Konoha Drunkard

Although the surrounding whispers were quiet, Ebisu heard them clearly, which only made him feel more miserable. Couldn't they have stopped making comparisons? Everyone was comparing him to Asuma's former bodyguards, highlighting how successful Genma Shiranui was compared to how pathetic Ebisu's situation was. And now, he had offended a super-powerful figure.

"Alright everyone, I'm leaving now. I'll come back when I have time."

Asma finished speaking and turned to leave gracefully. Although he was heartbroken, he still felt quite awkward being held so tightly by his younger brother.

After seeing Asuma off, everyone went home. Ebisu was quite uneasy about the super boss's little tricks, but life had to go on. After seeing his boss off, Ebisu headed to the mission room as usual. A small mission every day was his normal job. Having been Asuma's right-hand man for so long, although he hadn't been well-liked in recent years, he still had enough for basic living expenses. This was all given to him by Asuma. He wasn't the type to squander money, so the money Asuma gave him was enough for him to live on for several years. Moreover, a simple mission every day was enough to cover his expenses for the whole day.

"Brother Zeye, thank you for this task."

Ebisu spent a long time choosing and finally settled on a simple task: helping an old man hunt a wild boar in the forest outside the village. The pay was high, it didn't take much time or effort, and could be done in an hour. But he would have to stay at home worrying all day. That's how "comfortable and reassuring" life is.

"Sorry you're late, this task was already taken this morning."

The man named Zeye glanced at the traitor and said lazily.

He hated this kind of traitor the most. If Shanks hadn't told him today, he really wouldn't have known that this person who was usually so polite to him was actually a traitor.

He hated traitors more than anything in his life. His leg was cut off because of a traitor's betrayal, so in an instant, his goodwill towards Ebisu plummeted to minus ninety degrees!

"Then... why is it still here in the unclaimed section?"

Ebisu looked puzzled; this kind of thing had never happened before in the mission room.

"I was too busy this morning and forgot. I only remembered when you brought it to me."

Nono leaned against the chair, one leg propped up on the table, the other leg unable to be placed on it because it had no thigh or lower body.

"What about these?"

Ebisu received another equally simple task.

"Ah, this one has also been taken. I don't know why, but there are so many people coming to accept tasks today. All the low-level and simple tasks have been taken. And I'm the only one on duty today, so I can't keep up and I forgot to register many of them."

Ze Ye said indifferently.

589. A Speaker Who Was Delayed

"Zeno, please register me. My three kids are waiting."

At this moment, a Jonin leading the team came over and handed over the task that Ebisu had just put back to help the old man hunt to Norino.

"No problem, you take the three kids first, and I'll register you later."

This time, Norino's attitude was completely different from his attitude towards Ebisu.

"No, Brother Zeye, didn't you say that mission was taken by someone else?"

Ebisu was dumbfounded. When he took it earlier, he was told that someone else had already taken it, but now that he's at someone else's place, they're registering it for them. What's going on?

"Yes, someone took her away. Didn't you see that yourself?"

Nono shrugged at Ebisu and said.

"...Brother Zeye, I haven't offended you, have I? Is there any need for this?"

If he still couldn't see it, then he might as well give up. But he really couldn't figure out what was going on.

"Yes! You haven't offended me, but do you know how I lost this leg? It was because of a traitor. Do you know that the people I hate most in this life are traitors? It's only because of peacetime that I saved you, you bastard, otherwise I would have killed you first. You want to take on a mission, right? Sure, the first one in the middle is to kill the Tsuchikage Onoki. Let's see if you have the guts to take it. From now on, as long as I'm on duty, I will only register that mission for you."

Ebisu's question only ignited Norino's powder keg. Norino placed a wooden prosthetic leg on the table and launched into a tirade against Ebisu.

"........."

Ebisu was sprayed in the face but dared not say a word. He knew he would be punished, but he did not expect Lord Shanks' revenge to come so quickly. The boss had just left and the revenge came immediately.

And it's a complete wipeout. If he's not mistaken, it's not just Zeya; everyone working in the mission room has definitely been dealt with by Shanks. This cuts off his path to leveling up and experience; he'll be a Chunin forever from now on... That's so damn ruthless!

As for that quest in the top middle column that's almost obsolete... let's just forget about it. He only had two or three pounds of lean meat and he was buried as soon as he entered the border of the Land of Earth.

"What? You have the guts to be a traitor but not the guts to take the job? Traitors never have a good ending, you bastard!"

After Nono finished yelling at Ebisu, he ignored him and sat down to close his eyes and contemplate life.

He didn't originally intend to berate Ebisu. Although Ebisu wasn't a very good person in the past, he had always been polite to him. Especially in recent years, Ebisu had changed a lot. However, thinking about the future of this village, with someone already having a history of treason, what would happen when war broke out? Who knew who else would follow his old path? He was lucky to have only lost a leg; if he had been unlucky, he would have been dead long ago. So, before Ebisu arrived, he became angrier and angrier. In the end, he couldn't help but berate Ebisu, hoping to wake him up. Even if you're a rogue ninja, don't be a traitor; you'll have your ancestors' graves dug up.

