The child's innocent question made Sarutobi Hiruzen laugh again.
"Haha, of course, they are much smarter than you think."
He reached out a finger and gently scraped Obito's nose.
"The bigger the fish, the more cunning it is."
"They have experienced many dangers and seen many hooks, so they will be very wary of strange things. If you always make a lot of noise, or if the bait looks suspicious, they will never bite."
"So, you have to be more patient and smarter than the fish, make them let down their guard and willingly eat your bait."
Sarutobi Hiruzen explained the game of fishing in the simplest and most direct words.
Little Obito nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite. He looked at his motionless float, then at Uncle Hokage's calm profile.
"Oh... so that's how it is... Uncle Hokage, how do you know everything? You even know what fish are thinking!"
This question made Uchiha Yagen, who had been standing aside trying to reduce his presence, skip a beat.
Rebellious son!
What are you saying?!
However, Sarutobi Hiruzen showed no displeasure. Instead, he answered with interest.
"Because I've read many books and experienced many things. Knowledge and experience allow you to understand many things others can't, not just fish, but also people."
Sarutobi Hiruzen answered with a smile, taking a clean handkerchief from his robes and handing it to Obito.
"Wipe your face, you look like a little painted cat."
Little Obito took the handkerchief and wiped his face indiscriminately.
Uchiha Yagen, watching Lord Hokage teach his son so patiently, felt his heart, which had been beating so fast it was about to jump out of his chest, gradually calm down.
He had never imagined that the Hokage, whose words were law in meetings and who could single-handedly block an army on the battlefield, had such an approachable side.
Without any airs, like a knowledgeable elder, gently teaching a naughty child who knew nothing.
Uchiha Yagen suddenly remembered what his father had once said.
The First Hokage possessed the power to create forests and pacify troubled times, yet he also liked to play with children in the village.
The Second Hokage established the iron laws of Konoha, yet he would also personally guide talented juniors late at night.
And today, he witnessed another side of the Third Hokage with his own eyes.
Powerful, wise, and also... gentle.
This might be the Will of Fire passed down from generation to generation.
Not just slogans written in books, names engraved on the Memorial Stone.
It is a living warmth that can be touched and felt.
"Look."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice pulled Yagen back from his thoughts.
He saw the float on Lord Hokage's short fishing rod suddenly bob up and down gently and quickly twice.
Little Obito immediately got excited and shouted in a low voice.
"It moved! It moved! Uncle Hokage, pull it quickly!"
"Don't rush."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's hand was as steady as a rock, without any movement, explaining to Obito beside him.
"This is a small fish testing. They are timid and will first touch the bait gently with their mouths to see if there is any danger."
"If you lift the rod at this time, not only will you fail to catch it, but you will also scare it away, and the surrounding fish won't dare to come over either."
"Then... then when can we pull?"
Little Obito clenched his small fists nervously, even lightening his breathing.
"Don't rush."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes narrowed slightly, staring intently at the small float.
"This is a small fish testing. They are cautious and will only peck lightly and run. If you lift the rod now, you will only scare them away and alarm the real big fish nearby."
He stared at the water surface, his voice steady.
"Wait."
"Wait until it truly lets down its guard and bites down hard."
"At that time, the float will suddenly sink completely into the water."
Little Obito held his breath nervously, his two small hands clenched tightly into fists, staring unblinkingly at the green float, as if watching a duel that decided destiny.
Time seemed to slow down at this moment.
The wind by the lake stopped, and only the slight breathing of the father and son and Lord Hokage remained in the air.
One second.
Two seconds.
Five seconds.
Just as Little Obito's patience was about to run out.
"Plop!"
A soft sound.
The floating float suddenly sank and disappeared beneath the water surface in an instant.
Now!
Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes showed no change. The wrist holding the fishing rod just seemingly casually flicked upward.
An extremely simple movement.
Splash!
Water splashed.
A silvery-white figure was brought out of the water by a clever force, drawing a bright arc in mid-air.
It was a palm-sized crucian carp, its scales glistening in the sunlight, its tail still wagging vigorously.
With a flip of his wrist, Sarutobi Hiruzen accurately flicked the fish into the fish basket at his feet.
The whole process took no more than five seconds, full of unhurried beauty.
"Wow—!!"
It wasn't until the crisp sound of falling into the water came from the fish basket that Little Obito reacted from his daze and let out a cheer that resounded through the clouds.
"Caught it! Caught it!!"
"Uncle Hokage is so amazing!!"
He jumped up excitedly, countless sparkling little stars instantly appearing in his eyes, his small face full of pure admiration.
At this moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen's image in his young mind had changed from the distant hero on the rock wall to an amiable, ordinary uncle who could easily subdue fish.
Uchiha Yagen looked at his son's excited dancing appearance, and a smile also appeared on his face.
Sarutobi Hiruzen put the fishing rod back properly. Looking at Obito beside him, who was as happy as a little sparrow, the fatigue from the complicated official duties completely vanished from his heart.
He suddenly thought of another stubborn guy.
Senju Nawaki.
That hot-blooded boy whose head was full of "I want to become Hokage" but always suffered losses due to impulsiveness and impatience.
Tsunade and Orochimaru's theory classes could consolidate his foundation, but they couldn't temper his character.
A true powerhouse must not only have thunderous power but also the calmness of still water running deep.
Perhaps... fishing is an excellent practice for tranquility.
A thought quietly formed in Sarutobi Hiruzen's mind.
He turned his head and looked at Uchiha Yagen, who was still moved, with a gentle smile on his face.
"Yagen."
"Here! Lord Hokage!"
Uchiha Yagen immediately stood up straight and responded respectfully.
"Can I bring a student over this afternoon and use your place for a while?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's tone was very polite, as if asking for an opinion.
"Ah?"
Uchiha Yagen was stunned at first, then reacted immediately, a look of flattered ecstasy appearing on his face.
Lord Hokage wants to bring a student here?
What trust! What honor!
"I don't mind! Of course I don't mind!"
He waved his hands hurriedly, his voice trembling with excitement.
"Lord Hokage, you can come anytime! Not to mention one student, even if you move the entire Ninja Academy here, it's no problem!"
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