Shortly after Shinho Aburame sat down, he noticed Ino Yamanaka's movements.
She had initially been sitting about three meters away from him, but within a few seconds, she was less than a meter away.
Caught in the act, the sneaky Ino decided to drop the pretence.
"Shinho-kun," Ino said, holding her fishing rod with both hands, her tone expectant. "Can I sit next to you?"
"No."
Shinho refused without a second thought.
"Eh? That's so mean!" Ino's voice was sweet; though it sounded like a complaint, it was more like she was pouting.
"Too close, and it'll affect the fishing," Shinho replied, transforming into an unfeeling angler.
Defeated, Ino retreated.
She moved a bit to the right, widening the distance between them.
She wanted to say more, but seeing his face, she couldn't bring herself to be angry.
She could only begrudgingly comply.
Hinata Hyuga silently withdrew her gaze.
Since Ino couldn't sit next to him, she certainly couldn't either.
She just didn't understand what was so fun about fishing.
Shinho scattered some bait, starting to attract fish.
He looked around.
Shikamaru Nara had stuck his fishing rod into the ground; with his hands behind his head, he lay down beside it to rest.
He looked casual and lazy.
Counting on the fish to bite if they wanted to.
The others were all very focused, especially Sasuke Uchiha.
His face was full of determination, competing with Naruto Uzumaki, to the point where he forgot his original purpose for being there.
After waiting for a moment, Shinho suddenly flicked his rod, and the hook plunged into the water.
It was his first time fishing.
At least in this life.
In his previous life, because his father was very passionate about it, he had gone fishing many times.
"I got one!" Kiba Inuzuka whispered excitedly, unable to hide his enthusiasm.
Damn it! before me?! What did you catch?
Shinho turned to look—a big fish, at least two or three pounds.
Kiba's dog, Akamaru, hadn't been born yet; otherwise, the scene would have been much livelier.
Shinho silently recited, "Keep a calm heart; even if the sky falls, remain unflustered."
He looked at his own fishing rod.
Well, he had to catch at least one.
Suddenly, the rod dipped slightly.
Shinho's eyes sharpened as he began to reel it in.
He reached out and took off a card from the hook.
"Top-quality young girls, skilled techniques, East Street of Konoha, hot spring massage."
What the heck? was my luck always this rotten?!
Shinho glanced at the address, tossed the card aside, and continued fishing.
Happy times always pass quickly.
Although his first catch wasn't successful, afterward it was as if he had the favor of Lady Luck; fish kept biting.
When a touch of dusk appeared on the horizon, the fishing competition came to an end.
"I caught seven fish!" Kiba Inuzuka said proudly.
"Eight," Ino said with a smile, but her eyes remained fixed on Shinho.
"Ah, how could this be?" Kiba instantly wore a look of agony.
"I only got three," Naruto said dejectedly, like a frostbitten eggplant.
"Seventeen," Sasuke Uchiha said, lifting his chin slightly.
Seventeen fish!—how can you beat that?
Glory must belong to the Uchiha, no matter the profession.
"What?!" The disheartened Naruto looked shocked.
Choji Akimichi's eyes lit up.
He had been worried there wouldn't be enough to eat tonight, but now he could feast.
"As expected of Sasuke-kun!" Sakura Haruno began fangirling again.
"What about you?" Shinho turned to Shino Aburame.
"Nothing much," Shino said, moving his bucket backward.
Shinho walked over and took a look.
Inside was a fish no bigger than a finger.
"It's okay; small ones are cute too," Shinho comforted him.
"..." Shino instinctively clenched his fist.
Although it was meant as comfort, for some reason, he felt an urge to hit someone.
"How many did you catch?" Shino took a deep breath and asked.
Sasuke and the others also looked at Shinho.
He was the only one who hadn't announced his result.
"I just got lucky," Shinho revealed the bucket behind him. "One more than Sasuke."
Shino pouted, looking to the side.
There he goes showing off again.
"Shinho-kun," Ino beamed. "You're amazing!"
Though it sounded a bit rehearsed, he naturally accepted the praise from a pretty girl.
Shinho looked at Hinata.
She immediately lowered her head like a startled rabbit.
Sasuke stood frozen.
He was second place again?
Damn it! How can a real man stay beneath others for long?
"Shinho Aburame, I want to spar with you," Sasuke challenged.
He couldn't stand it anymore; he had to settle this now!
Ino and the others looked at him, somewhat surprised.
A fight!? again?
Shinho finally understood why Sasuke had come.
So he wanted to avenge his earlier defeat. Well, that suits me just fine.
"Give me a moment; I'll handle the fish first," Shinho turned slightly and said to Ino and the others.
Hearing this, Sasuke's face fell.
What do you mean? A moment? I can at least last a few minutes! No, I can definitely beat you!
Feeling both angry and anxious, Sasuke and Shinho moved apart.
Swish, swish!
As soon as Sasuke steadied his footing, he immediately threw two rapidly spinning wooden kunai.
Shinho activated his Jade Skin Gu; his skin took on a jade-like sheen.
He swung his arms, knocking the two kunai aside, then leaped toward Sasuke.
Body Flicker Technique!
Chakra surged at Sasuke's feet, and his body quickly retreated.
Shinho chased as Sasuke fled.
But instead of being alarmed, Sasuke was pleased. A smile appeared at the corner of his mouth as he suddenly pulled back his hands.
The wires trembled.
The two kunai reversed direction, heading toward Shinho's back.
A sneak attack!
Ino instinctively covered her mouth.
Hinata's heart leaped.
"How can the kunai change direction?" Naruto asked in confusion.
So it's the Manipulated Shuriken Technique.
Shinho noticed the wires in Sasuke's hands.
He remembered this jutsu vividly because its name sounded somewhat inappropriate.
People shouldn't... or at least shouldn't...
Body Flicker Technique!
Shinho suddenly accelerated.
The basic Body Flicker Technique was a D-rank ninjutsu, which he naturally knew.
Powered by his true essence, he was faster than Sasuke.
In the blink of an eye, he was right in front of Sasuke. Controlling his strength, he threw a punch.
"Ouch, ouch, ouch!"
Sasuke clutched his stomach, his face turning pale as he hunched over.
The invincible Uchiha had fallen once again.
"Sasuke-kun!"
Sakura hurried over, asking with concern, "Are you okay?"
"I'm... fine," Sasuke forced out two words.
This time, Shinho had held back even more, using only twenty percent of his strength, gentler than last time.
After resting for a moment, Sasuke recovered.
He stared blankly at Shinho, who was in the distance handling the fish.
After sparring again, he realized something was off.
Shinho wasn't just strong.
Even using the Body Flicker Technique, he was at least a third faster than Sasuke.
Where did it go wrong?
"Why is your Body Flicker Technique so fast?" Sasuke hesitated repeatedly, finally unable his curiosity, he approached Shinho.
"Do you want to learn?" Shinho glanced at him and asked.
"No," Sasuke turned his face away. "I just want to know why."
"Nothing more than skill," Shinho replied without looking up.
That simple? Impossible! Absolutely impossible! There must be some other secret. He wanted to learn.
Sasuke's face was conflicted, but he just couldn't bring himself to ask anymore.