Jiraiya, who had been tracking Orochimaru's whereabouts, hadn't expected to run into Logan and Sasuke here of all places.
The massive sword strapped to Logan's back was unmistakable, and with Sasuke and Xiao Tao following him, anyone with a sharp mind could deduce who he was with minimal effort.
But recognizing him was one thing—daring to approach was something else entirely.
After time and distance distorted the tale, Logan's exploits had taken on a mythical tone. His record of killing two members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen had evolved into a legend: a lone warrior who wiped out the elite of Kirigakure, slew numerous members of the Seven Swordsmen in succession, and even repelled Mizukage Yagura before leaving in a blaze of glory.
Jiraiya had also heard of the Uchiha clan's massacre—and of the shadowy involvement of Danzo's operations behind the scenes. This was one of the reasons Jiraiya himself had avoided returning to the village. With his personality, seeing that level of political filth up close would've made him explode.
So instead, he had chosen the excuse of pursuing Orochimaru, distancing himself from the inner rot of Konoha.
Jiraiya had long been curious about Logan, one of the few remaining Uchiha bloodlines. Some said he was a ruthless killer without mercy. Others painted him as a savior. Jiraiya wanted to see for himself—what kind of man was Logan?
"Toad Sage?"
Before Logan could even reply, little Sasuke tilted his head, eyes sharp.
He had noticed that the featured dish on the izakaya's chalkboard menu today was bullfrog sushi.
"Uncle," Sasuke said innocently, "are you here to advertise frog meat?"
Jiraiya's eye twitched.
"This Uchiha brat is really something else."
Suppressing his irritation, he replied, "I'm here to warn you. That bounty—it's more dangerous than it looks."
Logan gave him a once-over. "Are you a bounty broker?"
"You could say that."
Jiraiya made an inviting gesture. "Care to have a drink and talk it over? I know a place—the proprietress is beautiful, and the sake's top-notch."
Logan paused briefly, then nodded. He decided it was worth listening to what this so-called "Toad Sage" had to say.
Although he was a native of Konoha, Logan's inherited memories from his past life were fragmented. His knowledge of the Fire Country and Konoha was much thinner than his understanding of Kirigakure and the Land of Water.
He needed local intel.
---
The group soon arrived at the izakaya Jiraiya had mentioned.
To his credit, Jiraiya hadn't exaggerated.
The proprietress was indeed a stunning woman with fair skin. Her kimono dipped just enough to reveal a faint mole above her chest as she leaned forward to pour sake.
But as she reached for Logan's cup, Mayuri smoothly stepped in. With grace and calm, she took the bottle from the woman's hand and poured the drink herself.
Logan nodded in thanks, then turned to Jiraiya.
"Why did you say the bounty's dangerous?"
Jiraiya took a slow sip of sake and let out a pleased sigh. Sitting back with one leg crossed over the other, he held a skewer of yakitori in one hand and said,
"You've heard of Orochimaru, right?"
Logan gave a small nod.
Ever since meeting Kanhara Hayato, Logan had tasked him with a long-term mission—gather intelligence on Uchiha Itachi.
Itachi wasn't just dangerous. He was obsessive—mad, even. Logan's instincts told him that as long as he and Sasuke were alive, a clash with Itachi was inevitable.
During the investigation, Hayato had also unearthed information on Orochimaru:
A former Konoha ninja. One of the legendary Sannin. After joining Akatsuki as a teammate to Uchiha Itachi, he later defected and went underground.
"So, are you saying this madman who's been slaughtering people is Orochimaru?" Logan asked.
"No," Jiraiya said. "The one doing the killing… is one of his creations."
Logan raised a brow. "You mean… like a clone?"
"Something more like an artificial human," Jiraiya replied.
Logan blinked, surprised that such a concept existed in this world.
The wanted poster had described the murderer as a burly monster who could transform and manipulate bones into weapons—an ability Logan had never seen in any known bloodline or jutsu.
But if it was a genetically engineered being… it made sense.
Jiraiya studied Logan's expression.
Konoha was in a delicate state. With the deaths of Minato and Kushina, the fall of the Uchiha clan, and the absence of Tsunade and himself, the village's power had diminished significantly. Only figures like Kakashi, Guy, and the clan heads remained.
Meanwhile, the other villages were growing stronger. Kirigakure was heading toward ruin, but Kumogakure was rapidly building up its armaments. Iwagakure was lying low, preserving strength.
Every power was strengthening… except Konoha.
Jiraiya's status was still enough to shield Logan and Sasuke—if they ever decided to return to the village.
But only if Logan wasn't truly dangerous.
That's what Jiraiya had come to find out.
"You understand," Jiraiya said carefully, "once you go after that 'homunculus,' Orochimaru might retaliate."
He leaned forward and pulled something from his cloak—a thick gold bar and a photograph.
The girl in the picture was young, smiling brightly under a cherry blossom tree.
"She's the daughter of the Daimyō of the Iron Country. I want you to help me capture her."
He tapped the gold bar.
"This is just the down payment. Complete the job, and you'll receive five more."
In the economy of the shinobi world, six gold bars could fund a year of lavish living—even more if spent carefully.
Compared to that, the official bounty was pocket change.
And the Iron Country, home to samurai rather than ninja, posed little risk to someone like Logan.
It was the perfect mission: quick, profitable, and low risk.
Jiraiya casually observed the group's reaction.
But something felt… off.
Logan didn't even glance at the gold. He turned instead to the rising moon outside the window, his eyes distant. The others—Sasuke, Momo, Xiao Tao, Mayuri—also ignored the bar.
Not a single one looked tempted.
There was no hesitation, no side-glances to Logan for permission, no whispered doubts. It was as if every single person there already knew what Logan's answer would be.
That he would never accept such a mission.
Jiraiya blinked in disbelief.
He'd met many powerful people, and even more self-righteous ones. But Logan's group… they weren't just following him out of fear or strength.
They believed in him.
It wasn't power that commanded them. It was trust.
What kind of man inspires this level of loyalty?
Logan calmly finished his drink, then slid two bills under the glass.
"That's more than enough for the sake," Jiraiya said.
Logan stood, sliding the massive destruction sword back onto his back.
"The extra," he said, "is for your information."
Jiraiya blinked, then chuckled as he realized Logan was referring to the intel about the wanted criminal's connection to Orochimaru.
"You know it could put you on Orochimaru's radar, and you still want to go?"
Logan gave a faint smile.
"It wasn't me who started this," he said. "He provoked me."
Jiraiya stared at him, then suddenly burst into laughter and slammed his hand on the table.
"You really are something, Logan! Sorry for the test—I just had to be sure."
He stood and walked over, offering a firm handshake.
"My name is the Toad Sage, but you can call me Jiraiya."
Logan glanced at his extended hand.
"How do I know you're the real thing?"
Jiraiya grinned. "You'll know… the moment you shake it."
As Logan took his hand, a green glow began to emanate from Jiraiya's palm.
Senjutsu chakra.
pàtreøn (Gk31)