Inside Ichiraku Ramen, the moment Naruto Uzumaki walked in, the entire restaurant seemed to light up.
The customers immediately put down their chopsticks, eyes wide with admiration.
"Seventh Hokage!"
"Hokage-sama!"
Naruto waved good-naturedly, smiling at everyone.
"Hey, everyone. Good evening."
"Long time no see, Seventh Hokage," Ayame greeted warmly from behind the counter.
Naruto chuckled. "Yeah, sorry I haven't been around lately. Work's been… overwhelming."
Ayame laughed and waved her hands. "No, no, it's fine! You're the Hokage — the busiest man in the village!"
Across the room, Sarada Uchiha nudged Boruto with surprise.
"Hey, Boruto, your dad's here!"
"I see him," Boruto replied, sighing like it was nothing new. "He comes here all the time. Probably grabbing a midnight snack before heading back to the office for more overtime. Just ignore him."
Ayame leaned toward Naruto with a mischievous grin.
"By the way, Master Boruto's here too — and he brought his girlfriend."
Naruto blinked, caught off guard. "Girlfriend?"
He scanned the room and spotted Boruto and Sarada sitting together by the window. A faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
"Boruto, Sarada — you're here too," he said cheerfully, walking over.
"Seventh Hokage-sama," Sarada began, standing politely.
but Boruto quickly waved her down, "Relax, Sarada. Just call him Uncle Naruto."
Naruto nodded approvingly and sat across from them.
Boruto sighed. "Dad, could you maybe… not sit right across from us?"
Naruto tilted his head, confused. "Huh? What do you mean?"
Boruto groaned and muttered, "Unbelievable. You're such a natural idiot sometimes, Dad."
Naruto blinked, then followed his son's glance toward Sarada — and realization finally hit him.
"Oh—! Sorry, sorry!" he said quickly, rubbing the back of his head. "Didn't realize I was interrupting a date."
Standing up, Naruto pointed toward a table further away.
"I'll sit over there. You two enjoy yourselves."
Just as he turned, the door opened again — and in walked Choji Akimichi and his daughter, Chocho.
"Choji! Here for some ramen too?" Naruto called out.
Choji nodded enthusiastically. "Yep! My daughter and I are about to start our monthly ramen-eating contest!"
Naruto laughed. "A contest? With your daughter?"
Choji's expression turned serious. "This is no ordinary contest, Naruto. It's a battle of honor for the Akimichi clan!"
Chocho raised her fist with equal intensity.
"In the world of calories, there's no mercy between father and daughter!"
Naruto couldn't help but burst out laughing. "Then you two better give it your all!"
"Hey, Boruto, Sarada — you guys are here too!" Chocho called over teasingly. "Are you on a date?"
Sarada smiled awkwardly. "Didn't you say you were having a ramen contest with your dad, Chocho?"
"That's right!" Chocho said confidently. "Tonight, I'm breaking my dad's record — and I'll surpass the legendary Queen of Big Eaters too!"
Fire practically burned in her eyes as she and Choji sat down to begin their "battle."
Naruto shook his head, amused, and moved to his own seat nearby. Watching the cheerful families around him, he smiled faintly.
Konoha really is full of life these days…
As Boruto and Sarada enjoyed their ramen, Sarada glanced up curiously.
"Boruto, who's this 'legendary Queen of Big Eaters' Chocho mentioned? She seems really inspired."
Boruto froze mid-slurp, looking awkward.
"Uh… well, it's a bit of a story."
"What story?" Sarada pressed, smirking. "You're acting weird."
Boruto grinned mysteriously. "Heh. I'll tell you after we finish eating."
Later, after polishing off their bowls, Boruto and Sarada stood to leave. On their way to the counter, they spotted Chocho and Choji both slumped over their table — faces pale and bellies full to bursting.
"Chocho, are you okay?" Sarada asked, worried.
Chocho weakly lifted her head, forcing a smile. "I'm fine… just… too full."
She groaned dramatically. "Looks like I'm still not at the level of the legendary Queen of Big Eaters."
Sarada stifled a laugh. "As long as you're okay. We'll get going, then."
As the two walked toward the door, Naruto called after them, "Hey! Boruto, Sarada — don't stay out too late, alright?"
Boruto waved back lazily. "Yeah, yeah, old man."
But a mischievous grin crept onto his face.
You've barely been home yourself, Dad. Maybe it's time you felt a little pain…
With a puff of smoke, Boruto transformed — his body reshaping into Tendo Pain, robes and all. He spun dramatically and pointed at Naruto, who was mid-bite.
"How many floors does it take to carry a bag of rice?!"
[From Uzumaki Naruto's emotions, the progress bar increases by 1639 points.]
Naruto froze mid-slurp, staring blankly at his son in Pain's form.
He sighed, looking both exasperated and amused.
"Boruto… I'm sorry. I've just been really busy. I promise, I'll make it up to you soon."
Boruto huffed and dropped the transformation, grabbing Sarada's hand. "C'mon, let's go."
Sarada chuckled. "You're impossible sometimes."
Boruto leaned closer, lowering his voice. "Hey, Sarada — remember that 'Big Eater Queen'?"
"Yeah. So? Who is it?"
"Look up there." Boruto pointed to the wall above the cash register.
Sarada followed his gaze — and froze.
Several framed photos hung proudly above the counter, each showing record-holders from Ichiraku's eating contests. One photo stood out — a young woman in a lavender outfit, pale eyes shining, smiling sweetly as she held up an empty ramen bowl like it was nothing.
Sarada's jaw dropped.
"Wait… that's Aunt Hinata!"
Boruto grinned from ear to ear. "Yup. The legendary Queen of Big Eaters — my mom."
Sarada stared, still stunned.
In her mind, Hinata Hyuga was gentle, soft-spoken, and graceful — the last person she could imagine devouring mountains of ramen.
"I… I can't believe it," she whispered. "Aunt Hinata, the Big Eater Queen?"
Boruto laughed. "Never judge a ninja by their appetite."