Although Ino was itching to stir up more trouble, she had no choice but to give up under Hinata's ghost-like surveillance and all-seeing Byakugan. Instead, she focused on prepping the ingredients in peace.
Once Natsuki and the others finished getting the food and utensils ready, the rest of the Dimensional End's Congregation members began arriving one after another.
Present at the gathering were: Akimichi Choji, Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, Yamanaka Ino, Rock Lee, Inuzuka Kiba, and Hyūga Hinata. And, of course, Natsuki himself.
With nearly all the members present, the only one still absent was the "remote" member, Uchiha Izumi.
She had left Konoha after being saved by Saber and awakening her ability.
It was a rare post-graduation gathering for the young ninjas. The group dug in, eating to their heart's content, laughter echoing all around.
"Hey, Natsuki,"
"I've been able to send leaves flying from a distance lately. Does that mean I'm close to mastering theHidden Lotus Palm?"
Thinking of the upcoming tournament a month away, where he'd face the terrifying Gaara, Rock Lee quickly took the chance to ask for advice.
"Oh? You can send leaves flying from a distance now?
"That's a clear sign, you're getting close to mastering the Lotus Palm," Natsuki replied, with a look of utter seriousness on his face.
…While screaming internally: Close to mastering my ass! The only reason the leaves are flying is your absurd taijutsu, your palm strikes must be strong enough to generate shockwaves!
Of course, he couldn't say that out loud.
After all, when exactly his Evil King's Eye System would turn these chuuni lines into reality was anyone's guess, even he didn't know for sure.
Maybe it'd activate tomorrow.
Maybe it'd forever remain a collection of cringe-inducing lines.
Still, based on its current progress, the success rate for awakening others was pretty high =.
It had already helped Hinata awaken the Tenseigan.
Helped Choji transform into Ultraman.
Helped Ino summon Golden Sparkle.
Helped Uchiha Izumi awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan and become a flame-haired, blazing-eyed girl straight out of a fantasy novel.
So, this power, capable of changing lives, shouldn't be underutilized.
Sure, asking people to spout chuuni lines was a bit much, but it was for their own good. For the sake of world peace in the ninja world!
Ahem...
Just imagine, in the Fourth Great Ninja War, every member of his congregation shouting a chuuni line.
One punch per person, wiping out each of the past powerful Shinobies.
They'd blind the entire ninja world with their sheer prowess.
So he had to keep pushing those who hadn't yet awakened a unique power.
Natsuki turned to encourage Rock Lee again:
"During your training lately… have you been shouting your attack names out loud?
"A move like this isn't your average little jutsu. Don't worry about what others think. When you train, you need to yell your move's name loud and clear!
"The louder and more spirited the shout, the higher the chance of success!"
Lee's thick eyebrows twitched, and his honest face turned red.
He'd been ridiculed for weeks by Tenten and Neji every time he practiced that move.
And since he hadn't made much progress after years of trying, he had indeed been slacking off a bit lately, his voice had indeed gotten quieter.
But now, Natsuki had reminded him of what mattered most.
Natsuki was someone who truly understood the essence of youth!
To become stronger..
To prove that taijutsu users weren't useless...
So what if he got laughed at occasionally?
"Natsuki! I understand now!"
Rock Lee bowed deeply to him.
"Mhm. I believe in you. The day the entire village hears your voice... that's the day you've mastered it."
Natsuki smiled and nodded.
"Exactly, exactly. I can vouch for that," Choji chimed in while chewing on grilled meat.
"According to my folks, the day I transformed into Ultraman, the whole village could hear me!"
"So that means Akamaru should be close to evolving too!
"Tomorrow, I'm gonna yell from Konoha's east gate to the west, shouting through every alley! I'll make sure the entire village hears me!" Kiba's eyes sparkled, he felt like he had just uncovered the secret to success.
Natsuki was suddenly covered in mental sweat.
He had no idea if Kiba could make the whole village hear him…
But as someone from the Inuzuka Clan, if he dared to do something that embarrassing, his mom and Hana would probably drag him home and beat him within an inch of his life.
"Ha! That's too inefficient," Naruto chimed in. "I say we climb up the Hokage Rock and shout from there!"
"That way, not only will everyone hear us, they'll see our mighty silhouettes too!"
Naruto immediately thought of the spot where his pranks had caused the biggest stir.
Surely, if he awakened a special power there, the whole village would finally recognize him.
Heheheh.
Naruto was already daydreaming about his glorious future, how the whole village would admire him as a great hero.
"Idiots, both of them."
Sasuke, the only one here with his IQ still online, shot them both a cold look of disdain.
"Tch! You're just scared I'll get some special power and crush you in the exams!"
Naruto fired back immediately.
Wherever Sasuke was, Naruto's attention was guaranteed to follow.
"All right, that's enough. These things take time. You can't force them," Natsuki interjected.
"Anyway, it's a rare chance for us all to eat together, today, every scrap of food must be cleared!
"The one who eats the least does the dishes and cleans up!"
Natsuki declared loudly.
"Then you're all doomed!"
Choji grinned as he confidently yanked a whole roast leg of lamb onto his plate.
As expected, the final result spoke for itself.
With Natsuki present, and Hinata finally letting loose, the girl went full throttle.
Together, they polished off an entire table full of food.
Choji was left wide-eyed—he'd finally met people who could out-eat him.
And not just one… but three.
He'd known of Natsuki's appetite already, but Naruto and Hinata too had monstrous appetites.
Looks like this little club is full of hidden talents, Choji thought.
Next time, I'll have to step up my game when it comes to eating.
The group's first club gathering lasted past 10 p.m. before it finally wrapped up.
Although the rule was that the lightest eater would do the dishes, everyone still pitched in and helped clean up before leaving together.
And naturally, Natsuki, as the club's president, walked Ino and Hinata home.
…
"Alright, head on in. Same place tomorrow, yeah?"
As they approached the Hyūga compound, Natsuki gave Hinata a warm smile.
Her house was furthest away, so she was the last to be dropped off.
"Um… Natsuki," Hinata said softly, eyes lowered, her foot gently nudging a pebble on the ground.
"Back in the kitchen earlier… you and Ino didn't… do anything weird, right?"
"What? I was chopping meat. She was washing vegetables."
Natsuki blinked, 'confused.'
"I don't believe you… not unless you close your eyes."
Hinata stepped in front of him, face serious and cheeks faintly pink.
"Tch, what's this now? Are you trying to pull a trick on me?"
Natsuki shrugged casually, but still closed his eyes.
And in the next moment, he felt a light, fluttering peck land on his lips.
It was gone before he could even react.
Just as Natsuki was about to open his eyes and turn back to counterattack, the "enemy" had already retreated.
When he looked up, he saw the little girl clutching her face and bolting through the gates of the Hyūga compound.
"…She's still shy as ever," Natsuki murmured, slightly stunned.
"But she's definitely gotten bolder. Could she have picked that up from Ino?"
He watched her silhouette vanish behind the gate before finally turning to leave.
Meanwhile, inside the compound;
Hinata leaned against a wooden pillar, heart pounding so hard she could hear it echoing in her chest.
Her face was still burning, but the flush was slowly starting to fade.
Until,
"Big sis, I saw that~"
A voice nearly made her jump out of her skin.
Hanabi stood nearby, blinking her wide eyes in what coud onlybe described as 'innocence'.
"So that's my brother-in-law, huh~?"