The sun climbed steadily higher, edging toward noon.
Hidden deep within the forest, Konoha Village was free of industrial smoke or haze.
Beneath the bright sunlight, the river ran clear and crystalline, its surface glittering as it flowed lazily downstream—each shimmering ripple like a mischievous wink, openly mocking the two children on the riverbank who hadn't caught a single fish.
There were fish in the water. Some even ventured into the shallows to feed. But after years of being caught by ninja, they had grown cautious. At the slightest disturbance, they darted back into deeper water, refusing to bite.
"Is your bait bad, Hayate?" Shin asked.
"It shouldn't be," Gekkō Hayate replied. "Dad bought it a long time ago, but it's been sealed at home the whole time."
"What?" Shin snatched the packet, sniffed it, and scowled. "Idiot. This stuff smells wrong—it expired ages ago."
Hayate blinked. "Huh? Bait can expire?" He scratched his head. "So what do we do? Dig up earthworms?"
"I'm done fishing."
Back on Earth, he'd gone home empty-handed plenty of times.
But now he'd transmigrated, trained in chakra, and become a ninja—if he still failed to catch a single fish, what was the point?
Unacceptable.
Shin tossed the fishing rod aside, pulled out several large hooks, tied them to lines, and stepped straight onto the river's surface, standing firmly atop the water.
He spread his perception outward, quietly observing everything beneath the surface.
His sensing ability came from absorbing white Natural Energy. Unlike standard chakra sensing—or the Uzumaki clan's Mind's Eye of the Kagura—it was finer, sharper, and far harder to deceive. His sparring sessions with his father had already proven that much.
Before long, he detected a school of fish drifting nearby.
Shin moved like lightning.
Accounting for light refraction, he snapped his wrist with the precision of a shuriken throw, plunging the hooks into the water and spearing several large fish cleanly through the mouth.
A single, controlled pull hauled up the entire afternoon's lunch.
Fish: "???"
Hayate stared at Shin's water-walking feet with open envy, wishing he could do the same—but he hadn't learned that technique yet.
Yūgao Uzuki, meanwhile, didn't overthink things. Clutching a bundle of wildflowers and a cloth-wrapped pot, she ran to the riverbank, cheering—today's meal was secured.
Back on shore, Shin issued instructions.
"I'll handle the food. Hayate, gather dry firewood. Yūgao, wash the pot—we'll stew some fish broth later."
"Big Bro Shin, can we add mushrooms?" Yūgao asked brightly, opening her bundle to reveal a colorful assortment of fungi. "It'll taste better!"
Shin eyed the mushrooms, then looked at her. "Where did you pick these?"
"In the woods back there. There were tons!"
Hayate's eyelids twitched. "Uh… those look really poisonous."
"Not all of them."
Shin sorted through the pile, tossing the toxic ones into the river for the fish, then said sternly, "Tonight, you're copying the Ninja Field Edible Plants Manual twice. Now go wash the safe ones."
Yūgao stuck out her tongue. "Got it."
River fish: "???"
Working together, they soon had a fire crackling beneath a pot. Five wooden skewers were set around the flames, each impaling a large fish rubbed with seasoning.
Shin did the math.
One fish for Yūgao.
Two for Hayate.
Two for himself—if Hayate couldn't finish, Shin's appetite would handle the rest.
While the food was cooking, Shin asked, "What have you two been doing this past month? Training at home?"
Hayate nodded. "Same as you. Basics, physical drills, chakra refinement, and sword practice. I can already draw chakra during sparring."
"You train with Yūgao too?"
"Yeah. Our families' styles are similar, and we're old family friends. Kids our age train together."
"Good." Shin smiled faintly. "I'm looking forward to seeing how strong you become."
Yūgao puffed out her cheeks. "Big Bro Shin, you sound just like my dad! Don't underestimate me—Mom says I'm a genius!"
"Of course you are," Shin laughed, ruffling her hair.
She immediately slapped his hand away and glared.
Hayate hesitated, then finally spoke. "Um… Shin, could you teach us some chakra control techniques?"
At that, Yūgao grabbed Shin's hand and placed it back on her head, gazing up at him with sparkling eyes.
Chakra control was still vague to her, but standing on water looked fun.
Shin didn't hesitate. "No problem. Lesson after lunch."
The soup bubbled gently. The grilled fish browned as Shin turned them steadily, a rich aroma drifting through the air—one that attracted more than just hungry stomachs.
"Smells amazing! See? Coming to the river was a great idea—food comes to us when we're hungry."
"You're right, Big Brother Iwazawa."
Four figures stepped out from the trees amid noisy chatter—three boys and one girl, all around seven or eight years old. Shin sensed chakra on them immediately.
Ninja Academy students.
The Academy ran three terms a year. The new term had started on April first—classes were already in session.
This location, far from the school on the village outskirts, wasn't reachable at noon unless you skipped class.
Which meant these brats had done exactly that.
The stocky, dark-haired boy at the front planted his hands on his hips. "Hey, you three shrimps! Hand over the food as tribute to your seniors!"
Yūgao's cheeks puffed in fury. Hayate's gaze sharpened. Though small, neither showed fear.
Shin found the situation amusing. Bullying? Really?
Back on Earth, he'd watched anime and thought Konoha had an alarming number of obnoxious brats—kids who'd even gang up on Uchiha heirs or Hyūga prodigies.
He rarely went out, yet the moment he did…
Curious, he asked, "And why should we?"
The boy glared. "What, runt—got attitude? Fine! Let's play a ninja game. I'm the Hokage; you're an enemy ninja. Surrender, invaders! I'll crush you for Konoha!"
He charged forward, fists swinging. Food robbery escalated into outright assault.
To Shin, the boy's movements were full of openings—slow as molasses.
Shin moved first. He slipped past the punch and drove his fist straight into the boy's abdomen.
The kid doubled over instantly, clutching his stomach and howling as he collapsed.
"Iwazawa—boss!" the other boys shouted.
But Shin was already on them. Before they could react, they joined their leader on the ground, curled up and wailing.
"Monster! There's a monster!"
The remaining girl crouched down, covering her head. "Aah! Don't hit me—I surrender!"
Shin considered this for a moment… then lightly tapped her head anyway.
Equality.
Iwazawa, trembling all over, forced himself upright. "D-damn… the enemy is strong… but I'm the Hokage!"
Shin was genuinely impressed by his dedication. "Still staying in character? If the Hokage were this weak, Konoha would be finished."
"Don't mock my dream, bastard!" Iwazawa shouted. "I'm going to be Hokage someday!"