Ever since the Ninja Academy opened, Shinichi and Tsunade had never set foot on campus in person. Their Shadow Clones diligently fulfilled their duties as "students," while their originals embraced the ultimate art of slacking off.
Anything a Shadow Clone could handle wasn't worth wasting the original's time on!
Meanwhile, Shinichi carefully taught Orochimaru the Chakra Refinement Technique and the Shadow Clone Technique.
Although Orochimaru was exceptionally gifted, he was still young, and his Chakra reserves had yet to stabilize. Learning to create Shadow Clones took some effort at first.
His learning ability was astonishing, however. Within just a few days, he had mastered the technique, not only creating clones but allocating his Chakra properly without wasting a shred of energy.
Once their Shadow Clone plan was successfully put into action, the three officially formed the "Lazy Fish Squad."
From then on, their originals had nothing to worry about. The Ninja Academy became their clones' battlefield, while the banks of the Naka River became their true playground.
Whenever sunlight spilled over the riverbank and their reflections shimmered on the sparkling water, the banks of the Naka River rang with their laughter.
Tsunade would roll up her trouser legs and step barefoot into the cool river, gripping a crude homemade fishing spear as she stared intently at the swimming fish, all while muttering, "I'm definitely catching a big one this time."
Shinichi lounged lazily on the grass by the bank, a foxtail grass stem between his lips and his hands tucked behind his head, looking as though he had seen through all the glitz of the Shinobi World and decided to do absolutely nothing.
Occasionally, he opened one eye to cast a lazy glance at Tsunade's catch, a smile playing on his lips. "Little Tsunade, don't go falling into the river again."
Tsunade turned to glare at him furiously. "You lazy bum! If you're so capable, come catch them yourself!"
"Then let me show you the genius of Uchiha Shinichi."
The corners of Shinichi's mouth lifted as he spoke with a cheerful smile, his light tone carrying a hint of easy confidence.
Tsunade and Orochimaru both gave him puzzled looks.
Tsunade folded her arms, sounding skeptical. "Oh? You're usually too lazy to move, but today you're volunteering to show off? Let's see what tricks you've got, then."
Shinichi shrugged and walked unhurriedly toward the riverbank, forming hand seals. Chakra stirred gently beneath his feet as he stepped steadily onto the river's surface.
The water rippled beneath him without disturbing his balance in the slightest. He stood on its surface as casually as if he were strolling through a garden.
"Watch closely."
His lips curled slightly as he raised a finger, the Chakra flowing through his body instantly turning into lightning.
"Lightning Release: Earth Flow!"
With a sharp crackle, pale blue lightning spread rapidly like ripples, racing across the water's surface amid flickering arcs.
The next second, the river churned violently. The fish swimming freely beneath the surface suddenly stiffened. Moments later, several floated up belly-first, quivered lightly on the water, and went completely still.
Tsunade stared at the scene, her eyes widening in stunned disbelief. "Hey, you... isn't that cheating?! Catching fish with Lightning Release?!"
Shinichi calmly withdrew his Chakra and slipped his hands into his pockets, looking utterly matter-of-fact. "This is called efficient fishing. You can squat here for ages and only catch one or two. With one move from me, we can have fish for every meal."
Tsunade immediately gritted her teeth in anger. "That's not fishing, it's a massacre! You have no sense of fair play!"
Beside them, Orochimaru frowned slightly, lowering his head to examine the fish floating on the water after being paralyzed by Lightning Release. His eyes flickered as though he were considering some scientific principle.
After a moment, he looked up, a hint of admiration in his slit pupils. "Big Brother Shinichi... the current in this jutsu is distributed very evenly. It can paralyze or kill the fish without damaging their internal tissue. That's incredibly precise control."
Shinichi's smile broadened at that. He casually patted Orochimaru on the shoulder. "That's Orochimaru for you. You really can appreciate the subtleties of this technique. Tsunade, you should learn from him instead of always relying on brute force."
A vein bulged on Tsunade's forehead, and she raised her fist to hit him. "Uchiha Shinichi! You dare lecture me?!"
Shinichi pushed off with his feet and quickly leaped back to shore, laughing as he retreated. "Don't get carried away! Hitting people is wrong!"
Orochimaru remained absorbed in contemplating the applications of Lightning Release, murmuring, "Controlling the strength of the current could produce effects of varying intensity... perhaps it could even be applied in other ways?"
The setting sun shone on the river as a gentle breeze blew past. Once again, the banks of the Naka River echoed with the sounds of Shinichi and Tsunade chasing each other, along with Orochimaru's thoughtful murmurs.
Orochimaru crouched nearby, carefully observing the movement of the flowing water. Occasionally, he reached out to test its temperature, as though pondering some principle of water flow.
His gaze was intent as he quietly recited the Chakra application techniques Shinichi had taught him, trying to control the ripples on the surface with Chakra to lure fish closer.
And so, each of the three immersed themselves in their own world in a different way. The river burbled along, the breeze brushed over the grass, and warm sunlight fell upon them, making time seem to slow to a crawl.
This stretch of riverbank became their secret base, and the freest, most carefree paradise of their childhood.
The midday sun filtered through the leaves onto the riverbank, and a gentle breeze carried the cool scent of river water. The three sat around a makeshift grill as the charcoal crackled, wisps of smoke rising slowly with the mouthwatering aroma of food.
Shinichi sat cross-legged nearby, focused on preparing the fish in his hands with movements so practiced that he seemed to have done it countless times before.
He patiently taught Tsunade and Orochimaru how to scale the fish, slit their bellies, and clean out their innards. He took every step seriously, showing none of his usual laziness.
