I'm Inside Naruto Manga

The creaking of wagon wheels echoed on the official road outside the city, where each meeting seemed to widen the path a bit more. With the bustling trade, the golden evening light scattered over the mottled stone walls. Yet, the city gate soldiers still shouted amidst the lively scene.

The aftermath of the great battle in Konoha had been smoothed over by time, allowing peace and prosperity to grow on this plain once more.

Logan followed behind a caravan of donkey carts, his gaze catching a group of samurai lazily inspecting the faces of those entering the city.

Shaking his head, he slowed his pace discreetly when no one was watching.

If there were bounty posters for fugitives, Logan's image would undoubtedly rank among the higher-tier criminals.

Logan knew there was no need to take unnecessary risks. A few minutes later, instead of following the donkey carts, Logan chose a different route to enter the city.

Finding a secluded section of the city wall, he gently laid an unconscious guard on the ground. Skipping the stone stairs, Logan silently scaled down the inner wall.

After brushing off his hands, he frowned at the gray smudges that refused to come off his clothes. Regretting his decision, he thought to himself, 'I should've bought a cloak beforehand.'

Walking through the chaotic labyrinth of low houses in the unplanned outskirts, Logan finally reached the main street after wandering for a while.

'Should I go straight to meet her?' Logan thought to himself as he weaved through the lively yet, in his eyes, unimpressive streets. He tried to keep a low profile, sticking to the edges.

Though it hadn't been long since he last parted ways with Sumika, much had happened in between. The closer he got, the more nervous he felt. His hand brushed against something in his pocket, and his eyes lit up, 'I've got it… a little gift for our meeting.'

He pulled out a small charm he had bought on a whim during a stroll through a Japanese street a few days prior. The charm was palm-sized, tied with a red string, sealed, and emblazoned with the kanji protection. Inside was a modern fragrance.

It was one of those trinkets sold at small stalls. Logan hadn't thought much about it at the time, picking it up purely because it looked interesting.

His friends, David and Diane, had also bought a few. Though the charm was purchased casually, Logan figured it would count as a meaningful gift from his homeland.

As dusk fell, smoke began rising from many chimneys. Logan followed his memory of the route, passing an office for officials where he had once spun a lie.

He even exchanged glances with a patrol unit that failed to recognize him. Along the way, he passed a small stream diverted from the city's moat, where children ran by him, laughing and playing.

A woman called one of the children back home, then stood by her door, gazing down the extending streets, as if waiting for someone. When her eyes met Logan's unfamiliar face, she hesitated briefly before retreating and shutting the door.

Logan awkwardly quickened his pace, leaving the street behind. Yet, he couldn't help but glance back, hoping the woman's husband would return to complete the warm scene.

'Having someone waiting for your return was a beautiful thing. I wondered if anyone was waiting for me…'

Though he had parents and friends in the modern world, he had never truly opened up, never fully relaxed with anyone.

Yet, under the gaze of those red agate eyes, he felt an unexplainable comfort. Logan recalled their brief time together… the mountain stream, the tilting and tipping bamboo spout, and the girl's pure smile.

Logan wondered when Sumika believed in his promise to take her to a land free of conflict, would she later sit by the attic window, staring quietly out at the city? Among the sea of lights on those nights, would she look toward a distant direction?

Life's hardships couldn't obscure feelings like these, precious as they were. Yet, Logan knew that such moments could one day become a luxury.

After some time, Logan approached the Capital's inner area, spotting the familiar residence of the ceremonial envoy.

As he got closer, he saw the mansion's gate tightly shut, flanked by two impeccably disciplined guards. Knowing better, Logan didn't step forward.

'Last time, my status prevented me from meeting her freely. Now, my current identity would likely earn me a sword to the neck.' Logan scratched his face.

He surveyed the estate walls, finding them unchanged.

Logan muttered, "Looks like this time won't be an exception either."

Having scaled one city wall already, Logan didn't hesitate to bypass the relatively low mansion's walls. As the sky dimmed into twilight, the guards lit torches to fix onto the walls.

At the same time, Logan made his move. By the time the torchlight illuminated the surroundings, Logan had already slipped over the wall.

"I can't keep relying on this method forever..." Logan muttered to himself after infiltrating the mansion.

The property was large, but Logan knew the largest building housed Sumika. The patrols in the courtyard posed little threat, and Logan moved noiselessly, making his way to the third-floor attic.

The first and second floors were primarily occupied by maids, while the attic faced the bedroom directly.

Through the exquisitely carved redwood lattice window, the glow of firelight illuminated the paper screens in a vivid red. The room was lit… someone was definitely inside.

Logan took a deep breath, pushing aside any thoughts of how to make future visits through the main entrance.

He cautiously pressed his ear to the lattice, listening intently, 'There was no sound of running water.'

Feeling slightly relieved, Logan began contemplating how to greet her without being abrupt or startling. After all, appearing at someone's attic window at dusk wasn't exactly a conventional entrance.

During the brief moment he spent listening, his honed senses picked up on the girl's quiet breathing, 'She was likely sitting at her desk, facing...'

'Wait. Focus. The issue at hand was how to introduce myself without causing alarm.' Logan's heart raced, 'Whether it was a simple 'hello' or a light knock on the attic door, both options seemed likely to startle her.'

Suddenly, with a soft click, the door swung open on its own.

Still debating his approach, Logan was startled by the unexpected movement, nearly stumbling backward in surprise.

Before he could react, the door opened fully, revealing Sumika. Her long hair flowed loosely over her shoulders, and she held a dagger in her hand.

For a moment, she froze, her gaze landing on the half-hidden Logan. She exhaled softly, lowering the dagger, and greeted him, "You...good evening."

Clad in an elegant gown, her snow-white skin glowed under the moonlight. Logan, feeling awkward, stiffly nodded, "...Good evening."

Sumika's eyes lingered on him. After her initial surprise and confusion faded, she stood quietly, her gaze filled with unspoken emotions, much like the last time they met. The only difference was a slight shift in their positions.

"You…" She began again but was interrupted by the firelight outside as the servants in the courtyard lit the torches. Turning away, she spoke softly, "Come in first."

"Alright," Logan agreed, nodding as they entered her room. The interior was unchanged, and still as elegant and understated as he remembered.

Closing the door behind him, Logan steadied himself, 'Well, the shadow I accidentally cast on the window earlier must have alerted her, that's why she came out cautiously.'

Logan scratched the back of his head, then while chuckling nervously, he said to Sumika, who was standing in the center of the room, "I climbed over the wall again to get in, haha... I hope I didn't scare you?"

Sumika shook her head, then turned toward him.

Logan looked at the red agate eyes, which still as breathtaking as ever. Her flawless face framed those clear, watery pupils. But there was something else there… a simmering intensity.

It was only then Logan noticed how tense Sumika's expression was.

The ceremonial envoy gathered herself and, with a commanding air, said, "Liar."