"What's going on up there?" Mikoto asked, nervously inching closer to Fugaku.
A faint smile crossed Fugaku's face, but he kept his voice steady. "Stay here. I'll check it out."
Before he finished, Mikoto shouted, "No way! If you're going, we go together."
Fugaku ruffled her hair. "Stay put. I'll be fine, I promise."
With that, he let go of her and hurried toward the commotion.
Mikoto wanted to follow but, heeding his words, found a hiding spot instead.
Meanwhile, Ebara felt like he'd just escaped the gates of hell.
"Tsunade, you okay?" he asked.
"Fine," Tsunade replied breezily.
"Good," Ebara said, relaxing slightly.
Tsunade opened her mouth to say something when her ears twitched, catching a sound.
"Someone's coming," she whispered.
"Probably Fugaku and Mikoto," Ebara said. "Let's hide."
He grabbed Tsunade's hand, pulling her behind a large tree.
Feeling the warmth of his hand, Tsunade's expression softened from cloudy to sunny.
Ebara noticed the shift and fully relaxed.
Soon, Fugaku's small figure appeared where they'd just been.
"This Uchiha kid's got some skill," Tsunade whispered.
His speed had impressed even her.
"He's the future Uchiha clan leader. Weak? Not a chance," Ebara whispered back.
Fugaku surveyed the wrecked forest, frowning.
The destroyed trees made him uneasy, even regretful.
If that Hot Water ninja from yesterday caused this, he might've bitten off more than he could chew.
He decided to grab Mikoto and leave.
Hero-rescuing? Not worth the risk.
As he turned to go, his body froze.
Sweat beaded on his forehead.
When had they gotten behind him?
Ichiro Ginkai—a nobody who wouldn't even earn a headband in Konoha—couldn't have this kind of skill.
Was it the other guy?
Suppressing his unease, Fugaku turned.
Two Hot Water ninjas grinned at him—Ichiro Ginkai and the unknown ninja from yesterday.
"Ichiro" was Tsunade in disguise, while Ebara transformed into the same ninja as before.
"It's you," Fugaku said, staring at Ebara.
"Us indeed, Uchiha boy," Ebara said with a smirk. "Ready to start your plan?"
He was going to "help" Fugaku alright.
After Orochimaru's teasing and Tsunade's scare, he was ready to vent by smashing some lovebirds.
Help Fugaku play hero to win Mikoto's heart?
As if!
Ebara's motto: Pair up, beat up, break up. If they're together, they're done for.
He'd rather ruin ten couples than let one slip.
May all lovers be long-lost siblings!
Except him and Tsunade, of course.
And his parents, and anyone tied to him.
"Alright, wait here," Fugaku said calmly. "I'll bring Mikoto."
He started to leave but stopped after two steps.
Ebara's hand clamped his shoulder, leaning close to whisper, "No need. We'll go with you."
Fugaku tensed.
"Let's go," Tsunade, as "Ichiro," said, arms crossed.
Her vibe was completely different from the weak Ichiro.
Fugaku's heart sank.
He'd been tricked.
Ichiro had probably lingered in the village to get close to him.
His goal? Obvious—the Sharingan, one of the ninja world's three great eye techniques.
Fugaku's mind raced, searching for an escape.
Even if he couldn't get away, he had to ensure Mikoto did.
"Too slow," Ebara said with a chuckle, winking at Tsunade.
She got the hint, grabbing Fugaku's collar and speeding forward.
"Where's she at? Tell us," Ebara said. "How else can we help?"
"Keep going, not there yet," Fugaku said, face blank.
Mikoto was nearby, hidden from their sight.
"Oh? Then who's hiding here?" Tsunade said with a cruel smile.
In a flash, she and Fugaku vanished, reappearing on a tree branch.
Below, Mikoto crouched, trembling in fear.
Tsunade, a battle-hardened ninja, wasn't fooled by a little girl's hiding.
Ebara wasn't as sharp, but he could follow a lead.
Seeing Tsunade and Fugaku stop, he knew Mikoto was there.
He dashed over, looming over her with a "kind" smile. "Little girl, what're you doing squatting here alone?"
Mikoto hadn't noticed Tsunade and Fugaku, but Ebara hadn't hidden his approach.
Her wide, terrified eyes locked on him.
"Mikoto, run!" Fugaku shouted.
He swung his elbow at Tsunade behind him.
The planned strike missed.
Tsunade was on guard, and Fugaku's current strength couldn't touch her.
Undeterred, Fugaku flicked three kunai from his hand, aiming at her in a triangular lock.
Tsunade's face flashed with surprise.
She hadn't expected such skill and cunning from a kid.
She let go of Fugaku, dodging aside.
Her Transformation Jutsu would break if hit.
Thud thud thud!
The kunai embedded deep in the tree trunk.
Fugaku flipped, landing beside Mikoto, scooped her up, and bolted.
Ebara was furious. "Damn it, the 'carry-the-girl-and-kill' move!"
In the original story, Kushina fell for Minato because of his moonlit "carry-the-girl-and-kill."
No moon, no night, but Fugaku nailed the rest.
Ebara's reverse play had backfired right into Fugaku's plan!