Cloud Shinobi Village Prison
Samui looked around as the prison suddenly became abuzz with activity. She furrowed her brows and asked, "What's going on?"
No one answered her.
The other shinobi moved with urgency, ignoring her presence entirely. To them, she was a traitor — someone undeserving of even a glance, let alone a reply.
If it weren't for our past friendship, I would've spat in her face long ago, one of them thought.
A familiar voice broke through the tension.
"Logan is here."
Killer Bee appeared in front of the cell, handing her a cold can of beer. Unlike his usual carefree, almost ridiculous demeanor, today his expression was grave, eyes shadowed with worry.
"He's less than sixty miles from the village… carrying the head of the White Snake Sage."
He paused before continuing, voice low.
"Brother has declared war mobilization. The battle is about to begin."
Each word hit Samui like a blow. Her ears buzzed, and her mind turned blank. Even her fingers trembled.
"T-Then… we…"
By all logic, Logan coming alone to the doorstep of Cloud Shinobi Village should've been suicide. With their forces, their defenses, their home-ground advantage — he shouldn't stand a chance.
But something about it didn't sit right with Killer Bee. He couldn't shake the uneasy feeling gnawing at his gut. That's why he came here — to see his old comrade one more time. In case this really was the end.
"Don't look so down."
Killer Bee tried to smile, though it barely passed as one. "A real man acknowledges the will of his opponent. Maybe after a few punches, Logan and I can be friends."
He let out a laugh, though it sounded forced and dry. It faded into silence.
Then, suddenly, he slapped his thigh and stood up.
"Yo! I've seen your face, and now I go, Killer Bee's got a front row show! Let's move, let's groove, it's time to prove!"
He grinned. "How's that for inspiration?"
Samui's eyes were red. She stared at him, voice cracking. "...It's awful."
Killer Bee chuckled and left the prison.
Outside, Cloud Shinobi Village buzzed with tension. Shinobi darted through the streets. Reports and commands flew from headquarters. The battlefield where Logan and the White Snake Sage had fought had been discovered.
It wasn't hard to find. Despite Ryūchi Cave being hidden and mysterious, the massive seismic shifts — like ocean waves moving the land — couldn't go unnoticed.
Whoever caused that destruction was beyond ordinary comprehension.
But Cloud Shinobi Village didn't flinch. It responded like a machine — cold, exact, relentless.
And every shinobi in the village had now become a cog in that war machine.
Killer Bee walked until he reached the riverside battlefield, where the Fourth Raikage, Ay, was already waiting. He sat on a wooden chair just 500 meters from the riverbank, arms folded and back straight like a boulder.
According to intel, Logan and Sasuke were approaching by boat along the river. ETA: ten minutes.
Killer Bee leaned in, whispering, "Brother… are we really doing this?"
Ay snorted and raised his eyebrows.
"That depends on Logan's attitude," he said. "If he repents and pledges himself to Cloud Shinobi Village, then we won't need to fight."
"But," his voice hardened, "if he thinks this village is like Ryūchi Cave, then he's not leaving alive."
Ay handed Killer Bee a thick stack of photos.
Bee blinked, confused. He flipped through them. They were all of dark-skinned girls, around 18 or 19 years old — well-built, full-bodied, with notably wide hips.
"I picked one for Sasuke," Ay said matter-of-factly. "Let them bond. In a few years, we'll mass-produce Uchihas."
Killer Bee's jaw hung open. Sasuke's only nine! Isn't this a bit premature? But knowing his brother's unwavering personality, he swallowed the question and sighed instead.
Then they heard it.
The chirping of birds.
The sound echoed through the sky, and all eyes turned toward the horizon. A small boat appeared, drifting slowly down the river. At the back of the boat loomed a massive pale snake's head, its dead eyes glaring toward the village.
Birds circled above — hawks, cranes, and gulls. Below, fish swam alongside the boat. On the shoreline, deer, tigers, and even squirrels bounded gently.
Ay's gaze swept over the strange parade of animals before landing on the man calmly seated in the boat — sipping tea as though on a scenic river cruise.
"That… is Logan."
Ahead stood Cloud Shinobi Village — tens of thousands of shinobi, geared for war. Experts in assassination and combat, each one had honed their skills to deadly precision. Their combined killing intent could crush mountains.
Yet Logan approached unarmed, unhidden, dragging the White Snake Sage's severed head behind him — and bringing Sasuke, the child they sought, right to their doorstep.
He came like a king.
Killer Bee exhaled deeply.
The two were enemies, yes — but such boldness, such calm…
No wonder Samui turned against us.
He wasn't alone in that thought.
"Logan!" Ay's voice boomed across the field. "Why have you come to my Cloud Shinobi Village?!"
Logan lifted his teacup. Though he spoke softly, his words rippled through the air, reaching every shinobi on the battlefield.
"I came seeking answers."
"Answers?" Ay's expression twisted with fury. "You stole our secrets. You killed our Jinchūriki. And now you dare come asking us for answers?"
His muscles bulged as he stood up.
"Or…"
He suddenly hurled his teacup onto the ground with a shattering crack, his voice thunderous:
"Do you think that just because you killed some snake, you're untouchable?"
"You think we're weak? That the warriors of Cloud Shinobi Village can't stop you?!"
With that, the signal was clear.
Shinobi surged forward.
Protective barriers activated. Formation seals glowed. Giant kunai and arrow launchers — each tipped with explosive tags — were armed and aimed. Heavy artillery of war, normally kept secret, now bared their fangs.
The Cloud shinobi's pride swelled. Their investments, their technology, their strength — this was the power of a great village.
They believed they were unbeatable.
Many scoffed at Logan for coming alone.
Until — clink.
Logan set his teacup down.
He stood.
And drew the Destruction Sword from the strange void hidden in the boat.
Thousands of shinobi inhaled sharply.
Their hearts clenched, like being squeezed by an invisible hand.
Why?
Why did the moment Logan stood up feel more terrifying than a hundred jutsus?
It wasn't fear born of cowardice. Cloud Shinobi Village had no weak leaders. Their politics were built on merit — not family, not bloodline. Strength was rewarded. The weak were cast aside.
Their shinobi were the elite.
But what they felt… wasn't mental.
It was biological.
The fear of facing something unnatural. Something that shouldn't exist.
Something wrong.
The same feeling you'd get seeing a human-shaped puppet that moved just a little too real.
They looked at Logan, standing with a massive snake head behind him, entering his battle stance…
And their bodies told them: death is near.
Logan glanced across the frozen shinobi army and said gently:
"You're not fools. By now, you know what really happened."
"Anyone… want to leave?"
Sweat drenched the backs of seasoned warriors.
Though only one man stood before them, it felt as if a mountain had descended onto their shoulders.
Ay's instincts screamed. He raised his hand and barked the order:
"Ninjutsu Units — MOVE!"
"YES!"
The coordinated units activated their seals, all eyes locking onto Logan—
But on the boat, he was no longer there.
Only Sasuke remained, calmly boiling water for more tea.
Where was Logan?
Then — his voice came from behind them.
Calm, cold, final.
"So… you're ready."
"Then let's begin."
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