Snores rose and fell throughout the vast Arena.
The tens of thousands of spectators who had been making such a racket were now sprawled every which way across their seats, dead to the world.
Even quite a few of the Anbu Ninja on guard had fallen victim, swaying before collapsing to the ground.
Son Goten stood in the aisle of the stands, looking at the scene before him, his grin almost stretching to his ears.
"This isn't the Chunin Ninja Exams. It's a buffet's grand-opening giveaway."
He rubbed his hands together, his gaze settling on the row of girls sleeping without the slightest guard.
"Since everyone's asleep, don't mind if I do."
Son Goten crouched down and gently lifted Hinata, letting her little head rest comfortably in his lap.
Normally, he couldn't get this kind of lap-pillow arrangement even if he begged.
After adjusting Hinata's position, he turned, extended a finger, and unceremoniously poked Ino's plump, collagen-rich cheek.
It felt nice and soft.
"Hey, Ino, wake up."
Son Goten pinched her cheek and pulled it outward, grinning mischievously as he said, "If you don't wake up, that Sasuke you're always dreaming about is going to be taken apart and sold for scrap."
Ino frowned in her sleep. Her cheek felt sore and numb, and she mumbled groggily, "Stop it... Sasuke-kun..."
"Still going on about Sasuke-kun? You're drooling."
Son Goten let go and switched his attention to Sakura beside her.
Looking at that smooth, broad forehead, he couldn't resist curling his finger and knocking on it three times like a wooden temple block. Tap, tap, tap.
"Forehead, wake up. If you don't start cheering for Sasuke, he really will become the Uchiha's last relic."
Sakura's head tilted to one side. She irritably swatted away the troublesome hand, mumbling, "Don't touch my