A Chance Encounter While Fishing; I'm Naruto, Nice to Meet You!

The following afternoon, Konoha's autumn sunlight filtered through sparse clouds, gently spilling across every corner of the village.

The river near the Uchiha Compound shimmered with ripples. Several trees along the bank swayed in the wind, their rustling leaves drifting onto the water and slowly floating downstream.

"Itachi, there are lots of fish over here!"

Shisui Uchiha stood on a rock protruding from the water, a simple fishing rod in hand. His dark green short-sleeved shirt fluttered lightly in the breeze.

He turned and gave Itachi Uchiha on the bank his signature gentle smile, carrying a rare hint of ease and playfulness.

Itachi Uchiha stood tall by the shore, straight as a pine tree. His long black hair was tied into a simple ponytail behind his head, with a few loose strands falling over his forehead.

He held a fishing rod as well.

But his attention did not seem to be entirely on fishing. His dark eyes occasionally drifted toward his younger brother nearby.

Sasuke was crouching by the water, clutching a little branch in his small hand and earnestly imitating his two older brothers as he "fished."

He wore a dark blue training outfit, and his small back looked especially serious beneath the sunlight.

"Brother, why won't the fish take my bait?"

Sasuke turned around, his little face full of confusion.

The corner of Itachi's mouth lifted slightly.

"You need patience, Sasuke. Fish are cautious too."

"But Brother Shisui has already caught two!"

Sasuke pouted, his voice brimming with envy.

Shisui burst into laughter at that. With a flick of his wrist, another small silver-white fish was lifted from the water.

"It's just luck! Itachi, you haven't caught anything either. Did you scare all the fish away?"

Itachi shook his head helplessly.

"Then you're too serious. Even the fish