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

Chapter 142: His Sole Combat Practice

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice, like a gentle breeze across a lake, clearly reached Nawaki's ears.

"Fish can sense it."

"You can feel the water."

"You can feel the wind too."

"Your eagerness to succeed and your anxiety to prove yourself are like a torch in the dark, exposing everything about you."

Hiruzen Sarutobi tightened his grip slightly.

How can a ninja who can't even control their own emotions make the right judgment on a rapidly changing battlefield?

"How can a ninja who can't even wait for the right opportunity protect his comrades in a mission fraught with danger?"

"Rope Tree, tell me, can you do it?"

A series of questions struck Rope Tree's heart again and again.

The boy's body froze.

He stared blankly into the distance, where Uchiha Yoru was smiling as he removed the grass clippings from his son's head, while little Obito was holding the fish, excitedly recounting how brave he had just been.

What a peaceful and beautiful scene it was.

And what about yourself?

What was I thinking just now?

He felt ashamed and angry because a child caught a fish before him.

What is this?

Hiruzen Sarutobi's words were like a bolt of lightning, cleaving through the chaos in his mind.

He always believed that being powerful meant learning more advanced ninjutsu, possessing more chakra, and being invincible on the battlefield.

But I never thought that true strength might begin with controlling one's restless heart.

The burning shame that had been burning within him gradually subsided.

Rope Tree slowly loosened his grip on the fishing rod, and his entire demeanor collapsed as if all his energy had been drained away.

He lowered his head, looking at his bewildered face reflected in the water.

So that's what the teacher really meant by bringing me here.

Practical training...

This was indeed a real-world sparring match that belonged only to him.

The atmosphere by the lake suddenly became somewhat heavy.

At this time.

Uchiha Yotsuki walked over gracefully, carrying a rather heavy double-layered food box and wearing a gentle smile.

Her steps were light, and it wasn't until the aroma of sweet glutinous rice wafted into their nostrils that the few semi-air force men by the lake came to their senses.

"Everyone, are you all hungry? It's time to get ready for dinner."

The sound was as gentle as an evening breeze, instantly dispelling the slightly heavy atmosphere by the lake.

"Oh, Kassan!"

Obito was the first to react.

He immediately abandoned the fish he had been holding and showing off for so long, and like a fledgling returning to its nest, he rushed over with his short legs and hugged Uchiha Yotsuki.

fish:?

"Oh, Kassan, I caught a fish today! A huge one!"

"Yes, yes, our Obito is the strongest."

Yotsuki affectionately patted her son's head, then turned her gaze to Hiruzen Sarutobi and Nawaki Senju, bowing slightly.

"Lord Hokage, and this... Nawaki-kun, I've prepared some simple food and drinks, please excuse the inconvenience."

The food box was opened.

The top layer is filled with neatly arranged, crystal-clear tricolor dumplings in pink, white, and green, which are quite beautiful. They are also decorated with little rabbits carved from radishes.

The lower layer features freshly grilled, sizzling salt-grilled crucian carp, accompanied by several dishes of delicate pickles and a pot of steaming miso soup.

The aroma burst forth instantly.

Senju Nawaki's stomach let out a disapproving growl.

His cheeks flushed red instantly, and he lowered his head in embarrassment.

Uchiha Yotsuki simply smiled. She skillfully spread a clean tablecloth on the grass and arranged the food one by one.

"Don't stand there, sit down and eat, or it'll get cold."

Uchiha Yogen also helped with the arrangements. He looked at the somewhat embarrassed Senju Nawaki and greeted him with a smile.

"Napaki-kun, come, sit here."

Rope Tree's body was still somewhat stiff.

Just then, a string of round objects was presented to him.

It's Obito.

He held up a string of three-colored dumplings, his innocent little face tilted up, his eyes sparkling as he looked at the rope tree.

"Brother Rope Tree, here you go! Oh, Kassan's is the best!"

The little guy's tone was full of pure desire to share, without any impurities.

Rope Tree was stunned.

