"I'm... a little more special than them?"
For a moment, Naruto's eyes widened with confusion. He didn't quite understand what Senya meant.
But then he raised a hand and touched his stomach, seeming to understand something.
"Because of him?"
Senya took out a scroll and handed it to Naruto.
"Take this. When you get back, open it together with Jiraiya. You'll understand then."
With that, he vanished in a Body Flicker. Naruto stared at the red-and-white scroll in his hand, desperately wanting to open it right away.
But remembering Senya's words—that he had to open it with Jiraiya—he suppressed his curiosity and ran straight toward home.
Before leaving, he did not forget to make a face at Sasuke.
"Bleeeh!"
Sasuke turned around, leaped onto a rooftop, and left with a faint smile at the corner of his lips.
"This is the Naruto Uzumaki I know."
That evening, the door clicked open, and Naruto immediately sprang off the bed, running barefoot to the entrance.
There, he saw Jiraiya carrying two takeout portions of Ichiraku Ramen, waving at Naruto.
"Yo, Naruto. No training today? Why'd you get back so early?"
Naruto immediately held the red-and-white scroll out in front of Jiraiya.
"Hurry up and open it with me! Big Brother Senya said the two of us have to open this scroll together!"
Jiraiya raised his right eyebrow and held the two portions of Ichiraku Ramen in his right hand up before Naruto.
"Oh? I know you're in a hurry, but don't be in such a hurry."
"Because what I've got here is Ichiraku Ramen's limited-edition, super-luxurious, full-set, extra-large double ramen for today."
"If we wait any longer, the noodles will get soggy and won't taste good anymore."
"Are you sure you don't want to eat this delicious Ichiraku Ramen first?"
A