth pebbles, which feel like a comfortable massage when you step on them.

The spring water seemed to contain special minerals, making the skin feel exceptionally smooth.

The muscles in my shoulders and neck, which had become stiff from long hours of flying, gradually relaxed, and the meridians in my chest, which were often tense from the circulation of chakra, also loosened up.

He closed his eyes and could feel the warm energy seeping into his body through every pore, flowing slowly.

The swarms of insects scattered around seemed to quiet down in the warmth, and even Xiao Qing, perched on his shoulder, seemed content as she gently fluttered her wings.

He soaked in the water for about fifteen minutes, his whole body warmed up, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. Just as he was about to change his position, he heard the sound of water beside him.

A white-haired young man stepped into the pool, his movements as languid as a cat's.

The young man was about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, with his hair neatly combed back, revealing a full forehead.

He was very handsome, with relaxed eyebrows and slightly drooping eyes, giving off an air of nonchalance.

He was tall and slender but not thin, with smooth muscle lines and several faint scars on his chest—clearly a ninja.

Aburame Shisei glanced at him and, judging from the fluctuations in his chakra, he was probably a Jonin. In addition, with his long frame and strong muscles, he was likely very skilled in taijutsu.

However, this kind of handsome and charming ninja is obviously not an ordinary character, and of course, he is more troublesome.

I deliberately followed him here; it seems I was too conspicuous.

Aburame Shisei probably thought that way, but then shook his head and realized that he might be being too narcissistic.

Perhaps it was all just a coincidence?

Aburame Shisei chuckled and continued to enjoy his hot spring bath.

The white-haired youth sat down opposite Aburame Shisei, also letting out a long sigh, looking quite comfortable. He rested his arms on the rocks by the pool and looked up at the sky.

A moment later, he seemed to notice Aburame Shisei, turned around, and gave a hearty smile.

"Oh, a new face! From out of town?"

Aburame Shisei nodded and said, "Merchant, this is my first time visiting the Land of Hot Springs."

"As expected." The white-haired youth smiled, his eyes crinkling. "My name is Hideyoshi, a ninja from Yugakure. I just returned from a mission. The hot springs back home are the most comfortable. I've been cooped up for months."

He paused, then asked, "By the way, I still don't know your name?"

Aburame Shisei continued politely, "Everyone calls me Shiraki."

"Oh, Shiraki-kun?" Hideyoshi nodded, seemingly pondering, then added, "Nice to meet you!"

Hideyoshi himself was very talkative, and before Aburame Shisei could ask any more questions, he began to talk on his own.

"This mission is to escort a shipment in the Frost Country in the north. Ugh, it's freezing cold there, there are few hot springs, and the water is hard. My skin gets so dry after soaking in it. The spring water in our Hot Spring Country is so much better. Feel it, it's so soft and smooth."