The commotion over at Hinata's side caused even more noticeable ripples in the already lively barbecue restaurant.
Tenten finally found her voice after the sustained shock. She put down her chopsticks, rested her chin in her hands, and scanned back and forth between Hinata and the increasingly tall stack of empty plates with an expression that mixed disbelief with the excitement of watching a good show.
"I say, Hinata..."
Tenten drew out her voice, filled with thick teasing.
"Tell me the truth, back when you ate Ichiraku Ramen with me and were full after one bowl, were you just acting?"
She leaned in closer, lowered her voice, her eyes sparkling, "Are the Hyuga Clan and the Akimichi Clan related?"
Hinata had just popped a piece of charred, fragrant beef intestine dipped in sauce into her mouth. Upon hearing this, her chewing paused. She lifted her eyes to look at Tenten with a slightly helpless expression.
"I wasn't acting. I just wasn't hungry back then, and my appetite is only a teensy bit larger than an ordinary person's."
"..."
Tenten pointed to the stack of plates that were now so high she had to tilt her body to see Hanabi on the other side.
"Isn't your definition of 'a teensy bit' a little too big? And Hanabi too!"
She turned to Hanabi, who was sipping soup in small mouthfuls, "Hanabi, did your sister secretly give you special training in the Konoha Secret Technique: Gluttony?"
Hanabi's face turned even redder from the question. She hurriedly waved her hands, "N-no, Tenten... I just... ate with my sister, and before I knew it..."
Her voice grew quieter as she spoke, and she became a bit embarrassed herself, but the chopsticks in her hand picking up meat never stopped.
The discussions from the couple at the neighboring table and the few Chunin grew louder. The surprise in their gazes gradually turned into pure amusement from watching the spectacle.
After all, watching the beautiful and elegant Hyuga sisters create such a "spectacular" dining scene with such a calm demeanor was in itself a matter of extreme contrast.
Just then, a loud voice filled with intense interest and amazement cut in:
"Wow! Hinata! Hanabi! You guys are amazing..."
It turned out Akimichi Choji had walked out at some point, holding a half-eaten bag of potato chips, but his eyes were completely glued to Hinata's table, especially the ever-growing mountain of empty plates.
He had originally just been curious about why his shop had suddenly become so lively and came over to check, but upon seeing this, he was instantly unable to move his feet.
As a veteran gourmet and "Glutton" of the Akimichi Clan, such scenes were always created by them.
When Tenten saw Choji, she immediately felt like she had found an ally and pointed at the stack of plates, saying loudly.
"Choji, tell me, aren't those two, especially Hinata, just ridiculously big eaters? Can you appraise this? What level would this be considered?"
Choji walked over quickly.
"Ridiculous? No, this isn't called ridiculous, Tenten." Choji corrected, his tone unusually serious.
"This is called a natural talent! A formidable strength!" He turned to Hinata, his eyes shining like searchlights, as if he had discovered a kindred spirit.
"Hinata, I really didn't expect... besides your strength, you were hiding such a talent in this area too!"
He rubbed his hands together, the eagerness on his face almost overflowing.
"Um... seeing you guys eating so happily, and with so many empty plates... my hands are itching—no, my mouth is itching. How about it, Hinata, Hanabi, are you interested... in competing with me?"
He pointed to the standard meat plates on the table, "Let's just compete on the ones coming up next, to see who can eliminate more plates! Don't worry, when it comes to barbecue, I, Choji, am a professional. It will be absolutely fair, and I'll handle the grilling and cover the cost!"
The real challenge had arrived! And it was from the universally recognized "King of Appetite" of Konoha, Akimichi Choji!
Tenten's excitement levels instantly hit the ceiling; she almost jumped up.
"Compete! Compete! Compete! Hinata, accept his challenge! Let me see the ultimate showdown!" She had completely turned into a fun-seeker looking for an exciting match.
The guests at the surrounding tables also perked up their ears, their gazes focusing in unison.
The Hyuga sisters vs Akimichi Choji? This was far more interesting than just watching!
Hanabi looked at her sister somewhat nervously.
Hinata finished the last piece of grilled mushroom, meticulously wiped her mouth and fingers with a napkin, and met Choji's gaze, which was filled with Battle Intent and anticipation.
"Okay."
Hinata accepted the challenge directly.
