Logan stayed in Cloud Shinobi Village for three days.
During those three days, wild rumors circulated like wildfire.
Some claimed that negotiations between Logan and Cloud Shinobi Village had collapsed, resulting in the village being wiped out in a bloodbath.
Others whispered that Logan had been assassinated on the very night he arrived, and now his body was decaying in a ditch.
There was even a story going around that Cloud Shinobi had found thirty-six voluptuous women skilled in Lightning Style and Water Style who had seduced Logan so thoroughly that he now intended to settle in the village permanently.
But three days later, when Logan and Sasuke walked out of the village gates escorted by Killer Bee and several others, most of the rumors vanished like smoke in the wind.
Cloud Shinobi had prepared a ship for Logan. The vessel had enough cargo space to store the head of the White Snake Sage, along with compensation payments and formal documentation for future cooperation. They entrusted Logan to deliver these items back.
Standing by the river, Logan waved at Killer Bee and the others and said, "Go back. No need to see me off."
Everyone waved goodbye.
As the ship slowly pulled away, the figures of Logan and Sasuke gradually became smaller on the horizon.
Killer Bee glanced at the person beside him, then stood in silence, watching Logan's disciple—Samui—depart.
She looked exhausted.
And understandably so. For the past three days, Samui had been working around the clock, coordinating the logistics and political arrangements between Cloud Shinobi and Kirigakure.
Work pressure was only part of it.
There was also the biting sarcasm from fellow villagers.
"I envy you, Samui. Must be nice having a powerful man to cling to."
"What's it like to betray your village in exchange for influence?"
"If I don't do as you say, will Logan come and kill me someday?"
Of course, the snide remarks were only from a minority.
Most Cloud Shinobi ninja were direct and good-hearted. So, the comment Samui heard most often was simply:
"Samui, f**k—"
"Why."
Killer Bee interrupted her bitter thoughts by handing over a bottle of juice.
"I need tea or coffee," Samui muttered, though she still took the juice, unscrewed the cap, and drank a big gulp that refreshed her spirit.
"What did Logan say to make you accept this job?" Killer Bee asked curiously.
Samui stared at the disappearing ship, then replied after a moment:
"He said the job would be difficult and asked if I wanted to come with him.
He also said that Konoha and the future Sunagakure both needed someone familiar with 'Awakening Knowledge.' Doing the same job elsewhere would be easier…
But I refused."
"Why?"
"Because no one in Cloud Shinobi could do this job without becoming hated. So it's better that I, a so-called traitor, do it instead."
"If this can make the villagers smile a little more... it's enough."
Killer Bee scratched his head.
He knew Samui wasn't a traitor.
If her carrier pigeon hadn't been shot down early on, the war might never have started.
The Raikage would still be in power. Their elite forces wouldn't have suffered. They might still be the strongest village.
Samui had always acted in the village's best interest.
Killer Bee wanted to comfort her but didn't know what to say. So, instead, he reached into his robe and pulled out a folded piece of paper.
"I saw you've been stressed lately. Here's a new rap I wrote for you."
Samui took the paper and glanced at it. It was full of high-energy rap lyrics. She shook her head and sighed.
"The world is in chaos, and you're writing lyrics to kill time?"
She didn't wait for his reply. Leaving a stunned Killer Bee behind, she turned back toward the village and resumed work.
---
The Land of Thunder was just north of the Land of Water.
Traveling south and crossing the sea brought Logan and Sasuke to the Water Kingdom.
While on the ship, Logan continued examining the enormous head of the White Snake Sage.
Despite being long dead, the snake's head continued to radiate life. But this was no ordinary vitality—it was more like radiation.
"Human body temperature is warm," Logan muttered. "But radioactive elements generate heat during decay too… Both produce heat, but their nature is completely different."
He touched the head with his palm. Waves of ripples spread inward, but the immense vitality made it hard to perceive anything.
However, after days of probing, Logan had begun to find a method.
He adjusted the frequency of the ripples, making them sharper and thinner, able to pierce deeper into the core.
It was a slow and painstaking process. The sharper ripples covered less area, and the snake's head was massive.
Just when Logan was about to wrap up his exploration for the day, the ripples struck something solid.
It was a thumb-sized sphere of unknown material, half white and half gold. Every ounce of life energy in the snake's head seemed to originate from this tiny object.
Sizzle—
Logan's ripple was instantly repelled, and his perception shattered.
He froze, recalling the object's details. His eyes widened.
"Could that be… the Dragon Pill from the White Snake Sage's transformation?"
His heart pounded with excitement.