Looking at the string of dumplings that looked especially tempting in the sunset, and then at Obito's bright smiling face, the awkwardness and estrangement in his heart suddenly dissipated.

"Th-thank you."

Rope Tree awkwardly accepted it.

"You are welcome!"

Obito grinned, revealing two rows of pearly white teeth, then picked up another string of skewers and handed it to Hiruzen Sarutobi next to him.

"Even the Naruto uncle eats it!"

"Haha, okay."

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and took the green one, biting off a piece.

The soft, chewy texture of glutinous rice blends perfectly with the sweet flavor of red bean paste, melting on the taste buds.

Dinner began on this tranquil lakeside meadow.

The atmosphere was much more relaxed than Rope Tree had imagined.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Yogen Uchiha were chatting, but they weren't talking about any important village matters.

"...The security forces have been working hard lately, and that guy Tiehuo is really motivated."

"Yes, Hokage-sama. Captain Tetsuka is a respectable person... He even personally led a team to check if the fire escape routes were blocked by debris..."

"Okay, that's good."

Uchiha Yotsuki gently served food to the two little ones, occasionally reminding them to eat slowly.

While stuffing grilled fish into his mouth, Obito mumbled his heroic fishing adventures that afternoon, making everyone burst into laughter.

Rope Tree ate his meal silently.

Looking at the scene before him, he felt a strange mix of emotions.

This is the Uchiha clan's territory.

Beside him was a legendary, cold, and arrogant ninja from the Uchiha clan.

What you can see is a father who laughs heartily when his son catches a fish, and a mother whose gentle eyes can melt ice and snow.

There's also a slightly confused little one who'll foolishly share the best food with strangers.

"..."

Uchiha Yogen had no idea that a monstrous storm was brewing in the heart of the boy beside him.

He watched his wife and children sitting so harmoniously with the Hokage, and saw his son's carefree smiling face. A feeling of gratitude welled up from the bottom of his heart.

Uchiha Yogen picked up the cup beside him and stood up.

With a solemn expression, he bowed deeply to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Lord Hokage, I'd like to offer you a toast."

"For the village, and for... my family."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at him, put down his chopsticks and bowl, and picked up his teacup with a smile.

"Um."

The crisp sound of glasses clinking echoed along the tranquil lakeside.

Hiruzen Sarutobi drank the tea in his cup in one gulp.

After the meal, Ye Yue and Ye Xian, a married couple, began to clean up the dishes.

After eating and drinking his fill, Obito, full of energy, grabbed his father and asked him to tell him the story of the three hundred rounds of battle in the simulated battlefield again.

Hiruzen Sarutobi then returned to the lakeside with Nawaki.

The boy wanted to say something, but didn't know where to begin.

"Sit down."

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke calmly as he handed the fishing rod back to Nawaki.

This time, Rope Tree did not hesitate.

He took the fishing rod and sat down silently, beginning to imitate Obito's actions: taking bait and hooking the hook.

His movements were still somewhat clumsy, but his heart was calmer than ever before.

All I can think about is that heartwarming dinner from just now.

And that question.

"How can a ninja who can't even wait for the right opportunity protect his comrades in a mission fraught with danger?"

The fishing line was cast into the water, creating only a tiny ripple before quickly returning to calm.

Rope Tree sat quietly, its hand holding the fishing rod very steady.

His gaze was fixed intently on the small fishing float, and his breathing became long and steady.

Time passed second by second.

This time, I didn't feel anxious at all.

It felt as if I had become a rock by the lake, blending into the tranquil night.

suddenly.

The fishing float, which had been motionless, suddenly sank downwards and disappeared from the surface of the water in an instant.

Rope Tree's pupils contracted slightly.

He didn't panic. He first slid his wrist across the fishing rod, then lifted it upwards.

Whoosh!

The sound of splashing water rang out.

A small fish was successfully brought to the surface, tracing a silver arc in the moonlight.

Although it was only a fish smaller than the palm of your hand.

Rope Tree looked at his spoils, which were frolicking on the grass, and a genuine smile slowly spread across his face.