Plink—
Namikaze Naruto's chopsticks slipped from his hands without him realizing it.
"Naruto, pick up your chopsticks."
"Ah, okay."
Naruto bent down to pick them up from the floor.
When he stood back up, he looked at his father, who was just as stunned and speechless. Then he glanced at his mother, who looked oddly pleased. Finally, he turned to Hinata, who was still eating slowly and elegantly.
But… what were those more than ten empty bowls in front of her?
(Hyūga Hiyasu: When it comes to eating, Kushina can only tie with members of the same age in the Akimichi clan. But Hinata has truly defeated her peers in the Akimichi clan when it comes to food.)
"Um… am I eating too much?"
Little Hinata had also noticed everyone's strange looks.
Was it because she ate too much? Was that bad?
But Hiyasu-san said that girls who can eat are the most lovable, and he even told her she must always eat her fill at every meal.
"Ah, of course not! Being able to eat is a blessing. This is nothing at all! Auntie could eat fifty bowls of rice when she was little. You've only had a little over ten bowls—you still need to work harder!"
Kushina hurried to reassure her.
This was Hinata's first time visiting their home. They couldn't judge her unfairly.
As she spoke, she secretly kicked the still-dazed Minato hard.
You're the head of the family! What are you doing just standing there?
Say something!
"Ah, Hinata, what does Hiyasu-san usually take you to eat?"
(Hyūga Hiashi: I'm her father! I can't believe even you're like this. She's my daughter—not Hiyasu's!)
"Well, breakfast should be hearty. Twenty super-sized buns is enough."
"Wait—how big are these super-sized buns exactly?"
"Um… about the size of this dish plate."
Cold sweat trickled down Namikaze Minato's face.
Buns the size of serving plates? And she eats twenty of them for breakfast?
He glanced again at Hinata's flat stomach and slender figure.
She wasn't fat at all.
Where did all that food go?
And she ate so gracefully… and so quickly.
Ding-dong.
The doorbell rang.
Minato quickly went to open the door.
There stood Hyūga Hiyasu, carrying large and small bags.
"Hiyasu, this is… too polite of you."
"Don't worry. It's not for you—it's for our little hero."
(Minato: I know that, but could you at least say it more tactfully?)
(Hiyasu: Once you accept the gifts, this matter is settled. And after that, you can't approach our Hinata anymore.)
Hiyasu stepped inside.
"Good day, Kushina."
"Hello, Hiyasu."
"Naruto, our little hero, come here and see your reward for helping others."
"This is the latest remote-controlled shuriken toy."
"This is the newest set of three Mount Myōboku toad figurines."
"And this is a figurine of your father, Namikaze Minato."
(Minato: Wow, Hiyasu really knows how to give gifts.)
There were many more presents as well.
Naruto's eyes sparkled.
So doing good deeds really brings rewards! Mom and Dad weren't lying!
He dove headfirst into the pile of toys.
He didn't notice that someone's fists were already tightening, veins beginning to bulge.
"Hinata, you should've finished thanking him by now. Let's go."
"Oh! I almost forgot—I haven't finished yet."
Hinata hurried over to Naruto.
"Naruto-kun, thank you very much for saving me."
Naruto, already lost in the sea of toys, struggled to raise one small hand and waved it.
"It was nothing, nothing at all."
(Namikaze Naruto: So rescuing someone gets you this many toys? From now on, no one else is allowed to compete with me. I'll save everyone in the ninja world!)
After the thanks were exchanged, Hiyasu and Hinata left.
But on the way out—
"Hinata, how about I take you to the snack street for a big meal?"
"Okay!"
Upon hearing this, Minato and Kushina exchanged glances.
Can that girl still eat more?
…
The famous ninja-world landmark—
Ichiraku Ramen.
"One hundred more bowls!"
In the back kitchen, the young Teuchi felt his competitive spirit ignite.
If you can eat, I can cook! No matter the customer, I will always make sure they leave full!
Outside—
Aburame Shiken looked helplessly at the wild-looking man beside him.
"I'm telling you, can't you restrain yourself? Even if you can eat that much, can the shop owner actually make it?"
But those words happened to reach Teuchi.
It was like a direct challenge.
"Customers, rest assured! As long as you place the order, I will definitely make it!"
Teuchi's loud reply only made Shiken more speechless.
Why can't you take a hint?
"Shiken, see? It's not my fault."
The wild man raised his head. The dim light revealed his face.
It was Senju Hideki, revived through resurrection armor.
(Senju Hideki: This time I have returned from the abyss, having witnessed endless darkness and carrying countless souls. I shall suppress the era.)
Smack.
Shiken slapped him hard.
"Don't think that just because you're back, everything's fine. Tell me—why did you do something so reckless? Because of you, we nearly all died. Kamito's Mangekyō was completely ruined, I had some minor issues too, though Hiyasu and Ryoha were mostly fine."
Hideki felt awkward.
When he first woke up, this was exactly what he feared.
How was he supposed to explain himself to these four?
At the time, he truly wanted to die for the Hidden Leaf Village, to protect everyone.
But would that reason just make them look down on him?
He could already imagine them—
Shiken, Kamito, Ryoha, and Hiyasu—standing high above him, looking down coldly.
"Did you forget your identity? Do you think sacrificing yourself would make them acknowledge you? We told you—you're a transmigrator. You will always be a transmigrator. Even if you unify the ninja world, history will never record you as a native of this world."
Ugh—
Hideki quickly shook his head, trying to dispel the terrifying thoughts.
Better come up with a more reasonable excuse.
For example… this generation's Asura was actually me. I was controlled by Asura's chakra, which caused that behavior.
Yes, that makes perfect sense.
And since Asura's chakra thought I died, it left and transferred to Naruto.
That completes the loop.
Perfect. I, Senju Hideki, really am a genius.
Besides, there's no evidence that Asura's chakra can't attach to a transmigrator.
Yes, flawless.
"Forget it. If you don't want to talk, then don't. But there won't be a next time. Understand?"
Shiken said calmly.
(Senju Hideki: I wanted to explain! I finally came up with a perfect story, and now you won't let me say it. If that's the case, then don't ask in the first place!)