"Idiot Black-Framed Naruto, this is Hinata showing her trust in you!" Ino muttered.
"No...I didn't..." Hinata poked her fingers, very shy.
Ino shook her head, "You're not honest at all. How about practicing in front of a mirror for a while? If you can deny it without blushing or your heart racing, then I'll believe you."
"Ino~" Hinata didn't dare to argue.
Without even looking in a mirror, she knew her face was burning.
However, every time she looked up at the large black-framed screen and saw the figure of young Naruto, her lips couldn't help but curve into a smile.
Naruto-kun is so handsome~!
Sasuke is not as handsome as Naruto-kun~!
"Sasuke is not as handsome as Naruto~"
"Isn't that what you're thinking?"
Hinata: "..."
Ino is so mean~!
["You've cried enough this time, haven't you?"]
[Young Naruto looked helplessly at the Byakugan girl.]
[Finally, after thinking for a moment, he still reached out and placed his hand on his own scarf.]
[However, after a second of hesitation, young Naruto changed direction and placed his hand on Hinata's own scarf.]
[Under Hinata's somewhat bewildered gaze, he used Hinata's scarf to wipe away her tears.]
["There, that's better, isn't it~"]
["Byakugan monster' or whatever, they're just jealous of your beautiful eyes."]
[Seeing that Hinata had stopped crying but wasn't speaking, just staring at him intently.]
[Young Naruto then said, "You still remember the way home, right?"]
["Mm..." Hinata lowered her head slightly. After coming back to her senses, she wasn't as bold as to keep staring at young Naruto.]
["Alright then, go home by yourself." Young Naruto patted her shoulder and chuckled, "You're strong. If you encounter this situation again, don't be afraid. The more afraid you are, the more they'll like to bully you."]
["Got it?"]
["Mm..." Hinata nodded gently.]
[But soon, she whispered, "I...I don't dare..."]
["Don't dare?"]
[Young Naruto leaned closer. It was too quiet; he couldn't hear clearly.]
["If you don't dare, then next time I see you, I'll bully you too."]
Temari saw this scene and couldn't help but freeze.
Childhood memories surfaced in her mind.
Back then, there was a very, very bad boy who always bullied her.
He would catch all sorts of strange bugs to scare her.
'If only someone had stood up to protect me back then.'
Thinking this, Temari looked at Hinata on the large black-framed screen, her face filled with envy.
["Haha~ Alright, I should go."]
[Young Naruto stood up straight and waved at the girl whose cheeks were slightly red.]
["That...thank you very much!" Hinata bowed to young Naruto.]
["It's nothing, goodbye." Young Naruto gave her a gentle smile in return.]
["Naruto...kun...where are you going?"]
[Hinata didn't know how she found the courage to ask.]
["I'm going to eat breakfast. Ichiraku Ramen is delicious. It's been a while since I..."]
[Grumble--]
[Young Naruto hadn't finished speaking.]
[Hinata's little stomach let out a 'cheering sound'.]
[Instantly, Hinata's cheeks turned red.]
["I...I..."]
["Want to come along?" Young Naruto, seeing her reaction, invited Hinata.]
[He was just looking for a good reason to ask Hinata if she could help him buy useful books.]
["I..." Hinata became hesitant again.]
[Young Naruto was a little surprised. Last time, Hinata wasn't so easily shy.]
[He shook his head, then stepped forward and took Hinata's small hand.]
["Let's go, my treat."]
"Congratulations, Black-Framed Naruto, you've gained a little Byakugan loli~" Ino whispered softly into Hinata's ear.
Then, she watched Hinata's originally fair face visibly warm up.
Ino couldn't resist reaching out and rubbing it.
So soft.
So cute~
The main thing was, Hinata's resistance looked like she was playing hard to get.
It was truly irresistible.
Then she subconsciously glanced at Sakura.
"I definitely chose the wrong best friend back then. Mm-hmm, it must be like that."
"What?" Sakura looked at her, puzzled.
"Nothing, I'm just thinking that Black-Framed Naruto's money mostly goes to us. After all, he always asks us to buy books and often brings us food."
"So, Black-Framed Naruto gives us his monthly allowance as soon as he gets it."
"This time, he probably saved some, planning to go to Ichiraku Ramen."
Sakura nodded, "That's right, but...he probably saved quite a bit, he'll definitely get us a takeout portion."
Ino's eyes curved like crescent moons.
"No, no, no, Sakura, you seem to be unaware of a problem."
"What?" Sakura tilted her head slightly, unable to react immediately.
Ino stopped speaking.
Because she realized she might have pushed too hard.
Mist was forming in Hinata's big eyes.
That wisp of black thread also flashed by.
"Sorry, sorry, Hinata, I shouldn't have made that kind of joke."
Hinata's reaction made Ino anxious.
The large black-framed screen continued:
["Naruto...Naruto-kun."]
["What is it?" Young Naruto replied without turning his head.]
["I...actually I..."]
[Before Hinata could finish her sentence, young Naruto turned back, looking at her with a beaming smile.]
["We're here."]
[With that, he pulled Hinata into the Ichiraku Ramen shop.]
