Senju Hashirama: Looks like it really was Monkey who had people set it up.
Uchiha Madara: It's that obvious. What's there to overthink?
Senju Hashirama: Hahaha~
[Splash—]
[As if luck itself were still favoring him, little Naruto's first time fishing in this world also results in three fish—each about the width of three adult fingers.]
Seeing this, everyone finally lets out a sigh of relief.
Exactly the same!
Even though this time there were no fishing hooks or line conveniently lying around on the road—
The fish caught are identical.
Same size.
Same level of liveliness.
Yamanaka Ino: "Someone definitely hooked them on purpose!"
Haruno Sakura: "Yeah. There must be ANBU shinobi hiding under the river."
Tenten: "Do you think Black-Frame Naruto will notice something's wrong?"
Sakura: "Our Naruto didn't notice anything, at least."
As the girls speak, anticipation rises.
And Black-Frame Naruto does not disappoint.
['Am I really this lucky?']
[Little Naruto looks at the three fish he's caught in succession, all nearly identical in size.]
[He threads them through the gills with a vine and lowers them into the water—no reaction at all.]
['If I eat fish like this… I won't get stupid too, right?']
Pfft—
Naruto's inner thoughts make a lot of people laugh.
But the real highlight comes next.
['Strange… why is that peculiar feeling coming from underwater?']
['So that's how it is.']
[Little Naruto seems to realize something. His eyes brighten, and the corner of his mouth lifts slightly.]
Inuzuka Kiba: "Oh no! Someone stop that smile!"
[Psssh—]
[Drip drip—]
Shinobi world: "..."
Naruto: "Dattebayo~!"
Souls in the Pure Land: "...…"
Hinata's little head practically starts smoking.
"Na-Naruto-kun… Naruto-kun…"
Uzuki Yūgao blushes and spits lightly.
"That brat!"
"Good thing I was still in assessment back then…"
Senju Hashirama: Hahaha~ This kid is really interesting.
In Tanzaku Town, Tsunade sprays a mouthful of sake.
Shizune blushes crimson, hurriedly wiping both Tsunade and her own face—
and accidentally brushes across Tsunade's two very prominent "summons."
The black-frame screen continues.
[ANBU Shinobi: ?!!!]
[Damn fox brat!]
[The sound of a child urinating into the water keeps echoing by his ears.]
[This stretch of river has poor flow.]
["Only this much fish?"]
["I'll change spots."]
[Little Naruto deliberately raises his voice and shouts a few times.]
[Then he starts throwing stones and mud into the water.]
[Very quickly, the ANBU shinobi underwater shuts his eyes.]
[If he keeps them open, they'll be packed full of sand.]
[Just then—]
[Little Naruto suddenly yells, "Who's so disgusting to plant a 'landmine' out here?!"]
["Guess I'll throw it in the river to feed the fish!"]
[Splash—]
[ANBU Shinobi: !!!]
[After tossing the stone, little Naruto claps his hands.]
[Seeing bubbles rise to the surface, he snorts, picks up his fish, and turns to leave.]
Yamanaka Ino: "So bad~ so cute~ I suddenly like him so much~!"
Terumī Mei: "Looks like this child won't live as painfully as Gold-Frame Naruto."
Mei: "Naruto, hurry and give big sister an answer—want to come to Kirigakure? I'll personally support you~ and make you the Sixth Mizukage."
Fourth Raikage: "Dream on! Uzumaki Naruto belongs in Kumogakure!"
Ōnoki: "Tsk. Look at yourselves. Naruto, Iwagakure is your true destination."
Ōnoki: "Come to Iwa—I'll take you as my disciple. When I retire, you'll be the Fourth Tsuchikage!"
Orochimaru: "I'm suddenly interested in competing for him too."
...
The chatroom erupts into chaos again.
Konoha's side looks grim,
but Kushina in the Pure Land is thinking very seriously.
After reviving, the first thing she must do
is help her son take revenge.
After that…
where should they go?
[In the blink of an eye, the sun hangs high in the sky.]
[Glancing at the time, little Naruto rubs his stomach and lifts the five fish he's kept in the water.]
[Aside from the three ANBU-hooked ones, the other two were caught by himself.]
[There really is a newbie protection period.]
[When he lifts the vine, the two fish are still flopping around energetically.]
["There are plenty of fish here—enough for me to come restock regularly."]
[Meat is solved… but what about vegetables?]
[Little Naruto furrows his cute brows.]
["Right—trees grow, and vegetables don't just appear instantly…"]
["Seeds, right?"]
[Thinking as he walks back.]
["Where can I get seeds?"]
["The market should sell them."]
[But then he hesitates.]
[He hates those people just as much as they hate him.]
[Soon, however, he finds a solution.]
[He breaks into a run.]
[Ignoring curses and glares, he heads straight for Ichiraku Ramen.]
[It's peak mealtime—the shop is packed.]
[Little Naruto pauses, then understands.]
[He doesn't go in and instead heads home.]
["I'll come back later."]
["If I show up now, I'll disturb Uncle Teuchi and Sister Ayame's business."]
Senju Tobirama: Very smart. I'm guessing Black-Frame Naruto plans to ask the ramen shop owner for help.
Rock Lee: "Then Naruto-kun can get vegetable seeds and finally eat a balanced diet!"
Might Guy: "Haha! I feel Black-Frame Naruto might want to become my disciple, Lee!"
Rock Lee: "Guy-sensei!"
Might Guy: "In that case, take good care of your adorable junior—youth is—"
Muted.
Rock Lee: "GUY-SENSEI!!!"
Muted.
Meanwhile—
Inside the Land of Fire.
Two figures cross the border.
"Might Guy… Konoha's Azure Beast?"
The taller man, carrying a massive bandage-wrapped weapon, adjusts the cloth beneath his hat.
"Mr. Itachi, are we going to Konoha?"
The shorter man remains silent for a moment.
"…We'll take a walk."
They are Hoshigaki Kisame and Uchiha Itachi.
After the Chūnin Exams incident and before the aftermath fully settled,
Itachi had already returned once to deter Danzō…
This time—he's simply arriving earlier.
Otherwise, how could the timing be such a coincidence?
Besides…
Itachi can feel it.
His body is nearing its limit.
[After returning home, little Naruto rushes to the kitchen.]
["Uncle Teuchi said yesterday—good food requires proper use of seasonings."]
[Standing on a chair, he tries cooking on his own while recalling Teuchi's advice.]
Ōnoki: "From this view, that rotten Third Hokage won't avoid showing up, right?"
Shimura Danzō: "Hmph! Does Hiruzen still dare show his face? This Black-Frame Jinchūriki will definitely connect the dots!"
Danzō: "I told you—if you didn't hand him to me, you'd regret it!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen glares, about to fire back—
Senju Tobirama cuts in first.
Tobirama: Shut up!!
Tobirama: Haven't you embarrassed us enough?!
Sarutobi Hiruzen: "I'm the Hokage!"
Tobirama: ???
Hiruzen: "Sorry, Tobirama-sensei—I was replying to Danzō."
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