Chapter 151 Keeping One's Reputation

As evening approached, a light mist from the sea blended into the life of the small country. People ended their day's work, and the faint, star-like lights dimly glowed, with little entertainment to speak of. The oppression and poverty lurked in the darkness, creating a sense of calm from a distance. Smoke from cooking mixed with the mist, and a few fishing fires along the shore gently drifted past the majestic half-built bridge.

At Tazuna's house, the place was lively due to the increased number of people. Tazuna, holding a bottle of sake, was already slightly drunk before dinner started. His grandson, Inari, sat silently at the far end, watching his mother Tsunami and the Kunoichi from Konoha helping to serve the food. The young girl with cherry blossom-colored hair was diligently assisting, occasionally snapping at another young Ninja with visible impatience.

"Naruto, you idiot, don't eat it first!"

Tazuna couldn't help but laugh. He realized that those who had stood in front of him with weapons against formidable enemies on the road were not only Ninjas but also just young kids with all the emotions of their age. They were living, breathing people, whose straightforwardness brought them closer.

On one side sat Tazuna's family, and opposite them were the Konoha's Ninjas. At first glance, the atmosphere was harmonious, with good lighting, abundant food, and a pleasant mood, creating an ideal scene of camaraderie between client and Ninja.

'However, something seemed missing...' Kakashi glanced at his students and realized, 'Oh, the teaching assistant.'

Ten minutes later, a frustrated scream came from the room next to them.

"I know I'm seriously injured, that even the slightest movement pulls at my wounds! Yes, I can't move, and even raising my hand is a struggle! These past few days have been tough, requiring careful attention! So during meals, I need someone to help me! But!!"

Logan looked at the spoonful of food near his mouth, feeling very conflicted and hesitant. He squinted at the student holding the bowl in front of him with emotionless gaze, feeling somewhat frustated, "I understand the situation, but... why are you the one feeding me, Sasuke?"

Sasuke's well-toned arm also trembled slightly in the air, and his expression was extremely awkward. The embarrassing scene of one man feeding another had made the room's atmosphere unbearably tense.

"Where's Sakura?! Haruno Sakura!" Logan suddenly shouted towards the door, "I am also the teacher who stood up to protect you. Don't you know how to be grateful at a time like this?"

" Sensei, stop shouting. The Ninja regulations state that during missions, we shouldn't cause unnecessary trouble for our clients. If you keep this up, you'll disturb the neighbors." Sakura slowly walked into the room and opened the door, while Kakashi and Naruto watched the commotion from outside.

"I'm a girl, and I haven't even had a boyfriend. How can I do it in public... Really..." Sakura said shyly, blushing as she sneaked a glance at Sasuke.

'What the hell? What kind of logic is that?' Logan felt the world's cruelty, and at the same time felt aggrieved in his heart, 'Don't think I don't know that your inner personality is that of a bold tomboy! Besides, didn't you feed Naruto during the survival exercise...'

Logan wanted to salvage the situation, but Sakura, feeling too embarrassed, had already ran out.

'That must be a fake Sakura.' Logan felt sad in his heart, and then... then looked at Sasuke, who was still holding a spoon in front of him as if it were a live C4 explosive.

In this situation, Logan sighed deeply, 'Sasuke, do you know what people reading the Manga would say about this?'

Logan couldn't help but recall the comments he saw online during his time back in the modern world. Aside from serious discussions about battles and plot, there were those who discussed strange and suggestive things...

'The minds of fujoshi are truly terrifying. This is supposed to be a hot-blooded, battle-oriented shonen manga, so how can they imagine so many things? If this continues, my reputation will be in jeopardy.'

'Should he tell Sasuke about the various absurd and weirdly excited comments I read? Or...' Logan glanced at the gloating Kakashi at the door, 'Forget it. Stay calm, keep the peace, and just ignore it.'

However, Logan also remembered that the big manga convention in Los Angeles he had agreed to attend with David in October was approaching. The thought of meeting online friends and the massive gathering of Anime and Manga fans at such a grand event... He had already set his goal, which is to avoid hearing the scary discussions of the Otakus and to steer clear of ambiguous Doujinshi...

Logan took a deep breath and then looked at Sasuke with a blank expression, "Why are you the one feeding me..."

Bang!

Logan's look of pity, almost etched with disdain, irritated Sasuke. His face, already awkward and unnatural, turned cold and impatient. He put down the bowl and spoon, stood up abruptly, and said, "You think I want to do this?"

"I'm done!"

Sasuke, suppressing his emotions, hurriedly left the room. What a mess. He should have gone to train instead. As he passed by Kakashi and Naruto at the door, he glared at Kakashi, who was leaning on his crutch with an innocent look. After all, it was all this guy's instructions that had led to such an awkward situation. Unable to calm his anger, Sasuke irritably shoved Naruto.

"Naruto, you do it!"

"Huh?" Naruto was baffled.

The corner of Logan's mouth twitched and he watched dumbly as Sasuke walked away, then Naruto walked in nervously while scratching the back of his head, "Hattori-sensei, um..."

'The food left by the bed was getting cold. I couldn't go on like this.' Logan steeled himself and put on a determined expression as if he was going to the battlefield, "No need to say anything else. Naruto, it's you!"

"Oh." Naruto, not sensing anything wrong, picked up the bowl, "Sasuke is so lazy, Sensei. It's only a matter of time before I surpass him!"

"I believe in you!"

'There was really nothing wrong with it, I had just been misled by online trends. Indeed, Naruto, who radiated positive energy without any improper thoughts, was the most excellent Ninja.' Logan felt somewhat reassured and obediently opened his mouth.

…

"Alright, Team 7, now, let's begin the meeting to summarize our last battle."

After the commotion, the room where Logan was recuperating was filled with the other four members of Team 7. Under the light, Kakashi clapped his hands, addressing the three people sitting and one person lying down in front of him.

The atmosphere was formal. The group put aside their unseemly attitudes, engaging in some constructive battle analysis and praise. Naruto and Sasuke listened attentively and earnestly, clearly benefiting from the review, especially since they had indeed outperformed themselves against Zabuza.

When summing up, Kakashi's face showed seriousness, "Just now, I seemed to have noticed a problem. There was something wrong with that Kirigakure's assassination unit."

Logan, lying down and silently staring at the ceiling, nodded to himself upon hearing Kakashi's words, 'Brother, if you hadn't brought it up, I would have.'