Fishing Returns and Singing

As Zhang Miao indulged in his wild and fanciful thoughts, Kakashi had already begun casting his line to fish. Before long, the sound of splashing water jolted Zhang Miao out of his reverie.

"Splash!"

Hearing the sound, Zhang Miao immediately turned his head in the direction of the noise and saw a green river fish arching beautifully through the air before landing on the ground with a thwack.

Kakashi caught a fish this quickly?

Looking at the river fish flopping on the ground, Zhang Miao was momentarily bewildered.

However, Kakashi didn't hesitate. After catching the fish, he swiftly removed it from the hook, tossed it into the fish basket, and cast his line back into the river, preparing for his next catch.

This time, Zhang Miao couldn't afford to daydream. He focused intently on Kakashi, carefully observing his every move, and began to learn how to fish.

Seeing Zhang Miao's serious expression, Kakashi raised an eyebrow and handed the fishing rod he was holding to Zhang Miao.

"Here."

Zhang Miao had been itching to try for a while. Upon seeing Kakashi offer him the rod, he unhesitatingly took it. Then, mimicking Kakashi's earlier actions, he occasionally lifted the rod or reeled in the line.

Kakashi watched Zhang Miao fish with a surprisingly competent air, raising his eyebrows again. He then expressionlessly found a branch nearby, took a transparent line from his Ninja Tool Pouch, tied it to the branch, and attached a hook, creating a makeshift fishing rod.

After preparing the rod and bait, Kakashi stood not far from Zhang Miao and cast his hook into the river with a "plop."

Dozens of breaths later, the sound of splashing water echoed again.

"Splash!"

Hearing the sound, Zhang Miao turned to look again and realized Kakashi had caught another fish.

So fast?

Watching Kakashi expressionlessly put the fish into the basket, Zhang Miao gritted his teeth.

The same rod, the same bait, how come I can't catch anything? Does this fish recognize people or something?

Zhang Miao felt indignant, but seeing Kakashi catch fish one after another while he remained empty-handed, he couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment.

Kakashi seemed to notice Zhang Miao's unhappiness. He slightly raised his eyelids and muttered to himself.

"After casting, let the bait drift with the current. When you reel in, pull back a bit further. Don't move too fast."

Hearing Kakashi's words, Zhang Miao's heart stirred, and he immediately adjusted his technique.

In less than two minutes, as Zhang Miao was reeling in the bait, he suddenly felt the fishing rod in his hand grow heavy. His eyes widened in surprise.

I've got a bite!

With that thought, he forcefully lifted the rod and swung it backward!

"Splash!"

With a pleasant splash, a palm-sized green-backed river fish was pulled from the river by Zhang Miao. It arced through the air before landing on the ground and flopping around with a thump-thump.

Seeing this, Zhang Miao quickly put down the fishing rod, ran over, and held down the still-flopping fish before carefully placing it into the fish basket.

Kakashi, watching this, narrowed his eyes, and the corner of his mouth twitched beneath his mask.

At this moment, Zhang Miao didn't have the time to pay attention to Kakashi's expression. Having caught his first fish, his confidence surged. After putting the fish in the basket, he enthusiastically threw himself back into the "great fishing endeavor."

Time passed quickly. As Zhang Miao and Kakashi focused intently on fishing, the sky gradually darkened.

After placing another fish into the basket, Kakashi immediately reeled in his line and looked at Zhang Miao.

"It's about time. We should go!"

"Uh... so soon?"

Zhang Miao clearly wanted to fish a bit longer, but he understood priorities. He nodded reluctantly, still not quite satisfied, and handed the fishing rod in his hand back to Kakashi.

Kakashi took the rod from Zhang Miao and put it away. Then, carrying the rod and the fish basket, he squatted down with his back to Zhang Miao.

Seeing Kakashi's action, Zhang Miao didn't hesitate for a moment. He leaped onto Kakashi's back, wrapping his left arm around his neck and swinging his right hand forward with force!

"Run, my brother! Oh, ho ho ho..."

Kakashi: "..."

The afterglow of the setting sun shone on the gates of Konohagakure, casting a long shadow. At this moment, two Konoha ninja on duty were dozing off tiredly. Suddenly, a young yet clear singing voice drifted from outside the village.

"Young boy, listen to me."

"Humans are not things to be wasted."

"Tomorrow is no longer needed."

"Don't hide your clenched fist..."

Hearing the singing, the two Konoha ninja on duty immediately stood up and looked towards the entrance.

There, Kakashi, dressed in black, was walking towards the gate, carrying his fishing rod and basket. The one singing was Zhang Miao, who was riding on his back!

This song, "NO BOY NO CRY," was the opening theme song from the first part of Naruto, and Zhang Miao's favorite. Its fast-paced drum beat, shouting vocal style, and the feeling of breaking through all restraints resonated deeply with Zhang Miao every time he heard it!

"Like being able to sell off uneasy dreams."

"You're not that old, are you?"

"Young man, the gun in your heart."

"Only you can pull the trigger!"

Watching Zhang Miao sing at the top of his lungs, the two gatekeepers couldn't help but smile knowingly, their chins and heels bobbing to the rhythm of his song.

After walking through the gates of Konohagakure, Kakashi nodded to the two, a greeting. Zhang Miao, however, didn't stop singing. He waved to them as he continued, like a star greeting fans at a concert.

"All the young people say, tear my heart to shreds."

"Those who give up, that's irrelevant talk."

"All the young people say, the sound we cry out."

"Is the freedom hidden under the bed..."

Watching Zhang Miao sing and walk away on Kakashi's back, the two ninjas exchanged a look and then burst out laughing.

"Haha, this kid is great!"

"Indeed, he's quite amusing!"

Little did the two ninjas know, just as they said this, Zhang Miao, who had been singing loudly on Kakashi's back, suddenly stopped, a look of surprise on his face.

Seeing Zhang Miao suddenly stop, Kakashi turned his head with a hint of confusion.

"What's wrong?"

Seeing Kakashi's puzzled look, Zhang Miao quickly shook his head, realizing his mistake.

"Uh... nothing!"

"Oh!"

Since Zhang Miao didn't say anything, Kakashi didn't press further and continued carrying him towards home.

Kakashi didn't know that the reason Zhang Miao had suddenly stopped was because two familiar voices had echoed in his mind.

"Ding—Congratulations to the host for obtaining 3 Ninja Fragments!"

"Ding—Congratulations to the host for obtaining 2 Ninja Fragments!"