Huh? You guys actually finished eating?

Half an hour passed.

Naruto had barely managed to finish one bowl.

Meanwhile, his little wife Hinata had already polished off nine.

Judging by her expression, she was only about seventy percent full.

Naruto, on the other hand, was truly at his limit.

Finishing that single bowl was a miracle in itself.

"Eh?? You two actually finished it?"

Ayame, who had come over to check on them, looked completely stunned.

Her face was a mask of bewilderment and disbelief.

The total portion size was massive.

Even if three starving, full-grown men were to tackle it, they might not be able to finish.

"That's right, Ayame-nee-san. According to what you said, does that mean our meal is on the house?"

"Ah~ yes, yes. But little Naruto, did you finish your own Big Eater Set Meal all by yourself?"

Ayame asked, looking suspicious.

The number of bowls and chopsticks on their table was identical.

There were five stacked on Naruto's side.

There were also five on Hinata's side.

This was something Hinata had suggested herself.

The little girl did it out of consideration for Naruto's pride.

Even though Naruto had insisted it wasn't necessary.

Because Ayame had also said.

As long as the two of them could finish it, the entire bill would be waived.

But even so.

Little Hinata had still insisted on splitting the empty bowls between them.

If this wasn't the behavior of a virtuous little wife, what was?

To be so young and already knowing how to look after a boy's feelings.

When she grows up, won't she be the ultimate devoted wife and mother?

"Ayame-nee-san, you have a ranking board here, right? I took a look earlier, and the top fifteen get to be on the list."

"Also, challengers who succeed can leave their signatures on the blackboard."

Naruto asked with a smile.

Ayame nodded, "That's right. You two should go sign it later. As a memento. The chalk is in that little box under the blackboard."

"Sure..."

After saying that, Naruto leaned down and whispered softly into Hinata's ear: "Hinata, are you interested in that ranking board?"

"I took a peek, and the fifteenth-place challenger ate a total of eight bowls."

"You could easily knock them off the list~ If you don't want to, just pretend I didn't say anything."

The two were practically pressed against each other.

Feeling the warm breath from Naruto's mouth.

Hinata's ears felt ticklish, and her face flushed bright red in an instant.

With the boy she liked, she didn't mind such intimate gestures.

If it were any other boy.

She would activate her Byakugan immediately!

Even if she couldn't win, she'd fight to the death to break his legs!

"...I want to hear Naruto-kun's opinion."

Hinata nodded slightly, her voice very small.

To be so young and already understand that the man handles the outside while the woman handles the inside.

Leaving matters outside to her husband.

How wonderful.

"Alright~ since you're listening to me, I hope you'll put your name up there, Hinata. Consider it a souvenir."

"Of course, next time we have a chance, we can come back and refresh the Big Eater ranking, and aim for first place."

"What do you think?"

As he spoke, Naruto blew a gentle breath from time to time.

Hinata shuddered, having never been treated this way before.

It was simply torture!!!

Ah!!

She buried her little head even lower.

"I... I will listen to everything you say, Naruto-kun."

"You're amazing, Hinata. Marrying you in the future will definitely be one of the greatest joys of my life!"

Naruto did not use words like "if" or "suppose."

Because Hinata—he was determined to have her!

No one could take her away!

If anyone dared to try, he would not only break their legs, but he would also kill them.

Heaven's arrangement for marriage is supreme, after all.

To dare to openly defy the heavens?

Are they tired of living?

"Ah~? I... I'm not as good as you say, Naruto-kun~"

"Words cannot describe it; you're just good, that's all."

"I... I'm not..."

"Tsk tsk... still trying to argue? Your husband says you are, so you are. Take this!"

"Hiss... Oh my... Naruto... Naruto-kun, you... you actually..."

Caught off guard, Hinata, having had her ear gently bitten, turned bright red and stammered, unable to form a coherent sentence.

The two finished their food and then went out to stroll together for a while.

Until the sun set, and the afterglow of the evening clouds dyed the entire village in a layer of gold.

"Sigh... so tired. In the end, I couldn't even snatch the bell from Kakashi-sensei's hand."

"I thought Sasuke would be like Naruto-kun and manage to get a bell."

"Who knew it wouldn't work... Has Naruto-kun been hiding his strength all this time?"

Sakura Haruno walked down the street in a disheveled state, carrying her empty bento box in one hand.

Her clothes were covered in dust.

She looked a mess.

She didn't have a shred of strength left in her body.

Not long ago, seeing Naruto snatch the bell from Kakashi with such ease had made Sakura feel that if she just tried a little harder, she might be able to do it too.

But in the end, reality slapped her hard in the face.

It was too difficult!!!!

Kakashi was a veteran Jonin of Konoha, and an elite among elites at that.

For a Genin who had just graduated and possessed such mediocre talent, thinking she could go toe-to-toe with him?

She must have been dreaming.

Sakura wasn't overly surprised by her own failure.

Let it be.

However, even Sasuke couldn't do it!

That, at least, completely shattered Sakura's worldview.

The image of Sasuke, whom she had always considered the strongest among their peers, shattered in an instant.

Sakura Haruno gave a self-deprecating laugh.

"Heh heh heh... I suddenly realize how foolish I truly was."

"Naruto, whom I never even bothered to look at properly before, is actually the strongest!"

"Back then, he was desperately pursuing me."

"And I actually never gave him a chance..."