The Food Man, the Soul of the Food
Full.
Really full.
Everyone present—Mitarashi Anko, Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino, and the other ANBU—couldn't help pressing a hand to their foreheads.
In their hearts, they all thought the same thing:
After getting force-fed such a massive bowl of "dog food," they were stuffed to the brim.
Even Akamaru, perched atop Kiba's head, lifted his little paws to cover his eyes as if he couldn't bear to watch.
Seriously, you two… leave me out of your romance drama!
Feeling the eyes of the group, Hinata Hyūga lowered her head slightly, her slender fingers curling tighter around Tian Yu's palm.
Sensing her quiet resolve, Tian Yu's smile deepened. Their clasped hands shifted—fingers interlocking—making the bond unmistakable. They weren't just holding hands anymore. They were together.
The air between them felt warmer despite the lingering frost on the battlefield. Pink bubbles might as well have floated in the background.
Then, breaking the mood entirely, a group of at least ten figures came bounding toward them from the treeline.
"Big brother!"
At the front, wearing a crimson qipao-style dress and her hair in two buns, Tenten rushed forward the moment she saw Tian Yu.
"Are you alright? Were you hurt? I heard you fought a really strong enemy—" Her questions fired off like rapid shuriken.
"Do I look like I'm in trouble?" Tian Yu replied lightly. "How did you even know I was here?"
Before Tenten could answer, Naruto barreled in, panting.
"Big Brother Tian Yu! I told them! I heard from Sasuke that you were fighting that Orochimaru guy, so I went to warn Sister Tenten and the others to stay away so we wouldn't mess up your battle.
But… once she heard Orochimaru's super dangerous, Tenten just had to run off to find you—couldn't stop her at all! So… I kinda brought her and the rest of the gang…"
Tian Yu glanced past Naruto—and almost laughed. The entire Konoha Twelve were here in the Forest of Death.
So… without realizing it, I've already drawn this much attention?
"I'm fine. Not a scratch. But thanks, everyone, for worrying." His voice was calm, warm.
Seeing he was unharmed, the tension in the group melted.
"Tian Yu-kun, Hinata, you…"
From within the crowd, Yamanaka Ino's eyes widened as she took in Hinata standing unusually close to Tian Yu. Her gaze dropped to their interlocked fingers, and realization dawned.
The others noticed too. Whispered murmurs rippled through them.
Hinata's face went scarlet.
"Yes," Tian Yu said without hesitation, his tone firm but proud. "Hinata and I are dating now. From today onward, she's my girlfriend."
"Wha—!"
Gasps and cheers erupted instantly.
"Treat! Treat! Treat!"
Naruto whooped, clapping, his grin wide.
Laughter followed, and sincere congratulations poured out.
"No problem," Tian Yu grinned. "This weekend, barbecue's on me. We'll book the whole place. Eat until you can't move."
Even Kiba's eyes lit up. Chōji was already chewing faster, clearly imagining it.
"Alright, fun's over. The situation here's under control. The Forest of Death is secure again," Tian Yu said, his tone shifting to that of command. "Candidates—get back to your Chūnin Exam."
"Ehh… back to the test?" Naruto's face fell instantly.
"Idiot," Sasuke muttered, grabbing him by the collar. "Let's go. We still need the other scroll."
Team 10 also turned to leave. "Hinata? Let's go too?" Kiba asked.
"Mm." Hinata nodded, then looked shyly at Tian Yu. "Brother Yu… I'll finish the exam first."
"See you at the finish line. I'll be waiting at the central tower," he replied, smiling.
Her team headed off, leaving only the Nara–Akimichi–Yamanaka trio.
"Shikamaru, aren't we going?" Chōji asked between mouthfuls of chips.
Shikamaru eyed him, a trace of envy at his simple joy. If I could be that carefree, I wouldn't have half my headaches.
"Not yet," he murmured. "A woman who's just lost in love… is scary."
His eyes flicked toward Ino, who'd been silent since Hinata's announcement.
"Shikamaru! Chōji! Move it!" Ino suddenly barked, her voice sharp. Without another glance, she leapt ahead at full speed.
"…What the heck," Shikamaru muttered, startled. Did Hinata's confession push her over the edge?
They followed quickly. After a long moment, Shikamaru risked asking, "You okay?"
"I'm great," Ino replied through gritted teeth.
His and Chōji's hair practically stood on end.
Nope. She's not fine at all.
"Hmph," Ino added, clenching her fists. "So Hinata beat me to it by one step? I'm not giving up that easily!"
---
The rest of the second exam progressed almost exactly as in the original—except Orochimaru never marked Sasuke, and fewer teams passed. The Sand siblings made it, but the rest of Sunagakure's candidates were eliminated. Under Orochimaru's orders, his Sound subordinates, Kabuto and the rest, withdrew.
Almost no other villages' shinobi survived the Forest. Nearly all remaining candidates were from Konoha, and unlike in the original, there was no preliminary round before the third exam.
---
After the Forest of Death closed, the exhausted examinees enjoyed a short rest.
In the Hokage's office—
"Sorry, Hokage-sama. Got caught up in things, so I'm a little late," Tian Yu said with a casual smile, pushing open the door.
Inside were Hiruzen Sarutobi, and alongside him, Shimura Danzō, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado.
End of Chapter.
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