Chapter 157 Ninja Forehead Protector

After David finished speaking, he took out his phone and started tapping away. Seeing this, Logan also took out his own more budget-friendly phone and soon a notification he had been invited to a group aooeared.

"Fat Man has invited you to join the group chat 'I Heard You're an Otaku'. Do you accept?"

"..."

'The group name was full of malice.' The corner of Logan's mouth twitched. He was tempted to decline, but since the admin was right beside him, he had no choice but to accept.

"What do you think of the group name?" Logan stifled his urge to mock it, while David nudged him, seeking his opinion, "As the group leader, I came up with this name in a flash. Isn't it interesting? "

"Uh... it's certainly very fresh and refined." Logan glanced at David's inexplicably proud expression, unsure how to respond. Although it is only a short line of five words, it conveyed a humorous and relaxed atmosphere, with a hint of self-deprecation reflecting their dissatisfaction and resistance towards society's unfair treatment and perception of them. Although Logan understood the deeper meaning behind it, the name still felt slightly off.

Satisfied with Logan's recognition, David nodded and sent a message to the group, informing everyone about the new member, his long-time best friend, had joined the group.

Logan glanced at the group details of this ironically named chat. Including himself, there were five members, three males and two females.

"Which one is the young lady you mentioned chatting with for a long time?" Logan looked at the online names in the group and asked casually.

"Oh, this, 'Lovely Sakura', Sakura-chan." Speaking of the young lady, David got obviously excited and quickly pointed at an avatar on Logan's screen.

"Sakura-chan?!" Hearing such a cutesy name from a burly guy he had known for years, Logan couldn't help but feel a chill. He quickly scooted away slightly, looking at David again with very contemptuous eyes.

David was hurt by Logan's betrayed look, then coughed and said, "Why? Isn't it normal to call someone a little intimately by their online name?"

Logan squinted at him, deciding not to argue further, "Sure, it's normal. As long as you're happy."

Since his return from Naruto World, Logan had been using electronic devices less, rarely opening instant messaging apps like Facebook or Whatsapp. After he looked at his name, he saw the person before who obviously wanted to show off, but pretended to be cool. After thinking about it, he decided to change it to something more fitting.

'Ninja', a straightforward and humble name. It is different from the flashy ones outside. It was also secretly aligned with Logan's current status, simple yet sincere.

"Wow, is this the good friend you mentioned?"

Someone in the group responded to David's message. Yu Logan saw it was none other than the 'Sakura-chan' David had just mentioned.

The name still made Logan's skin crawl, so he avoided focusing on it. The chat bubble was pink with a cute emoji, giving off a typical otaku vibe.

Online interactions could be incredibly pleasant, enhanced by various special effects and tricks. However, the reality could be different without those filters. Logan maintained a cautious attitude as he greeted everyone.

Ninja: "Hello everyone, I am Fat Man's friend, please take care of me."

After a while, the remaining people started to show up one after another. In fact, there were only two others, one named 'Philosophical Orange' and the other named 'Cat Lover'.

After the customary greetings, Logan completed the group initiation. During their brief exchange, Logan found them relatively easy to get along with.

'Cat Lover' seemed like a gentle university student, the oldest in the group, responsible for arranging their stay at a hotel in Los Angeles.

Logan, no longer as playful as before, kept a low profile in the chat, while David and the others discussed their travel plans. Logan discovered that everyone was either preparing to head to Los Angeles or already en route.

About ten minutes later, the group chat quieted down. Logan felt a bit more comfortable about joining this small fan club. Although he had previously told David that it might be a hassle, now that he was in, everyone accepted him. Plus, if he acted too aloof, it would be rude and impolite. Meeting them in person in Los Angeles would mark the start of their official acquaintance.

The bus sped along the highway. Logan took a nap to make up for the early morning wake-up call, and when he woke up, they had already entered the outskirts of Los Angeles.

The modernization was immediately apparent, but the true bustling core of this mega-city was further ahead. As an economic hub, Los Angeles was a constant swirl of activity and lights.

However, no matter how grand the descriptions were, the reality hit as soon as they got off the bus.

When they arrived at the station, Logan and Dadiv were both struck by the sheer number of people. The golden holiday lived up to its reputation, and the station was packed, making the space feel even more cramped. In such conditions, the air conditioning was ineffective. Without local transport cards, they decided against lining up for metro tickets. Thankfully, the hotel booked by their group wasn't too far. Under the blazing sun, David decided they should walk.

Logan didn't mind, after all, he has Ninja's physique. David, however, was soon drenched in sweat. By the time they reached the hotel, he was practically clinging to Logan for support.

"Logan, you… your physical condition has really improved lately..."

"Oh, I've been exercising more, haha." Logan laughed, feeling a bit awkward. He hadn't even broken a sweat, but he had to make up an excuse.

David didn't have the energy to probe further. They were the first to arrive, so they waited for the other three in their room.

During the break, David started organizing the items in his backpack, which was comparable to a hiking bag. It had contributed to his exhaustion.

"Logan, here, this is for you."

Although the hotel they stayed in was called a hotel, the facilities were closer to that of an inn in terms of facilities, but it was still clean.

Logan had only brought two sets of clothes. While watching TV, he saw David rummaging through his bag and then handing him something.

"What is… uh, this?" The thing handed over looked very familiar, and Logan couldn't help but be stunned after seeing it clearly.

"Yeah, this! Don't tell me you don't know it? It's a Ninja forehead protector from Naruto, the series that's become a hit again. The most anticipated new Anime of October! They say the Manga's sales have hit a new high!" David explained with exaggerated enthusiasm, pushing the item into Logan's hands, "You looked too under-equipped. Don't be shy, consider it a free gift from me!"

Logan's eyes twitched upon hearing this, "I recognize it, but… a Ninja forehead protector? Seriously?"

Indeed, what David had handed Logan is a forehead protector that Logan was very familiar with, and it was the Konoha's model.

'Man, I've worn this so many times already. I even have an authentic 'original' one at home!

"That's right, you're a Naruto fan too… well, you know what it is. You can wear it at the convention!" David replied nonchalantly, not noticing Logan's stiff tone.

Logan fiddled with the forehead protector in his hand, feeling conflicted, "We're sophomores in high school, not middle school kids, and..."

'And...' Logan couldn't bring himself to say it. How could he explain that he had just worn a real one a few days ago? The Ninja forehead protector was a serious symbol for him, and wearing this fake felt completely out of place!

"Hey, don't be shy. Take it. Even if you don't wear it now, there's a Naruto-themed area at the convention that requires you to wear a Ninja forehead protector!" David coaxed in a persuasive manner, and at the end, he was mysteriously revealed a piece of news.

In the end, Logan sighed and accepted the fake protector without further protest.