Ebisu

"Keep your voice down. Iruka-sensei might come back looking for us, and he isn't our only target."

Yi Xiang lowered his voice as he spoke to Naruto. When Naruto nodded, he immediately surveyed the area.

Seeing that there was hardly anyone around, he suddenly pushed off with both legs and leaped onto a rooftop.

Then he sprang toward a tall, leafy tree nearby whose name he didn't know. His feet stuck firmly to the bark as he made his way up toward the treetop.

Choosing a height from which he could overlook the Ninja Academy, Yi Xiang used the cover of the lush green branches to spy on the targets of their next move.

From what he could see, there were barely any people in the hallways, classrooms, or offices. He also spotted two familiar faces: Might Guy and Kakashi.

After scanning the area again, Yi Xiang sighed regretfully.

"Where did that guy Ebisu go? Don't tell me he's still teaching Konohamaru during the break. Hmm, that's possible."

Based on his previous two experiences, Yi Xiang figured it would be best to look for people who seemed like upright gentlemen. That would give them a better chance of knocking someone out. Besides, he hadn't forgotten that the future Naruto had used the Harem Technique to knock out Ebisu.

With that, Yi Xiang quickly retraced his route to the ground, where he saw Naruto warily looking around. Anyone who saw that expression would know he was up to no good.

With you keeping watch like that, Naruto, you'd definitely share the blame for the organization's downfall.

After silently mocking him, Yi Xiang returned his voice to its normal volume.

"Let's go, Naruto. The Ninja Academy is practically empty. We'll look for someone else."

"Okay, big brother Yi Xiang."

Naruto hurried after Yi Xiang, looking a little disappointed. Clearly, he wasn't satisfied with having knocked out only one teacher.

Just after Yi Xiang left, Kakashi suddenly appeared at the spot where Yi Xiang had been spying on the Ninja Academy. He watched the two of them leave and also noticed two Anbu and a Root member.

Yi Xiang suddenly felt that his luck was exceptionally good today. He'd searched everywhere from the Ninja Academy to the Hokage Building and even the Third Hokage's residence, but hadn't found Ebisu.

He'd had no choice but to look for another target. But when he passed the Shueisha Hall bookstore, he turned a corner and stumbled upon a pleasant surprise.

There was Ebisu, wearing sunglasses and a headband with a black, skintight combat outfit, glancing at some magazines by the entrance.

Yi Xiang didn't hesitate. He lowered his voice and spoke into Naruto's ear.

"Naruto, our target's here. See the guy wearing sunglasses? He's a teacher too."

At that, Naruto sneaked a glance at Ebisu, then nodded to show he understood. He didn't know this teacher, but he trusted Yi Xiang completely, so he immediately prepared to play along.

Seeing that the time was right, Yi Xiang stepped forward to stop Ebisu, a big smile spreading across his face.

"You must be... the famous Ebisu-sensei! I can't believe I'd run into you here. My name's Umi, and this is my younger brother, Kaiso."

Big brother Yi Xiang sure can make things up. He came up with a plan and even picked out my name in no time.

Thinking this, Naruto stood beside Yi Xiang and grinned too. Unlike the stiff, unnatural smiles he'd managed before, this time he looked so convincing that an ordinary person wouldn't suspect a thing.

Ebisu secretly scrutinized the two honest-looking brothers. Deciding that if he couldn't tell they were fakes, they must be genuine, he awkwardly rubbed the back of his head. But his face was full of smug delight as he pretended to be modest.

"So my reputation as an elite teacher is already that widespread! Hahahaha..."

Go on, keep laughing. The more you want to laugh now, the higher I want that nosebleed to spray later.

Thinking confidently, Yi Xiang smiled even more broadly.

"More than famous! My daughter really wants you to teach her. She's always telling me how cool you look when you're teaching other students.

"As it happens, my daughter's here too. Come meet her, Ebisu-sensei. She'll be thrilled to see you."

Seeing the fine lines on Yi Xiang's middle-aged face, and hearing the sincerity in his voice, Ebisu agreed at once. He didn't have anything important to do, after all.

"All right, then. Take me to meet your daughter. But I should warn you, I don't have much time to teach her. I can only chat with her for a few minutes at most."

"No problem, Ebisu-sensei. She'll be happy just knowing you're willing to meet her."

Yi Xiang and Naruto immediately flanked Ebisu and started walking him toward an alleyway.

If the Anbu hadn't relayed the Third Hokage's warning earlier, they would've used the Transformation Technique right there on the street.

That might have let them knock out a few more passersby, and saved Yi Xiang the trouble of dealing with them one at a time.

When they reached the alley and saw that it was empty—and a dead end—Ebisu looked at the two of them in confusion.

"Ebisu-sensei, get ready~ Here comes a treat! Don't blink~"

Yi Xiang spoke in a teasing tone. He'd deliberately chosen a quiet dead-end alley.

"Transformation!"

"Transformation!"

Ebisu had just started to break away from them when the two, who had been prepared in advance, each grabbed one of his hands. He glanced sideways—and froze.

The one on his left wore a purple skirt that fluttered lightly. His skin was fair and delicate, his eyes bright and captivating. Though he hadn't spoken, he seemed as gentle and lovely as an orchid.

The one on his right was looking straight at him with big, watery eyes. His long, lustrous blond hair fluttered in the breeze.

"Ebisu-sensei~ Are you all right~~?"

Yi Xiang was the first to speak in a sweet, feminine voice. He suddenly wrapped both arms around Ebisu's left arm.

He was just about to say something else when two thick streams of bright red blood suddenly shot from Ebisu's nose. He collapsed to the ground, his body twitching as if he'd been electrocuted.

"Poof!"

"Big brother, is he going to be okay? What do we do? Should we take him to the hospital?"

Naruto, back in his middle-aged form, fired off one question after another, sounding somewhat anxious.

"Let's wait and see. He's at least a Chunin. He can't be that fragile."

What's going on? This doesn't make sense! When Naruto used the Harem Technique with all those clones, Ebisu was only out for a little while. There are just two of us—does he think he can scam us?

Though worried inside, Yi Xiang kept up a calm front, as if nothing serious could happen.

Seeing this, Naruto grew less anxious too.

A few seconds later, Ebisu, still lying on the ground, suddenly spoke.

"Who... are you? How dare you sneak up on me with such a despicable jutsu?"

"Kaiso, he's fine. We should get out of here."

With that, Yi Xiang grabbed Naruto, who looked both delighted and stunned, and ran off into the distance.