(Hmph, young one, to challenge me to an eating contest, I see you really don't know the immensity of heaven and earth.)
Seeing this, Choji was overjoyed. He waved his arm heroically and shouted toward the kitchen with a booming voice.
"Dad! Mom! Bring out the best meat we have in the shop, all of it! First, prepare... prepare for thirty people! Double the seasoning! Add more charcoal!"
This shout completely ignited the atmosphere of the barbecue restaurant. The other guests stopped ordering food and stretched their necks, preparing to watch this rare "Feast Showdown."
Even the Akimichi couple behind the counter curiously poked their heads out. Seeing that it was their own son who wanted to compete against the young ladies of the Hyuga Clan, they were stunned at first, then started laughing and quickly got busy.
The "Showdown" officially began!
Choji instantly got into the zone. Not only did he grill various meats at an astonishing speed with dazzling skill, ensuring there was always cooked meat on everyone's plates, but he also ate mouthfuls of meat himself, his cheeks bulging, all while managing to give garbled commentary and recommendations.
"Pork belly with garlic slices! Amazing! Flip the beef tongue quickly! Medium-rare! For these intestines, listen to me, grill them until they burst!"
Hinata maintained her own rhythm. It didn't look as wild as Choji's, but her efficiency was not slow at all. Once the meat entered her mouth, it was like it melted into water, and she would swallow it in just a few bites.
Choji's abdomen was slightly bulging, while Hinata remained exactly the same.
She also took care of Hanabi from time to time, helping her grill some things she liked or placing cooked meat into her bowl.
Influenced by the atmosphere, Hanabi also tried to speed up a little. Her small face was flushed from eating, her eyes sparkling, and she was clearly very invested in this "competition."
Tenten became the busiest person—she had to help grill vegetables ("You can't just eat meat!"), was responsible for counting the empty plates for both sides, and had to keep complaining:
"Choji! Slow down! You're going to blow the charcoal away!"
"Hinata! Is that the Shadowless Hand? I just saw that piece of meat on the grill!"
"Go Hanabi! Surpass your sister... er, that goal is a bit difficult. Surpass Choji... that also seems a bit difficult, then just surpass yourself!"
"My god, these plates are about to tip over... Waiter! Bring another cart to collect the plates!"
The aroma in the barbecue restaurant was overwhelming. The charcoal crackled, and the sounds of Choji's heroic chewing, Tenten's counting and complaining, and the gasps and cheers of other guests intertwined, creating a lively scene.
Empty plates were quickly taken away and just as quickly replaced by new ones filled with meat. The Akimichi couple were so busy they couldn't touch the ground, yet they were beaming with joy.
This single meal was worth a whole day's business for them.
The competition entered a fever pitch. Choji gave it his all, his speed of grilling and eating was astonishing, and empty plates piled up rapidly, winning rounds of cheers from the surroundings, though his stomach had already bulged quite high.
Sweat appeared on his forehead; he was clearly giving it his all.
However, Hinata's rhythm remained unchanged.
She still operated elegantly and precisely. Her eating speed looked unhurried, but the empty plates beside her increased with a terrifyingly stable efficiency, quietly catching up, and then steadily surpassing him.
When Choji's speed slowed significantly due to fullness and he had to stop to catch his breath, Hinata had just finished the last piece of barbecue, calmly put down her chopsticks, and picked up her teacup.
The stack of empty plates in front of her was significantly higher than Choji's, yet she herself looked calm, breathing evenly, as if she had just finished an ordinary meal.
Choji stared blankly at the difference in the plates. After a long while, he let out a long sigh and raised his hand to concede defeat.
Because he could feel that if he ate any more, he would throw up...
"Cough... I lost..." His exclamation was filled with admiration, "Hinata, your ability..."
There was an uproar all around. The guests were discussing in disbelief that the Young Miss of the Hyuga Clan had actually crushed Akimichi Choji in appetite. Tenten widened her eyes even further, grabbing Hinata and questioning whether she had used some kind of Ninjutsu.
"I was just a bit hungry."
------------------------
There are already 70+ chapters available on my Patreon!
The story will continue to update 1 chapter per day on Webnovel,
while early access chapters are posted on Patreon.
Maybe it's not worth it today but it could be later
[email protected]/Kazenova223
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"