Chapter 84: Yahiko: This Old Man is Extremely Petty
"About that... well..." Ebizo, who was mid-sentence, instantly launched an attack, aiming a knuckle flick right at Yahiko, who was not far away.
You brat, you insisted on bringing your Summoned Beast back, didn't you!
You made this old man suffer a beating! Watch how I deal with you.
Watching his hand get closer and closer to Yahiko's head, and Yahiko's terrified face getting closer and closer to him, Ebizo finally couldn't suppress the smile on his face.
"Hahaha, you stinky brat, take this knuckle flick! Eh Eh Eh~"
Before Ebizo could celebrate, the hand that was about to strike Yahiko's head passed right through him. Immediately afterward, Ebizo stumbled and dashed forward.
"Huh! I'm actually fine."
Watching Ebizo pass directly through him, Yahiko, who had been terrified moments ago, instantly grinned widely and laughed.
He then turned to look at Ebizo, who had just stabilized his footing, bent over to stick out his butt, and slapped it hard twice with his right hand.
"Hey Come on Come and hit me!"
"You stinky brat, don't get cocky! Watch how this old man deals with you." Ebizo, who had just steadied himself, turned around only to see Yahiko sticking out his butt at him, immediately igniting his fury.
He immediately charged forward, his face full of rage.
But the result was predictable: he couldn't touch him at all.
"Hehe Can't hit me, can't hit me, nah nah nah"
"Hmph, you stinky brat, just you wait."
After trying various methods to no avail, Ebizo could only utter a threat before turning his gaze toward Shin.
"Although your illusion is realistic, it only prevents people from hitting him. As long as I ignore it, won't that be fine?"
[That's not right. Yahiko can attack you.]
"What, he's not a... Ouch, my head."
Before Ebizo could finish speaking, Yahiko, who had heard Shin's words, tried giving Ebizo a knuckle flick, and it actually landed.
Instantly, Yahiko's wide grin stretched almost to his ears.
"Ouch, you stinky brat, I... Ouch!"
Another knuckle flick.
"Uh, hehe... Sorry, Lord Ebizo. I thought the first time was an illusion, so I confirmed it once. You wouldn't hold a grudge against a child like me, right?"
"Heh heh! Of course, this old man! Would not! Hold a grudge!"
Watching Yahiko apologize to him with a wide, innocent look, Ebizo, knowing he couldn't do anything to him right now, gritted his teeth as he spoke.
Seeing Ebizo's furious, teeth-gritting expression and the two people behind Ebizo who looked somewhat unfriendly, Yahiko wisely decided to quit while he was ahead. He then turned toward Shin and asked,
"Shin, what's going on?"
[This is one of my abilities. I can create an illusion field. Within this illusion, others' attacks will hit your phantom image, while your attacks can pass through the illusion to hit others.]
"What! Doesn't that mean only he can hit us, but we can't hit him?"
Ebizo's shocked cry rang out.
[Yes. As long as you are within the range of my mist, no damage can harm Yahiko, unless the attack used can completely cover or even exceed the range of my mist.]
"???"
"Hahahaha~"
Seeing Ebizo display an expression of utter disbelief, Yahiko finally couldn't help but burst into laughter again.
Hahaha, I, Yahiko, am truly the legendary Child of Destiny! I, Yahiko, have finally found my cheat ability!
When the time comes, I'll make Konan and Nagato... Uh... Yahiko's smile abruptly froze, because he realized that even with Shin, he probably still couldn't defeat Konan and Nagato.
Both of them possess large-scale Ninjutsu.
Watching Yahiko suddenly fall into a state of dejection, Ebizo scratched his clever large head.
To be honest, having been in charge of intelligence work in Hidden Sand Village for so many years, he considered himself quite adept at reading people. But recently, he found it increasingly difficult to understand the thoughts of the younger generation in Hidden Sand Village. He felt like they weren't acting like Ninja anymore, such as Yahiko, who was suddenly dejected right now.
Shouldn't he be happy after encountering such a powerful Summoned Beast?
"Shin, since illusion is one of your abilities, what is your other ability?"
Ignoring Yahiko entirely, Ebizo continued to question Shin. After all, as an intelligence chief, he couldn't miss any opportunity to gather information.
[My other ability is being able to understand what marine life is trying to express.]
"Huh, you can actually have an ability like that?"
[Yes. Because I was too bored, I would communicate with passing creatures. Over time, I discovered I could understand what they were trying to convey.]
