Chapter 106 In The Name of Konoha’s Ninja

As the night grew deeper, the two ate dinner and then talked while looking at the calm sea. Logan comforted Mai as much as he could, then urged her to go to bed first and not overthink things much.

However, how could Mai possibly sleep tonight? With the life and death of her only close relative was uncertain, and the once colorful future seemed to be heavy and gloomy all of a sudden. Muttering about the Ninja commission and wishing upon the aurora, Makoto was too confused to sleep.

In the quiet midsummer night, the waves continued to lap against the beach. Logan blew out the lamp and opened the door, "I'm heading back. Try to rest well and don't worry too much."

There was no response from the bed, and the little girl just clutched her blanket. Just as Logan stepped outside, Mai said softly.

"Uncle, I really have seen the aurora..."

Logan paused at the doorframe. Mai's words were soft, and her emotions were unclear. Logan then nodded, "Yes, I believe you."

"Since you've seen the aurora, maybe when you wake up tomorrow, your brother will be back safely."

"Uncle, you're lying again..." Mai murmured. She was past the age of being easily fooled. She wasn't that naive.

Logan smiled at this and then waved his hands, "I'm really a hidden expert. I don't lie. I've told you so many times, yet you still don't believe me."

There was a soft chuckle in the darkness, followed by silence.

'Her mood seemed slightly better.' Logan said no more, closing the door quietly as he left.

The refreshing breeze hit his face as he walked the short distance to his own house. The door didn't close smoothly, and under the moonlight, a faint light illuminated a backpack lying quietly in the corner of the room.

"Which one should I wear?" Logan opened the bag he hadn't touched in three months, and the familiar scent of a Ninja's gear greeted him more directly than the sea breeze.

"This one should do." Logan decided, dusted himself off, and put on the long-lost Jonin vest.

He gathered his Ninja tools and pouch, finally strapping on his old forehead protector. He washed his face and made his slovenly appearance look a little better. After all, he was going out.

The white moon hung high, casting its infinite light. The refreshed silhouette that returned was quite different. Logan then quietly returned to the house fifty meters away. The door opened quietly, and the girl didn't notice. The sound of breathing in the darkness was already steady and orderly.

Shedding the mundane air of an ordinary uncle, Logan, still young at heart, looked at the little girl lying on the bed quietly.

Mai's face was buried in her blanket, and her long eyelashes still wet with tears. Logan didn't know how she had fallen asleep alone.

Logan's gaze softened. Mai held something in her palm, which is the crescent-shaped pendant. Her innocent and hopeful words from earlier lingered in his mind.

Logan smiled silently and gently spoke, his tone soothing as if lulling someone to sleep, "I will rescue your brother and let you see the aurora..."

He took the pendant from her hand, infusing it with his promise. This is the lowest payment he ever accepted for a mission.

Then, with a bold declaration——

"In the name of Konoha's Ninja, I solemnly accept your commission."

…

With the task of rescuing Kazuya suddenly felt like a mission, Logan ensured that Mai slept peacefully before heading out to the sea and followed the signals from his shadow clone.

However, before Logan could fully revel in his role as a partner of justice, a completely unexpected and frustrating turn of events occurred.

His shadow clone dissipated...

There are only two possibilities for Logan's clone to disappear. One is that the opponent is too strong to defeat, and the other is that the mission has already been completed...

In reality, there are not so many awesome pirates in the world who happen to be Pirate King, nor was he likely to encounter such foes by chance.

According to the memory he received, his shadow clone had discovered the enemies half an hour ago and then swiftly dealt with the situation. After killing the bunch of trashy pirates who were a disgrace to the pirate name, the shadow clone discovered that in a harsh warehouse, there are over a hundred hostages, among them an unconscious Kazuya.

Well, although there were a lot of bruises on his face, he had only passed out from hunger.

"Bang."

Logan pushed the door open, but he didn't control his strength and made a loud noise. His rushing momentum came to an abrupt halt, then he carefully glanced at the bed where the little girl lay sleeping. Fortunately, she hadn't woken up...

Logan's expression changed back to a very dissatisfied look. This rollercoaster of emotions was very frustrating. He returned dejectedly and pointed at the unaware Mai, "The mission has changed. I'm going to bring your unlucky brother back now!"

"Bang." After closing the door, Logan sped off and disappeared in a gust of wind.

Mai frowned and turned over.

…

The next day, the sea brightened again, and the sun's rays spreading across the tidal flats and over the small fishing village.

Thin beams of light squeezed through the cracks, dust particles floating like trapped fairies in the light. The chirping of birds echoed in the sky. Mai slowly opened her eyes, her cheek was warm from lying in the sunlight for too long.

Her fuzzy consciousness gradually recalled the sad, gloomy events. The delicate face, now under the bright sunlight, was shrouded in sorrow. With a heavy heart, Mai turned her head.

Then, her eyes widened, and a big stone was lifted from her chest.

"Brother, brother!!"

Miraculously, lying on the ground was the relative she had not seen for several days and missed so much. In the sluggishness of early morning awareness, she rushed off the bed, crying tears of joy as she grasped the reality of his presence.

She then started shaking him vigorously...

No matter how deep Kazuya's slumber, he could only wake up now. His mouth was dry and his stomach was empty, which showed that he was not a dream when he was imprisoned by pirates. But now, in front of him, in the bright little house, was his beloved sister, just as confused as he was.

What followed was a touching reunion scene between brother and sister, full of emotions. As with a loving couple or close relatives, it was bittersweet for those who witnessed it.

"What is that?!" Kazuya, hugging his sister, suddenly pointed outside, exclaiming in surprise.

Mai turned her head, her mouth slightly open. Many incredible things had happened today, and she hadn't noticed that the crescent-shaped pendant she held was missing.

The small fishing village buzzed with excitement early in the morning. People discovered something, and word spread quickly. The villagers were attracted by the strange sight and pointed out in amazement. Doors opened one after another, spreading far and wide to the Bay Town and beyond to all the cloudless areas. The urban legend of the aurora, no, maybe it won't be called an urban legend anymore.

Because the beautiful and brilliant aurora rose from the distant sea, its glowing colors replacing the sunlight, miraculously unfolding before everyone.