Leaving the Hokage's office, Ebara wanted to stroll with Tsunade, maybe hit the streets to "bond."
But Tsunade, impatient, cut him off. "Ebara, I'm heading back."
"So soon?" Ebara gaped.
"Nawaki's on a mission, not home," she said. "I know where he hides his cash. If I'm late, he'll be back. See you in two days."
With that, she bolted.
Ebara stood alone, deflated. "That's it?"
"Need company?" a raspy voice offered, sending chills down his spine.
He turned to flee. "No thanks, keep your whole family away!"
Glancing back, he saw Orochimaru's smug grin—proof the best way to handle a sleaze like Ebara was to out-sleaze him.
"Damn that Orochimaru, that creep," Ebara muttered, relieved he wasn't followed. "Gotta steer clear, or he'll corner me for some 'swordplay' one day."
"What's a creep?" a voice asked.
Ebara's first thought was Orochimaru catching up, but the voice was too gentle.
Turning, he saw a white-haired man.
"Sakumo! Thought it was someone else," Ebara said.
It was Hatake Sakumo, Kakashi's father.
Sakumo, their age, was reserved, unlike the boisterous Ebara, Jiraiya, or Tsunade.
"Good to see you, Ebara," Sakumo said with a smile. "So, what's a creep?"
Before Ebara could answer, two system options appeared:
[Option 1: Tell Sakumo the true meaning of 'creep.' Reward: 10 Stamina Attribute Points!]
[Option 2: Tell Sakumo 'creep' means genius. Reward: 10 Mental Attribute Points!]
No hesitation—Option 2.
"Creep means genius," Ebara said, setting a trap. "Like you, Sakumo. Total creep."
[Choice successful! Reward: 10 Mental Attribute Points!]
Sakumo nodded, unfazed. "Nah, I can't compare to you. You're the real creep."
Ebara forced a grin. "No way, I don't deserve it. I'm just a genin. You, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya are jonin. You're the creeps."
Sakumo smiled warmly. "If you're not a creep, no one is. I heard you drove off Chiyo from the Land of Wind. You're the true creep."
Ebara, deadpan, said, "Nah, you're creepier."
"You're the creep. Your whole family's creepy," Sakumo teased, still smiling.
"…"
"Can we drop this?" Ebara pleaded.
"You kept it going, creep general," Sakumo shot back.
Ebara sighed. "Dealing with smart guys like you is a pain. You see through everything."
Spotting a fruit stall nearby, he had an idea. "I'm grabbing some oranges. Stay here, don't move."
Checkmate, junior!
He had plenty of tricks from the 21st century—never left home without them.
As he moved, Sakumo grabbed him. "That's a long walk. Must be tiring!"
Ebara froze. "??"
Sakumo hit him with the same line—a father's quip from another story.
How did he know it?
"What's going on?" Ebara asked, confused.
"You pulled that orange trick on me when we were teens," Sakumo said. "When I used it back on you, you said the same thing."
Ebara gave a wry smile. "Fine, you're too damn clever."
Sakumo shrugged. "With a friend like you, I'd be screwed if I wasn't sharp."
"I'm not that bad," Ebara protested.
"Really?" Sakumo raised an eyebrow. "I heard Biwako Sarutobi's hunting you. Something about Asuma waving around a note saying 'shit' and telling everyone he wants to eat it. No connection, right?"
Ebara shook his head like a rattle. "None. Absolutely none."
Sakumo's face screamed, Yeah, right.
"Anyway, you didn't just stop me for fun, right?" Ebara asked.
Sakumo, unlike the outgoing Ebara or Jiraiya, was reserved.
Despite strength rivaling Jiraiya, Tsunade, or Orochimaru, he was less famous—not being the Third's disciple played a part.
"I need a favor," Sakumo said, nodding.
"Name it. I'll give you full support—except actual help," Ebara quipped.
Sakumo: "…"
"Kidding. What's up?"
"Can you lend me five thousand ryō?" Sakumo asked, sheepish.
"What?"
"Lend me five thousand ryō."
"Before that."
"I need a favor."
"No deal, bye!" Ebara turned to leave.
These days, everyone was hitting him up for emotional bonding. So costly.
"If only the world had more generous folks like Ichiro Ginkan," Ebara mused. "Did I ditch him too soon? Could've milked him longer."
A figure flashed in front—Sakumo again.
"Why me?" Ebara groaned.
"You're the only one in the village I can ask," Sakumo said.
His reserved nature left him with few friends.
Ebara sighed. "Fine. But why do you need so much?"
"Two thousand to take you to the red-light district," Sakumo said. "Three thousand for business."
Ebara's eyes lit up. "Damn, why didn't you lead with that? Here's the money!"
He quickly handed it over, then added righteously, "Don't get it twisted. I'm not lending it for the red-light district. It's purely for our brotherly bond!"
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