Takeshi Ebihara is a supporting character in The Fable and serves as the second-in-command of the Maguro clan, the yakuza group in Osaka that is tasked with providing protection for the legendary assassin known as Fable during his year-long hiatus. His position grants him significant authority within the organization, and he operates as a direct subordinate to the clan boss, Hiroshi Hamada.

Ebihara is a hardened and pragmatic mobster who approaches the arrival of Fable and his partner Yoko Sato with intense suspicion and distrust. His personality is gruff, calculating, and commanding. He is not easily intimidated, as demonstrated when he stands his ground and points a gun at Fable during their first tense confrontation, even comparing the assassin to other serial killers he has known. Despite his ruthless line of work, the character is presented with a degree of complexity; he appears to hold a personal code, lecturing others on the meaning of life and justifying the actions of the yakuza as a form of protection for society against worse criminals. He is a no-nonsense figure who prefers to eliminate potential threats decisively, a trait shown when he personally finishes off a subdued target after Fable refuses to do so.

Ebihara's primary motivation in the story is to assess and neutralize the risk posed by Fable's presence in his territory. He views the legendary hitman as a liability and a potential danger to the peace of Taihei, and he initially wants to remove him. To achieve this, he orchestrates a test soon after Fable's arrival, ordering his men to provoke the assassin in an attempt to force him to break his no-killing rule. However, after witnessing Fable's immense skill and unusual request to live peacefully, Ebihara begrudgingly accepts the situation, welcoming him to Taihei while openly stating that his trust is not one hundred percent.

His role in the narrative is that of a wary gatekeeper and a powerful local figure whose decisions directly impact Fable's ability to survive his year in hiding. As the story progresses, Ebihara becomes an occasional ally and an intermediary between Fable and the underworld, though the relationship remains tense. He is not a static character; as the series continues, he experiences moments of vulnerability. For instance, a sudden health issue forces him to be hospitalized, creating a power vacuum within the clan that other, more volatile characters attempt to exploit.

Ebihara has several key relationships that define his position. His connection with the protagonist, Akira Sato (Fable), is the most central, evolving from open hostility to a tense, watchful coexistence marked by a degree of mutual respect. He commands the loyalty of his subordinates, including a man named Kuro, who is awed by Fable's abilities. His relationship with the clan boss, Hamada, is one of service, but he acts with considerable autonomy. In a surprising display of a less harsh side, Ebihara shows a protective and almost gentle interest in Misaki, a local woman working multiple jobs to pay off her family's debts. He knows her situation intimately, expresses a desire to give her flowers when she succeeds, and warns Fable not to get involved with her, suggesting a hidden sentimental streak.

In terms of notable abilities, Ebihara is not a physical combatant on the level of Fable, but his power comes from his status, his decisiveness, and his willingness to use lethal force without hesitation. He is a capable leader and strategist within the yakuza hierarchy, and his authority is backed by a ruthless practicality, as seen when he kills a defenseless man to resolve a situation on his own terms. He also possesses a network of surveillance and information, using hidden cameras to monitor Fable and Yoko. His physical appearance is marked by a crew cut and stubble, and he typically wears a suit, reflecting his role as a serious and seasoned yakuza captain.