Standing by the river, Kenta takes his shirt, trousers and underwear off, before jumping into the chilly water. The first few seconds of being in the water sent his body in too shock, to then become a calm refreshing sensation.

Back to reality, Kenta get his clothes, sits on the bank of the river and begins scrubbing. Repeatedly washing those finally rids it of both the smell and blood stains. He splashes his face once more to completely wash the blood away from his mouth. He cups his hands and scoops some water to wash his mouth and satisfy his thirst.

*splash*

In the middle of the river, there are fishes flying through the water. Immediately Kenta throws himself back into the water and swims to the centre. Diving under water Kenta sees a school of fish swimming all around him. He tries to grab a few, but the slimy fish are just too quick and agile. Coming up for air he hears a man say something.

“If ya’ want to catch a fish, you’ll never do it like that.” He said, “I usually fish with my friend, but he’s busy today. How ‘bout I lend ya' his rod for today.”

Swimming back to shore, Kenta quickly puts his clothes back on. He looks over to see a middle-aged man with grey hairs, and brown eyes. He appears to be a local farmer from his clothes.

“Yeah, I was looking to catch a few fish, but I didn’t have a rod.” Kenta nervously replies, “You sure you don’t mind me using the rod.”

“Of course not.” The man replies, “Fishing is always better when ya’ have company, and by the way the name’s Hachiro, but most people call me Hachi, it’s a pleasure to meet ya’.”

“Kenta, and to you to.”

As Kenta sits down, Hachiro next to him passes the rod.

“All we’ve got today is some common earthworm, hope ya’ don’t mind.” Hachiro states.

“Not at all.” Kenta replies as he puts earthworm on the end of his line.

Alright, here we go.

Flinging his line, it lands dead in the middle of the river.

“My word!” Hachiro exclaims, “That was a beauty.”

Kenta has only gone fishing once in his life, the fact that he casted so flawlessly is owed to his martial arts training and his perfect control over his body. The real challenge begins now as Kenta has never caught a fish.

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5 minutes have passed and Kenta reels his line back in, only to find the earthworm missing.

“Damnit!” Kenta quietly says.

“Hahaha. I see now.” Hachiro says while looking with a grin, “No worries, Hachi here can teach ya’ how to fish.”

“Am I really that bad?” Kenta questions.

“Well ya’ not an expert.” Hachi sarcastically replies.

“Follow what I do, and ya’ll be swimming in no time. Hahaha.” He says.

“First thing, is to put the bait on properly.” Hachi instructs as he puts and worm on the hook, “See how the hook doesn’t protrude out, this is so the fish don’t see it.”

“Next would be the casting, but ya’ seem to be quite adept at that, so we’ll skip that part.” Hachi exclaims as his casts out into the river, “The only advice I can give ya’, is to cast into the shade, ‘cause the fish love the shade.”

“Next ya’ll want to let the line sink for a bit.” Hachi says, “The fish are neither at the top, nor the bottom. So ya’ want the middle.”

“Finally, ya’ want to keep ya’ finger gently on the line.” Hachi states as he puts his lightly on the line, “This is so ya’ can feel when the fish bite. Ya don’t want hold the line too tight, or else the fish will think that there is something fishy about the food… Hehehe. Oh, and I almost forgot, don’t reel them in on the first tug, that’s just them testing it out. Pull on the second tug, that way they think the foods safe to eat. Now it’s your turn.”

Alright I got this.

Kenta picks up a worm and puts it on the hook following the advice, making sure the hook doesn’t protrude too much. He looks towards the river and sees a tree hanging over the river, causing a shadow to appear. Focused, he casts accurately and gets it under the tree, he waits a few seconds for the bait to sink, then puts his finger lightly on the line.

Now I wait.

5 minutes…

10 minutes…

15 minutes…

Dozing off he finally feels a tug on the line.

Now I got you! No wait, be patient.

Seconds later there is another tug, but this time it continues to pull. It’s hooked.

“Hahaha! You’re mine little fishy!” Kenta yells.

Reeling in as fast as he can, a fish emerges from the water, following his line. He flings onto land just in between him and Hachi.

At this point Hachi, pulls out a small blade and spikes the fish between the eyes, stabbing into the brain.

“We need to make sure to cause the fish as little suffering as possible.” Hachi explains, “We want to eat them, not torture them.”

Kenta nods in agreement.

“This here is a yellow perch.” Hachi says, “They’re fairly common around these parts, and I’d say ya’ caught a decent sized one. See I told ya’ I’d teach ya’.”

Kenta looking on with excitement, can feel himself salivating, wondering what skills he will get when he consumes the fish.

“Hahaha. Ya’ sure must be hungry.” Hachi says as he sees Kenta’s excitement, “Ya’ know if ya’ really want I can give ya’ one of the smaller fish I’ve caught so you can eat, no need worry as well, as it’s quite safe to eat raw fish.”

Kenta passes him the large yellow perch fish in exchange for a smaller one.

This should work fine.

Holding the smaller fish, he bites into the lighter coloured belly and crunches down, crushing the small bones and ripping the meat out. Swallowing it.

*Ding*

---

Skills Gained.

Improved swimming: Like a fish you will be able to move faster in water.

Aqua Affinity: In water, lungs do not suffice. You are now able to breathe underwater.