"Hot springs…"
After hearing Yuzuru's invitation, a faint blush appeared on Kurenai's face.
It really was the perfect kind of day for soaking in a hot spring… but if it was just the two of them, wouldn't that feel a little too intimate?
Seeing her fall silent, Yuzuru raised an eyebrow and asked, "What? You don't want to go?"
"Ah? No, no." Kurenai hurriedly waved her hands. "It would be my honor."
Watching her flustered expression, as if she were afraid of offending him, Yuzuru couldn't help the slight curl at the corner of his lips.
The taste of power… truly intoxicating.
As they spoke, the time ticked toward eleven in the morning.
Looking at the packed contestant seats and the countless spectators crowding around, Teuchi stepped forward with a wide grin.
He didn't waste time on pleasantries and simply called out, "Although I'm sure everyone already knows today's rules, I'll give a brief introduction anyway."
"This competition will last two hours. The participant who eats the most ramen during that time wins."
"The winner of the gluttony title will receive a lifetime fifty percent discount at this shop."
"And now, I declare the First Ichiraku Ramen gluttony Competition officially begin!"
As his voice fell, the staff simultaneously placed the prepared bowls of ramen in front of the contestants.
The next second, the entire shop filled with the sound of slurping noodles rising and falling in waves.
"Go, go! I told you the Akimichi clan can really eat!"
"Hahaha! From the looks of it, Chōza's got this in the bag!"
"Wow, look at that watermelon-head guy in the green jumpsuit. He's amazing too!"
"Relax, it's only just started. The real pros always save their strength for later."
"Whoa! Kakashi-sensei is actually that handsome?!"
"If he looks like that and still wears a mask every day, he's definitely a closet pervert."
"It's rare to see Kakashi-sensei this fired up. We should cheer them on! Youth should be full of passion!"
"… …"
Under the crowd's watchful eyes, time passed little by little.
Some of the participants who had only come for fun tapped out after just two large bowls.
Then came the stronger contenders.
Some managed five bowls, others seven. One even reached ten.
Impressive, certainly—but in a competition that had gathered nearly all of Konoha's legendary eaters, it was clearly not enough.
As time went on, the number of contestants dwindled. Naturally, everyone's attention shifted to the few remaining competitors.
"Guy-sensei, you can do it!"
Rock Lee shouted from within the crowd.
Veins bulged on Guy's forehead. After forcing down a few more bites, he finally gave up.
"Damn it… I can't eat another bite."
Obito and Kakashi couldn't help laughing. "Guy, is that the limit of your youth?"
Guy snorted in dissatisfaction. "You two dropped out after only three bowls. I've got no motivation left!"
"Otherwise, I could've lasted a little longer."
Rubbing his round, bulging stomach—made even more obvious by his tight green jumpsuit—he walked off the stage.
Kakashi glanced at him and said calmly, "Even if you had eaten a few more bowls, it wouldn't have mattered. The competitors this time are terrifyingly strong."
Obito nodded. "Yeah, it's already reached the final stretch!"
Following their gaze, Guy looked toward the contestant seats—and his eyes widened in shock.
"T-That's impossible!"
"At a time like this, how is there still a little girl up there?"
It wasn't just Guy. The spectators had long since noticed something unusual.
They stared unblinkingly at Hinata, as if looking at some kind of monster.
"Is she just eating slowly, so she's still there?"
"No. I've been watching her. Her speed is on par with Chōza."
"What?! Chōza's already eaten thirty bowls. You're saying she's eaten just as much?"
"That's right. I have no idea how that tiny body fits so much ramen."
"Hinata… No wonder some people bet on her to win. This is terrifying."
"But even so, the champion will definitely be Chōza!"
Hearing the discussions, Neji's lips curved faintly.
You fools at the bottom of a well… you have no idea how much Hinata can eat.
Even against a renowned Big Eater like Chōza, she will not lose.
The Hyūga clan's eldest princess will shine over Konoha today!
"I can't… I'm done…"
"Can someone help me? I can't even move…"
When he reached his thirty-fifth bowl, a large-eyed, square-faced man collapsed straight onto the floor.
Teuchi immediately had someone carry him away.
"With Tenzō eliminated, only two contestants remain."
"Their names are Hinata and Chōza."
"Which of these two will claim the final victory? Let's find out!"
At this point, the crowd was no longer concerned about who would win.
Instead, they were fixated on how many bowls this delicate-looking girl could possibly eat.
Kurenai covered her mouth in shock. "I never imagined Hinata could eat so much. Did you already know, Yuzuru-sama?"
Yuzuru nodded. "Of course. That's why I'm guaranteed to win this bet."
Hearing that, Kurenai lowered her head and dared not say another word.
Finally, when the competition reached the forty-fifth bowl, Chōza slowly raised his hand.
"I… I can't eat anymore."
The entire venue erupted.
No one had expected that the champion of the Gluttony Competition would be a teenage girl.
If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, they would never have believed it.
Under countless gazes, Hinata slurped the final bite of noodles into her mouth, then lifted the bowl and drank every last drop of broth.
She took out a napkin and gently wiped the corner of her lips.
Anyone watching could only sigh in admiration.
Elegant. Simply elegant.
Even after eating this much, she still carried herself like a refined lady.
"I'm finished."
The moment her voice fell, Teuchi—who had long been waiting impatiently—immediately announced in a loud voice:
"The champion of the First Ichiraku Ramen Gluttony Competition is Hinata!"
"From today onward, she will enjoy a lifetime fifty percent discount at Ichiraku Ramen!"
"And as a thank you for everyone's support, all ramen today will also be half price!"
Teuchi was clearly in high spirits.
Although Hinata's victory had taken him by surprise, it couldn't have turned out better.
A thin teenage girl defeating the robust Chōza by devouring forty-six large bowls of ramen—
It was easy to imagine that this story would be talked about for a long time.
Publicity like this was more effective than any advertisement.
This competition had been worth every effort.
Amid the crowd's cheers, Ichiraku Ramen grew even busier.
Yuzuru swept up all the money from the betting table, then smiled at Kurenai.
"Kurenai, now that you've filled your stomach, let's head to the hot springs."