Sunlight bathed the small plains and rolling hills, where blocky houses and multicolored bricks had replaced the once-green fields. Vast stretches of land were now dotted with vibrant rooftops, and within this lively landscape, residents pushed open doors, carts rolled through the streets, and shops bustled with activity.
As the late morning approached, wisps of smoke curled from early-lit stoves. Yukino Town had begun another orderly day.
On the southeastern side of town, Logan sat inside a small ramen shop. The curtain hanging over the entrance barely shielded the noise of the bustling street outside. People came and went, and at the far end of the long street lay a busy intersection, which is one of the liveliest parts of Yukino Town.
The mixed chatter from the streets seeped into the cramped ramen shop.
Logan finished his soup and contentedly set down the bowl.
"How much, boss?"
The middle-aged man in a stained white apron, busy kneading dough, gave a polite nod and quoted the price.
The lunch rush had kept the ramen shop's owner occupied, and he hadn't paid much attention to his customers.
But as he wiped sweat from his forehead and prepared to knead more dough, he suddenly felt something was off.
Snapping his head around, he let out a small sigh of relief after seeing the hooded customer was still there.
He pretended to continue working for a while, but something seemed off. The man didn't look like he had any intention of paying.
A gentle breeze lifted the curtain slightly, allowing glimpses of the bustling street outside.
Logan, however, was focused elsewhere.
The streets were filled with merchants and pedestrians of all ages. On the surface, everything seemed like an ordinary commercial district, but years in Konoha's ANBU had sharpened Logan's senses.
Even though it had been a long time since he last dealt with such matters, certain habits never faded. The telltale signs of ANBU's presence were too distinct.
As for Mai, after they entered the Yukino Town and felt the subtle difference in the atmosphere, he told her to leave immediately.
To Logan's surprise, Mai was very sensible and obediently left without any objection.
In fact, Mai's sense had also found the group of people who were acting sneakily.
Unknown to Logan, beneath Mai's calm and understanding demeanor, she was filled with frustration.
Because this had ruined their good atmosphere.
Moving at a slow pace really had its downsides, as Konoha's rapid-response unit had already beaten them to the target.
The night before, Mai had thought carefully about her position and limitations. Though reluctant, she knew separation was necessary.
Logan, on the other hand, wasn't concerned with her thoughts. Now that she was gone, he felt unburdened. If ANBU were here, so be it.
After all, his original reason for coming to this northern town was to resupply.
…
Fifteen minutes later, the ramen shop owner could no longer hold back. He extended his flour-covered hand and waved it, "Sir."
Logan snapped out of his thoughts and nodded, "Huh?"
"The payment?" The owner's expression darkened.
Flour particles floated in the air. Logan awkwardly avoid them and suddenly said: "Oh, that."
He touched his pockets and found that they were empty.
Without hesitation, he walked to another table, where a man was silently eating ramen, and then patted his shoulder.
"This is my friend. He'll cover for me." Logan said with a smile.
The man who was being patted was shocked.
The ramen shop's owner looked suspicious.
The young man in plain clothes, still holding a mouthful of noodles, turned his head with difficulty, 'No way. This can't be right. Did he just… spot me?'
Just moments ago, he had been reassuring himself about how good his disguise was.
The young ANBU instinctively tried to track Logan's movements, but the man had already lifted the curtain and stepped out.
Seeing that the other party was about to vanish into the crowd, the young ANBU hurriedly put down the ramen and prepared to give chase… only to feel a strong yank at his collar.
Struggling to break free was an option, but the young ANBU hesitated. Turning around, he saw a kitchen knife resting on the ramen shop owner's cutting board… sharp, menacing, and burning with intensity.
With no way to explain this situation, the young ANBU quickly tossed some money onto the counter and declared, "I'm not his friend!" before rushing out of the shop.
"Hah, saying one thing while meaning another."
The ramen shop's owner scoffed as he collected the payment.
The bustling street was packed with people, and stores lined both sides.
However, the Logan was nowhere to be seen... The young ANBU scanned both ends of the street, straining his senses for any sign of him. But there was nothing. No trace. No Chakra signature.
After several fruitless minutes, he let out a frustrated sigh and turned to head back to the rendezvous point to report.
The surveillance forces deployed across the town were limited, as the two advance ANBU teams had only recently arrived.
The young ANBU had merely found Logan somewhat suspicious during his search, without solid confirmation. However, after what had just happened, he was almost certain now.
"Friend, you seem to be looking for me."
Feeling a familiar tap landing on his shoulder, the young ANBU's face paled, 'The target?!'
Another pat followed..
The young ANBU's expression changed dramatically, and he instinctively moved to counterattack. But before he could act, a streak of lightning burst forth, the faint sizzle of electricity barely audible.
In mere moments, the current spread through his entire body, sending sharp pain coursing through him while paralyzing his movements.
'I'm screwed.' That was the young ANBU's immediate thought.
His body trembled as he took a shaky step forward, trying to lift his arm. Logan smiled and followed the other party's movements, neatly taking away the kunai that the young ANBU had pulled out and concealed it.
"Good reflexes. Well, it's not convenient to talk here, so come with me."
Though he couldn't muster any strength, the young ANBU wasn't completely incapacitated either. Shocked by Logan's precise Chakra Control, he found himself being 'led' away.
As they distanced themselves from the busy market, the young ANBU focused all his effort on gathering Chakra to recover.
Upon reaching a secluded alley, the hooded figure finally spoke.
"Friend…"
The young ANBU was beginning to loathe the word 'friend'.
Finally, at this moment, he managed to break through the paralysis, shifting his internal balance and releasing a surge of Chakra. A jet-black kunai flashed in the dim alley, its sharp edge glinting.
Clang!
A short, gleaming white blade intercepted the kunai mid-swing.
"You recovered faster than I expected." Logan remarked with a hint of surprise in his tone.
In an instant, a flurry of close-combat exchanges followed. The young ANBU swiftly disengaged, showing no intention of dragging out the fight. Reaching into his chest pocket, he pulled out a signal flare…
A silver flash suddenly streaked between his chest and the opponent's short sword. The sharp energy, which was far more piercing than any sword blade, cut the entire alley vertically and horizontally like a circle.
"Body Replacement Technique!"
The young ANBU left his position in shock. When he looked down, he saw that the sleeves on his wrists, the flare in his hand, and a section of his chest armor had all been sliced cleanly in two.
The young ANBU crashed to the ground.
With his opponent subdued, Logan's hood slipped off, but he no longer cared. Walking up to the fallen ANBU, he once again used a lightning jolt to paralyze him, ensuring he couldn't move.
Then, he began his search.
"I originally planned to go after some local thugs and bullies, but with you here, this works out just fine." Logan said, rummaging through the ANBU belongings.
He pulled out ninja tools, rations, a fox mask, medical supplies… one by one, he emptied the young ANBU's gear.
The young man on the ground wore an expression of both confusion and fear.
Pouring out the money and coins in the wallet, Logan returned the wallet conscientiously. During this period, he saw that the other party had been staring at him.
Logan smiled amicably and pointed to his own face, "Do you know me?"
The young man hesitated, then nodded. After holding back for a while, he finally said: "I've seen you before… at the ANBU's Headquarters in the village."
"You joined that early?" Logan raised an eyebrow in surprise and shook his head, "And yet, you're still this weak… Honestly, maybe you should just quit."