I'm Inside Naruto Manga

Sumika's eyes seemed to be covered with a mist, her gaze turning soft and fluid like autumn water. Her wide-open eyes displayed a complex mix of fear, surprise, shyness, and anger. She slightly opened her mouth, but unable to utter a word.

"..."

It was Logan who reacted and knew that the situation was great... ah no, it was very bad. He coughed and said, "I'm sorry, how about... you continue first?"

"Ah!" Sumika quickly shrank back into the wooden tub, splashing water everywhere.

Logan retreated and hid behind the door, taking a few deep breaths of the night air. At the same time, he hid in the shadows to prevent being discovered by the hidden sentries in the courtyard.

Sumika's face turned bright red, with only half of it visible above the water. She held back her anger and embarrassment, muttering unintelligibly under her breath, "Gululu..."

A string of bubbles came out of her mouth, and the footsteps of the maid approached from outside the room.

"Hoshino-sama, is everything alright?"

"It's okay!" Sumika reflexively shouted, but she forgot about her situation and almost choked on the water. The maid outside the room didn't seem to be very relieved by her answer. After she calmed down, she spoke more gently, "I just slipped, nothing to worry about."

After a pause, Sumika hesitated for a while and looked towards the balcony door. She bit her lower lip, and said softly, " I'll be done soon. You can take the things away."

Logan, hiding in the balcony shadows, wiped the sweat off his forehead after hearing this. He was actually very nervous.

A few minutes later, the charming sound of water splashing could be clearly heard through the door. Logan tried to keep his thoughts clear, but damn, the teachings of novels and Anime made his imagination run wild.

On the other side, Sumika, with water droplets all over her, was drying herself with a towel. Her hands trembled slightly, clearly not calm, 'That guy... he wouldn't take opportunity to peek, would he?'

"Hoshino-sama, your ears are a bit red."

"It's nothing. Alright, you can leave now." Sumika said calmly, then waved her hand and hurriedly drove the maid away.

The room fell silent again. Sumika, who was now wearing a simpler kimono, patted her face and frowned, glaring towards the balcony.

"Alright, you can come out now."

There was no response from the other side of the door. The moonlight shone empty on the floor, and the sudden quiet made Sumika wonder if it had all been a dream. She then took a step forward uneasily.

"I'm really sorry... I didn't mean to do it." Logan said, slowly stepping out. The Konoha's Ninja she had longed for stood before her.

Sumika was stunned, taking a good look at his almost unchanged face. She took a deep breath and refocused her gaze on him, her eyes brimming with unspoken words.

Countless words passed through her mind at once, including reproaches and questions, 'Why did you show up when I was taking a bath, why have there been no news in the past few years, etc., to the point where she fantasized about the rehearsed conversation, how are you doing, I have been fine, What are you doing now...

As she stood there, Sumika's aura became weaker, her emotions softened, and the prepared words faded. Logan, who was waiting for criticism, looked up strangely, and met the eyes that seemed to hide a thousand words, with pupils filled with three years' worth of emotions.

The woman who just got out of the bath looked very stunning. Logan noticed that the once young and beautiful envoy had not only grew into a woman of great charm, but also become more mature in temperament. Finally, the dam of emotions broke, and tears flowed down her cheeks.

"Why... didn't you come through the front door?"

The formal first question took Logan by surprise. He chuckled nervously, "The front door wouldn't let me in. A little girl named Hanazawa refused me, so..."

Sumika understood what's going on and asked Logan to sit down, while she make a cup of tea.

Logan glanced around the room, taking in the details: the cup, the bed with its curtain, the walls lined with bookshelves, and the musical instrument resting on a stand. At this time, Sumika placed the warm tea in front of him.

"Oh, hot tea in this heat." Logan remarked, holding the cup. After the initial joy of their reunion, the atmosphere quickly became calm and composed, unlike the intense emotions often depicted in youth dramas.

Of course, this unexpected calmness felt like a social mask, but Logan found it quite fitting. He blew on the tea and felt the need to explain himself, "Well, you see, I've been training outside for the past few years. I just got back to the village recently, and then…"

His words stumbled, as he was a little unconfident when talking about the reason why he did not come to the Capital. However, after Sumika heard everything, she did not pursue his narrative that was obviously filled with lies.

"I see. As long as you're safe."

Sumika's experienced calmness left Logan feeling both relieved and slightly regretful.

"Sorry it took me so long to visit Kyoto. It feels like everything has changed, not just you, Hoshino-sama. Even the places I used to stop at during missions are gone."

"Yes, a lot has changed." Sumika smiled and said, "Just call me Sumika. But you, Hattori-san, don't seem to have changed much."

"Ah, really?" Logan held the teacup, accepting the informal address.

Sumika's eyes lingered on Logan's face for a moment, "Yes, it seems like you haven't aged a bit. It's enviable."

"Oh, not at all. You're very beautiful now..." After Logan finished speaking, he couldn't find a topic for a moment. Then, without thinking, he blurted out, "By the way, are you still single? Uh... I mean, is there anyone you're interested in?"

It seemed like the timing of such question was bad, but the awkwardness Logan was worried about didn't appear.

"Yes, I suppose you could call me that... single." Sumika said this word unnaturally, and then her tone softened, "But I'll probably get married in the next few years."

Logan felt a pang of discomfort in his heart. Thinking of Sumika's identity, it is not difficult to speculate that this woman has no control over the system of this backward country.

"People have come to propose. Ministers have introduced many, and a month ago, the Daimyo also suggested a candidate to me." Sumika looked at Logan, "They're all promising young men."

"Oh, why not give it a try then?"

Sumika looked away and said firmly in a low voice, "I just don't like them."

Although she didn't like them, the possibility of marriage within a few years made Logan felt even more uncomfortable, but reason told him that acting impulsively wasn't wise.

"What about you, Hattori-san?" Sumika suddenly asked.

"Me?" Logan chuckled awkwardly, "Ninjas are notorious for being single."

"So, do you have someone or not?"

"No, I don't."

"Oh, it's okay then."

For a few seconds, Sumika gave Logan a glimpse of her youthful self before quickly reverting to her usual demeanor.

After the initial awkwardness, their conversation flowed more easily, as if they had returned to the time when they were on the mission together. Of course, the meanings were somewhat different.

Sumika expressed her concerns about the future successor, Hanazawa, who had been raised in luxury and struggled to adapt. She also mentioned Hanjiro, who had cut off a Rabbit with one slash, and heard that he had returned to his hometown to take on clan responsibilities. Despite his duties, the talented samurai had visited the Capital, still carrying his ornate sheathed sword, but no longer wearing that sporty outfit.

"Is that guy already married?"

"Yes, I heard that his wife is a landlord's daughter arranged by his father. He mentioned you, saying your Kenjutsu was impressive. He has always been obsessed with the fact that he can't duel against you..."

"Wow, he is so confident? To be honest with you, if I had agreed to a duel back then, it would only have taken one move..."

In the soft light, the two old friends chatted casually about the past. Their conversation flowed easily, filled with occasional laughter. When it comes to what kind of relationship they have had since the parting agreement to now, Logan felt in his conscience that it was not romantic. Under the rationality of the two of them, they both knew to keep it at this level and not go further.