Ah... There's a Rule Like That?

"What would you like to eat today? Just tell me."

Ayame said with a smile.

"Ayame, doesn't your family run the Big Eater Challenge?"

Naruto asked.

Ayame looked a little surprised, then nodded and pointed at the wall on the right.

"That's the ranking of past Big Eater Challenge winners."

"It's just a ranking, though. If you want to take the challenge, you have to order at least five extra-large bowls of Ichiraku Ramen."

"You can eat for free if you finish, but if you don't, you'll have to pay full price."

"Are you two sure you want to try?"

Naruto and Hinata didn't look like they could eat much.

If Choji Akimichi came by instead,

Ayame might believe he had a chance of winning.

But Naruto and Hinata... probably not.

Even one extra-large bowl of Ichiraku Ramen was enough to fill you up.

"Hinata, want to give it a try?"

Naruto asked with a smile.

When it came to eating, Hinata was the real expert.

Having a wife who could eat a lot was a good thing.

After all, you needed to eat well to have the energy to work.

It wasn't as if Naruto couldn't afford the ramen.

After getting some supplies,

he had a lot more money on hand.

His finances weren't as tight as they used to be.

Besides, Naruto was curious, too.

Could Little Hinata break the Big Eater Challenge record at Ichiraku Ramen?

"I can give it a try... but, Naruto-kun, please don't make fun of me for eating so much."

"N-no, maybe we should just leave."

Hinata spoke softly and timidly.

She was afraid that once Naruto saw her terrifying appetite,

he'd be frightened.

Actually, Hinata didn't usually have much of an appetite.

At home, she ate a normal amount for an ordinary person.

When she was in a good mood, she could eat a little more.

Maybe three or four times as much as an ordinary person.

Of course,

it all depended on whether she felt like eating.

She could eat less if she wanted to.

Hinata wouldn't go hungry because of it.

Naruto assured her earnestly.

"Don't worry. I'm not into that sort of thing. How about we have a contest and see who can eat more?"

Naruto thought of a pretty good trick.

Not long ago, he'd eaten with Shikamaru and the others.

The taste and everything else had felt completely real.

But after he dispelled the Puppet Shadow Clone,

his real body would still be hungry.

In other words, if he got halfway through and couldn't eat another bite,

he could use going to the bathroom as an excuse

and make a Puppet Shadow Clone.

Then he could control it to come over and wolf down the ramen.

Even if its stomach burst, it wouldn't matter.

He could just dispel it

and summon another one.

Thinking it over, Naruto felt pretty clever.

"Okay..."

Hinata clasped her hands together, beaming.

"Ayame, sorry for the trouble. We'd both like to take the Big Eater Challenge."

"Sure. I'll get everything ready for you."

Ayame started getting busy behind the counter.

From where Naruto sat, he could see

that the bowls used for the challenge were three times the size of ordinary ramen bowls!

One bowl was like three!

A generous portion that was filling and satisfying.

Naruto and Hinata didn't have to wait long.

Ayame brought out the Big Eater Ramen she'd prepared.

Quite a few customers usually took the challenge.

Basically, they were hoping to get a free meal.

Unfortunately, they underestimated the portions.

Most couldn't even make it past the third bowl!

Some couldn't even finish the first.

They had to be carried out.

Ayame explained, "You have one hour to finish. You can't go to the bathroom during the challenge. If that's all right with you..."

"Ah... there's a rule like that?"

Naruto stared at her in shock.

This was nothing like what he'd imagined.

Seeing Naruto's funny expression,

Ayame burst out laughing.

She held her stomach as she said,

"You came to take the challenge without reading the rules. Looks like you're in for a rough time, huh?"

"It's not like I didn't tell you beforehand. The rules are posted on the wall. When you told me you wanted to take the challenge, I thought you'd already read through them."

Damn it!

He should've checked the rules first!

Naruto had the awful feeling he'd just made a stupid mistake.

Good grief.

Next time he took the Big Eater Challenge,

he'd switch to a Puppet Shadow Clone in the bathroom first.

Or just control a Puppet Shadow Clone to come and take the challenge!

I'll eat you into bankruptcy.

A tug at his sleeve

made Naruto turn in confusion toward Little Hinata.

He saw her delicate hand gently pulling at the hem of his clothes.

"Naruto-kun, don't worry... If you can't finish, I can help you."

Good grief...

My wife really is an angel!

She's so thoughtful!

Ayame put her hands on her hips and arched an eyebrow.

What Hinata was suggesting

seemed like cheating...

But they were a couple, after all.

She supposed she could let it slide.

She'd turn a blind eye.

"Sure~ As long as the two of you finish within the time limit,"

Ayame said with a smile.

"I'll count it as a win."

Ten extra-large bowls of Ichiraku Ramen. Two little kids could finish all that?

She didn't believe it for a second.

All you had to do was look at them.

Neither Naruto nor Little Hinata looked like they could eat much.

So she was willing to bet on it!

"Eat! Eat up!"

"Is one chunk enough? That's plenty!"

"Thanks, Mama... You're welcome."

"I'll have a bowl of your signature Ichiraku Ramen."

A customer who'd just walked in spoke up.

"Coming right up!" Ayame greeted him warmly.

Then she turned to Naruto and Hinata.

"Okay~ Get started. I'm starting the timer now."

"Oh, and don't forget to drink all the broth, too. See you in an hour."

With that, Ayame went off to take care of her other duties.

What kind of cruel ordeal was this?!

They had to drink all the broth, too?!

What, did she think she could get away with anything?!

Ahem...

Damn capitalists. One day, I'll eat you into bankruptcy.

Looking at the huge portion of beef—more than the amount of meat used in a year by Lanzhou Ramen—

Naruto swallowed.

There was no question about this shop's reputation or the ingredients it used.

The cow used for Lanzhou Ramen had probably only been slightly injured.

The one used for Ichiraku Ramen was likely badly wounded.

Maybe even severely crippled.

It might not even have any meat left on its bones.

Naruto would believe it without hesitation.

"Then... let's start eating, Hinata."

Naruto took two pairs of disposable chopsticks from the box on the table.

He was about to hand the other pair to Little Hinata.

"Um, Naruto-kun... I already have chopsticks."

Hinata stammered a little.

Her lips glistened with oil, and they looked lovely.

There was also a little broth around her mouth.

Taking a closer look,

the extra-large bowl of Ichiraku Ramen on the table

had somehow already been emptied by Hinata.

"N-Naruto-kun, do you think it's weird?"

"If you think it's weird, I... I can eat more slowly."

"That girl said we only have an hour, so I... I wanted to eat quickly and finish the challenge before time ran out..."

Hinata looked as though she was about to cry.

She was mostly afraid Naruto would think she was a monster.

She remembered what her mother had once told her.

"If you eat that much in front of the boys you like, you might never get married."

After you're married, it's fine to sneak a little extra food.

Or you can do it where he can't see you.

"No! I don't mind at all. Being able to eat is a blessing! Do your best, Hinata-chan. I might have to ask a little favor of you."

Naruto pressed his palms together and pleaded.

Could asking your own wife for help even count as a big deal?

You could only say that this was how married couples helped and relied on each other.

Naruto sounded sincere, and his expression showed no hint of pretense.

A woman's keen sixth sense told Hinata that these were Naruto's honest feelings.

Naruto didn't think she was strange at all.

Once she understood that, Hinata's face dimpled with two faint, adorable dimples.

She nodded shyly, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz.

"Okay."