"Have you noticed? "One masked ANBU agent crouched in the shadows of a rooftop, observing Naruto as he walked alone through the streets. "The Nine-Tails jinchūriki… seems different somehow. "
Another ANBU nodded slightly. "Yeah. I can't quite explain it, but… something feels off about him. "
The two exchanged coded gestures, communicating silently in the secret hand language of ANBU operatives. After a brief exchange, they both fell quiet again, puzzled. They couldn't figure out what exactly had changed. So, as always, they simply recorded everything faithfully in their mission reports.
Naruto, of course, had no idea exactly where the ANBU watching him were hiding. But he knew they were there. He also knew every move he made was being monitored. And yet—he didn't care. Because right now, he was still just a "small kid. "No one would take his actions too seriously. That gave him the perfect cover. He could make mistakes, act curious, explore, even experiment—as long as he didn't say or do anything that hinted at rebellion or hatred toward the village, the ANBU wouldn't act.
That was his greatest advantage. He planned to use it well—to grow stronger in secret.
The original Naruto had wasted those years chasing attention, pulling pranks to get people to notice him—and missed the best time to build his foundation. Not this Naruto. He wasn't going to waste a single moment.
Still, one pressing problem remained: his stomach. "Right, " he muttered to himself, rubbing his belly, "food first. "He looked around the village and thought for a while. If no one would sell him anything… then he'd just have to feed himself.
And in Konoha—a village surrounded by forests, mountains, and streams—food was everywhere if you knew where to look. He smiled. "Time to go hunting. "
As he walked toward the outskirts of the village, the number of houses thinned, the noise faded, and soon he found himself surrounded by calm greenery.
Birdsong replaced the chatter of people, and the gentle rustle of leaves filled the air. Then he saw a wooden sign: "Training Ground No. 66. ""Oh? So this is one of the training fields, " Naruto murmured. He glanced around. No ninjas in sight. Perfect.
The environment was excellent—mountains, trees, a stream… and best of all, no people. (Well, aside from the ANBU in hiding, but they didn't count. )"Alright, " he said, grinning. "This will do. "He stripped off his jacket, leaving just a short-sleeved shirt, and headed into the woods to see what he could catch.
He thought back to all those wilderness survival videos he used to watch online in his previous life—Bear Grylls, Ed Stafford, all the classics. If he could remember even a little of that…
Suddenly, a strange, familiar voice echoed in his mind: "You recall countless wilderness survival techniques! ""You have comprehended Grandmaster-Level Animal Trap Crafting and Placement! "
Grandmaster-Level Animal Trap Crafting: You have mastered every known type of animal trap in any environment or condition. Your success rate in hunting increases dramatically.
In an instant, Naruto's mind flooded with vivid memories—as if he had spent decades in the wild, building traps, stalking prey, and surviving alone. It felt utterly natural. He could now picture a dozen different traps in his head at once—adjusting their design depending on the animal, the terrain, even the season.
Of course, he didn't need anything too complicated right now. So he picked a simple one and got to work. He scoured the forest for branches, vines, and stones, working steadily for half an hour until he had what he needed.
Three simple snares—basic, but efficient. Then he carefully searched for signs of animal paths—tracks, bent grass, droppings—and laid the traps along those routes, spacing them apart. Finally, he covered the area with plants and soil to mask his scent.
After finishing, he clapped his hands with satisfaction. "Perfect. Now… we wait. "
But waiting meant being idle, and Naruto wasn't the type to sit still for hours. He glanced toward the nearby stream. Beneath the clear surface, fish darted playfully in the sunlit water. His eyes lit up. "Well, can't just ignore free food, can I? "
He wanted to fish—but there were no fishing rods, no bait, no hooks. And his pockets were empty. "…Guess it's time to improvise. "
He thought for a moment, then another voice echoed in his mind. "You recall countless documentaries on traditional fishing! ""You have comprehended Grandmaster-Level Spearfishing Technique! "
Grandmaster-Level Spearfishing Technique: You are a master of spearfishing—more skilled than lifelong fishermen. Your accuracy and success rate are greatly increased.
Memories surged again—years of fishermen wading through rivers, crafting spears from wood and stone, their movements sharp and patient.
Naruto opened his eyes, now gleaming with focus. He picked up a sturdy branch and trimmed it with a sharp stone, shaping one end into a spearhead. A primitive fishing spear, but perfectly balanced.
Rolling up his pants, he stepped into the cool stream. The icy water made him shiver, but he quickly adjusted. He steadied his breathing, lowered himself closer to the water's surface, and waited. Patience. Calm. Focus.
When spearfishing, the key was to aim below the target—because light refraction in the water distorted the image. And when striking, the motion must be—steady, precise, and merciless.
Minutes passed. A fish glided into range. Naruto's eyes narrowed. He exhaled once—then struck.
Swoosh—! The spear flashed through the air, and when he lifted it, a silver-scaled fish writhed on the tip.
"Ha! " Naruto grinned. "Gotcha! "
That first catch filled him with exhilaration. And once he started, he couldn't stop.
In the next few hours, he speared seven or eight fish, each about a pound in weight. Enough to feed himself for an entire week.
He piled them neatly by the shore, then returned to check on his traps. Two out of three had caught rabbits—plump, healthy ones too.
Naruto laughed out loud. "Today's my lucky day! "
He had fish, he had meat—and for the first time in this new world, he had hope. A real meal, earned with his own hands.