"In that case, I'll be going now."

Ebisu turned and left the mission room with tears in his eyes. Once outside, Ebisu felt his entire life had turned dark. He used to often tease Uncle Dai for being a Chunin for eternity, but judging from the current situation, he would probably be a Chunin for decades to come. At least Uncle Dai became a legend of Konoha after his death, single-handedly taking on the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, killing four with a single punch and kick, and severely injuring and killing the other three. Even if Ebisu wanted to do that, he didn't have the strength to do it.

Moreover, Shanks' status in the village is higher than that of the Hokage, and the village's Grand Marshal is his son-in-law. It would be incredibly easy for him to suppress a mere Chunin.

Ebisu never expected Shanks to be so cunning. He had waited all night, ready to grovel before Shanks, but Shanks didn't even come to his door with a knife, and instead shut him down without giving him a chance to grovel.

"Huh? Aren't you that...you know...Shou? Why do you look so listless?"

As Ebisu walked aimlessly through the streets of Konoha, a lewd and flamboyant voice rang out.

Ebisu turned around and saw Jiraiya waving at him. Jiraiya had originally planned to go to the hospital to continue driving the dragon this morning, but he thought about how the injury he was beaten up yesterday was still painful, so he gave up the idea and decided to go after he recovered. Since he was back in the village, he should rest well and enjoy the scenery. After having breakfast, Jiraiya was walking towards the bathhouse when he saw Ebisu looking dejected. He vaguely remembered Ebisu, after all, he was the kid who used to dominate the street with that thug Asuma, but he just couldn't remember his name.

"Lord Jiraiya, what are you doing here?"

"Ah, it's been years since I've been back to the village. It's a rare treat to come back, so I'm wandering around and seeing how the village has changed. By the way, why do you look so lost? Even Asma's dream girl getting married wasn't this bad."

Zilai also laughed.

"Lord Jiraiya, please stop joking! I'm having a real problem!"

"I'm disappointed," Ebisu said.

"Tell me what it is, and I'll help you figure it out. There's nothing in Konoha that I can't do."

Jiraiya patted his chest. As a senior, he was so kind to help his juniors. Jiraiya-sama was truly a good person! Jiraiya himself admired himself.

"Here's what happened! ?%#:)$＃…………"

Ebisu honestly recounted how he betrayed Shanks, though with some artistic embellishment. For example, he said that because he valued his friendship with his former boss Asuma so much, he couldn't bear to see his former boss in such pain, so he told Asuma about Shanks's scheme to trick Kakashi. Although he betrayed Shanks, he lived in constant agony, tormented by his conscience every day. His life was worse than death. After a heartbreaking farewell to Asuma, he was ruthlessly blacklisted by Shanks.

In Ebisu's story, he is a loyal and righteous protagonist who betrays the devil for the sake of brotherhood, and is ultimately ruthlessly suppressed by the devil, leaving him confused and at a loss.

After hearing this story, Jiraiya's eyes reddened. It was so touching; he never imagined there were such loyal and righteous young men in the world...

"Do you think I'm stupid? I'm just a storyteller. Don't add unnecessary artistic embellishments in front of me. I've known the captain for decades. Although he's a bit vengeful, he wouldn't blacklist you like this unless you really pissed him off."

Jiraiya glanced at Ebisu, thinking, "I never knew this kid had such a talent for storytelling, but it's top-notch... He's moved to tears even though he knows it's fake. What a waste of his talent to be a ninja! Another orator whose talent has been wasted!"

590. Everyone knows he's afraid of his wife.

"...The truth is that Asuma came to me to ask why Kakashi and Kurenai got married, and I honestly and truthfully betrayed Shanks, and then Shanks blacklisted me."

When his own tricks failed, Ebisu dared not tell any more stories and simply stated the facts. The person in front of him was also a big shot, and offending one was enough for him. If he offended another, his future would be bleak.

"...Well, there's nothing I can do about this. Although you were somewhat forced to become a traitor, the captain hates traitors the most. Even though this isn't a huge deal, that's why he didn't kill you."

Jiraiya crossed his arms and looked at Ebisu, saying...

"So there's no other way? I know it's wrong to do this, but I've been with Asuma since I was five, and I really can't bear to lie to him."

Ebisu showed his true feelings this time. Although there were other factors involved in him selling Shanks, the most important thing was his brotherhood with Asuma.

"Since you've gone to such lengths for Asuma, I'll try to think of a way for you. The captain is a man of his word, so even if you go to him and cry now, it won't do any good. But everyone knows he's afraid of his wife. You can ask Haruko for help. Haruko is easily swayed. If you make a scene in front of her, crying, making a scene, and threatening suicide, she'll definitely agree to your request."

