The massive terminator line shifted, and the days gradually grew shorter. The rain dispelled the lingering heat, and when autumn was halfway through, the autumnal equinox arrived.
Logan immersed himself in training, unaware of the undercurrents stirring in the outside world due to a certain altered event. The ambush at Tenchi Bridge had failed, and the changes on Orochimaru's side would inevitably draw scrutiny.
Sasuke had secured victory in the vessel competition ahead of time, and the ripple effects of this would reverberate through various factions. Logan hadn't considered this, nor was he conscious of it.
He set out for Dosei City.
Having just left the Paulownia Forest the previous day, he took a brief rest before heading south from Yukino Town.
Dosei City wasn't far, as it was located in the northern part of the Land of Fire, so the journey wouldn't take long.
However, as a major city with a thriving economy and dense population, the covert security measures were correspondingly high-level. Which is why, to avoid unnecessary trouble, Logan didn't wait there from the start.
Still wearing his cloak, his appearance was likely quite conspicuous among wanted criminals… easily in the top three. Walking along the main road, it wouldn't be good if some vigilant citizen recognized him.
As for the results of his training in the Paulownia Forest, he had now touched the threshold of Sage Mode.
He can now sit steadily atop the tallest paulownia tree, as if fused with the branch beneath him. He remained unmoved even when the wind occasionally rustled the leaves. Immersed in a state of 'stillness', he attuned himself to the Natural Energy.
He's now free from the torment of falling from great heights, and absorbing Natural Energy was no longer a heart-stopping, perilous endeavor where the slightest misstep could lead to assimilation.
'A little more time, and I should be able to learn some Sage Art.'
Logan thought to himself, 'The scrolls of the Divine Bird Clan recorded a large number of Sage Art, but unfortunately, most of them can only be performed in the Sage Mode. The Senjutsu Chakra is the basis for exerting its powerful power.'
'As for the future plot developments… there should still be plenty of time.'
Straining his memory, Logan felt he wasn't mistaken. Whether involved or not, he still had ample time before the various major battles arrived.
Raising his left hand, Logan examined the mark on the back of his hand. Within that small area, the intricate patterns swirled vividly, with the image of the divine bird seeming ready to soar and cry out.
There was still one issue with Sage Mode: he could only absorb natural energy while in a state of 'stillness', and using it in combat was impossible.
Without much hesitation, Logan emulated Naruto's method. Though he's limited by his Chakra Reserve, so Logan could only afford to create one shadow clone for storage. Any more would split his Chakra too much, leaving insufficient Senjutsu Chakra for regular use.
Still, this was the most practical approach for now.
The scenery flashed by as Logan avoided the crowds on the main road, weaving between forests and paths for convenience. Before the sun set, he spotted towering city walls on the horizon.
Dosei City was in front of him. Pausing by the roadside outside the city, he gazed into the distance. Ox carts, horse-drawn carriages, and wagons, carrying people and goods, formed a broken black line that stretched from far away to the city gates, passing noisily by him.
The engraved plaque on the city walls remained unchanged, though it looked more weathered and aged.
"There seem to be more people now." Logan remarked.
Though he'd experienced worse crowds on subways and seen traffic jams so bad that drivers got out to play badminton, compared to other nations and villages here, this was considered quite bustling.
"Quite a crowd, young man." An old man passing by on a donkey cart chimed in casually, "The entrance fee is very expensive."
"Really, how much does it cost?"
"Ah, it's..."
"It's so expensive."
Before the old man could finish, Logan preemptively voiced the expected complaint, then vanished into the crowd. He wasn't planning to use the main gate anyway.
Concealing his presence, he found a less guarded spot and easily slipped past the ordinary sentries, scaling the wall to enter the city.
…
Regarding Dosei City, Logan's most recent memory was from many years ago when he'd come here with Itachi. The impression was still relatively fresh. After some investigation and comparison, he located the inn where they'd stayed back then.