"So that's how it is. I thought it was an innate ability of yours."
"Then, can you use this ability to communicate with other marine animals and find out where valuable resources are located?"
[Yes, I can. I used this method to help the Second Mizukage earn four hundred million Ryo a year.]
"Second Mizukage! Four hundred million Ryo a year!"
This old man smells gossip.
[Yes, that's right. Back then...]
"I see, so that's the truth."
"I always wondered why the Land of Water, which is such a small place—the smallest territory with the lowest population—"
"Suddenly became rich and implemented all sorts of reforms in the Hidden Mist Village."
"And the Second Mizukage didn't look like someone who knew how to make money."
"So the root of everything was with you all along."
[Mhm mhm. I worked very hard to earn money so I could see the scenery outside.]
"It must have been hard for you to be saddled with a predecessor like that, but all of that is in the past now."
Ebizo first comforted the poor Shin, then his eyes darted around, as if he had thought of something, and he abruptly changed the subject.
"Although Yahiko seems unreliable, I watched him grow up."
"Since he was little, that child has regarded money as dirt and can't stand seeing others wronged."
"When he was little, he saw an uncle who was starving and insisted on giving the man the only fish he had, even though it meant being chased down the street."
"Now that you've formed a contract with him, he definitely won't make you return to the sea just for money. Instead, he will take you sightseeing and traveling."
"Isn't that right, Yahiko!"
After speaking, Ebizo turned his head and looked slyly at the stunned Yahiko.
"What's wrong, Yahiko? Why aren't you speaking! Don't tell me you're like the Second Mizukage, contracting with Shin just for money? If that's the case, how are you any different from that scumbag, the Second Mizukage!"
Seeing Yahiko remain silent, Ebizo continued to press the attack while the iron was hot.
Yahiko: "...Hehe, of course. How could I, Yahiko, be that kind of person? People like the Second Mizukage... I despise them the most!" (He was genuinely thinking this.)
Wait, old man, are you really that petty? I just gave you two knuckle flicks, and now you want to ruin me?
Hearing Yahiko's words, a victorious smile finally appeared on Ebizo's face.
You little rascal, as if I don't know what you're thinking!
Seeing Yahiko's slightly unnatural expression, Shin indicated that although she was a bit naive, she wasn't stupid.
[It's alright. Yahiko has already promised me, and I believe him!]
[Besides... if there's no financial support, Yahiko won't be able to take me out to play with peace of mind either.]
"Tsk tsk." Hearing Shin's reply, Ebizo sighed with emotion. "What luck does this kid have to meet such a wonderful Summoned Beast."
But then he suddenly thought of something else, and a smile reappeared on Ebizo's face.
"Yahiko~ This old man suddenly thought of another question!"
"Huh?! Elder Ebizo, I don't think there are any problems!"
Faced with Ebizo's renewed questioning, Yahiko indicated that he didn't want to know. He just wanted to take Shin and leave this place.
"Yahiko! See, you're getting anxious. My question is very serious."
"Uh... really serious?"
"Yes, very serious!"
"Not tricking me?"
"Not tricking you!"
"A Hidden Sand Village Ninja doesn't lie to a Hidden Sand Village Ninja!"
"A Hidden Sand Village Ninja doesn't lie to a Hidden Sand Village Ninja!"
"Alright, Elder Ebizo, go ahead and speak."
Seeing that Ebizo didn't seem to be joking this time, Yahiko asked seriously.
"Then this old man will speak: Have you thought about how to get Shin back into the deep sea, specifically to a place with lots of fish?"
"Haha, that's easy. I'll just go there first and then Summon Shin over."
Seeing that Ebizo was asking such a simple question, Yahiko's anxious heart immediately settled down, and he replied without hesitation.
"Oh~ And what happens when the Summoning ends?"
"After the Summoning ends, Shin naturally returns to... Gak...!"
That's right!
When the Summoning ends, won't it just come back here again!
Seeing Yahiko's suddenly frozen smile, Ebizo's smile bloomed anew.
"Hehehe~ Looks like you figured it out."
"Cheer up! Young man, you're young and full of ideas. I believe you'll definitely figure out a solution."
After speaking, Ebizo turned and walked toward Chiyo and Uzumaki Roka.
"Huahua, I'll go catch a fish for you from the sea in a bit. Tonight, I'll make you a Sashimi Rice Ball..."
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