"About that... well..." Ebizō, 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 Kuchiyose 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, Ebizō finally couldn't suppress the smile on his face.
"Hahaha, you stinky brat, take this knuckle flick! Eh~ Eh~ Eh~"
Before Ebizō could celebrate, the hand that was about to strike Yahiko's head passed right through him. Immediately afterward, Ebizō stumbled and dashed forward.
"Huh! I'm actually fine."
Watching Ebizō pass directly through him, Yahiko, who had been terrified moments ago, instantly grinned widely and laughed. He then turned to look at Ebizō, 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." Ebizō, who had just steadied himself, turned around only to see Yahiko sticking out his butt at him, immediately igniting his fury. He 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, Ebizō could only utter a threat before turning his gaze toward Shinkai.
"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 Ebizō could finish speaking, Yahiko, who had heard Shinkai's words, tried giving Ebizō 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, Ebizō-sama. 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, Ebizō, knowing he couldn't do anything to him right now, gritted his teeth as he spoke. Seeing Ebizō's furious, teeth-gritting expression and the two people behind Ebizō who looked somewhat unfriendly, Yahiko wisely decided to quit while he was ahead. He then turned toward Shinkai and asked,
"Shinkai, 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?" Ebizō'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 Ebizō 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 Shinkai, 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, Ebizō scratched his clever large head. To be honest, having been in charge of intelligence work in Sunagakure 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. He felt like they weren't acting like Ninja anymore, such as Yahiko, who was suddenly dejected right now.
"Shinkai, since illusion is one of your abilities, what is your other ability?"
Ignoring Yahiko entirely, Ebizō continued to question Shinkai. 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 Nidaime Mizukage earn four hundred million Ryo a year.]
"Nidaime 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 suddenly became rich and implemented all sorts of reforms in Kirigakure. And the Nidaime 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."
Ebizō first comforted the poor Shinkai, 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, Ebizō 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 Nidaime Mizukage, contracting with Shinkai just for money? If that's the case, how are you any different from that scumbag!"
Seeing Yahiko remain silent, Ebizō 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 Nidaime Mizukage... I despise them the most!"
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 Ebizō's face. You little rascal, as if I don't know what you're thinking!
Seeing Yahiko's slightly unnatural expression, Shinkai 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 Shinkai's reply, Ebizō sighed with emotion. "What luck does this kid have to meet such a wonderful Kuchiyose beast."
But then he suddenly thought of something else, and a smile reappeared on Ebizō's face.
"Yahiko~ This old man suddenly thought of another question!"
"Huh?! Ebizō-sama, I don't think there are any problems!"
Faced with Ebizō's renewed questioning, Yahiko indicated that he didn't want to know. He just wanted to take Shinkai 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 Suna Ninja doesn't lie to a Suna Ninja!"
"A Suna Ninja doesn't lie to a Suna Ninja!"
"Alright, Ebizō-sama, go ahead and speak."
Seeing that Ebizō didn't seem to be joking this time, Yahiko asked seriously.
"Then this old man will speak: Have you thought about how to get Shinkai 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 Kuchiyose Shinkai over."
Seeing that Ebizō was asking such a simple question, Yahiko's anxious heart immediately settled down, and he replied without hesitation.
"Oh~ And what happens when the Kuchiyose ends?"
"After the Kuchiyose ends, Shinkai naturally returns to... Gak...!"
That's right! When the Kuchiyose ends, won't it just come back here again!
Seeing Yahiko's suddenly frozen smile, Ebizō'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, Ebizō turned and walked toward Chiyo-sama and Roka Uzumaki.
"Hana, I'll go catch a fish for you from the sea in a bit. Tonight, I'll make you a Sashimi Rice Ball..."
Would you like me to translate Yahiko's panic as he realizes he has a forty-meter clam stuck on a beach?