Chapter 223 Go Back

"Using sheer numbers without any technique… this isn't how shadow clones should be used."

Catching punch after punch and knocking down one clone after another, Logan skillfully navigated through the crowd, as he's nearing the end of the Spirit Cleansing process. He even pointed out Naruto's mistake.

Dodging a few clones that pounced together, he heard quick footsteps behind him. Logan turned around and caught a punch, and suddenly, the moonlight was blocked as shadows overwhelmed him. Finally, Naruto found an opportunity amidst the chaos to surround Logan completely.

Unable to fend off attacks from all directions, Logan would inevitably be pulled into a chaotic scuffle where force would be difficult to exert, and techniques would fail, anathema to any martial artist. However, this was exactly what Naruto aimed for: a messy, all-encompassing brawl that would level the playing field like glue sticking persistently to its target.

Faced with this unorthodox tactic that left no escape, Logan remained calm, his expression unchanging. As he raised his hand, a shadow clone of his own appeared instantly at his side.

"This is how shadow clones are used."

Under Naruto's astonished gaze, the two Logans picked a direction within the rapidly shrinking circle. Smoke billowed as they collided with the human wall. Logan dodged grabbing hands, neutralizing the fighting power of the shadow clones with punches.

More hands reached for him, but though Logan's strength was divided, his striking speed suddenly doubled. Attacking, dodging, when a hand finally gripped his sleeve, the two Logans pulled and pushed each other in a seamless rhythm that Naruto couldn't keep up with.

Alternating their roles, Logan and his clone constantly switched between offense and defense. While Logan could no longer disperse a clone with a single punch, Naruto's shadow clones still couldn't firmly grasp their target. Every time they were about to trap him, the extra force from Logan's clone would yank him away to safety. This added force was none other than the shadow clone.

Naruto watched helplessly as the two Logans maneuvered in the tight space, cooperating seamlessly with each other as if they were one person. This fighting method was time-consuming and laborious, and one person might not be able to exert as much power, but it was a method suitable for the current situation.

Having even one or more trustworthy partners alongside a shadow clone adds unpredictability to the combat, creating alternate paths where none existed. Even if the method, pushing and pulling with external force, seems clumsy, it can still change the tide of battle.

Finally, a path of escape opened up. Naruto and his clones, stumbling and crowded together, saw Logan's real body being thrown out by his shadow clone.

Several Narutos angrily pinned down the Logan left in the circle. But before they could land a punch to vent their frustration, Logan's clone vanished with a bang.

"Damn it!" Naruto slammed the ground in frustration, feeling deeply provoked. After all, Shadow Clone Technique is his most skilled technique up to now. But at this time, it is completely impossible for him admit that what Logan said makes sense, so he yelled angrily and charged again, "Don't get happy too early!"

Swish, swish…

Simultaneously, Sasuke threw kunai from the other side.

Logan sighed as the kunai arced through the air, accompanied by the reemerging shadow clones closing in on him. This time, he no longer held back, he swiftly gathered his restored Chakra, and a brilliant lightning glow replaced the moonlight in an instant.

"Chidori Stream."

The crackling electricity surged across the ground and through the air, moving with a life of its own. Sparks exploded, stones were flung upwards, and everything within a few meters of Logan was torn apart indiscriminately.

When the blue light finally faded, the ground was left in shambles, and most of the shadow clones had been eradicated.

Yet, Naruto's defiant shouts continued, with the remaining clones fearlessly rushing toward Logan, "I've told you, Naruto..."

"Instead of arguing about how to use shadow clones, try this on for size!"

Smoke from the dispersed clones clouded his vision. Logan tossed one aside, and as he seemed to realize something and turned back, two more emerged from the front, lunging without hesitation.

'These should be the last two.'

Bang!

Suddenly, a burst of flame broke through the smoke, scorching towards Logan.

The attack came from behind, catching Logan off guard, but he quickly regained his composure. Blocking a punch with his right hand, he kicked another assailant away, and his left hand formed hand seals, the mark on the back of his hand glowing subtly, unseen by anyone.

Two fireballs collided mid-air. Sasuke, who had released his transformation, stared in shock as his Fire Release was swiftly swallowed up, the crimson flames and heat surging towards him. He hurriedly dashed out of the area as the searing flames narrowly missed him, crashing into the rushing waterfall in the distance.

'How is it so fast? One-handed seals?' Sasuke glanced at his scorched sleeve, unable to comprehend how his seemingly certain strike had failed, 'And the power behind such a hasty move...'

After completing the Spirit Cleansing, Logan's proficiency in Fire Release had improved dramatically. His overall abilities were like someone who had allocated talent points, surpassing his past self. That's why, when he realized that the 'shadow clone' he had thrown was actually a disguised Sasuke, he remained calm and unhurried.

On the other side, Naruto's face also showed disappointment. But before he could say anything, a shadow flashed before him.

Naruto was momentarily stunned. He had expended a lot of Chakra and barely registered the person who had flickered in front of him, "Hattori-sensei..."

Boom!

Logan, having dealt with clones for so long, had finally reached the real Naruto. With a stern expression, he punched Naruto, and then grabbed his collar, slamming him hard into the ground.

"Cough, cough..."

Logan watched as Naruto, in pain, struggled to get up. Various thoughts surged through his mind but were immediately suppressed. Face-to-face, leaving no regrets… this was his battle. Softening up would only turn the established facts into exploitable lies. It wasn't funny or enjoyable. The two boys were fighting him with everything they had, but in battle, strength speaks loudest. The side that doesn't persevere is the one left with regrets.

Naruto, propping himself up, looked up. However…

Bam!

His head tilted as he was struck down again.

"Stop!"

Sasuke shouted angrily. He struggled to recognize the familiar figure in front of him. He charged with all his might, aiming to stop Logan from raising his foot once more.

However, Naruto was kicked again, this time sent flying high. The force buzzed in his head, causing a brief dizziness. Like a ragdoll, he was flung into the air, landing in the river between the two statues.

"Ah!" Sasuke, who had rushed forward, was grabbed by the wrist, twisted, and let out a painful cry. His Chakra was nearly depleted as well, and his kunai fell to the ground with a clear clatter in the still night.

The relentless sound of the rushing water echoed. Sasuke managed to turn his head towards the river, where Naruto was being carried away by the swift current. Thankfully, just before slipping down the waterfall, Naruto managed to grab onto a protruding rock.

The moon had sunk behind the mountains, and the world was engulfed in deep darkness. Logan calmly watched Sasuke, who had lost his edge and was now too weak to resist, "It's almost time to end this."

Both students had expended a lot of energy even before arriving, and the recent battle wasn't something they could recover from quickly.

Sasuke gritted his teeth, risking a broken wrist as he braced against the ground, kicking at Logan. Unfortunately, both his and Naruto's strength were too weak at this moment. There was no sign of the prowess they had shown during the Chunin Exams, and Sasuke couldn't even sustain his Sharingan.

Bang!

Pain exploded in Sasuke's cheek as if he had collided with a wall, and he groaned, collapsing onto the ground.

"You two..."

Logan glanced at Naruto, who was soaked and barely clinging to the rock in the distance, and then looked at Sasuke. He hesitated, then changed his intended words from, 'You can't beat me.'

"You two shouldn't have come."

"Go back."