Chapter 33 - Danzo's Plot? Jiraiya's Arrest
"Lord Hokage, the village fight's been investigated," an Anbu member said, kneeling before the Third.
"Who was it?"
"Ebara clashed with other Anbu members."
The Third's brow furrowed. "That incident… is Ebara tied to it too?"
The Anbu stayed silent. He wasn't cleared to comment.
"How'd it end… never mind, pointless question," the Third said, chuckling. "Ebara's improved, but he's no match for two Anbu."
"Actually… Ebara won," the Anbu said, uneasy.
He shuddered, recalling his colleagues' fates.
"What?" The Third's eyes widened, disbelieving.
When did Ebara get that strong, beating two Anbu?
The Anbu were Konoha's elite—minimum chunin, and elite ones at that. In pairs, their teamwork could fend off jonin.
Yet they couldn't take down a genin like Ebara?
Absurd.
"Tell me what happened," the Third urged.
"One Anbu was outmatched by Ebara. Plus, Ebara fought dirty, attacking his… rear," the Anbu said.
"Rear attack? That's normal, isn't it?" the Third said, puzzled.
"Not that rear—the other one."
The Third got it instantly.
He'd seen Ebara's Thousand Years of Death.
What a guy.
Last time, he hit Mahaya's vitals (Chapter 12). Now, an Anbu's rear.
Classic Ebara.
"And the other Anbu? With his partner's lesson, he wouldn't fall for it, right?" the Third asked.
"He was cautious, keeping Ebara at a distance. Skilled in ninjutsu, he quickly suppressed him," the Anbu said.
The Third nodded, pleased. "Good. Then?"
"Ebara, seeing he couldn't win, ran. The Anbu chased, then saw you."
The Third pointed his pipe at himself. "Me? Transformation Jutsu?"
His forehead vein pulsed, sensing trouble.
"Yes. While escaping, Ebara met the First Hokage's grandson, Nawaki. He had Nawaki transform into him while he posed as you, tricking the Anbu into leading them to Danzo," the Anbu said.
"Stop. I can guess," the Third said. "That brat Ebara ambushed the Anbu, didn't he? Using my face!"
He nearly crushed his pipe, imagining Ebara, disguised as him, hands clasped in a sleazy pose, sneaking up on the Anbu's rear.
The Third shivered, furious.
He was the Hokage, damn it!
"Bring that brat here!" he roared, shaking the Hokage office.
"No need. I'm here," Ebara said, pushing open the door, striding in with Nawaki.
"Great, you walked into the trap yourself," the Third said, trembling with anger.
"Not a trap. I want to know what's going on. Was it worth sending Anbu after me? One word from you, and I'd have come," Ebara said, grinning cheekily.
The Third scoffed, unconvinced.
Ebara was Konoha's biggest headache.
Taking a deep breath to calm himself, he waved at the Anbu. "Leave."
"Nawaki, you too."
"Yes, sir," they said, exiting.
"What's going on, Third?" Ebara asked, dropping the grin, serious now.
"Jiraiya killed someone," the Third said.
"No surprise there. Jiraiya's a single dog—billions have 'died' by his hand," Ebara quipped.
"What are you talking about?"
"Nothing, nothing. Go on."
The Third took a deep drag on his pipe, sighing. "Three Anbu guarding the Konoha lab were killed. No losses in the lab, but three lives are gone. Every clue points to Jiraiya."
Ebara's first thought: "Was it that old geezer Danzo framing him?"
The Third gave him a look. "You really hate Danzo, huh?"
"Who doesn't? It's weird if anyone likes him."
The Third shook his head, saying nothing.
"When was the lab attacked?" Ebara asked.
"Last night, 1 to 2 a.m."
"No way. Jiraiya was at home… uh, 'rushing' then."
"Rushing?"
"Just… expending energy for spiritual transcendence."
"What nonsense," the Third said. "What happened? Any witnesses?"
"Yes, a lab worker. He swore he saw a summoned toad."
"Summoned toad?!" Ebara's brow furrowed.
In the ninja world, only Jiraiya summoned toads.
"Could he have been mistaken?"
"He was certain."
"Where's Jiraiya now?"
"Locked up."
"What'd he say?"
"He denies it but won't say what he was doing."
Ebara smirked. He knew why Jiraiya was mum.
"Alright, if Jiraiya's the suspect, why grab me? I was sleeping soundly at home," Ebara said, baffled.
It clearly had nothing to do with him.
"Danzo's call. He didn't tell me why," the Third said.
"Then let's ask that old geezer what he's after," Ebara said, fuming.
The Third nodded. He got why Danzo nabbed Jiraiya, but Ebara? Was Danzo targeting his allies to weaken him?
Deep concerns swirled.