The entire venue quieted down.
Everyone could see it: Choji, the "Big Eater" of the Akimichi Clan, had been completely suppressed by Hyuga Hinata in the eating competition!
It wasn't a close match, nor was it a slight lead; it was an absolute crushing defeat.
Choji stared blankly at the stack of empty plates next to Hinata, which was already two piles higher than his own, then looked down at his visibly distended stomach, and finally looked back up at Hinata.
She was still sitting perfectly straight, her expression calm, her breathing even, as if she wasn't the one who had just devoured a mountain of barbecue.
What made it even harder for Choji to believe was that Hinata's abdomen looked virtually unchanged.
Her light blue top remained flat against her body, and the curve of her waist was clearly visible.
"This... how is this possible... are you kidding me?" Choji muttered.
Tenten was speechless, her mouth agape. She looked at Hinata, then at Choji, then at the pile of empty plates, her mind completely frozen.
Hanabi, however, was quite calm. She continued nibbling on her cake, occasionally glancing at her older sister with an expression of natural admiration.
Hinata finally put down her tongs, picked up her teacup, and slowly took a sip.
"Thank you for the match."
Choji fell silent.
His stomach was protesting, his throat was tightening, and he even felt nauseous—a sign that the food had reached his esophagus.
If he continued, he might throw up right there, which would be extremely embarrassing.
Judging by Hinata's appearance, she could eat at least ten more plates.
No, maybe twenty plates.
This realization made Choji feel dizzy.
Since childhood, he had never met an opponent when it came to "eating." The Akimichi Clan's Secret Technique granted them digestive capabilities and energy storage efficiency far surpassing ordinary people, and this had always been his pride.
But today, at this moment, in front of this seemingly delicate and frail Young Miss of the Hyuga Clan, his pride was shattered.
It wasn't about technique or strategy; it was a pure, overwhelming difference in "capacity."
Choji slowly, deeply exhaled a breath heavy with the scent of barbecue. He raised his hand, a bitter yet relieved smile on his face.
"I've completely lost."
The customers in the barbecue restaurant snapped back to reality, and a massive uproar rose and fell throughout the room.
"He lost?! Choji lost?!"
"Oh my god! The Hyuga Young Miss won?!"
"And she won so easily! She looks completely fine!"
"That appetite... it's terrifying..."
"From today onward, Konoha's Big Eater title will have a new owner, right?"
Akimichi Mom quickly rushed over, holding a cup of barley tea.
"Choji, quickly drink some tea to help things settle." She looked at her son worriedly.
Choji took the tea and finished it, then looked at Hinata with a complex gaze.
"Hinata, can you tell me... how exactly did you do it? Why do you look like you haven't been affected at all?"
This was everyone's question. For a moment, all eyes in the barbecue restaurant were focused on Hinata.
Hinata put down her teacup and thought for a moment.
"Maybe... my metabolism is just faster."
"..."
A moment of silence.
Then Tenten was the first to burst out laughing: "Hahaha! Hinata, that explanation is way too perfunctory!"
Choji couldn't help but laugh too, although his smile was still a bit strained: "Alright, that's your secret. But..." He looked at Hinata seriously.
"Next time, I definitely won't lose!"
"There's a next time?" Tenten's eyes widened. "Choji, haven't you been defeated enough?"
"Of course!" Choji clenched his fist, his fighting spirit reignited.
"This time I was unprepared and underestimated my opponent..."
Hinata nodded slightly.
"Very well, I'm ready whenever you are."
Akimichi Dad walked over at this moment, holding the bill.
"Young lady, your portion will be discounted; Choji will cover his own."
Tenten glanced at the bill and was startled.
"My goodness... how much did you two eat..."
Hinata paid the bill readily and left the barbecue restaurant.
After the three had walked a short distance, Tenten finally couldn't hold back and grabbed Hinata's arm.
"Hinata! You have to be honest right now! Did you use some kind of Ninjutsu just now? Was it a secret Ninjutsu passed down by the Hyuga Clan?"
Hinata let her hold her arm, feeling a bit helpless: "No, your imagination is truly rich."
"How is that possible?!" Tenten pointed at Hinata's flat stomach. "That many plates of barbecue! They were piled up like a mountain! Plus the ones before! Altogether, it's enough to feed ten of me! Where did you put it all?!"
"I digested it."
"..." Tenten rolled her eyes.
"Fine, I won't ask anymore."
Tenten ruffled Hanabi's hair.
"And you too, Little Hanabi, eating so much without batting an eye. What are the stomachs of you Hyuga made of..."
The three chatted and laughed until they reached a fork in the road.
"Well, I'm heading back now." Tenten waved goodbye.
"Okay, let's hang out again next time."
After Tenten left, Hinata and Hanabi walked side-by-side down the quiet street leading back to the Main Compound.
"Sister," Hanabi said softly, "Choji Big Brother is really nice; he didn't get angry even though he lost."
...Hinata thought he was probably too full to even have the energy to get angry.
"But today was really fun. The barbecue was delicious, Tenten Big Sister is lively, and Choji Big Brother is interesting."
"I'm glad you had fun." Hinata squeezed her sister's hand.
Hinata led Hanabi, walking slowly along the road back to the Hyuga Main Compound, presenting a scene of peace and tranquility.
Hanabi held Hinata's hand, her small face full of post-meal satisfaction, chattering about which barbecue combination was the tastiest today, which of Choji Big Brother's grilling techniques was the most impressive, and which of Tenten Big Sister's complaints were the funniest.
Hinata listened quietly, occasionally responding with a word.
However, just as they walked past two streets and were about to turn onto the main road leading to the Hyuga Clan Compound, Hinata paused.
Her immense Divine Sense could cover all of Konoha and even the deep outskirts of Konoha.
In that instant, she "saw" them.
Far away, in the southeast direction of Konoha Village, six figures were rapidly approaching Konoha in a straight line.
She could sense their power. The strongest among them was obscure yet vast, like a dormant volcano, while the six separate surrounding forces were like extended tentacles, each containing destructive power that could not be underestimated.
"Six Paths of Pain."
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