I'm Inside Naruto Manga

"Safety first. David, send him a message and ask where he went." Olivia instructed.

After thinking about it for a moment, even if Logan had gone to the restroom, he should have mentioned it. This realization brought a cautious look to Diane's face, matching Olivia's growing unease.

Logan didn't reply. Seven or eight minutes passed, but there was still no sign of him.

Diane stomped her foot in frustration, "Ugh, where could he have gone? And without saying anything!"

David was the only one who remained unconcerned, his expression a mix of mock betrayal and indignation, "That guy must've gone to that adult shop for sure. And he didn't even invite me... Is he worried I'd expose his 'shameful' secret to everyone? Ridiculous. What's so shameful about that!"

"Not inviting me... unbelievable..." David muttered to himself.

Deciding to ignore David's rambling, Olivia turned to Diane and asked in doubts, "You said he disappeared as soon as you stepped outside. Even if he ran, he couldn't have vanished that quickly. Could you have missed which direction he went?"

Diane thought back carefully, then shook her head firmly, "No, I'm sure. As soon as I stepped outside, Logan was nowhere to be seen."

"..."

Olivia found herself at a loss for words. The three of them stood in the chilly breeze on the bustling street, surrounded by the ebb and flow of passersby. The mood grew heavier amidst the silence.

The central avenue was wide and open, with scattered shops lining both sides of the street. Between the buildings, small alleys and corners were inevitable but absent from this immediate area.

Nearby, the traffic light flickered between red and green as clouds drifted lazily across the sky. Despite the uncertainty, the trio decided to wait a little longer.

Olivia silently considered other possibilities.

…

Logan dashed through the forest, his pace quickening with each step. At one point, lightning flickered briefly, and his feet left shallow impressions on the soft ground as he sped through the dense trees like lightning.

"It's been a long time since I've used Chakra with such high intensity." Logan murmured as the streak of lightning faded.

He landed on a thick tree branch, steadying himself as his speed began to drop. Moving forward by leaping from branch to branch felt awkward and rusty, "There aren't as many tall trees to jump across in the city, though I've been hopping across plenty of buildings..."

He continued southward, settling into the familiar rhythm of this mode of travel.

Standing atop a small hill to gather his thoughts, Logan reflected on his current predicament. His return through the rift this time felt different… It's abrupt and violent compared to the relatively peaceful transitions he had experienced before.

Based on past patterns, he suspected he would remain here until he was once again pulled into the next [To Be Continued]. However, he couldn't predict what other unforeseen events might occur. And waiting passively wasn't an option.

As a Missing-nin, disconnected from the organization for two months, Logan had already burned his bridges.

Even when the Akatsuki had sent reinforcements to help him escape, his betrayal and opportunism had surely earned him a prominent spot in Pain's mental blacklist. No amount of explanation would clear his name.

So after thinking for a while, Logan found that he seemed to have nowhere to go.

"This isn't pathetic… it's freedom," Logan reassured himself. With no clear destination, he had little choice but to sit idly for now. Yet the rare moment of calm stirred memories he had pushed aside for too long.

Amid the tranquil scenery of golden-green grass swaying in the autumn wind, Logan found himself gazing toward the Land of Fire's Capital. The stillness brought an unbidden thought to the forefront: Her.

A surge of emotion, buried yet persistent like stubborn weeds, surfaced in his mind. The image of a woman he had made a promise to felt sudden and inevitable.

Thus, Logan made his decision. He would head toward Capital, back into the Land of Fire… the very country he had fought so hard to leave behind.

…

Traveling through the southern woods, Logan moved at a moderate pace. The Land of Fire's border was primarily guarded by commoners and Samurai, with only a handful of Ninja scattered throughout. In Logan's eyes, they posed little threat.

As a Konoha's Missing-nin, Logan expected no warm welcomes upon his return to the Land of Fire. His actions might seem brazen, but as long as he avoided Konoha or creating any major disturbances, he believed he could navigate the country's defenses with relative ease.

The real reason for Logan's unhurried progress, however, lay in his conflicted feelings about meeting Sumika again.

Each of their encounters had seemingly turned against his favor. He wondered how could he explain himself this time?

On a serious note, the weight of his promise to her felt heavy. He had told her he would take her to a hidden paradise, where she could live happily. A bold and baseless claim at the time, yet she had believed him… whether out of blind trust or quiet kindness.

Now, stripped of his status as a Konoha's Jonin, Logan was nothing but a Missing-nin.

"Would she think I've broken my promise again? Of course, she would. I must seem utterly unreliable..." Logan muttered, his thoughts spiraling. The worries multiplied, much harder to shake off than battlefield concerns.

'How has she been?'

Logan's worries ultimately condensed into this single thought. Everything else faded away, leaving him with a sense of clarity that quickened his steps.

Though he had no plan, Logan knew he couldn't avoid the confrontation. The memory of the mountain shrine, a scene that stirred both embarrassment and a tender softness within him, remained vivid. It was a moment that carried undeniable warmth, but this time, he lacked the confidence he once had.

"Face what comes, adapt to the challenges." Logan muttered, half-heartedly trying to pep himself up. Still, the resolve felt thin, almost hollow compared to his previous encounters.

The journey to the Land of Fire's Capital wasn't exactly short, but it wasn't insurmountable, either. As Logan moved through towns and villages, his thoughts occasionally drifted, but he maintained his focus on reaching his destination.

His sudden return to this world meant he hadn't had the chance to change out of his clothes. Fortunately, his outfit wasn't particularly flashy.

Unlike the tailored outfits common in this world, his attire, from the texture of the fabric to the minimalist patterns, stood out only slightly. The exception was his sneakers, an oddity in this world's setting.

Logan didn't bother overthinking the details. After all, he had no intention of interacting with any of the main characters on this trip. His priority was staying hidden, avoiding any attention as a wanted Missing-nin.

Traveling under the cloak of anonymity wasn't easy. Being wanted by Konoha meant Logan couldn't afford to move carelessly through the Land of Fire. While he avoided the obvious risks, he moved discreetly, keeping his identity concealed.

By the time the sun dipped low in the horizon, painting the world in golden hues, Logan finally saw the towering walls of Capital in the distance.