The flames from the explosion slowly faded, revealing Logan standing amidst the scorched earth, his expression filled with quiet disappointment.
Suddenly, the ground cracked open, and a charred hand emerged.
Biwa Juzō was still alive.
Though his body was burned, several ribs shattered, and internal organs bleeding, this tenacious warrior—who once dared to stand against a Tailed Beast Bomb—had clung to life.
At the last possible moment, he had used Earth Style: Headhunter Jutsu—on himself—burrowing underground to survive.
Lucky bastard, Logan thought. But war was never clean or predictable. Plans were useless beyond the first clash. Logan understood that long ago, and so the disappointment quickly faded.
Without hesitation, he raised the Destruction Blade in one hand.
But this time, something had changed.
Logan took a single step forward.
And the enemies collectively took a step back.
Then Logan charged—
And Biwa Juzō and the others turned to run.
Even Magistrate Morimura, who couldn't run fast, threw dignity aside. He didn't care that riding a dog would tear his crotch—he leapt atop the Evil Wolf's summoned ninja beast, slapped its rear, and fled alongside the others.
The entire scene was absurd.
Like a dream.
The townsfolk who peeked through cracks in their doors or shutters rubbed their eyes in disbelief. Some even slapped their faces to confirm they were awake.
Throughout the town, the sound of collective face-slapping echoed in the air.
"You're showing your weakness now, Logan!" Raiga roared. "As long as we keep our distance, you're powerless!"
As he shouted, Raiga deflected the continuous machine-gun fire from Aerosmith with twin clashing swords.
Aerosmith's firepower could bully Genin and maybe average Chūnin, but it wasn't enough to penetrate the defenses of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen—especially not while they were alert.
Logan knew Raiga was right.
That's why, from the start, Logan had attacked on horseback.
The objective had been simple—close the gap quickly and strike before they could react.
Now, with Raiga firing off bolts of lightning and maintaining a ten-meter distance, Logan found it impossible to close the distance.
Still, it wasn't Raiga who bothered him most.
It was Biwa Juzō.
The badly wounded swordsman was now being carried on Evil Wolf's shoulders, weaving hand signs as fast as his battered body allowed.
That was where the real threat lay.
"Can't let him finish his jutsu."
Logan acted immediately.
He switched to Hermit Purple, wrapping its vines around the hilt of the Destruction Blade. With a powerful swing, he launched the spinning blade high into the air, its edges screaming through the sky.
Its ominous buzzing struck fear into the enemy ranks.
Samurai and shinobi alike looked away, not daring to meet Logan's eyes, terrified they'd be next. They were like schoolchildren avoiding their teacher's gaze after forgetting their homework.
Only Biwa Juzō held firm. His instincts told him—he was the target.
And he was right.
Logan hurled the Destruction Blade with full force—straight toward Biwa Juzō.
"Damn it! I knew it!" Juzō cursed, speeding up his hand signs desperately.
But he was too slow.
A few samurai behind him stepped forward, bravely trying to intercept the weapon with their own blades.
Clang!
The samurai swords shattered on contact. Shards of metal flew, striking faces and chests. The warriors screamed in agony and fell, writhing on the ground.
The Destruction Blade flew onward without losing momentum.
Then—clang!
Raiga leapt in with his twin swords—Thunder Blade: Fang—and blocked the attack just in time.
But Logan's sword was not the same as those used by the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. It wasn't about finesse or special chakra abilities. It was brute force and ripple energy.
Raiga's blades were not built for defense. They were light and fast—meant for speed, not clashes of strength. His second head-on block had already warped the metal slightly. He clenched his jaw in pain.
"Get it out of here!" he shouted, swinging with everything he had.
With a roar, Raiga managed to knock the Destruction Blade off course.
Behind him, Biwa Juzō gasped with relief. "Beautifully done!"
His ninjutsu was nearly complete. Just one more seal…
And Logan would die.
