Logan scooped up a handful of bathwater, infused it with Ripple energy, and lifted it into the air.
Sizzle—Sizzle—
"Ripple-infused hot spring water, flow swiftly!"
A faint golden light, like an electric current, sparkled and enveloped the warm water. Instantly, the water stream became sharper than metal and hotter than molten lava—transforming into a deadly blade. It shot toward the roof where a shadow lurked.
Chi!
The roof was torn apart in an explosion of steam and energy. Logan narrowed his eyes. The intruder wasn't wearing a forehead protector, but those cold, detached eyes—he had seen them too many times before.
Root Organization.
"They sure moved fast."
Sato Takizo twisted midair, narrowly dodging the attack. Intelligence about Logan had already circulated through the darker corners of the Shinobi world. He was known for overwhelming close-combat strength, exceptional battle instincts, and strategic brilliance. However, he lacked long-range capability—at least, that was the report.
As long as he kept his distance, Sato believed he could get away safely.
Pouring chakra into his eyes, he scanned the area for signs of the "Evil Giant" summon—an infamous entity Logan could unleash. Then, springing into the air, he prepared to evacuate.
Just as he reached a higher elevation, he heard a strange buzzing sound. He looked up.
"A… bird?"
Da-da-da-da-da!
Aerosmith's twin machine guns roared to life, spewing a barrage of bullets that tore through the air, cutting off Sato's escape route.
Boom!
The figure vanished in a puff of smoke.
Shadow Clone Technique.
Sato had used it—just as the intel predicted. Logan's direct combat power was so terrifying that a single mistake could be fatal. Any skilled operative had to rely on clones to probe and avoid a fatal encounter.
In the shadows over ten meters away, a pair of eyes flickered open.
Sato exhaled slowly, heart racing.
"Was that… a ninja beast?"
Whether it was the creature or the strange jutsu, one thing was clear—Logan had grown even more powerful and unpredictable in just two months. He had become a high-threat target.
"I have to report this to Lord Danzo."
Sato retreated quietly, using the night as cover. He kept his chakra-sensing active, just in case. After half an hour of silent, calculated movement, he finally arrived at a safe house hidden deep in a quiet alley.
Closing the door behind him, he let out a soft sigh.
"You've done well," said a voice from the shadows.
"It's my duty—" Sato's words stopped cold. His instincts flared. He spun and drew a kunai in one motion.
Click.
A desk lamp flicked on.
Logan sat casually on the sofa, eyes calm. Sasuke stood nearby with his arms crossed like a watchful sentinel.
"W-What?!"
Sato froze, utterly stunned. He prided himself on his stealth, his mastery of misdirection, his ability to vanish into enemy territory without a trace. Even among Root operatives, he was among the best at evasion.
Yet here he was—having unknowingly led the very person he was escaping from back to his own hideout.
He couldn't believe it.
He knew he couldn't defeat Logan in battle. But to be bested at his own specialty?
It was humiliating. And terrifying.
"What do you want?" Sato asked coldly.
Logan leaned forward slightly and dropped a stack of documents on the table. "Let's talk."
The documents were in Root's coded script—illegible to anyone outside the organization. But attached to them were several photographs: tough-looking men wielding uniquely shaped blades.
Given Sato's identity, it was obvious. This was reconnaissance data.
Logan had already cleaned out the rogue ninjas and missing-nin in the surrounding regions. He needed a new target. He pointed at the papers.
"Help me translate them."
Sato gripped his kunai tightly. "And if I do? You'll let me go?"
"Sure," Logan replied bluntly.
Sato blinked, caught off guard by the honest answer.
From Logan's perspective, killing Root operatives didn't offer much reward. Their soul essence wasn't worth the effort. Gaining information, on the other hand, was far more valuable.
"If I tell you... you really will let me go?"
"It's not like I enjoy wasting time," Logan said, gesturing casually.
Sato hesitated. He wasn't afraid of death. But his current mission extended far beyond merely tracking Logan.
Root had sent him to the Land of Water for a deeper reason. In fact, Logan wasn't even the top priority. The Water Country, especially the Hidden Mist Village, had become an unpredictable mess after the Third Shinobi World War. Rumors were spreading that the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, had gone insane.
Danzo's goal? Find out what was going on, and if possible, accelerate the chaos.
The more unstable other nations became, the stronger the Hidden Leaf would look in comparison.
The previous Mizukage had adopted a defensive approach, staying out of wars, focusing on ninja education, and building strength from within. Yagura inherited that legacy—but was now wasting it.
Danzo's ideal world was one where all other Kage acted like Yagura—destructive, short-sighted, and easily manipulated.
Sato's mission was to determine Yagura's plans—and throw more fuel on the fire if needed.
He had to return with what he'd learned.
Sato eyed Logan carefully.
"If I give you the intel, you swear to let me go?"
"I swear on my soul," Logan said without hesitation.
That caught Sato off guard. In the Shinobi world, where trust was rarer than chakra-rich soil, a soul oath was no small thing.
After a moment of silence, Sato sheathed his kunai, pulled out a chair, and sat.
"I'll say what I can."
Opening his mouth, he channeled chakra. Black curse marks emerged at the base of his tongue.
The Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal—Danzo's handiwork. A safety net to keep Root members from revealing secrets.
Logan nodded. "Then just tell me what the seal allows."
Sato flipped through the papers.
"To start with, the Fourth Mizukage has made several bizarre decisions recently. And behind every chaotic move... is a money trail."
"War is fought over two things," Sato said grimly. "Money and manpower."
He explained that Yagura had been funneling money through covert channels. While he hadn't yet discovered the final destination, he did find reports of Yagura speaking with a masked man.
Logan and Sasuke exchanged glances.
A masked man?
They instantly thought of the same person—the one who had stood alongside Itachi on the night of the Uchiha massacre.
Coincidence? Or connection?
Sato tapped the papers on the table.
"These are records of one of Yagura's main funding methods. Three members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen are running it."
Logan leaned in, interested now.
"Biwa Juzo—the wielder of the Executioner's Blade. The Watermelon Mountain Pufferfish Ghost—who carries Samehada. And Black Hoe Thunder Fang—the user of the Thunder Blade Fang."
During his time in the Land of Water, Logan had heard plenty about the Seven Swordsmen. In his mind, they were something between local legends and enforcers—part Avengers, part urban myth.
"That's all I can tell you," Sato said.
He fell silent, waiting for Logan's decision.
The next moment—
"Ora!"
Star Platinum appeared out of nowhere, punching Sato squarely in the head.
"You son of a—"
Sato collapsed, unconscious.
Logan grabbed him with one hand and hoisted him up.
"When I said I'd let you go, I didn't mean now."
Letting him go immediately would just alert Danzo. Logan planned to keep him temporarily detained—maybe hand him over to Kanhara—and later return him to the Hidden Leaf. That way, he wouldn't technically break his promise.
"Are we going?" Sasuke asked, eyes gleaming.
He was bored of dealing with small fry. Star Platinum always ended fights too quickly. He wanted a real challenge. Plus, he had improved his Ripple breathing technique and was eager to test it.
"Not yet," Logan said.
"We need to find someone first."
"Who?"
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