Naruto trudged back to the shore, carrying two freshly caught rabbits over his shoulders.
This was where he had earlier released the fish he'd caught.
He had been working non-stop since morning—cleaning, preparing, and gathering ingredients.
His stomach growled with hunger. He hadn't eaten a single thing all day.
Looking at the bounty he'd gathered, Naruto thought, I'll eat one rabbit and one fish for now... the rest can be taken home for later.
But before he could cook, he needed fire.
Scratching his head, Naruto realized a problem: he hadn't brought a lighter, and worse yet, he didn't even own one at home.
If only I knew Fire Style...
Just a single Katon jutsu and he could have a roaring flame in seconds.
But alas, he hadn't learned any fire techniques yet.
Am I seriously going to have to rub sticks together like some caveman?
The thought made him sigh, but deep down, he recalled something from his previous life—those survival videos he used to binge-watch online.
You recall advanced fire-starting methods from your past life!
You've mastered wilderness fire-making techniques!
[Wild Fire-Starting: Max Level]
You've mastered every known method of making fire in the wild—flint, friction, even starting one bare-handed. You are a master of survival!
Suddenly, Naruto's mind flooded with practical knowledge—how to build a fire using simple materials, how to control airflow, how to find the best kindling.
He couldn't help but chuckle.
If I were sent back to prehistoric times, I'd probably be worshipped as the God of Fire.
Smiling, he got up and headed into the forest, gathering dry branches, twigs, and leaves.
Once he had everything ready, Naruto crafted a simple bow-drill fire starter.
He got to work.
Ten minutes of intense rubbing later, a spark finally jumped to life.
He quickly transferred it to a bed of dry wood shavings and blew gently.
Soon...
A small flame emerged.
It grew, flickering with warmth.
Naruto's face lit up in the firelight, his bright blue eyes reflecting a future full of hope.
With the fire going, it was time to cook.
In his past life, he knew how to prepare some basic dishes—but never had he cooked out in the wild with absolutely no tools.
Still, he refused to give up.
He concentrated, trying to recall every cooking video he'd ever watched.
You recall countless food-related videos: survival cooking, street food masters, Michelin-star chefs—even state banquet-level techniques!
You've attained god-level gourmet cooking skills!
[Gourmet Cooking: Max Level]
You have mastered every cooking technique known to mankind. From simple street snacks to five-star cuisine—you are the Supreme Chef!
His brain buzzed with knowledge.
So much experience.
So many techniques.
This wasn't just memorization—this was instinct.
And the skills weren't limited to just Chinese cuisine. They included French, Italian, Mediterranean... and more importantly, how to adapt in any environment—even without tools.
Everything from flame control to seasoning improvisation, from meat preparation to plating techniques—it was all in his head.
"This... this is incredible," Naruto muttered as he browsed through the vast culinary expertise now at his fingertips.
If I went back to the modern world and opened a stall… wouldn't I be the God of Food?
Though, for now...
Even just opening a humble food stand in Konoha sounded like a dream.
Well, maybe Naruto wasn't exactly the God of Food yet.
More like... the direct upgrade of his prehistoric ancestors.
But that was too far ahead.
Right now, after unlocking his max-level gourmet cooking skill, Naruto looked again at the ingredients in front of him.
This time, his mind wasn't foggy or uncertain.
He knew exactly where to begin.
With swift, practiced movements, Naruto used crude wilderness tools to clean and prep the fish and rabbits.
Then, he skewered them and placed them directly over the fire.
Sizzle—
The sound alone made his mouth water.
The aroma from the roasting meat—both the fish and rabbit—was wild and primal, yet utterly appetizing.
Naruto's hands moved with confidence and precision, perfectly managing the ideal timing to sear the meat at just the right moment.
No spices, no marinades—just meat and flame.
And yet the flavors began to bloom.
The balance of smoke, heat, and fat was divine.
A rich, mouthwatering scent filled the air, earthy and delicious.
It amazed Naruto.
Even though he'd prepared it himself, even though it was done in the most primitive way...
He couldn't believe something like this could smell that good.
"This smells amazing," Naruto muttered, his stomach groaning with anticipation.
His eyes were locked on the roasted fish and rabbit.
And finally, when they were done, he pulled them off the fire.
But just as he was about to take a bite...
A voice broke the silence.
"Naruto, your food smells really good. Could Grandpa have a taste? I'm feeling a little hungry."
Naruto froze.
He turned around—and there, in his usual casual robes, stood the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Calm as ever, as if he were just out for a walk, the old man had somehow wandered into the remote Training Ground 66 like it was the village square.
Naruto blinked.
He really showed up... just in time for the food.
Naruto stared at him.
Oh, how he wanted to tell this old man off.
He'd worked all morning, hadn't eaten a single thing, and now, just when the meat was ready...
This "grandpa" shows up.
And immediately wants a bite.
Old fox, Naruto thought bitterly.
You didn't help prep. You didn't offer tools. You didn't even say hello until you smelled something cooking.
And now you want a share?
Even a kid had limits to their patience.
Naruto clenched his fists.
He knew the Anbu were watching him. Always.
And the Third Hokage? That old geezer had his crystal ball—he could spy on anything in the village.
There was no way he didn't know what Naruto had been doing.
And yet, like clockwork, the moment the food was ready—poof, here he was.
It was almost insulting how perfectly timed it was.
Naruto's stomach was aching.
His allowance barely covered his meals—he often went hungry for days.
If it hadn't been for the legacy of the Uzumaki clan and the fact that he was the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki, the village wouldn't have kept him alive at all.
Malnourished for most of his childhood, and yet still standing.
He should be thankful?
No.
Not today.
But of course, he couldn't say that out loud.
He was still a child.
And children can't take on titans.
So he swallowed the bitterness down.
Like always.
Fine, Naruto thought. Smile now. Bow your head. Act like the good little orphan.
Be the grandson today. Become the master later.
He quickly dug into the memories of his past life.
All the films, all the performances—he needed to act, now.
You recall countless award-winning performances from your previous life!
You have mastered the god-tier acting skills of a world-class performer!
[Acting Skill: Max Level]
You're better than the Godfather. Better than any Oscar winner. You can cry, laugh, love, and lie with a single look.
In an instant, Naruto's head flooded with techniques—from childhood roles to seasoned characters, from subtle micro-expressions to bold gestures.
Then, without pause, he found the one he needed.
He turned to face the Third Hokage.
His expression softened.
His eyes lit up with joy.
His lips curled into a beaming smile—the kind that only comes from seeing someone you love and trust more than anything.
It was perfect.
This wasn't fake—it was precisely how the original Naruto had once felt about Hiruzen.
And that, more than anything, proved one thing:
Hiruzen's "bond strategy" had worked perfectly.
The old man smiled back, clearly pleased.
To a passing bystander, the scene would've looked heartwarming.
A kind grandfather.
A grateful grandson.
The perfect picture of love and family.
If only they knew.