A short while later, at Ichiraku Ramen Shop.
There weren't many customers in the shop. Teuchi, the owner, was wiping down the tables, while Ayame, who had grown into a graceful young woman, helped nearby. When she saw Naruto come in, she greeted him with a smile:
"Hey, Naruto! How did the matches go today?"
"You watched the matches too, old man?" Naruto settled into his usual seat with practiced ease.
"I caught the last one through the Projection Technique," Teuchi said as he cooked the noodles. "That kid from Dragon Release Village was incredible. He even beat a Tailed Beast."
Jiraiya sat beside Naruto and ordered a flask of sake.
"Old man, an extra-large Miso Chashu Ramen!" Naruto called. "Pervy Sage, what are you having?"
"Same as you."
The noodles were soon served.
Naruto immediately dug in, while Jiraiya slowly sipped his sake. A trace of worry flashed through his eyes as he watched Naruto wolf down his food.
After a moment of silence, Jiraiya spoke:
"Naruto."
"Hm?" Naruto answered indistinctly, his mouth stuffed with noodles.
"What do you think of Konoha... of the people in the village?"
Naruto stopped his chopsticks and looked at Jiraiya in confusion. "Pervy Sage, why are you suddenly asking me that?"
"Just asking." Jiraiya smiled. "Didn't you say you wanted to become Hokage? A Hokage has to understand the village and its people."
Naruto thought for a moment, then said earnestly:
"Konoha is my home. Even though... even though everyone doesn't really like me, I'll work hard to change how they see me. Once I become Hokage, I'll make sure everyone acknowledges me!"
As he said this, his blue eyes seemed to light up.
But Jiraiya's heart ached.
Home...
*If one day you learned this wasn't your home at all, that this village