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

Naruto's expression shifted from surprise to shock, then to fear, and finally to admiration!

"I never expected Hinata to be such a big eater!"

"It's, it's a complete contrast to her appearance!"

Naruto's strange competitive spirit flared up; unwilling to fall behind, he followed Hinata's lead, eating bowl after bowl.

This was his beloved Ichiraku Ramen, after all!

If he lost even at this, where would he put his face?!

Naruto summoned the extreme perseverance he had cultivated over these past few days, determined to keep pace at any cost, forcing down bowl after bowl.

However...

[Host detected to be full; nutritional requirements met. Continuing to eat will be detrimental to health. Please stop immediately, or you will be subjected to the Baptism of Lightning Release!]

[Warning, countdown 5...]

Naruto could only grit his teeth and put down his bowl, filled with reluctance.

"Ah, ah, I get it!"

"Damn it..."

"Still, I'm stuffed. I've never been this full before..."

But as he turned his head to look...

Hinata was still eating elegantly, the bowls in front of her already stacked into a tall tower...

"Hi, Hinata?!"

It was as if Naruto was truly meeting Hinata for the first time; his worldview had been shattered!

Hinata finally realized what was happening and hurriedly said with a blushing face.

"Ah, I'm sorry, Naruto-kun..."

"Because Naruto-kun said that eating everything would be the only way to accept your gratitude, that's why I..."

Naruto froze, then awkwardly scratched his head and let out two dry laughs.

"Aha, aha..."

"That's true, isn't it!"

"It's fine, Hinata, you being full and satisfied is what matters most!"

Ayame whispered to her father.

"That guy Naruto seems to have taken a hit..."

Uncle Ichiraku crossed his arms and nodded.

"After all, it is his favorite Ichiraku Ramen. To lose at eating ramen to someone else, especially such a cute little girl, Naruto is bound to be frustrated."

"Still, it's truly unexpected. Such a small body, yet she could eat so many bowls of ramen..."

Ayame nodded as well: "Indeed, it's truly incredible..."

Hinata finished that bowl as well and said with a blushing face: "Um, Naruto-kun, I'm full now..."

Though Naruto had been surprised at first, it had completely turned into admiration by the end.

"Hinata, you're amazing!"

"I've completely lost to you!"

Hinata said: "Re... really?"

"Of course! This is the first time I've ever lost to someone in a ramen-eating contest!"

"But, seeing you enjoy the Ichiraku Ramen I love so much makes me really happy. This is what they call having common interests!"

A warm current surged through Hinata's heart.

"I... I'm happy too, Naruto-kun..."

"Thank you."

Naruto laughed heartily: "What are you saying? I should be the one thanking you!"

"Uncle Ichiraku, how much?"

Uncle Ichiraku smiled slightly.

"2,000 ryo."

Naruto: "...Huh?!"

Uncle Ichiraku said unhurriedly: "A large bowl of pork miso chashu ramen is 80 ryo. You ate 8 bowls, and Hinata ate 17, totaling 25 bowls. 2,000 ryo is exactly right!"

Hinata said embarrassedly: "Na, Naruto-kun, I'm sorry I ate so much. Why don't I pay for my own share..."

Naruto waved his hand grandly: "Nonsense! I said I was treating you!"

He pulled out his Little Frog Wallet, acting bright and generous in front of Hinata, though by the time he turned back to pay, tears and snot were already streaming down his face...

"Here, here you go, Uncle Ichiraku."

Uncle Ichiraku took the payment, but then returned half of it to Naruto.

"Forget it, Naruto. You and Hinata ate so many bowls, there's definitely a discount."

"Besides, this is the first time you've treated a girl to a meal..."

"1000 ryo will be just fine!"

Naruto was both surprised and delighted, moved to the point where tears almost fell.

"U, Uncle Ichiraku..."

Uncle Ichiraku laughed heartily: "Alright, now that you've finished eating, you have to keep working hard on your training!"

"I've heard that you've been working much harder lately than you used to..."

Naruto clenched his fists: "I know, Uncle Ichiraku!"

"I will definitely keep working hard!"

"That's the spirit!"

Naruto and Hinata waved to the father and daughter, bidding farewell to the Ichiraku Ramen shop.

Uncle Ichiraku was one of the few people who had never treated Naruto with discrimination or coldness.

Perhaps this was also one of the reasons why Naruto loved Ichiraku Ramen the most...

Hinata also sensed Uncle Ichiraku's kindness toward Naruto, and she felt happy for him in her heart.

"Naruto-kun, that Uncle Ichiraku really is a good person..."

Naruto put his hands behind his head and gave a cheeky grin.

"Yeah, that's why I love Uncle Ichiraku's ramen the most..."

"You like it too, right, Hinata?"

Hinata nodded gently and patted her little belly.

She did love it, but it seemed she wasn't quite full yet...

Of course, she would never tell Naruto the truth...

[Detected that the host has finished eating. Please immediately perform weighted frog jumps home to continue today's training!]

Naruto wanted to keep chatting with Hinata as they walked, but the system's warning had already sounded again.

"Ah... Hinata, I have to go home and continue my training!"

Hinata smiled gently and nodded slightly.

"G, goodbye, Naruto-kun."

"Oh, see you tomorrow, Hinata!"

Naruto crouched down again and began weighted frog jumps toward his home.

The shadows of the two were stretched long together under the setting sun...

Hinata watched Naruto's retreating figure, feeling incredibly sweet inside, and only turned to head toward her own home once he was out of sight.

She blinked her eyes and skipped away with a cheerful gait.

"See you tomorrow, Naruto-kun..."

Back home, Naruto let out a huge burp.

He rubbed his stomach; he had definitely overeaten, but...

He still lost to that girl Hinata...

Naruto let out a dry laugh.

"I never expected Hinata could eat so much ramen..."

"She really is much more interesting than I imagined..."

However, Naruto didn't have much time for reflection.

Under the system's coercion, he didn't even have a chance to digest his food before immediately entering training mode.

This training lasted until late into the night.

Although it was agonizing, but...

[Host has completed today's Clone Technique training. Proficiency +1. Current Clone Technique proficiency increased to 60 points!]

Hearing this notification, Naruto was overjoyed.

Clone Technique!

The ninjutsu he was worst at had actually been trained by him to the passing grade of 60!

With this, even if he were randomly tested on the Clone Technique, he at least wouldn't be dragging his feet.

Naruto's current level was enough to produce a complete clone.

Furthermore, it was realistic enough to pass for the real thing.

For him, this was truly a monumental improvement.

Glancing at the clock, it was already nearing eleven.

Naruto stretched his arms wide, preparing to turn in early.

But in this world, such good fortune rarely exists.

[The host's weakest skill, the Clone Technique, has improved significantly, but to reach the goal of placing in the top ten during the assessment, one must not only shore up weaknesses but also cultivate one's strengths!]

[Host, please begin training the Transformation Technique immediately!]

"...Huh?!"

Naruto's Transformation Technique was, relatively speaking, his strongest suit.

Even now, he had a proficiency of 61 points.

Moreover, in the original story, he had deceived many enemies in various battles using the Transformation Technique.

From transforming into a shuriken against Zabuza to turning into a pebble against Pain, these instances were proof enough.

Not to mention, he still possessed the ultimate trump card...

Though reluctant, Naruto pouted and prepared to begin his training.

Suddenly, a brilliant idea struck him, and a radiant smile spread across his face...

"Say, tell me..."

"The Transformation Technique doesn't restrict what I can turn into, right?"