Ch. 281Jonin Application
Naruto watched other young shinobi reunite with their parents and felt increasingly lonely, though those around him mistook his feelings for a desire to become a Jonin. He left Iruka without explaining what he truly wanted: a parent waiting for him at home.
- Kiba Inuzuka's mother and Inoichi Yamanaka praised their children, and the parents discussed submitting Jonin applications for the young shinobi.
- Naruto tried to intervene when Sakura argued with her parents, then walked away and spoke with Sai about getting promoted to Jonin.
- Naruto returned to his empty, messy home and asked Iruka to meet him at Ichiraku Ramen.
- Iruka refused Naruto's Jonin application request because he was still a Genin and lectured him about Minato Namikaze.
- Naruto said Minato had become a statue on Hokage Rock and challenged Iruka about his own parents, but Iruka's anger left Naruto unwilling to explain his loneliness.