After scouting the area and finding nothing unusual, Logan figured Itachi either hadn't arrived yet or was waiting for the right time. He decided to stay at the inn himself. While securing a room, he muttered, "It hasn't gone out of business?"
The innkeeper at the front desk flinched, his professional pride compelling him to loudly declare that his establishment had a long history and operated with integrity, fair to all.
But when he looked up and saw the guest shrouded in a dark, ominous cloak, he thought better of it.
'It's just a small matter, I'll just put up with it.'
Once settled, the streets lit up with lanterns and the clamor of the night market.
The evening air was cool, and the flow of people was incessant. Leaning by the window, Logan appeared to be enjoying the view while actually sensing his surroundings.
Finding nothing noteworthy, he glanced at the calendar on the wall, and saw it was September 22nd.
The autumnal equinox varied slightly each year but always fell around those two days. Logan had arrived a bit early just to be safe.
The moon hung round and bright in the sky, casting a soft glow. Logan waited patiently, lost in thought. The crowds surged from one street to another, like the passage of time itself.
As the lanterns at each doorstep became the only remaining lights in the deepening night, the hour grew late.
Logan climbed onto the roof beams for fresh air. Sitting at the edge of the eaves, the ancient-style cityscape stretched out around him. He'd gotten the 'secret code' exactly right, and this was the agreed-upon meeting place.
The night watchman began striking his gong, the sound echoing through the quiet. Logan thought he might have to wait another night.
Tap…
At this time, in the stillness, someone stepped onto the rooftop.
Logan turned his head. Against the backdrop of the bright full moon, Itachi stood there, clad in his black robe with red clouds pattern.
The night sky seemed to frame the moment… the lighting, the atmosphere, everything was perfect.
"Damn, did you plan this angle on purpose?" Logan tossed aside the small tile he had been fiddling with, a little unconvinced, "Timing it like this, who are you trying to impress?"
Itachi's face remained expressionless. He had just arrived and had not yet withdrawn from Akatsuki's atmosphere.
"...What?"
"Never mind." Seeing Itachi's confusion, Logan waved it off, "You're here. I thought I was early and was about to head down to sleep and wait for tomorrow."
Itachi took a moment to adjust to Logan's erratic conversational style. It was a strange, but familiar style. He nodded, "I'm here. Got delayed on the way. Sorry to keep you waiting, senpai."
"It's okay, it doesn't matter to wait for a while." Logan stood up, brushing off his pants as he gave Itachi a once-over, "Hey, why are you still wearing Akatsuki robes? You know we're on a rooftop, right? Standing out like this, aren't you worried about being spotted?"
Pointing in the surrounding direction, the rooftops stretched high, layer upon layer.
Logan then took out the cloak he carried with him and shook it to show off, "Look, learn from me, I'm so professional."
"..." Itachi glanced down at his own outfit.
Itachi could only reasonably complete the other party's meaning on his own, 'Hattori-senpai was worried that I would be accidentally recognized by others when I was wearing Akatsuki's clothes... Indeed, after Ichibi's capture, major countries have been strictly vigilant against such attires.'
"I have a cloak too." Itachi said in a matter-of-fact tone, then pulled out the standard Akatsuki-issued one with white trim.
He shook it out and draped it over himself before adding, "I took precautions on the way. No one will know. You don't need to worry about that, senpai."
"Oh." Logan scratched his head, 'Are we even having the same conversation?'
"By the way, about this meeting…" Ignoring the confusion, Logan suddenly remembered something and asked, "In terms of time... you're not in a rush, right?"
Every time they met before, their identities and circumstances had made it hard to talk properly.
Even though they had agreed to meet in Dosei City specifically to have a real conversation, since Itachi had questions and Logan also had things to say. But Logan was still a little concerned. Akatsuki's surveillance, Konoha's spies...
For him, it wasn't a big deal. But for Itachi, it must've been a hassle.
The defensiveness in Itachi's eyes weakened, and this time, he really understood the meaning, and rarely smiled, "This time, we can consider it a small reunion. There's no rush."