However, the other two didn't respond right away—Hyuga Hiashi and Uchiha Fugaku were both caught off guard. Tsunade's proposal came too suddenly.
Tsunade looked at the two and said calmly, "As clan leaders, I understand you may need time to consider. I'm willing to wait—but I hope to receive your answer within five days."
"Understood, Hokage-sama," replied Hiashi.
"Yes, Hokage-sama," Fugaku followed.
Seeing this, Nara Shikaku silently gave Tsunade a thumbs up. It felt like a game of shogi—and Tsunade could always predict the opponent's next move ahead of time.
"All right, we're done here," Tsunade said. "Meeting adjourned."
She then walked over to Jiraiya, clapped him on the shoulder, and grinned. "The approval documents are all yours."
"…Huh?" Jiraiya blinked in confusion.
Before he could ask what she meant, Tsunade had already swaggered out the door.
"Jiraiya-sama," Shizune explained kindly, "Hokage-sama has temporarily assigned you to handle the paperwork."
Nani?!
Jiraiya turned to Shizune with a dumbfounded expression. "But what about Tsunade?!"
"Hokage-sama said she has important matters to attend to," Shizune replied.
Important matters?! Why don't I know about this?!
Meanwhile, Hiashi and Fugaku returned to their respective clans to hold discussions.
Ninja Academy
"Class dismissed!" Iruka announced.
"Yay! Ichiraku Ramen!" Naruto cheered, jumping up from his seat the moment class ended.
Iruka sighed, completely used to Naruto's antics. At least wait until I leave the room first…
He glanced toward Menma beside Naruto. That one I can't afford to offend.
And with that, Iruka left in a flash.
"Brother! Hinata! Ichiraku Ramen!" Naruto said excitedly, grabbing both of them.
"Okay," Hinata replied with a shy smile.
"Sure," Menma nodded.
And me? What about me?! Sasuke fumed silently from the seat in front. He said he'd treat me to Ichiraku ramen, but he didn't even call me!
As if on cue, Naruto ran up to Sasuke and said, "Let's go, Sasuke! Ichiraku Ramen!"
"Hmph. No." Sasuke pouted. He called me last… even after Hinata?!
But Naruto just wrapped his arm around Sasuke's neck. "Not listening. You're coming."
In the end, Sasuke "reluctantly" agreed.
Ichiraku Ramen
As the four entered the shop, Teuchi grinned when he saw the Uzumaki brothers. "Yo, Menma! How many bowls is Naruto having today?"
"Six bowls, thank you, Uncle Teuchi!" Naruto said politely, then rushed to grab a seat. Sasuke sat on Naruto's left, Hinata on the right. Menma, watching this seating arrangement, couldn't help but chuckle.
Wait… only four of us, why six bowls? Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "Idiot, there are only four of us—shouldn't that be four bowls?"
"You're the idiot!" Naruto countered. "It's six bowls: two for me, two for my brother, one for you, and one for Hinata."
"…Why do you get two bowls and I get one?!" Sasuke immediately protested.
"Uncle Teuchi, make that seven bowls!" Naruto shouted cheerfully.
"Got it!" Teuchi replied from behind the counter.
Just then, Hinata softly said, "Naruto… can I have two bowls too?" She blushed a little, worried Naruto might think she was being greedy.
"Of course you can!" Naruto replied without hesitation.
Hinata's face lit up with joy. "Thank you, Naruto."
"You're welcome!" he beamed.
(へ╬) (へ╬) (へ╬) I'm about to explode! Sasuke fumed silently.
"I want three bowls!" he suddenly shouted.
Naruto blinked. "Okay, then nine bowls, Uncle Teuchi!"
"Coming right up!" Teuchi laughed.
Sasuke smirked and raised an eyebrow smugly at Hinata. Hah. Beat that. I get three bowls—you only get two. I'm number one in Naruto's heart.
But Hinata didn't even glance at him.
She only had eyes for Naruto.
Soon, steaming bowls of delicious ramen were placed in front of everyone.
"Let's eat!" Naruto cheered, grabbing his chopsticks.
"Hot! Hot! Hothothot—" he yelped as the broth burned his tongue.
Menma sighed.
Hinata immediately stood up, poured Naruto a glass of water, and handed it to him. Naruto drank it quickly and smiled brightly. "Hinata, it's so good to have you around."
That one sentence…
Boom.
Volcano. Eruption. Hinata's face turned bright red. "Y-You're welcome," she whispered.
(╬へ) Good?! What about me?! Sasuke turned his frustration into noodles and ate aggressively.
"I'm so full! Uncle Teuchi's ramen is the best!" Naruto leaned back and patted his stomach.
"You've got good taste, kid," Teuchi gave him a thumbs up.
On the side, Menma hadn't even started eating yet. "Uncle Teuchi, hit me!"
Teuchi laughed and brought over two fresh bowls. "Already had them ready—knew you'd ask."
Menma returned the thumbs up. "Uncle Teuchi, you read my mind."
Hinata looked at Menma's bowls and… gulped.
Menma caught it.
Ah, right. My sister-in-law is secretly a big eater.
"Hinata, do you want another bowl?" he asked.
"N-No, I'm fine!" Hinata shook her head quickly, embarrassed.
"Hmm, that's too bad," Menma sighed. "Naruto likes girls who can eat, y'know."
Naruto likes girls who can eat.
Naruto likes girls who can eat.
Naruto likes—
Boom.
Hinata slammed her tiny palm on the table and shouted: "Uncle! Ten bowls!"
Teuchi blinked. "Ten?! You got it!"
"WHOA! Hinata, you can eat that much?!" Naruto's eyes sparkled as he stared at her in awe.
Hinata nodded shyly. Bofeng was right… Naruto likes girls who can eat…
"You're amazing, Hinata! I like you so much!" Naruto blurted out and hugged her.
Hinata (//ω//)
Sasuke: "…"
These noodles taste like betrayal.
Uchiha Household
Sasuke slammed the door behind him, still fuming.
"Sasuke? What's wrong, sweetie?" Uchiha Mikoto asked, concerned.
But instead of answering, Sasuke gritted his teeth and asked, "Where's Brother?"
"Oh, Itachi went out with Izumi."
(╬へ) Sasuke clenched his fists. That woman! She took my brother! She took Naruto too! I hate women… (except Mom).
(End of this chapter)
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