Naruto, What's the point of being Hokage without you!

Kiba Inuzuka scribbled furiously.

"Damn it, I absolutely cannot lose to that guy Naruto!"

Shino Aburame also worked hard in secret.

The entire classroom had finally been thoroughly swept up in the wave started by Naruto...

Iruka naturally sensed this transformation as well.

But he only felt a deep sense of pride for Naruto.

The moment he heard the answer, Iruka was stunned for a second, then a warm current surged through his entire body.

"Naruto, congratulations..."

"You got it right."

He wore a gentle, radiant smile, genuinely and sincerely happy for Naruto from the bottom of his heart.

Naruto was also stunned for a long time before he raised his arms high and jumped up.

"Awesome!"

"I finally got one right!"

Iruka laughed: "Even so, there's no need to be too excited; this is just the beginning."

"Yes, thank you, Iruka!"

"And Hinata..."

He glanced at Hinata, and suddenly everyone's gaze fell upon her as well.

Hinata's little face immediately flushed red, even the roots of her ears turning crimson. She hurriedly lowered her head and said in a voice as soft as a mosquito's.

"It, it's nothing..."

"This is all the result of Naruto's own hard work..."

Naruto's heart stirred, and he remembered he hadn't thanked Hinata properly yet.

"Right, Hinata, let me treat you to ramen after school!"

Hinata's little heart gave a gentle flutter.

"Treat, treat me to ramen..."

This wasn't tutoring, but a real...

Date?!

Iruka took a deep breath and put on a serious expression once again.

"Naruto!"

"Although it is indeed worth celebrating that you got it right, but..."

"The classroom is no place for idle chatter!"

Naruto scratched his head: "Aha, I forgot. Alright Hinata, let's talk about it after school!"

"...Mm."

Iruka: "..."

Although he said that, hearing Naruto get the answer right and seeing him invite Hinata, he was actually happier than anyone else...

It felt quite like his own child had finally grown up and made something of himself...

This was the realization of an old father.

After school, under the watchful eyes of everyone, Naruto brazenly invited Hinata again.

Hinata's heart raced like a deer, her face flushed red, but she still nodded.

"...Mm."

Naruto remembered that System Bro had said earlier that ramen was edible, but just in case, he asked for his opinion in advance.

[The host may have ramen for dinner, but training must not be slacked off. On the way to Ichiraku Ramen, please proceed by doing frog jumps while carrying weight!]

Naruto: "..."

"Alright, alright, I get it!"

"Hinata, let's go."

"...Okay."

And so, under the stunned gazes of Hinata and everyone else, Naruto used his schoolbag as weight and, side by side with Hinata...

He began to frog-jump his way forward.

Although Hinata felt shy and sweet inside, Naruto frog-jumping beside her was truly too eye-catching, especially with those gazes that couldn't help but fall upon her as well.

This caused her, who was always shy and low-key, to endure unprecedented pressure.

This complex emotion was difficult to describe in words...

Therefore, when she saw the storefront of Ichiraku Ramen, Hinata felt an even greater sense of relief than Naruto.

It had been a long time since Naruto had eaten Ichiraku Ramen.

The moment he caught sight of the sign, he was already drooling, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Hinata, I'm afraid I'm going to go on a rampage today!"

"I'm going to eat a lot, so don't be scared..."

Hinata nodded gently.

"Mm, I won't be."

She pondered to herself, How... how should I tell Naruto-kun...

Actually, I eat a little bit too...

Brothers, please give me your monthly votes!!!

Chapter 21: Little Hinata, Big Eater!

"Yo, it's Naruto!"

"Long time no see!"

The owner of Ichiraku Ramen, Otsutsuki Ichiraku... whose real name was Uncle Teuchi, saw Naruto suddenly appear and flashed a kind smile.

Ayame, standing beside him, blinked her eyes and looked toward Hinata.

"Huh, this guy Naruto isn't alone this time; he actually brought such a cute girl with him."

She leaned in close to Naruto's ear and teased him with a playful tone.

"Is this a date?"

Hearing this, Hinata instantly blushed.

But Naruto just scratched his head carelessly: "It's not like that!"

"Hinata helped me with tutoring, so I have to treat her to thank her!"

"Oh, so that's how it is..."

Although Ayame said that, she easily saw through Hinata's true feelings from the look in her eyes.

This guy Naruto really is still just a kid; he's completely clueless...

Uncle Teuchi didn't say anything, just let the two sit down and asked.

"Naruto, Hinata, what kind of ramen would you like?"

Naruto blurted out: "As expected, it has to be the large bowl of pork miso chashu ramen!"

"Oh! Still your favorite, huh!"

"And little Hinata?"

Hinata said softly: "Then, then I'll have the same as Naruto-kun..."

"Please."

"Coming right up!"

Naruto was incredibly excited, rubbing his hands together.

"Come to think of it, it's been a long time since I've come to eat at Ichiraku Ramen."

"After a hard day of training, having a bowl of ramen is just pure bliss!"

Hinata smiled gently.

"It really is."

Only then did Naruto remember that he had come to thank Hinata.

"Aha, Hinata, you should eat plenty today. It's my treat, after all, to express my gratitude to you!"

"...O-okay, I'll try my best..."

"Ramen's here!"

As the two were chatting, Uncle Teuchi served two large bowls of ramen.

Naruto immediately began to drool, no longer paying any attention to Hinata, and began to wolf down his food in huge mouthfuls.

"Slow down, Naruto, if it's not enough, you can always order more."

"...Mmph, I know... nom nom nom..."

Hinata chuckled to herself and began to eat, albeit a bit shyly.

The two's manners while eating formed a stark contrast.

One was sweeping through the food like a storm, while the other was gentle and elegant.

However...

Just as Naruto finished a large bowl of ramen like a starving ghost, he was shocked to discover...

Hinata had already finished and was waiting for him!

"...Huh?!"

Naruto's eyes widened instantly, and he said in disbelief, "Hinata, didn't you eat that way too fast?!"

Hinata lowered her head in embarrassment.

"So, sorry..."

"Hahaha, what are you apologizing for? You eating it so heartily just means you've accepted my thanks!"

"Uncle Ichiraku, another large bowl for both me and Hinata!"

"Coming right up!"

Hinata hurriedly said, "Na, Naruto-kun... there's no need to spend so much..."

Naruto waved his hand dismissively: "What are you saying! Do I look like the stingy type?"

"Today, I'm definitely going to stuff myself full!"

"And of course, I'll make sure Hinata gets her fill too!"

Hinata whispered, "Th, then I won't stand on ceremony..."

"That's the spirit!"

And so...

A scene unfolded that left Naruto, Uncle Ichiraku, Ayame, and all the other customers dumbfounded...

Hinata's movements remained elegant and gentle, yet the ramen seemed to vanish into her mouth as if by magic.

One bowl, another bowl, and then another...