Chapter 5 2024 AD

Meanwhile, in a regular neighborhood in Fresno.

Logan was stunned for a moment after landing, surprised by the absence of expected pain. After all, he had fallen from a height of over ten meters. Then, he quickly gathered his thoughts and stood up, his cold gaze scanning the surroundings. He retrieved a kunai from his ninja pouch and held it firmly in his hand.

'Although I'm not sure why that shuriken didn't hit me, the attacker might launch a fierce attack after missing the first strike...'

Logan's combat instincts kicked in, and he even attempted to access his remaining Chakra. However, his vigilant stance lasted only a second before he froze.

The things around him were so shocking that he, who had been a Ninja for eight years, was really shaken.

'Where is this?'

Wooden floors, no tatami mats, a long desk, a computer with a screensaver glowing, a bed with a messy blanket...

Except for the odd sight of the computer with its flashing keyboard and mouse, everything didn't go beyond Logan's understanding. But the problem is...

'What's with the row of adorable figurines on the shelf above the computer!'

A strong otaku vibe hit him hard. Logan stared dumbfoundedly at the neatly stacked manga and light novels on the nearby shelf, their sheer quantity and orderliness leaving no doubt about the owner's dedication. He turned his head and saw posters of Saber and Excalibur shining with righteous glory. And amidst the disarrayed blankets on the bed, a particularly embarrassing pillow could be vaguely seen.

Logan put down his kunai, discarding any potential threats from attacking him. He leaned against the desk, needing a moment to process the overwhelming amount of information. But when his eyes caught sight of Hatsune Miku mouse pad, he quickly took two steps back.

'Wasn't I fighting with someone in Konoha Village, and then I fell in mid-air and was ambushed by someone? What the heck is this... familiar yet oddly annoying ACG atmosphere all about?'

'That's not right, Konoha Village... there is no such thing in this world!'

As this realization dawned on him, Logan suddenly felt a pang of shock. He couldn't help but glance at the mouse on the table, hesitated for a moment, then placed his hand on it... tremblingly moved it.

The Windows screensaver would disappear soon, but the brief moment felt like an eternity for Logan, who was holding onto some kind of idea with extreme tension.

February 11, 2024!

This special date flashed in his mind, filling Logan's eyes with shock and his heart with turmoil.

'This is unbelievable…'

Logan raised his hand and examined himself. The tattered black coat, with some rips, revealed the ninja attire underneath.

Logan tried his best to calm down his surging emotions and took several deep breaths. Only then did his brain become less chaotic, allowing him to think more clearly.

"I... have returned?"

After a long while, Logan muttered uncertainly. Although it was phrased as a question, he was already about ninety percent sure in his heart.

With mixed feelings, Logan slowly sat down on the swivel chair in front of the computer. His mind was in turmoil, and there was no better way to describe his current state.

He scanned the room once again, taking note of the strong otaku style, "The owner of this room definitely doesn't have a girlfriend."

Logan casually remarked, but then he felt something was off. These furniture and figures gave him a familiar feeling, and the longer the time passed, the stronger the feeling... Memories from a distant past slowly resurfaced. Amidst the blood and fire, amidst countless sweats and exhaustion, his somewhat awkward memories came flooding back.

At this moment, Logan's expression stiffened, "This room… is it mine?"

Yes, he remembered now. He is still a high school student. He has just turned 18, has no worries about food and clothing, and fond of otaku culture. It was nearing the start of the second semester of his sophomore year, when he was dreading the mundane school life ahead, he had stayed up all night. In his drowsy state, he somehow ended up in the Naruto World.

"Hmm..." Logan pondered for a while, "Although the owner of this room does not have a girlfriend, he must be very handsome."

...

The empty room didn't respond to his lame joke.

"Logan, what have you been yelling about all this time?"

Suddenly, a female voice coming downstairs made Logan's heart skip a beat.

Seemingly not getting a response, there were footsteps coming up the stairs.

"No, it's nothing, Mom!" Logan tried to keep his voice calm as he called out.

The footsteps stopped as instructed, and the female voice complained: "You're already a teenager, but why you're always holed up in your room? Doing what, watching those cartoons... School starts tomorrow, you know? Have you packed your things?"

Logan opened his mouth, but didn't know how to answer for a while. After all, it has been a long time since he had communicated with his parents.

Although there was no response this time, the woman seemed to be used to it. It was common for kids nowadays to communicate less with their families as they grew up.

Only when the footsteps faded away and could no longer be heard that Logan breathed a sigh of relief.

"Man, what am I nervous about?" Logan slapped his cheeks, feeling somewhat self-deprecating.

Although the reality of returning from the Naruto World is shocking, Logan wasn't the same person he used to be. Mentally, he is thirty years old, so after the initial shock, he managed to calm down.

'In any case, this was ultimately a good thing.'

The cruel twelve years of his life flashed through his mind vividly… A moment ago, he was even fighting to the death with others, and now, he was back in this peaceful society, which is almost like heaven. It felt surreal.

Logan clenched his fist, returning the kunai, a real weapon capable of killing people, to his ninja pouch.

Then, he did something of great significance.

Logan closed his eyes and quickly opened them again, a hint of excitement gleaming in his eyes.

'My Chakra... it is still there!'

Though there is very little left, due to his previous use of Lightning Release to stimulate cells when fighting the Kumogakure's Jonin, and later used Chidori with all his strength. After all, both of which consumed a considerable amount of Chakra.

However, there is only a trace of Chakra left in his body, and now, he can't even use any of the simplest Three Body Techniques, but it is still enough.

Give him some time, he will still be the Jonin of Konoha. The significance of this... Logan didn't dwell on it for the time being.

Although there were many situations and issues to consider and solve, Logan felt he should address the most pressing matter first: taking a shower.

Apart from the dirt from battle, what he was wearing now was completely out of place in modern society.

If his parents walked in on him now, he couldn't just say he was idly playing cosplay in his room, could he? Then, his parents might really want to have a serious discussion about the potential harm of anime and manga on the minds of young people.