The Four Who Skipped Class

Third chatted idly with Hinata, watching helplessly as she polished off enough food for ten people, bite by bite.

Just how big was Hinata's appetite?

In the Original Story on TV, Hinata once competed with Naruto in eating ramen. Naruto was so full after just a few bowls that he was about to throw up, while Hinata ate dozens of bowls without changing expression.

One bowl wasn't enough to satisfy her; forty-six bowls didn't fill her up!!!

She patted her little belly. Even after eating enough food for ten people, Hinata's slender waist remained as trim and delicate as ever, with not even the slightest sign of a bulge.

Who knew where all that food had gone?

Even Third was stunned.

That appetite... Luckily, Hinata had been born into the Hyuga Clan. An ordinary family simply couldn't afford to raise her!

"Grandpa Third, I'm going home!"

Third slowly rose to his feet and chuckled. "When people get old, they talk too much. Before I knew it, it's gotten so late. I need to return to handle official business as well. Goodbye, then!"

"Goodbye, Grandpa Third!"

The moment Third left, Hinata could not help letting out a long breath.

Though Third had been very kind, Hinata had been incredibly nervous, afraid that a poorly chosen word might provoke Third's suspicion for no reason.

Although her conversation with Third had caught Hinata somewhat by surprise, she still had to go on living her little life.

Within a few days, Hinata had completely forgotten about meeting Third. Every day, she ate and drank as she pleased, and whenever there was nothing to do, she hung out with delinquents like Shikamaru, Choji, and Kiba Inuzuka.

Naruto had not yet joined the ranks of the four class-cutters. The Konoha 11 would not be assigned to the same class until at least graduation.

Otherwise, their learning progress would differ. If the teacher taught too quickly, it would be unfair to the poor students; if the teacher taught too slowly, it would be equally unfair to the top students.

Iruka was Naruto's teacher, and he taught Naruto for a full six years.

That had been Third's intention.

Third had an extremely thorough grasp of human nature. Only someone with Iruka's personality could keep Naruto from falling into darkness.

Hinata had now entered Third's field of vision as well, but her status left Third somewhat hesitant.

In class, the girls' faction led by Ino still collectively ostracized Hinata, and now Sakura had joined them.

Because of Hinata's existence, Ino and Sakura had not fallen out over Sasuke. Instead, having a common rival in love had only brought them closer and closer.

Whenever Hinata grew tired of their harassment, she would always give Ino and Sakura a fierce lesson during taijutsu class.

Against those two weaklings, Hinata only needed to lightly tap them twice with her little hands to guarantee that they would be in too much pain to stand for hours.

Yet Hinata always held back just enough, leaving the teacher with little to say.

Crunch! Crunch!

Having learned the new material, Hinata could not be bothered to keep listening. She sat at the back of the classroom, propped up a book to block the teacher's view, and ate chips one bite at a time with the chubby Choji.

Hinata had plenty of pocket money, so naturally she would not keep stealing Choji's snacks.

She brought plenty of snacks to school every day to share with Choji.

Shikamaru was pretending to sleep. He was actually rather confused about which of Hinata and Choji truly belonged to the Akimichi Clan.

Crunch! Crunch!

Teacher (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻

Sneaking snacks during class was one thing, but did they have to crunch so loudly? Did they have any respect for their teacher at all?

"Choji! Hinata! Eating snacks in class? Get outside and stand as punishment!"

Feeling that the anger in his heart had yet to be fully vented, the other two delinquents sleeping in class were dragged into it as well.

"Shikamaru! Kiba! Sleeping in class? Get the hell out!"

The group of four trudged out into the hallway to stand as punishment. They exchanged glances, and each saw a hint of delight in the others' eyes.

Who would obediently stand there as punishment?

Standing as punishment might seem like a penalty, but to the four of them, it was a reward.

"Byakugan!"

Hinata activated her Byakugan. Seeing that the teacher was still spraying spit from the podium, she nodded to her three companions. The group of four stealthily opened the hallway window, climbed out, and jumped onto the playground.

Come to think of it, Hinata found it a little surprising.

Originally, she had thought that poor students like Choji and Kiba Inuzuka should have been assigned to other classes. But they were actually much like her. They often appeared distracted in class, yet they had a solid grasp of the material.

Hinata glanced at Choji. That little fatty had actually hidden a bag of chips on himself even while coming out to stand as punishment. What a clever little rascal.

Shikamaru stood with his hands behind his head, looking up at the sky. What a leisurely day.

Kiba Inuzuka suggested, "Want to go out and play?"

"No!"

"Too tiring!"

Hinata and Shikamaru refused at the same time. Hinata thought for a moment, then said with a smile, "It's almost noon. I'll treat you to BBQ!"

"BBQ!!!"

Choji's eyes lit up. Nearly all his pocket money went toward snacks, so he had no spare money to eat BBQ.

Only a wealthy young lady like Hinata had the confidence to treat everyone to a meal.

"If no one objects, let's hurry!"

The four class-cutters had long since familiarized themselves with the Ninja Academy's layout. They also knew how to leave without being discovered by the school. Sneaking over the wall and out of the academy, the four of them raced toward the BBQ Restaurant.

Striding along as if no one in the world mattered, Hinata was the first to push open the BBQ Restaurant's doors. She declared boldly, "Owner, a table for four!"

Naturally, the BBQ Restaurant owner recognized the four of them. They were all heirs to prominent Konoha clans; it would have been impossible not to know them.

"At this hour, shouldn't you all be in class at school?"

Without changing expression, Hinata said, "School let out early."

Lying was also one of a ninja's required subjects. Kakashi had said that every move a ninja made had to deceive their opponent.

Hinata was not a bad child who lied. She was a qualified ninja.

The owner was doubtful, but since they had already come in, he still arranged a table for them.

"What would you like to eat?"

After first looking over the menu, Hinata glanced at the BBQ Restaurant owner and said flatly, "Wait a moment."

With that, Hinata beckoned for her three companions to come closer!

Hinata lowered her voice. "Give me all your pocket money!"

Shikamaru said unhappily, "Didn't you say you were treating us?"

Hinata shot Shikamaru a "warning" look and said as though it were only natural, "Of course I'm treating you, but all four of us will pay together. Treating someone and paying are not the same concept."

Shikamaru did not dare say another word. He thought of his mother. Women, no matter their age, were terrifying creatures.

Kiba Inuzuka did not care, and Choji obediently handed over his pocket money. Shikamaru did not dare object either.

After getting her three companions' pocket money, Hinata slapped the table with her little hand and declared grandly, "Order!"

BBQ Restaurant owner: "..."

If he had not witnessed her forcibly taking their pocket money, the BBQ Restaurant owner really would have thought Hinata was some little rich girl.

Both Hinata and Choji had enormous appetites. After calculating their pocket money, Hinata ordered several jin of meat in one go.

Shikamaru and Kiba Inuzuka ate little, so if they split the bill equally, Hinata and Choji would be getting a bargain.

Sometimes, Hinata wondered why Konoha did not have all-you-can-eat restaurants.

But after seeing the fat members of the entire Akimichi Clan, Hinata suddenly understood. Opening an all-you-can-eat restaurant in Konoha would probably bankrupt someone down to their underwear...