Chapter 228: Port City — Naoetsu
Uchiha Itachi couldn't help thinking, Good grief… using Lightning Release to catch fish?
Sasuke truly had a unique definition of "fun."
With a faint smile, Itachi asked,
"Naruto, you were the one who wanted to catch fish, right?"
"Yup!" Naruto beamed. "Grandpa Third used to make fish soup for me all the time, and it was super delicious! I wanna make it for all of you too!"
Naruto's smile was bright and earnest.
"It's really good! You'll definitely think so once you try it!"
But when Naruto mentioned the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi's lined face flashed into Itachi's mind—and a complicated shadow passed across his expression.
Third Hokage…
He understood far too much now.
Late at night, lying awake and reflecting on the past, Itachi couldn't help but think of how Hiruzen deceived him—brainwashing him with false ideals, manipulating his loyalty, and quietly preparing to use him to erase the Uchiha clan.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was a fraud. A hypocrite.
A man who nearly led him down a path of slaughter.
Itachi's teeth clenched at the thought. If not for his father stepping in back then, he might have truly become the clan's butcher.
"Itachi-aniki? What's wrong?"
Naruto tilted his head, puzzled. It was the first time he had ever seen Itachi grit his teeth like that.
Could Itachi-aniki have a stomachache? Naruto wondered innocently.
"…I'm alright," Itachi said gently, smoothing his expression before patting Naruto's head. "I'll look forward to your fish soup then."
"Mhm!"
Naruto's smile lit up like sunshine.
"I'll make sure you love it! Everyone who drinks my fish soup says it's delicious!"
"Naruto!"
Sasuke's shout echoed across the lake.
Naruto turned—and spotted Sasuke waving.
"I'm coming!"
He sprinted across the water surface effortlessly, barely disturbing the lake. His water-walking control was impeccable now.
"Whoa! So many big fish!"
Naruto nearly burst with joy. He scooped them up like a seasoned hunter—three in one hand, one tucked under each arm. Five in total.
"Sasuke, help me carry a few!"
"No."
Sasuke rejected immediately. "I only promised to electrocute them, not carry them."
"Hurry or they'll wake up!"
"You moron," Sasuke replied calmly. "They're not waking up anytime soon. You have enough time to run back and forth."
Naruto sighed in relief.
"Great! I'll take these up first!"
He raced to the shore.
"Yo, Naruto. Quite the haul."
Fugaku stood there with an amused expression.
Itachi had already explained Naruto's intention to make fish soup for everyone, so Fugaku had come over out of curiosity—arriving just in time to see Naruto arrive with his arms full of fish.
"Hehe, Uncle, that's not all!"
Naruto placed the fish on the grass, tied grass vines together, and threaded them through the gills to string the fish neatly.
"Uncle, watch these for me! Don't let that big bird steal them!"
He pointed at a large bird perched nearby before darting back to the lake.
Soon enough, Naruto returned with even more fish.
"That's enough, enough," Fugaku said quickly when he saw Naruto preparing to head out again. "We can't finish that many."
Fugaku added calmly,
"Keep enough for two meals. Release the rest."
"Yes, sir!"
Naruto never argued with Fugaku. Under his instruction, they kept six of the large fish and released the rest back into the lake. Though still floating belly-up, they would recover once the paralysis faded.
Mikoto stored the six fish inside a sealing scroll.
After packing up, the group boarded the carriage and continued onward.
Their next destination: Naoetsu, the Land of Fire's major port city.
A city the Fourth Raikage had long coveted.
Naoetsu handled a large share of the Land of Fire's overseas trade—an enormous source of profit. Trade had declined in recent years due to the Hidden Mist Village's isolation, but with the Land of Water reopening its borders, Naoetsu's port business was recovering rapidly.
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Two days later
In the early morning light, Naoetsu's harbor glittered like a polished gem. Sunlight danced across the water as ships drifted in and out of port, painting a lively, prosperous scene.
Under Ryoichi's expert handling, the carriage rolled smoothly to a stop.
"Lord, Madam—we've arrived at Naoetsu," Ryoichi reported.
When the curtain lifted, the first thing he saw was Naruto's bright yellow hair poking out.
"WOW! This place is sooo, sooo… sooo…"
Naruto scrunched up his face, trying desperately to find the right adjective.
Sasuke stepped out beside him.
"Idiot, did the fish soup make you forget how to talk?"
Naruto laughed awkwardly.
"I didn't do it on purpose! It really wasn't my fault! When we pass that lake again, I'll make more fish soup for you—it'll turn out fine next time!"
Sasuke twitched.
"Forget it. You failed twice. I'm not risking my life again. What if you poison me?"
Itachi, stepping down from the carriage, instinctively touched his stomach—still traumatized.
Yesterday, Naruto had indeed made fish soup…
But he mistook sugar for salt,
and he gathered some random forest plants to "add flavor."
The result… wasn't something humans should consume.
Itachi took one sip and spent the next hour suffering diarrhea.
Sasuke, thank goodness, waited for his brother to taste it first. After seeing Itachi's reaction, he refused to drink a drop.
Sasuke was furious about Naruto nearly killing his brother.
Even if Naruto called him "Daddy," he would never help him catch fish again.
"That wasn't my fault!" Naruto protested. "That plant looked exactly like the seasoning herb! And it's been forever since I last made fish soup!"
Just then, Fugaku stepped out while holding Mikoto's hand.
"It's been so many years," Mikoto said softly, "yet this place looks almost the same."
"Mom, you've been here before?" Sasuke asked curiously.
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