"Another bowl, please!"
"Okay."
"Another bowl, please!"
The person who ate so many bowls of ramen in one go was not Hinata, but Naruto.
'Gurgle gurgle—'
Naruto downed the soup in one gulp, wiped the broth from his mouth, and slumped back in his chair like a dead fish, his stomach bulging as if he were six months pregnant. He mumbled weakly, "Another bowl, please..."
The kind-hearted Uncle Teuchi advised, "Naruto, you've already eaten sixteen bowls. If you keep eating, you'll die from being stuffed."
Naruto, with tears in his eyes, pitifully said, "Starting tomorrow, I'll be traveling with the Pervy Sage. I don't know when I'll be able to eat such delicious ramen again. Please, let me keep eating it!"
For Naruto, Ichiraku Ramen is more than just food; it's a source of warmth and care.
The chewy and springy noodles, paired with a rich and fragrant broth, warm you from head to toe with just one bite.
'Slurp slurp...'
"Ah--"
Hinata wolfed down the last bite of noodles, then gulped down the broth before settling down on the table, completely satisfied. Indeed, being full is the greatest happiness.
Seeing Naruto's reluctant expression, Hinata comforted him, "Naruto, parting is only for the next reunion. Anyway, it's only for two or three years. Maybe Ichiraku Ramen will taste even better when you come back."
The Uncle Teuchi smiled and said, "Thank you for your kind words, Miss Hinata."
After the dinner, the four of them went home.
After the joyful gathering comes the parting.
Tomorrow morning, Naruto will be traveling out of the village with Jiraiya, and this trip may last for two or three years.
However, Hinata had no intention of seeing her off. For ninjas, it's not just about being separated for a few years; they need to get used to life-or-death separations as soon as possible.
Hinata was just a little sad, feeling that the huge Konoha of Konoha had suddenly become much quieter and was not as lively as it used to be.
However, it's not all bad that Naruto and Jiraiya are traveling together.
At least now we can freely visit any hot spring resort in Konoha, and we no longer have to worry about anyone hiding in the shadows spying on us.
So from a certain perspective, Naruto and Jiraiya's trip out of the village can be seen as saving all the women in Konoha.
The savior has successfully taken his first step.
Hinata returned to her small house at the Hyuga residence.
As soon as she opened the door, she saw Hanabi standing there with a serious expression, her big eyes blinking as she looked at Hinata.
"Welcome home, dear sister!"
Hanabi bowed timidly, Natsu Hyuga stood to the side in a maid outfit, holding a large plate of delicious food.
Hinata looked puzzled, squatted down and pinched Hanabi's cheek, asking curiously, "Hanabi, you're acting really strange today!"
Hanabi sometimes felt envious and jealous of Hinata.
Why is it that when I was a child, my bodyguard was that scoundrel Tokuma Hyuga whose name is spelled backwards, while Hanabi's bodyguard is Natsu Hyuga in a maid outfit?
Don't be so obvious about discriminatory treatment!
(╯‵□′)╯┻━┻
Although Hanabi wasn't as pretty as she is now, she was just as cute as Hinata. Her round, rosy cheeks were plump and felt wonderful to touch.
Hanabi stared wide-eyed at Hinata, her face full of anticipation, and said, "Onee-nee, please train me!"
"Well..."
"OK!"
Compared to Hinata, who's a complete slacker, Hanabi is practically the most perfect representative of the Main Family.
He is polite, hardworking, has a strong sense of family identity, and is also quite talented.
If Hinata hadn't been so overpowered, it would have been best for the Hyuga Clan to be passed down to Hanabi in this generation.
Hinata took Hanabi's small hand and said with a soft laugh, "Let's go! Let's go outside to train."
Eating ramen won't take long; it's not even 8 PM yet.
Although it was dark, the Hyuga Clan had lit their lamps. The elegant courtyard, illuminated by the soft lights, appeared tranquil, pleasant, and warm.
Hinata took Hanabi's hand and led her to the middle of the courtyard. Hanabi asked sweetly, "Big sister, I heard about what happened to you. You won't have to do any missions for a while, right?"
"Kindness!"
Hinata nodded and said slowly, "That's about right!"
Hanabi said happily, "That's great! That way, my sister can guide me in my cultivation every day."
Hinata looked at Hanabi's smiling face and felt a little heartache.
Hanabi is quite sensible. Ever since Hinata graduated, Hanabi has rarely come to Hinata for training, apparently because she was afraid of disturbing her.
Being Tsunade's secretary might be busier than carrying out missions...
Hinata gently rubbed Hanabi's little face and said in a tender tone, "Of course, from now on, I can Hanabi in her training Tenten!"
I, Otsutsuki Hinata, am not that bastard Itachi Uchiha, who only knows how to poke his own brother's forehead.
Pinching cheeks is a daily routine for sisters.
Hanabi exclaimed excitedly, "Great! Sister, let's begin!"
Hinata took a few steps back and assumed the starting stance of Gentle Fist, her face serious as she said, "Come on! Let me see your recent progress."
Hanabi also assumed the starting stance for her Gentle Fist and nodded, saying, "Be careful, sister!"
"Drink!"
'Pat pat pat...'
After only a few moves, Hinata immediately discovered the weakness in Hanabi's technique.
Hanabi's techniques have been perfected by Hyuga Hiashi.
However, if the moves are too perfect, they can appear somewhat rigid, losing the flexibility and versatility of Gentle Fist.
Especially when facing an opponent like Hinata who is also proficient in Gentle Fist, Hinata often knows how Hanabi will move before Hanabi even makes her next move.
Seeing the somewhat immature Hanabi, Hinata also realized many of her own shortcomings.
That's what combat experience is all about.
Before Hinata graduated, she often fought against the best fighters in her clan, so she shouldn't lack combat experience.
However, parrying and countering moves are different from real combat, especially in ninja battles, where the outcome can often be decided in an instant.
If your moves can't fool your enemy, then your enemy will use them against you.
In the past Hinata always ended up with Royal Flush when she fought others, and the few times she did fight, it was over in just a short while.
Even so, Hinata has already transcended the realm of techniques and no longer uses moves as rigidly as Hanabi.
Hinata wanted to say something, but then she thought that Hyuga Hiashi must have already discovered her and Hanabi's shortcomings, but she didn't say much, which obviously meant he had his own reasons.
With that in mind, Hinata didn't say anything more and continued to exchange blows with Hanabi.
Hinata had to admit Hanabi's excellence; at the same age, Hanabi was only half a step behind Neji.
After a short while of fighting, Hanabi's forehead was covered in sweat, and she was slightly out of breath, clearly indicating that she was already quite tired.
Hinata repelled Hanabi and chuckled, "Alright, that's enough for now!"
Hanabi said somewhat dissatisfiedly, "My sister is always like this, she always stops halfway through her cultivation!"
Hinata gently patted Hanabi's head and said softly, "No! I have a Ninjutsu to teach you, but you need to rest first!"