Tsunade rolled up her sleeves and eagerly gave it a try. Her technique was somewhat clumsy, but she more than made up for it with enthusiasm.
Orochimaru was more meticulous, intently watching Shinichi's every movement as though considering how to make each one more precise.
"Cooking isn't something you can just muddle through. Clean the ingredients properly, and they won't taste fishy once they're grilled," Shinichi said casually, expertly threading the cleaned fish onto bamboo skewers and placing them over the grill.
"Heat control is crucial too. The coals can't be too hot. Slow grilling keeps the fish juicy and flavorful." He leisurely turned the fish as he spoke, sounding rather like a master instructing his apprentices.
Tsunade looked doubtful. "Since when did you get so particular?"
Shinichi lazily lifted his eyelids, his mouth curving into a smile. "Little Tsunade, you just don't get it. Eating is one of life's most important things. How could I not take it seriously?"
Tsunade pursed her lips but offered no argument. After all, this guy really did take food far too seriously.
Once the fish had developed a lightly charred skin and fat dripped onto the coals with a sizzle, filling the air with a rich aroma, Shinichi finally pulled a small bottle from inside his clothes.
"This is my secret seasoning. Guaranteed to take the flavor up a notch!" Wearing a mysterious expression, he gave the bottle a shake before carefully sprinkling its contents over the fish. An irresistible aroma immediately wafted toward them.
Tsunade couldn't help swallowing. "Is it really that amazing?"
Orochimaru's eyes brightened slightly as he thoughtfully studied the seasoning's ingredients, as though analyzing its secrets.
"Of course." Shinichi narrowed his eyes, a lazy, smug look spreading across his face, as if this moment were more worthy of pride than a breakthrough in training.
Not far away, Senju Toka stood hidden in the shade of the trees, quietly watching everything.
Her gaze pierced the smoke and settled on the carefree Uchiha boy.
The boy she had been secretly monitoring for so long showed no murderous intent or hostility. Instead, he seemed like an ordinary person enjoying life, even gentler and more easygoing than the children of the Senju Clan.
Yet the more he acted that way, the more uneasy she felt.
Uchiha Shinichi... what kind of person are you, really?
She narrowed her eyes and remained concealed, patiently observing.
At that moment, Shinichi was completely unaware of the eyes watching him from the shadows. Smiling, he handed the grilled fish to the two little ones beside him.
"All right, give it a taste. Let's see what you think of my cooking."
Tsunade and Orochimaru accepted the grilled fish, and their eyes brightened slightly at the very first bite.
"Delicious!" Tsunade exclaimed.
"The flavor... really is distinctive. It's truly delicious!" Orochimaru nodded slightly, his tone earnest.
Satisfied, Shinichi leaned back on the grass and stretched lazily. Afternoon sunlight spilled over him, making him look like the person who understood best how to enjoy life in this world.
In the distance, Senju Toka continued her surveillance. Keeping her gaze fixed on Shinichi, she silently wondered whether this carefree boy was truly as simple as he appeared.
The importance Tobirama Senju placed on Uchiha Shinichi forced Senju Toka to remain vigilant, devoting her full attention to observing this lazy yet inscrutable boy.
As an elite Jonin of the Senju Clan and Tsunade's aunt, she had been ordered by Tobirama not only to protect Tsunade but also to secretly monitor Uchiha Shinichi's every move.
The assignment seemed simple, but it was complicated in practice.
With any other Uchiha, Senju Toka might have detected ambition, hatred, or even resentment toward the Senju Clan in their words and actions.
But Shinichi, a boy who nominally belonged to the Uchiha Clan, showed no desire to fight whatsoever. He even seemed indifferent to the conflicts of the Shinobi World, leaving her unable to determine where he truly stood.
Was he lazy, or was it a deliberate disguise?
Senju Toka could not readily reach a conclusion.
All she could do was record Uchiha Shinichi's words and actions more carefully, searching for clues in his every movement, every conversation, and even the subtlest changes in his expression.
—She observed that Shinichi had no interest in fighting. He would never stand if he could lie down, and never train if he could slack off. Yet his Chakra reserves far surpassed those of his peers, exceeding even those of many elite Jonin!
—She discovered that Shinichi almost never attended the Ninja Academy in person, yet used Shadow Clones to study in his place with flawless precision. This indicated that his Chakra control was far more refined than it appeared.
—She noticed that Shinichi had not only influenced Tsunade's personality but also earned Orochimaru's complete trust, to the point that he affectionately called him "Big Brother Shinichi."
This seemingly calm, taciturn, and highly vigilant child had actually taken the initiative to get close to a Uchiha?
It was all far too unusual, far too incredible.
As she kept watch, Senju Toka pondered:
If he's only a lazy, easygoing child, why is every move he makes enough to change the course of the lives around him?
If he truly has no ambition, why has even Lord Tobirama Senju taken an interest in him?
Although Shinichi appeared to be nothing more than an extraordinarily lazy boy, Senju Toka knew she could not let her guard down.
She knew full well that the Uchiha Clan had never lacked schemers hiding in the shadows. Her task was to ensure this boy would not become a threat to Konoha—or rather, until they truly understood him, to keep every possibility firmly in the Senju's hands.
And so she remained hidden in the shadows, her gaze locked on the Uchiha boy sitting leisurely by the river, basking in the sun with a foxtail grass stem between his lips.
Uchiha Shinichi... what exactly are you?
Perhaps even Shinichi himself had never seriously considered that question.
Before you continue