Chapter 38: Ah… There's Even This Rule?
"Today what do you feel like eating? Just tell big sis."
Ayame smiled warmly.
"Ayame-neechan, doesn't your place have that big eater challenge?"
Naruto asked.
Ayame looked slightly surprised, then nodded and pointed to the wall on the right.
"That's the all-time big eater leaderboard."
"It's just a ranking though. To challenge, you need to start with at least five super-large bowls of Ichiraku ramen."
"Finish them and it's free—but if you can't, you pay full price."
"You two sure you want to try?"
Naruto and Hinata didn't look like heavy eaters at all.
If it were Choji Akimichi,
Ayame might actually believe he had a chance.
But Naruto and Hinata… better not.
One super-large bowl was already filling.
"Hinata—want to give it a try?"
Naruto asked with a smile.
In this area, Hinata was the real heavyweight.
A wife who eats a lot is a good thing.
After all—full stomach means energy to work.
It's not like Naruto lacked money for ramen.
After a recent windfall,
his finances were much more relaxed now.
Not like the tight days before.
Plus, Naruto was genuinely curious.
Could little Hinata break Ichiraku's big eater record?
"I… I can try… but Naruto-kun, please don't laugh at me… for eating so much."
"O-otherwise, let's just leave."
Hinata said weakly.
She was terrified that if Naruto saw her terrifying appetite,
he'd be scared off.
Actually, Hinata's normal appetite wasn't huge.
At home, she could eat a regular person's portion.
On good mood days, a bit more—
maybe three or four times a normal person's amount.
Of course,
it all depended on whether she wanted to or not.
She could eat less if she chose.
Hinata would never starve herself.
Naruto replied seriously:
"Don't worry. I don't have that kind of bad taste. How about we compete—who can eat more?"
Naruto had just thought of a great workaround.
Not long ago he'd eaten with Shikamaru and the others.
Taste and everything felt completely real.
But after dispelling the puppet clone,
the main body would still feel hungry.
In other words—if he ate halfway and couldn't continue,
he could excuse himself to the bathroom,
create a puppet clone,
and have it come back to devour ramen.
Even if the stomach burst—no problem.
Just dispel it.
Then resummon.
Thinking like this, Naruto felt pretty clever.
"Okay…"
Hinata clasped her hands together, smiling like a flower.
"Ayame-neechan, sorry to trouble you—we'll challenge the big eater together."
"Alright~ I'll get it ready right away."
Ayame started bustling behind the counter.
From Naruto's angle he could see:
the big eater bowls were three times the volume of regular ramen bowls!
One bowl = three normal ones!
Huge portions and super filling.
Naruto and Hinata didn't wait long.
Ayame soon brought out the completed big eater ramen.
The shop had plenty of challengers normally.
Most just wanted a free meal.
Unfortunately they underestimated the portion size.
Most gave up by the third bowl!
Some couldn't even finish the first.
They had to be carried out.
Ayame explained:
"Time limit—one hour to finish. No bathroom breaks during. If there's no problem…"
"Ah… there's even this rule?"
Naruto was dumbfounded.
This was completely different from what he imagined.
Seeing Naruto's funny expression,
Ayame couldn't help laughing, clutching her stomach:
"You… you challenged without reading the rules? You're in trouble now~"
"I didn't tell you earlier because it's all posted on the wall board. When you first told me you wanted to challenge big eater,"
"I thought you'd already read everything."
Holy crap!
Should've read the rules first!
Naruto felt like he'd just capsized in the gutter.
Damn it.
Next time he challenges big eater,
he'll just go to the bathroom first and swap to a puppet clone.
Or directly control a puppet clone to come challenge!
If he doesn't bankrupt you all,
he'll stop being called Naruto!
The corner of his clothes tugged lightly.
Naruto looked down in confusion—at little Hinata beside him.
Her small jade hand was gently pulling his sleeve.
"Naruto-kun… don't worry… if you can't finish, I can help you."
Hiss…
Damn it—wife is truly an angel!
So thoughtful!
Ayame put her hands on her hips, eyebrows raised.
Hinata's suggestion…
seemed like cheating…
But since they were a couple,
she'd reluctantly allow it.
One eye open, one eye closed.
"Fine~ As long as you two finish within the time limit,"
"I'll count it as a pass."
Ayame said with a laugh.
Ten super-large bowls—two kids finishing them?
She didn't believe it for a second.
Just look at their builds.
Neither Naruto nor little Hinata looked like heavy eaters.
So she was confident in her judgment!
Eat! Eat big!
One piece enough? Enough!
Thanks mama… no need to thank.
"One signature Ichiraku ramen please."
A new customer who just walked in said.
"Coming right up." Ayame greeted enthusiastically.
Then turned back to Naruto and Hinata:
"Alright~ Hurry and start eating… big sis is starting the timer now."
"Oh—and don't forget, you have to drink all the soup too. See you in one hour."
With that, Ayame left to get busy.
What kind of human suffering is this?!!
Have to drink all the soup too?!
Why don't you just fly to the heavens??
cough cough…
Damn capitalists—one day I'll bankrupt you all.
Looking at the massive chunk of beef—probably more meat than a Lanzhou ramen place uses in a year—
Naruto swallowed hard.
This shop's reputation and ingredient quality were impeccable.
Lanzhou ramen's cow might get lightly injured.
Ichiraku's cow was probably critically wounded.
Maybe even permanently disabled.
No meat left on the bones.
Naruto would believe it without hesitation.
"Then… Hinata, let's start eating."
Naruto took two pairs of disposable chopsticks from the box on the table.
He was about to hand one pair to little Hinata.
"Um… Naruto-kun… I already have chopsticks."
Hinata said somewhat stammeringly.
Her lips were glossy with oil, shining beautifully.
There was still a bit of soup broth around her mouth.
Upon closer look—
one super-large bowl of Ichiraku ramen on the table
had somehow already been completely emptied by Hinata.
"N-Naruto-kun… do you think it's weird?"
"If you find it strange, I… I can eat slower."
"That big sister earlier said we only have one hour, so I wanted to finish the challenge before time runs out…"
Hinata looked like she was about to cry.
Mainly afraid Naruto would see her as a monster.
She remembered her mother once telling her:
"Boys don't like girls who eat too much in front of them—worried you won't get married."
"You can secretly eat a lot after marriage."
"Or in places he can't see."
"No! I don't mind at all! Being able to eat is a blessing! Hinata-chan—keep it up. I might need to rely on you a little here."
Naruto put his hands together in a pleading gesture.
Asking his own wife for help—what kind of request is that?
It's just mutual support between husband and wife.
Naruto's tone was sincere, his expression completely genuine.
As a girl's accurate sixth sense told Hinata:
these were Naruto's true feelings.
He didn't find her strange at all.
Once she realized that,
two small dimples appeared on Hinata's face—so cute.
She nodded shyly, voice mosquito-thin:
"Okay."
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