["Uncle~! "]
["Sister Ayame~!"]
[Young Naruto called out softly.]
[Ayame, who was busy in the back kitchen, quickly poked her head out.]
["It's Naruto~!"]
["You...eh?"]
[Ayame was about to ask what young Naruto had been busy with lately.]
[But when she turned around, she found that young Naruto had brought another little girl.]
['This child...no, he's still a child, he definitely doesn't understand these things, but he must be very popular with girls.']
["Hahaha, Naruto brought me a new customer again?"]
["Yosh~! "]
["Since Naruto brought her, then...first order is free!"]
["Eat your fill~!"]
[Then Teuchi looked at young Naruto, "The usual?"]
["Mm~!"]
["Uncle Teuchi, two bowls of tonkotsu ramen!"]
Two more Ōtsutsuki were slaughtered.
["Just a moment!" Teuchi called out, then turned to start making the ramen.]
["Uncle Teuchi's ramen is really delicious, you know~"]
["Eat it once, and I guarantee you won't forget the taste~!"]
[Hinata nodded sweetly.]
["Wait for me, I'm going to find Sister Ayame, I'll be right back."]
[Young Naruto hadn't forgotten the main task; he still needed to ask Ayame to help him buy vegetable seeds.]
[Young Naruto hadn't been gone long.]
[Hinata smelled the aroma of the broth, and her stomach once again let out a cheerful sound.]
[Teuchi's ears twitched, and he smiled, "Starving, aren't you?"]
["You can eat your fill in a bit, don't worry. This is your first time here, so Uncle will waive your first order."]
[Teuchi's voice was very gentle.]
[But to Hinata's ears, every word exploded like thunder.]
[She looked up, asking somewhat shyly, "Uncle..."]
[Teuchi turned around and gave Hinata a smile, "What is it?"]
["Can I really...can I really eat my fill?" Hinata lowered her head again, not daring to look at Uncle Teuchi.]
["Hahaha~"]
["As much as you want!"]
["Don't let Uncle's appearance fool you, Uncle is one of the best ramen masters in the Village!"]
["Mm~" Hinata gathered her courage, looked up, and gave Teuchi a sweet smile.]
['This way, I won't cause Naruto-kun any trouble~']
['Uncle is really a good person~']
[Teuchi recognized Hinata's identity; she was from the Hyuga Clan.]
[Of course, Teuchi didn't know yet that he would never forget this adorable smile for the rest of his life.]
[Soon, young Naruto happily ran back.]
[The tonkotsu ramen was also ready.]
[One large bowl for each of them.]
[Young Naruto's eyes lit up. After breaking open the disposable chopsticks for Hinata, he immediately buried himself in his meal.]
[Teuchi stood beside the two children, arms crossed, watching them, a slight smile on his lips.]
["Uncle, why are people on the streets always talking about...Uchiha, Uchiha, what is Uchiha?" Young Naruto, blowing on his noodles, suddenly asked.]
["They're from the Konoha Military Police Force. They're generally good people, just a bit hot-headed and proud."]
["But every time they come here to eat ramen, they never skip out on the bill, and they even pay a little more than other customers."]
[Teuchi pondered for a moment, then shared what he knew about the Uchiha.]
[He then reminded young Naruto, "Naruto, don't listen to what those people say. The people in the Konoha Military Police Force are still good."]
["You don't need to be afraid if you meet them; they only catch bad guys."]
["Really?"]
["Uncle, you're so amazing, completely different from everyone else~!"]
[Young Naruto appropriately showed a small look of admiration.]
[Teuchi's emotional value was maxed out, and he nodded smugly.]
[He just loved young Naruto, a handsome and cute child who always spoke so honestly and pleasantly.]
[Just then.]
[A soft, sweet voice interrupted their conversation.]
["Um...I..."]
[Teuchi and young Naruto froze, simultaneously turning to look.]
[In front of Hinata, the bowl, larger than her small face, was empty!]
[Not even a drop of soup was left!]
[Even the current young Naruto would take a while to finish, and if he drank all the soup, his stomach would become round and bloated.]
["I...I..."]
[Hinata still didn't have the courage to say, 'Another bowl.']
[Grumble--]
[Her little stomach proactively 'spoke' for her.]
[Teuchi, young Naruto: !!!]
Everyone in the Ninja World: Huh?!
Hyuga Hiashi's face was full of regret as he pounded his chest.
Hyuga Hiashi: "No wonder that child always..."
Hyuga Hiashi: "As a father, I've truly been too negligent! I never understood my own daughter!"
Hyuga Hiashi: "I actually...I actually never even let my own daughter eat her fill!"
What a waste of Hinata's amazing talent!
Leaving her chronically malnourished.
Ino Yamanaka: "No wonder Hinata is so easily shy, and even smokes and faints."
Mei Terumī: "So it's because of chronic malnutrition and low blood sugar."
Hinata rolled her Byakugan and fell stiffly into Ino's arms.
She's gone, don't miss her.
Hiss--
Little Hanabi took a deep breath.
The next second, Hinata sat up stiffly, hugged her, and covered her small mouth.