The next morning, Ebara sprang out of bed with a carp-like flip.
He glanced down.
A perverse grin spread across his face.
"Standing tall, ready to conquer future wives!"
After washing up and eating breakfast, Ebara headed to the Ninja Academy.
As soon as he reached the office, he sensed something off.
Shimura Mahaya's gaze was brimming with smugness.
"Ebara, you're in trouble…" Sanjo, a teacher friendly with Ebara, whispered.
"What's up?"
Ebara asked, clueless.
"Mahaya's been saying he'll make you pack your bags and leave today."
"Why?"
Was it because he loved studying?
Before Sanjo could reply, several figures appeared outside the office.
Koharu Utatane, Mitokado Homura, and the Third Hokage.
"Ebara, come with me," the Third said, his face grim.
"Alright."
Ebara nodded.
"Teacher Mahaya, you too," the Third added, turning to Shimura Mahaya.
"No problem," Mahaya said cheerfully, his eyes gleaming with triumph as he looked at Ebara.
It was as if he was saying, Your time's up.
If Ebara still didn't get it by now, he'd have lived two lives for nothing.
"You little punk, tripping me up again."
"Just you wait."
"If I don't make you regret this, my name's not Ebara."
Ebara shot Mahaya a glare.
In the meeting room, the Third took the head seat.
Two chairs flanked him—one for Homura, who sat on his right, and one for Koharu, who was about to sit on his left.
But a figure beat her to it.
When Koharu saw who it was, she nearly blew a gasket.
"Is that seat for you?" she snapped.
At that moment, three options appeared in Ebara's mind.
[Option 1: Become a lackey, wipe the chair clean for Koharu, and leave. Reward: –10 Spirit attribute points.]
[Option 2: Stay silent, get up, and leave. Reward: –5 Strength attribute points.]
[Option 3: Never compromise, fight to the end. Reward: Wind Style: Vacuum Great Bullet]
Did he even need to think?
Option 3, obviously!
"Are you talking to me?" Ebara asked, feigning innocence as he looked at Koharu.
"Is there anyone else here?" Koharu retorted, almost laughing from anger.
She'd never seen such a shameless person.
Today, she got an eyeful.
A lowly kid dared to steal a seat meant for Konoha's elite.
"Since you're talking to me, then… call me Handsome!" Ebara suddenly raised his voice, shouting loud enough for the whole building to hear.
His outburst stunned not just Koharu but the Third, Homura, and Mahaya too.
It was like walking down the street and someone suddenly yelling at you—you'd freeze up too.
After a long pause, Koharu, nearing forty, trembled with rage.
"You… dare speak to me like that!"
"Who do you think you are? Why can't I talk to you like that?" Ebara sneered.
"You little bastard…"
"Who're you calling a little bastard?"
"I'm calling you a little bastard!"
"Exactly, you're the little bastard calling me out…"
"Pfft!"
Two snickers came from beside Ebara.
The Third and Homura.
Ebara's audacity was too much—they couldn't help but laugh.
Even the Third, who thought Ebara was unreliable, didn't want to kick him out of the academy.
"Hm?"
Koharu, outtalked by Ebara, turned her anger on the Third and Homura, glaring at them.
"What's so funny?"
The Third was about to brush it off when he recalled a trick Ebara once used on him.
"I remembered something happy."
"What?"
"The neighbor's wife had a baby."
"Pfft."
Homura, who'd been keeping a straight face, cracked up.
"What's you laughing at?" Koharu demanded.
"I remembered something happy too," Homura admitted.
The Third's words sent his mind wandering.
"Do you live next to the Third?" Koharu asked, squinting.
Homura's face darkened instantly.
What kind of insult was that?
"Ahem… Let's get back to the point," Homura said, clearing his throat.
"Shimura Mahaya, confess your crimes!" Ebara suddenly barked at Mahaya.
Ebara's Performance Rule #1: Never let your opponent control the narrative. Steal the show!
"???"
Four faces went blank.
Mahaya was utterly baffled.
I'm the criminal?
"I…" Mahaya pointed at himself, speechless.
That wasn't the script!
"Of course it's you. Who else would it be—me?" Ebara shot back.
It really is you, the Third thought, barely holding back a chuckle.
But he didn't interrupt Ebara.
Compared to Homura, Koharu, and Mahaya, he trusted Ebara more.
"As a teacher at the Ninja Academy, you don't focus on teaching or nurturing students. Instead, you spread rumors and stir trouble."
"I'm ashamed to call you a colleague."
"You think your little schemes can fool the Third?"
"He's seen through you from the start."
"Quit the academy now, and you might save face."
"Keep being stubborn, and don't blame the Third for showing no mercy."
Ebara declared righteously.
He knew the art of waving a big flag to wear a tiger's skin.
In Konoha, the Third held the highest authority.
Sure, the Third might think Ebara was unreliable.
But if they really pushed Ebara out of the academy, it'd be a slap in the Third's face.
After all, Ebara got the teaching job because the Third fought for him.
Getting fired after six months? That'd make the Third look bad.
By pulling the Third into his corner, Ebara spooked Mahaya.
Mahaya had only rallied Homura and Koharu.
The Hokage, ultimately, was the Third.
He had the final say on Ebara's fate.
Ebara's bold move stunned Homura and Koharu too.
They'd brought the Third along, but he hadn't shown his stance.
Did it seem like the Third had no intention of punishing Ebara?
Koharu wasn't having it. "Third, we're here to deal with Ebara's issues."
"How'd this turn into Mahaya's problem?"
Before the Third could respond, Ebara put on a wronged expression, even squeezing out some tears.
But he didn't let them fall—just let them shimmer in his eyes for maximum effect.
"What issues do I have?"
"I work tirelessly to teach, pouring my heart and soul into those kids."
"To make them stronger, I've slaved away, wracking my brain."
"Just yesterday, I studied until I was exhausted."
"And now you say I have issues?"