He'd hit a bottleneck in his ripple cultivation. If he could absorb the essence the White Snake had accumulated over millennia, he might break through completely.
Maybe he could fly beyond the planet—reach the moon.
Or become a truly immortal being like Kaz.
Either outcome would be a major leap forward.
Logan summoned the Destruction Sword from a spatial crack, then activated the Star of Platinum to stop time. After more than ten minutes of cutting and chiseling, he finally managed to open a small gap.
He reached in and touched the Dragon Pill. Just as he tried to pull it out, an enormous amount of life force erupted, and the golden hue began to fade.
Logan instantly understood.
"The head acts like a preservation seal. Once removed, the Dragon Pill starts to decay."
But leaving it inside meant he couldn't study or absorb it properly either.
After some thought, he put the Dragon Pill back inside and sealed the wound.
"Once I'm back, I'll visit Mount Myōboku and see the Great Toad Sage."
Perhaps the Sage, known for glimpsing the future, could offer a solution.
Logan wiped the blood off his arm and returned to the deck. Sasuke was there, sorting through the gifts he'd bought.
These were souvenirs from Cloud Shinobi Village. While Logan had been busy planning strategy with Killer Bee, Sasuke had roamed the village aimlessly.
"How were your three days in Cloud Shinobi?" Logan asked.
"Very interesting."
Cloud Shinobi had mountainous terrain unlike anything in Konoha or Kirigakure, which was a new experience for Sasuke.
"There were always these older sisters in short skirts and low-cut tops crowding around me, talking non-stop. It was so annoying."
Logan was speechless.
The ship sailed on. Eventually, land appeared on the horizon.
As they neared the port, Logan noticed it was packed with people—civilians, Mist Shinobi, and a large number of samurai and attendants.
The samurai stood tall with long swords at their waists, holding flags that flapped in the ocean breeze. The attendants laid down silk carpets and held parasols to block the sun.
Saito Ayate and her four-year-old son knelt on futons, respectfully waiting for the ship to arrive.
As it docked, they both bowed deeply.
"Welcome home, teacher. You slew the White Snake, defeated Cloud Shinobi, and peace returns."
At once, all the samurai and servants shouted in unison:
"Slay the White Snake, defeat Cloud Shinobi, and peace returns!"
Logan stood quietly on the deck, looking at Saito Ayate, then at the sea of faces filled with admiration and awe.
Their eyes sparkled.
It was the look of people who had witnessed history and felt pride in it.
Logan stepped off the ship slowly.
Saito Ayate immediately stood and approached him.
"What's your plan next?" Logan asked.
Saito Ayate smiled modestly. "You're teasing me, teacher. I did nothing. When we heard of your return, we gathered of our own accord.
It's hot today, so I prepared tea, parasols, and…"
She leaned closer, the fragrance of her perfume wafting over him. Her voice dropped to a whisper:
"…Kirigakure was attacked. Many people were injured. Some lost their homes, families, and jobs. People need comfort—something to uplift their spirits.
I'm not speaking as the daimyo's wife. Just as someone from the Land of Water. Please don't turn us down."
She pointed behind her.
There was a tall horse.
A carriage designed to display the White Snake Sage's head.
And ornate armor and swords prepared for Logan.
"So flashy?" Logan asked.
Saito Ayate covered her mouth with a smile. "With your power, this is already minimal."
Indeed, defeating the Raikage and the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki alone was an overwhelming feat.
But making the defeated genuinely cooperate—that was true strength.
There were plenty of people with muscle.
Some with intellect.
But very few who possessed both—and fewer still who had mastered both to this level.
Saito Ayate had met many strong people before.
None compared to Logan.
Logan summoned the Hermit's Purple and pulled out the White Snake Sage's head, along with the reparations, and loaded them onto the carriage.
"That's enough."
He brushed past the ceremonial warriors and took the reins, walking toward the town.
Saito Ayate was momentarily stunned. Her eyes fell on Logan's simple linen clothes.
"But the horses… and your clothes…"
Sasuke trotted forward to help him lead the carriage. Hearing her muttering, he replied:
"Clothes only need to cover the body. As for the horses…"
Sasuke looked toward Logan, who was now surrounded by commoners.
He smiled and didn't explain further.
Then he ran after him.
Saito Ayate watched Logan melt into the crowd, then glanced down at her extravagant gown.
Suddenly, it all felt out of place.
In the past, this sense of contrast gave her a sense of superiority.
But today…
That superiority evaporated.
It felt like…
She was the one being left behind.
Ãdvåñçé çhàptêr àvàilàble óñ pàtreøn (Gk31)