Ebara grabbed the owner's wife. "I'm really not here for that."
Her enthusiasm cooled visibly. "Then why're you stirring trouble? Scram!"
Ebara: …I didn't stir anything.
He repeated what he told the owner.
"What? An enemy in our inn?" Her eyes lit up, hyped. "That cool-acting guy with sunglasses?"
"He didn't look right from the start."
Sunglasses and cool? Sounds like an Aburame clansman.
"No, not him," Ebara said.
"Then that creepy old man eyeing me?" she huffed. "Knew he was trouble."
Lady, not everyone's slacking off. Some old guys have dreams.
"He should be registered as Kurokawa. Check it," Ebara said, cutting off her guesses.
"Oh, him! Pretty boy, like a girl. Almost as cute as you," she said.
"You remember him? Which room?" Ebara asked.
"Second floor, end of the hall."
"Need help? I can use my charm to stall him!" she offered, striking a flirty pose, clearly hoping Kurokawa would bite.
"No need, I've got this," Ebara refused.
What a couple. Total opposites.
"Keep your husband from running. Don't alert the enemy," Ebara instructed.
"Easy," she said, still eager. "Sure you don't want my charm?"
"Positive."
Ebara glanced at the owner, unfazed by his wife's antics, clearly used to it.
What can you do? Forgive her.
She quickly subdued her husband.
Ebara reviewed his plan mentally, checking for flaws, waiting for Jiraiya and Orochimaru.
They arrived, transformed into women.
Orochimaru was an icy beauty; Jiraiya, a brainless busty bimbo.
Ebara told the wife to stay hidden, transformed into her, and led the duo upstairs.
At the hallway's end, they exchanged glances.
Ebara took a deep breath and knocked.
Knock knock knock!
The door opened.
Smiling broadly, Ebara said, "Sir, would you like a…"
He froze, unable to finish.
It wasn't a man—a stunning woman, sleek and radiant, just shy of Tsunade's beauty.
Her "talents" weren't close to Tsunade's, though.
Jiraiya's eyes locked on her, thinking, She's gorgeous. I could forgive her.
"What'd you say?" Kurokawa asked, arms crossed.
"Sorry, thought you were a guy, so I asked if you wanted a…" Ebara trailed off. "Guess not."
"I want one," Kurokawa said, deliberate.
"What?" Ebara couldn't believe his ears.
"Didn't hear? I said I want one."
Her gaze swept Ebara and Orochimaru, landing on Jiraiya. "You."
Of course, everyone loves the busty ones.
"Good taste," Ebara said, nodding.
"Don't leave. Come in, sit. I'll pay," Kurokawa said to Ebara and Orochimaru.
Ebara hesitated half a second. "Sure."
Kurokawa gestured them in.
The small room was open, no hiding spots. Ebara noted the window—perfect for a quick escape.
No wonder she picked it.
"Last night's wine's still here. Want some?" Kurokawa asked, all charm.
"No thanks. Just the payment, and we'll go," Ebara said, smiling.
"What's the rush? We could keep doing business. One might not be enough," she said, grinning.
Ebara flashed a greedy, owner-like smile. "Sounds good."
"Wait a sec," Kurokawa said, pouring wine at the bedside, back to them.
Jiraiya and Ebara's eyes locked on her, entranced.
She seemed to sense it, slowing her pour.
The two perverts exchanged a knowing look.
Got it.
"Wine's ready," Kurokawa said, bringing four cups.
"One each, just right. I'll drink first."
She downed hers, smiling at them.
Orochimaru eyed the wine, a cold glint in his eyes.
Something's in it.
Ebara grinned. "Of course we'll drink…"
He and Jiraiya raised their cups, pretending to sip.
As Kurokawa watched, they flung the wine at her.
They attacked in sync.
Her eyes splashed, she dodged effortlessly, landing on the bed.
Ebara and Jiraiya dropped their disguises.
Ebara glared at "Kurokawa," scanning the room. "Kurokawa, show yourself. Think this puppet fools us? Dream on."
From the moment he saw "Kurokawa," Ebara didn't buy it.
Though she matched the system's portrait 70-80%, her actions confirmed his suspicions.
"A flirty puppet to trick us? You underestimate us," Ebara said.
"Not to brag, but I've seen more women than roads you've walked," Jiraiya boasted.
"Kurokawa's" movements—stiff, mechanical—gave her away.
Her drinking poisoned wine to bait them screamed obvious trap.
"Thought I'd send you off quietly. Guess not," a raspy voice echoed, nearly identical to the female one.
Kurokawa's male voice in a female puppet? No wonder.
Ebara had a bold idea.
Capture Kurokawa, have him make a dozen female puppets, open an "experience hall" with his natural female voice.
Big money!