In the dark Forest of Death, the wind rustled, and the usual poisonous insects and fierce beasts instinctively avoided the sudden intrusion of a large number of forces.
The clouds parted a bit, and the cold moonlight brightened the clearing. Naruto stood in the center, looking at the surrounding shadows and instinctively grabbing Iruka's sleeve. He asked weakly, "Iruka-sensei, are these people here to catch me?"
It was also the first time that Iruka saw so many ANBU. He covered his injured arm and saw the Scroll of Seals lying quietly on the ground. He forced himself to calm down and said, "Don't worry, Naruto. You were deceived by Mizuki. As long as the Scroll of Seals is safe, there will be no problem."
"Oh…"
Logan crouched on a nearby tree trunk, his thoughts somewhat chaotic. He looked around, 'It seemed that no one have noticed my sudden disappearance and appearance.'
"Which team are you from?"
A low voice sounded as three ANBU's members flickered onto Logan's tree trunk.
In order to catch up with the plot, Logan had used Lightning Release before to accelerate, and his speed was extremely fast, which shocked many people. The three before him were among the first batch to arrive in the Forest of Death. They had just discovered the Scroll of Seals, and then there's someone who overtaken them in an instant.
They were left behind in the blink of an eye, which is quite embarrassing.
"I am a Jonin who came to support temporarily. My name is Raiden Hattori." The area was already completely surrounded by ANBU. And the unlucky teacher-student pair, who were discussing leniency for confessing in the clearing, also connected with the ANBU.
Logan glanced at Iruka and Naruto, then turned to the ANBU questioning him, "I am not an active member of the ANBU."
The ANBU already didn't have a good first impression of Logan. So after hearing this answer, they frowned further. They turned towards their colleagues working efficiently in the clearing. One of them stepped forward and prepared to continue questioning.
"Swish, swish".
At this moment, several more sounds of breaking air sounded, and nine ANBU wearing various masks arrived again. They are the same team that Logan originally followed.
The Chakra fluctuations of the elite Ninjas became quite concentrated in the small area, causing hidden insects and snakes to retreat further. The nine later arrivals were all equally surprised to see Logan. The speed of him covered with lightning was deeply imprinted on them. The captain of these nine people noticed the tense atmosphere and consciously stepped forward to explain to the three ANBU.
Logan shrugged. As they talked, he had some free time. After waiting for a while, he took a deep breath and stood up. There was a faint smell of vegetation on the tip of his nose, and he settled down his mood after crossing over.
Time was still at the moment he returned to Earth. He had just seen Naruto and Iruka finishing up, and the ANBU immediately arriving after.
Logan initially thought it was like the first time he crossed over a few years ago. Seven days had passed on Earth and seven days had also passed here. He had also thought up a lot of explanations to cover his disappearance or cover up his traces, but they were unnecessary now.
But why was it seven days back then, and now it was instantaneous, just like returning to Earth? Understanding the time flow during the transmigration between worlds was very important for Logan, and he had to figure out the pattern.
'If there is no pattern, it will be a headache...' Logan was distressed inwardly. The time issue has changed beyond expectations. It cannot be said whether it is good or bad. Although it makes him feel at a loss, he may also find something from it.
"Senpai, everything is settled." The young-sounding ANBU finished the conversation and bowed slightly to Logan, recognizing his identity from the Hokage's Office.
The three Anbu, who were unhappy about being overtaken, left sullenly. Logan smiled and nodded, "Thank you."
"It was nothing."
After all, before Logan retired, he was an ANBU Captain with outstanding performance and outstanding contributions. He also often operating alone, making him a special case. Those who joined the ANBU in the future would hear stories about him. Having risen to this point, he can be considered to enjoy the benefits of seniority.
Nearly twenty ANBU's members arrived in force, only to witness a harmonious scene between teacher and student. The Scroll of Seals was safely recovered, the site was being investigated, records were being made, and the unconscious Mizuki would naturally be sent to prison, facing a strict interrogation in the days to come.
Logan had no further business here, and his original purpose was already 'achieved'. After greeting everyone, he began to make his way back.
"He is such a dedicated senior. Even though he has retired, he is still on the front line in major events. He didn't show a hint of complaint at all despite it being a wasted trip..."
The ignorant young ANBU sighed softly in the direction Logan left, which drew heartfelt approval from a few colleagues.
…
Logan first went to Hokage Tower. The Hokage's office on the top floor was no longer crowded with a group of Jonin, suggesting Hiruzen had likely told everyone to go home after receiving the news.
Logan returned the fox mask to Takeshi, who was on duty, and exchanged a few words casually. During this time, Hiruzen's gaze was ambiguous. Although he had agreed to let Logan serve as a teaching assistant, it was clear this old man still had intentions of having Logan demonstrate his strength and become Konoha's blade.
After bidding farewell to the two of them, the sun would rise above the clouds again in a few hours. Logan returned home, but had no intention of sleeping. After changing into casual clothes, he began to ponder about things.
'The shadow clone can't be contacted either...'
Logan opened the door, looking up at the dark sky tinged with a bit of blue over the courtyard.
Before the new chapter's release, Logan had deliberately left a shadow clone in his room. This was meant to verify several possibilities.
It would be interesting if he could still sense the shadow clone after arriving in the Ninja World...
But the fact was, he lost contact with the shadow clone. And losing contact meant the distance was too great, causing the Jutsu to automatically dispel.
'Too far apart...'
The cedar tree in the courtyard swayed slightly, and Logan's gaze gradually deepened. The irresistible movement every time he crossed over was indeed an awe-inspiring experience, like the hand of a God wielding great power. There's nothing strange about the distance being far.
'But am I really in another world, or just inside a manga?'
Logan had no way of knowing, nor did he know when something would answer him. The two answers carried completely different meanings. For now, the inability to contact the shadow clone fit both scenarios.
'So, it's still a mystery...' Logan sighed and fell onto his bed.
…
Clouds gathered, dawn broke, and as the birds chirped, filling the courtyard with morning light, the next day officially began.
Logan yawned and got up. He was troubled by the bizarre cross over situation all night again. His hair was a little messy. After freshening up and seeing the empty kitchen, he slapped his forehead and grabbed his wallet to go out for breakfast.
Shortly after he left, a figure slowly approached Logan's front door.
Always wearing a mask that said 'I'll lose if you look at my face', the silver-haired Kakashi, with a sleepy right eye and hands in his pockets, stopped and glanced at the closed door.
"Still asleep, perhaps?" Kakashi muttered to himself.
He knocked on the door but got no response. He knocked again, but still nothing.
Kakashi, being a law-abiding villager, wouldn't recklessly climb over walls just because he couldn't find someone. However, he did irritably slap the wooden gate with a loud 'Bang'.
"Today is the day of the Ninja Academy's team assignment. This person won't forget it, right?"
Kakashi squinted blankly, and another minute passed, "I really don't understand what Hokage-sama is thinking, assigning an extra person like this, making me get up early..."