But Logan wasn't done yet.
He inhaled deeply and shouted, "Silver Ripple Surge!"
A silver ripple flowed through the Hermit's Purple, into the airborne blade. The back of the Destruction Blade hissed as silver-white energy erupted from its vents.
Chi!
The air distorted around it.
Now covered in silver light, the blade reversed mid-air—and came hurtling back even faster than before.
Governor Morimura, watching from afar, gasped.
"By the gods… A miracle!"
That was the only word that came to mind.
The warriors and townsfolk watching through cracks in their homes echoed the same sentiment.
To wield such a massive sword one-handed was already beyond reason.
But to hurl it through the air and then recall it mid-flight?
It defied human logic.
Couple that with the fact that where Logan stepped, snow and ice melted, and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen were being chased like cornered dogs…
What else could they call it but divine?
But Biwa Juzō had no time to reflect on miracles.
He knew only one thing—if that sword hit, he'd be dead.
"SAVE ME!!" he bellowed, desperation seizing his voice.
He wasn't afraid of death.
But to die now—just before casting the one jutsu that could turn the battle—was unbearable.
Raiga, having deflected once already, was off-balance and couldn't block again.
Then—
"I'll do it!"
A figure sprinted out of the crowd: The Evil Wolf.
Morimura's trusted subordinate.
His eyes burned with ambition.
This is it.
The Wolf wasn't just a guard. He was a speculator. A career opportunist.
Born in a tiny, nameless ninja village, he had learned to claw his way up. While others chased C- and B-rank missions, he gambled on risky A-rank ones—ones that matched his skill, not his status.
Most of his comrades died. But to him? They were replaceable.
By sacrificing others, he rose swiftly through the ranks and became an Elite Jōnin.
When his village attempted a coup, he participated—not to lead, but to steal. He looted the vaults of two clans, then vanished as a wanted traitor.
That gamble made him rich—and free.
Later, he aligned himself with Morimura. Another excellent investment.
And now, Morimura was one step from promotion.
Soon, the Evil Wolf would be more than a rogue shinobi—he'd be a man of true power.
Now…
Now was the biggest investment of his life.
Save Biwa Juzō.
Change the tide of battle.
Kill Logan.
Become a legend.
While others cowered, Evil Wolf charged forward.
He raised his blade, eyes filled with determination.
"Come, Logan!" he shouted in his mind.
"Deliver to me wealth, glory, and everything I desire!"
He believed—truly believed—that an Elite Jōnin like himself could block the Destruction Blade.
Even if just for a moment.
But—
CRACK!
The instant his blade met the Destruction Sword, it snapped.
The silver ripple glowed. The next second—
SHNK.
The blade cleaved through him from head to toe.
His bisected body collapsed to the ground, still smiling.
A lifelong gambler…
Died from his final, fatal investment.
But his gamble wasn't entirely in vain.
Because of his sacrifice, Biwa Juzō survived.
For a moment, Juzō could only stare at the corpse.
Then, unexpectedly, tears welled in his eyes.
"Thank you, brother… I didn't think such passion could exist in a backwater town like this. I'll give you a proper burial… and honor you at every festival."
Juzō stood tall, completing his final hand seal. He locked eyes with Logan.
"Now… are you ready to die?"
"Water Style: Super Giant Water Explosion Wave!"
A torrent of water erupted from Juzō's mouth, expanding into a massive sphere that engulfed the area. Logan vanished inside, submerged in a prison of water hundreds of meters wide.
"Raiga!!" Juzō shouted.
Raiga raised his twin swords high.
Crack!
Lightning split the sky.
Bolts poured into the sphere, electrifying it from all angles—striking Logan from every direction.
"I'll kill you!" Juzō screamed, voice hoarse.
He looked down at the Wolf's body, and a cold fire filled his gaze.
"I'll make sure this brave soul is avenged."
"Blood must be paid with blood!"
pàtreøn (Gk31)