Naruto's Problem

It was another fine, sunny day. Ming Jing held Hinata's hand as they strolled leisurely along Konoha's busiest commercial street. Watching the lively crowds come and go, Hinata gradually relaxed.

When they reached an overpass, Ming Jing spotted a Milk Tea Shop below and jumped straight down to buy two cups. After quietly thanking him, Hinata happily sipped her drink.

"It's so lively here!" Hinata said indistinctly around her straw.

"Mm-hmm, you helped make this peace possible too." Ming Jing smiled and flattered her.

"I... I didn't do anything..." Hinata lowered her head shyly. Being acknowledged by the person she liked was certainly something to be happy about, but such obvious praise made her feel pressured instead. After all, the real her was not that exceptional.

Suddenly, Hinata's attention was drawn to another shop beneath the overpass. Ming Jing looked down and saw that it was a newly opened ramen restaurant holding an eating contest to attract customers. He turned to Hinata and found that she seemed interested.

Noticing Ming Jing's gaze, Hinata softly said, "I want that prize..."

"The prize?" Only then did Ming Jing notice that the prize was a large penguin plushie. It looked adorably goofy and was indeed the sort of thing girls liked. He looked at Hinata and gently said, "Then let's enter!"

"Okay!" Hinata nodded happily, and the two immediately hurried downstairs.

As Hinata was registering, Taichi came to Ming Jing's side and quietly said, "The Six-Tails Jinchuriki has disappeared." Ming Jing nodded without betraying any emotion, then waved for Taichi to leave first.

Hinata naturally noticed Taichi when she returned after happily signing up. She walked over to Ming Jing and asked, "Did something happen?"

"No. You finished registering, right? When do we compete?" Ming Jing shook his head and asked with an