Jiraiya patted him on the shoulder and said, "Tsunade's gambling funds over the years came from this, and I know it all too well."

"Will this... work?"

Ebisu suspects that Jiraiya might be setting him up again. He knows that Shanks is afraid of his wife, but he himself betrayed Haruko's man. Will Haruko forgive him? But he doesn't want to get beaten to a pulp by the two of them.

"I, the Great Sage of Mount Myōboku, can do everything, except lie. Besides, what benefit would I get from lying to you? Believe it or not, if you don't, fine. Just wait it out. Maybe you can get your ban lifted when the captain forgets. But the captain's memory has always been excellent..."

After Jiraiya finished speaking, he turned and walked towards the bathhouse. He had gone to such lengths, which was enough to repay his junior. What happened next was none of his concern; he had much greater responsibilities to pursue...

.........

That night, Ebisu tossed and turned, unable to sleep, and gradually drifted into a fantasy. In his fantasy, he was middle-aged, sporting two sexy little mustaches, at a gathering where all his classmates from the same training class were now parents. But that wasn't the point. The point was that even the lowest-ranking of his classmates had become Special Jonin, while he, due to years of lack of achievements, had been demoted to the lowest rank, Genin, and his ninja headband had even turned into iron—meaning the lowest rank...

Then his friends, along with their children, pointed at him one by one, using him as a negative example: "See? He was such a bad person back then. As your parents' classmate, he's still a low-ranking genin. Don't you dare follow his example."

Ebisu snapped out of his reverie and, recalling the terrifying hallucination, couldn't help but shudder.

No! This absolutely cannot happen! Why did he become a ninja? Wasn't it to make a name for himself? If he's going to be a genin his whole life, why did he even go to the ninja academy? Why risk his life on the battlefield? Wouldn't it have been better if he just lived a normal life in the village?

.......

The next morning, Ebisu put on the new clothes he had bought more than ten years ago but couldn't bear to wear, combed his hair neatly, and even ditched his sunglasses, which he had had with him for over ten years, in order to make a good impression on Haruko-sama, looking like he was going to a job interview.

Looking in the mirror, he became increasingly impressed, seeing himself as a typical young and promising talent. He ran to the most expensive fruit shop in Konoha, bought the most expensive fruit basket, checked the time, and, confirming that Lord Shanks shouldn't be up so early, headed towards the Senju clan's territory.

.......

"Clap clap clap!"

Is Haruko-sama home?

Haruko was still making breakfast when she heard a knock at the door. And this early in the morning, it was someone looking for her… Since retiring, apart from Kawada and his eldest nephew frequently coming to chat and bring her gifts, no one had ever come to her house.

"Who are you?...Here for the interview?"

Haruko opened the door and saw a young man of decent appearance standing there. What puzzled her was his interview-like attire; was the hospital hiring again? She'd been retired for years; why was he trying to pull strings?

"Haruko-sama, help me! Waaaaaah..."

Upon seeing Haruko-sama open the door, Ebisu immediately sat down on the floor and began to wail loudly, crying as if his father had died. He had wanted to cling to her, but then he realized that doing so would only hasten his demise...

Ebisu's heart-wrenching cries attracted the attention of some Uzumaki clan members who were doing their morning exercises. After all, it was too unlucky for someone to be crying at the door so early in the morning. They wanted to see who dared to cry at their leader's door so early in the morning.

"Young man, what are you doing? Talk it out, why are you crying?"

Haruko was genuinely startled by Ebisu. He got into character way too quickly, crying on cue and sounding so heartbroken.

"Lord Haruko, please save me! I was just a commoner ninja. As a commoner ninja, I worked diligently every day, completing every mission conscientiously and striving to contribute to the village. But due to a series of unforeseen circumstances, I was caught up in Lord Shanks's plan. As a commoner ninja, and because of my admiration for Lord Shanks, I couldn't refuse him. In the end, I accidentally let slip that one of Lord Shanks's plans had been exposed. Just yesterday, Lord Shanks blacklisted me! Lady Haruko, you know how difficult it has been for a commoner ninja to get here. Please, please let me get Lord Shanks to lift the blacklist. I truly want to contribute to the village!"

Ebisu certainly wouldn't be so foolish as to admit to the Uzumaki clan that he had betrayed their leader. Otherwise, whether he could even leave the Senju clan's territory would be questionable. Legend has it that the Uzumaki clan's seals could even seal tailed beasts, so sealing a lowly Chunin like him would be child's play.

"What's wrong? Come in and have a cup of tea, then we can talk calmly. It's not good to be crying and wailing at the door."

591. Didn't check the almanac before going out.

"Who is this guy? He came to Lord Shanks' door early in the morning to mourn, and he's crying as if he's really in a terrible state."

"Perhaps my father was killed by someone, and he came here asking Lord Shanks for help in avenging him!"

"I don't think so. The person he just asked to find was Lady Haruko. Lady Haruko's fighting skills aren't that high, are they?"