Naruto: Starting as the Third Hokage with Tears in His Eyes

Chapter 140 Senior's Fishing Techniques

The child's innocent question made Hiruzen Sarutobi laugh out loud again.

"Haha, of course, they're much smarter than you think."

He stretched out his finger and gently scratched Obito's nose.

"The bigger the fish, the more cunning it is."

"They've been through a lot of danger and seen a lot of hooks, so they're very wary of unfamiliar things. If you're always making a lot of noise, or if the bait looks suspicious, they absolutely won't take the bait."

"Therefore, you need to be more patient and smarter than the fish to make them lower their guard and willingly eat your bait."

Hiruzen Sarutobi explained the game of fishing in the simplest and most straightforward terms.

Little Obito nodded as if he understood, then looked at his motionless fishing float and at the Hokage's calm profile.

"Oh... I see... Uncle Naruto, how do you know everything? You even know what the fish are thinking!"

This question made Uchiha Yoru, who had been standing to the side trying to make himself as inconspicuous as possible, suddenly feel a jolt in his heart.

Rebel!

What the hell are you talking about?!

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi showed no displeasure whatsoever, and instead answered with great interest.

"Because I've read a lot of books and experienced a lot of things. Knowledge and experience can help you understand many things that others can't, not just fish, but also people."

Hiruzen Sarutobi answered with a smile, then casually pulled a clean handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to Obito.

"Wipe your face, you're all covered in pudding."

Obito took the handkerchief and haphazardly wiped his face.

Meanwhile, Uchiha Yoru, watching the Hokage patiently instructing his son, gradually calmed down, his heart, which had been pounding in his chest with tension.

He never imagined that the Hokage, whose words carried weight in meetings and who could single-handedly hold off an entire army on the battlefield, would have such an approachable side.

Without the slightest air of superiority, he was like a knowledgeable elder gently instructing a naughty child who knew nothing.

Uchiha Yogen suddenly remembered what his father had once said.

The First Hokage possessed the power to create forests and quell chaos, yet he also enjoyed playing with children in the village.

The Second Hokage established the ironclad rules of Konoha, yet he would also personally guide talented juniors late at night.

Today, he witnessed another side of the Third Hokage.

Powerful, wise, and also... gentle.

This may be the will of fire passed down from generation to generation.

It's not just slogans written in books, but also names engraved on memorial tablets.

It is a living, tangible warmth that can be touched and felt.

"Look."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice pulled Yozuru back from his thoughts.

He saw the float on the Hokage's short fishing rod suddenly bob up and down twice, very gently and quickly.

Obito immediately became excited and shouted in a low voice.

"It's moving! It's moving! Uncle Naruto, pull it up!"

"Don't rush."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's hand remained as steady as a rock, without making the slightest movement, and he spoke to Obito beside him to explain.

"This is the small fish testing the waters. They are very timid; they will gently touch the bait with their mouths first to see if there is any danger."

"If you lift the rod at this time, not only will you not catch it, but you will also scare it away, and the fish around will not dare to come over."

"Then...when can I poop?"

Little Obito clenched his little fists nervously, even his breathing became soft.

"Don't rush."

Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes slightly, staring intently at the small fishing float.

"These are small fish testing the waters. They're very cautious; they'll only give you a light peck and then run away. If you lift the rod now, you'll only scare them away and alert the real big fish nearby."

He gazed at the water, his voice steady.

"wait."

"Wait until it truly lowers its guard and bites you to death."

"At that time, the fishing float will suddenly sink completely into the water."

Little Obito held his breath nervously, his two little hands clenched into fists, his eyes fixed on the green fishing float as if watching a fateful duel.

Time seemed to slow down at that moment.

The wind by the lake stopped, and only the soft breathing of the father, son, and the Hokage remained in the air.

one second.

two seconds.

Five seconds.

Just when Obito's patience was about to run out.

"Thump!"

A soft sound.

The floating fishing float suddenly sank and disappeared from the surface of the water in an instant.

coming!

Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze remained unchanged, and he casually flicked his wrist, which was holding the fishing rod, upwards.

An extremely simple action.

Whoosh!

Water splashed everywhere.

A silvery-white figure was lifted out of the water by a clever force, drawing a shimmering arc in mid-air.

It was a crucian carp about the size of a palm, its scales shimmering in the sunlight, its tail still thrashing about.

With a flick of his wrist, Hiruzen Sarutobi precisely tossed the fish into the fish basket at his feet.

The entire process, lasting no more than five seconds, was filled with a graceful and unhurried beauty.

"Wow--!!"

It wasn't until the crisp sound of water splashing into the fish basket that Obito snapped out of his daze and let out a thunderous cheer.

"I caught it! I caught it!!"

"The Naruto guy is amazing!!"

He jumped up excitedly, his eyes instantly sparkling with countless tiny stars, his little face filled with pure admiration.

At this moment, in his young mind, Hiruzen Sarutobi's image had changed from the distant great hero on the rock wall to a kind and approachable ordinary uncle who could easily subdue fish.

Uchiha Yogen smiled as he watched his son's excited, gesticulating movements.

Hiruzen Sarutobi put the fishing rod back down and looked at Obito beside him, who was as carefree as a little sparrow. The fatigue he felt from his busy official duties completely vanished.

He suddenly remembered another stubborn fellow.

Thousand-handed rope tree.

That hot-blooded boy whose mind was always on becoming Hokage, but who always suffered because of his impulsiveness and impatience.

Tsunade and Orochimaru's theoretical lessons could solidify his foundation, but they couldn't temper his character.

A true strong person not only needs overwhelming power, but also the composure of still waters running deep.

Perhaps... fishing is an excellent way to cultivate stillness.

An idea quietly took shape in Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind.

He turned his head and looked at Uchiha Yoru, who was still moved, with a gentle smile on his face.

"Night Strings"

"Yes, Lord Hokage!"

Uchiha Yogen immediately stood up straight and respectfully replied.

"May I bring a student over this afternoon and use your space for a bit?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone was very polite, as if he were asking for opinions.

"what?"

Uchiha Yogen was taken aback at first, but then immediately realized what was happening, and his face lit up with overwhelming joy at being flattered.

Is the Hokage bringing his students here?

What trust this is! What an honor!

"I don't mind! Of course I don't mind!"

He waved his hands hurriedly, his voice trembling with excitement.

"Hokage-sama, you can come anytime! Don't worry about just one student; you could bring the entire ninja academy, no problem!"