Naruto's eyes widened, shifting from surprise to shock, then from fear to admiration.
"I… I didn't expect Hinata to eat this much?!" he exclaimed, his voice a mixture of disbelief and awe.
He stared in stunned amazement at the small, graceful girl across from him. Despite her delicate appearance, she was devouring bowl after bowl of Ichiraku Ramen with an elegance that belied her growing tower of empty dishes.
His competitive spirit flared instantly. Naruto had always been determined not to lose, and now, facing Hinata's astonishing appetite, he couldn't back down.
"This is my favorite Ichiraku Ramen! If I lose, where will I put my face?!" he thought.
Summoning the extreme determination he had cultivated over the past few days, Naruto began to eat. Bowl after bowl, he matched Hinata's pace as best he could, his eyes glinting with resolve. Each bite was a mixture of focus and exhilaration. He had risked everything to reach this moment—and he would not be bested.
However, just as he prepared for the next bowl, the system's warning rang loudly in his mind:
[Detection: The server has eaten enough and met the nutritional standard. Continuing to eat will be harmful to your health. Please stop eating immediately, or you will be subjected to the system's Lightning Release baptism!]
[Warning, countdown: 5…]
Naruto gritted his teeth. Reluctantly, he set his bowl down.
"Ah… fine, I get it!" he muttered, a bit begrudgingly. "Damn… but I'm full… fuller than ever in my life…"
He glanced at Hinata, only to see her still eating gracefully. The bowls in front of her had now formed an astonishingly tall tower.
"H-Hinata?!" Naruto gasped. His worldview had just been shaken to its core.
Hinata's face turned crimson, and she quickly apologized, bowing her head slightly.
"I… I'm sorry, Naruto-kun… because you said you would accept my gratitude by letting me eat everything, I… I just…"
Naruto paused, scratching his head awkwardly before letting out two small chuckles.
"Ah ha… ah ha… true! It's okay, Hinata! The important thing is to eat and enjoy yourself!"
Ayame, watching from the side, whispered teasingly to her father, Ichiraku's Uncle:
"Looks like Naruto got hit hard this time…"
Ichiraku's Uncle nodded, arms folded. "After all, this is his favorite Ichiraku Ramen. Losing to someone else in a ramen-eating contest—especially a cute girl like Hinata—must feel like a serious blow. But it's impressive how much she can eat with such a small frame."
Ayame's eyes widened in admiration. "Yeah… that's really incredible."
Hinata finally set down her last bowl, her face still flushed. "Well, Naruto-kun… I'm full," she said softly.
Naruto's mouth fell open. Then, a wide grin spread across his face.
"Hinata… you're amazing! I… I've completely lost to you!"
"R-really?" Hinata stammered, her shy smile barely visible.
"Of course! This is the first time I've ever lost to someone in a ramen-eating contest! But… seeing how much you love Ichiraku Ramen as much as I do… that's what really matters! This is what having similar interests feels like!"
A warm, gentle current ran through Hinata's heart, making her cheeks glow even more.
"I… I'm very happy too, Naruto-kun… thank you," she said softly.
Naruto laughed heartily. "What are you saying? I should be thanking you!"
---
The Price of Gratitude
"Ichiraku's Uncle, ne kadar?" Naruto asked, ready to pay for their enormous feast.
Ichiraku's Uncle smiled faintly. "2,000 Ryo."
"…Ha?!" Naruto exclaimed, nearly choking on his words.
The shop owner continued calmly. "A large bowl of pork miso chashu ramen costs 80 Ryo. Naruto, you ate eight bowls, and Hinata ate seventeen. That's twenty-five bowls in total—2,000 Ryo. Exactly as I calculated."
Hinata's eyes widened in embarrassment. "N-Naruto-kun, I'm sorry for eating so much. Why don't I just pay for my portion…"
Naruto waved his hand dismissively. "Nonsense! I said I'd treat you!"
With a dramatic flourish, Naruto pulled out his wallet, pretending to be generous, his eyes sparkling in front of Hinata. But as he handed over the money, tears of pride and happiness threatened to spill.
Ichiraku's Uncle took the money, then gave half back to Naruto.
"It's okay, Naruto. You and Hinata ate so much, there's definitely a discount. Also, this is your first time buying a girl dinner… Let's make it 1,000 Ryo."
Naruto blinked, both surprised and delighted. He was deeply touched by Ichiraku's kindness.
"Thank you… Ichiraku's Uncle…" he said softly.
The shop owner laughed heartily. "Okay, now, continue to work hard after dinner! I heard you've been training even harder lately."
"I know, Ichiraku's Uncle! I will definitely continue to work hard!" Naruto said, clenching his fists with determination.
With smiles and waves, Naruto and Hinata left Ichiraku Ramen. For Naruto, this shop was a sanctuary. Ichiraku's Uncle had always treated him kindly, without discrimination or coldness. That's why Naruto loved this place so much.
Hinata felt the warmth of Ichiraku's kindness as well, and her heart swelled with happiness for Naruto.
"Naruto-kun… Ichiraku's Uncle is such a good person…"
"Yeah… that's why I like his ramen the most," Naruto said with a grin.
Hinata nodded, rubbing her small belly. She was full, yet even she knew there was room for just a bit more… though she would never admit it.
---
Training Cannot Wait
As they began walking home, Naruto wanted to chat with Hinata, to savor the moment. But the system's warning sounded again:
[Detection: The presenter has eaten enough. Please go home immediately and continue today's training by doing frog jumps with weights!]
"Ah… Hinata, I have to go home and continue training!" he said reluctantly.
Hinata smiled softly, nodding. "G-goodbye, Naruto-kun…"
"See you tomorrow, Hinata!" he called as he crouched down and frog-hopped with the weight of his backpack, racing home.
Their shadows stretched long under the evening sun. Hinata watched Naruto's back, heart full of warmth, before turning toward her own home, her steps light yet thoughtful.
---
Night Training and Breakthrough
Back home, Naruto let out a loud belch, rubbing his overfilled stomach. He chuckled dryly.
"Never thought Hinata could eat that much ramen… She's really something else. Honestly, it was way more interesting than I imagined…"
There was no time for lingering sentimentality. The system's directives were clear: train without pause. Naruto plunged into rigorous exercises until late into the night.
Finally, the system announced:
[The presenter completed today's Clone Technique training, proficiency +1. Current Clone Technique proficiency score: 60!]
Naruto's heart leapt. Clone Technique—his least favorite ninjutsu—had now reached a passing proficiency. This meant that even if the technique were evaluated randomly, it would no longer be a hindrance.
He could now create a full clone that was convincing enough to be mistaken for himself. This was a massive breakthrough.
Glancing at the clock, Naruto saw it was nearly eleven. He yawned, ready for bed, though the system had more tasks awaiting him.
[The presenter's least proficient Clone Technique has improved significantly. To enter the top ten in evaluation, weaknesses must be addressed, and strengths strengthened.]
[Host, please start Transformation Technique training now!]
Naruto pouted. Transformation Technique was already his strongest ninjutsu, with 61 proficiency points. In battles, he had used it cleverly, from transforming into a shuriken against Zabuza to sand and gravel against Pain. It was his trump card.
Despite his reluctance, he prepared to train. Then, a bright idea sparked in his mind, and a grin spread across his face.
"The Transformation Technique doesn't limit what I can transform into, does it?" he thought excitedly. A world of possibilities suddenly opened before him.
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