The table overflowed with food, a feast fit for a family gathering. Miso broth steamed invitingly, roasted meat glistened, and rice-filled bowls were piled high. Laughter echoed through Iruka's small home, the sound of Naruto, Kiba, and even Shino playfully bickering over the last skewer of grilled chicken.
Kurenai chuckled softly, topping off Hinata's plate. Shizune, smiling shyly, helped herself to another ladle of soup. It was a scene filled with warmth, the kind of comfort Naruto had never known before.
Iruka leaned back in his chair, watching his students. He could hardly believe how much things had changed since Naruto had moved in with him. The lively banter around the table was a stark contrast to the silence that used to haunt Naruto's life. He could see the way Naruto fit in now — comfortable, content, laughing with his friends, and most importantly, not alone.
"Alright, everyone," Iruka said, his tone light but firm, "Let's keep it respectful. No food fights at the table."
Naruto, who had been shoveling food into his mouth with characteristic enthusiasm, paused to give Iruka a sheepish grin. "Sorry, Iruka-sensei. I'll be good."
Kiba smirked. "You always say that, Naruto. But you're lucky I'm in a good mood."
Iruka smiled fondly at his students, happy to see them all getting along. He glanced at the door. "Anyway. I think we'll need to make some room for guests soon."
Just as he finished speaking, the sound of a soft knock echoed at the door. Naruto jumped up, excited. "I'll get it!"
He quickly shuffled to the door and opened it. Standing in the doorway were none other than Hiruzen Sarutobi, Jiraiya, and Tsunade.
"Ah, Hokage-sama!" Iruka called from the table, rising to greet them. "What brings you here?"
Jiraiya grinned, his usual mischievous look in place. "We were in the neighborhood, thought we'd drop by."
Tsunade, following behind, gave a brief nod of acknowledgment. "Couldn't resist the smell of your cooking, Iruka."
Hiruzen smiled warmly, though there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. "We've come to visit, and perhaps talk a bit. I hope we're not intruding."
Iruka shook his head. "Not at all, Hokage-sama. Please, come in. There's plenty of food."
Naruto, still standing in the doorway, looked between the three newcomers with confusion. "Uh, Iruka-sensei, who are these people?"
Iruka smiled gently and gestured to the tall, white-haired man first. "This is Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin. And," he turned to the blonde woman beside him, "This is Tsunade, also of the Sannin."
The moment the words left Iruka's mouth, the room fell silent. Kiba's eyes nearly popped out of his head. Hinata gasped softly, and Shino adjusted his glasses, clearly stunned. Kurenai rose from her seat and bowed respectfully. The atmosphere shifted.
"Wait… Legendary Sannin?" Naruto's voice trembled in awe, his mouth slightly agape. "The Legendary Sannin? Like, the actual Legendary Sannin?"
Jiraiya winked at him. "That's us, kid."
Tsunade smirked, though there was a seriousness to her expression. "Yep. You're looking at the real deal."
But before anyone could get too excited, Hiruzen cleared his throat. "Everyone, please. Let's sit down and eat first. It's been a long day, and I'm sure you'll all be hungry."
The guests made their way to the table, and Naruto, still processing the weight of the introduction, hesitated. But when the smell of food hit him again, his stomach growled loudly.
"That smells amazing!" Jiraiya said with a grin, taking his seat.
"I agree," Tsunade said
Naruto shoveled rice into his mouth with abandon, his usual loud voice now muffled by the food in his cheeks. Kiba, sitting across from him, grinned, trying to snag the last piece of grilled chicken. Kurenai sighed, shaking her head as she set the ladle down.
"Naruto," she said gently, but with a hint of amusement, "Slow down, will you? You're going to choke if you eat that fast."
Naruto, chewing quickly, waved her off with a distracted hand. "I'm fine! I'm just hungry!"
Iruka chuckled and chimed in, voice calm but firm. "Naruto, use your manners. Don't talk with your mouth full."
Naruto's cheeks puffed out as he swallowed, nodding sheepishly. "Sorry, Iruka-sensei."
Kurenai shot him a knowing look. "And don't be so picky about the food. It's all delicious." She cast a pointed glance at Kiba, who was giving the rice a disdainful look.
"Yeah, yeah, it's good," Kiba grumbled, but his tone was softening as he shoved another piece of meat into his mouth. "It's just… not what I expected."
"Alright, everyone. Let's keep it respectful. No food fights at the table," Iruka said, his tone light but serious.
Naruto and Kiba immediately stopped their playful bickering and settled down, although their eyes still flicked toward the last skewer of chicken.
Shino adjusted his glasses as he quietly sipped his soup, while Hinata, ever polite, carefully cut her meat into smaller pieces before eating.
Iruka turned to Tsunade, who had been watching quietly. "Tsunade-sama, I hope you don't mind the company," he said, giving her a kind smile.
Tsunade raised an eyebrow, her lips curling slightly. "I'm just amazed, Iruka. This is the kind of meal I have never eaten anything so good"
Iruka nodded, his voice softening. "Thank you for the compliment, Tsunade-sama."
Before Tsunade could reply, Kurenai jumped in, voice light but with a hint of firmness. "Naruto, remember to keep your posture while you eat. Sit up straight."
Naruto, who had been slouching slightly, immediately straightened, though there was a playful groan in his voice. "Yes, yes, Kurenai-neechan . I'm sitting up."
Iruka shot Kurenai a brief, approving glance before his gaze softened toward Naruto, who had become noticeably more subdued, his earlier bickering over food settling into quieter eating habits. He couldn't help but feel proud of how far the boy had come. He's learning what it means to be a part of something, a family, Iruka thought.
Jiraiya, who had been observing quietly, shifted uncomfortably in his seat. This should have been me. His eyes followed Naruto, whose mannerisms — although still mischievous — were undeniably different from the first time Jiraiya had met him. The boy who had once looked so alone was now part of this small, thriving home. Iruka... Jiraiya's thoughts trailed off, the weight of his unspoken regrets pressing down on him. Iruka has given him everything I failed to. He's become the father Naruto never had.
Tsunade, too, watched the exchange with a pang of guilt. I should've been there for him, she thought, watching Naruto now, as he passed her the last piece of fish. "Here, Tsunade-sama. You should have this," he said, as though trying to do something kind.
She took the piece, her fingers brushing his as she met his gaze. There was so much unsaid in that brief moment — a shared understanding of all the years lost.
But even as the guilt gnawed at her, Tsunade couldn't help but admire how easily Iruka and Kurenai had filled the role she should've had. Iruka's steady presence, his patience with Naruto's habits, his guidance at the table — it was more than just the food that made this house feel like a home. It was the love and care that filled every corner. And Kurenai — the way she looked after Naruto with such tenderness, scolding him softly, yet always there when he needed support — it reminded Tsunade of how a mother should act. Kurenai's quiet strength and the care she showed Naruto made her wonder, for a brief moment, if she had missed the chance to be that figure in Naruto's life.
As the meal continued, Iruka kept up his gentle reminders. "Eat slowly, Naruto. Don't make a mess," he said, chuckling when Naruto reached for another piece of meat but missed his target. "And wipe your mouth, Kiba. You're getting sauce all over your face."
Kurenai shot Iruka a look, her voice tinged with humor. "He learned that from you, you know."
Iruka flushed slightly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Maybe. But a good teacher always makes sure their students know the basics."
Kurenai rolled her eyes playfully. "Of course."
Jiraiya couldn't help but smile, his hand pausing mid-air as he watched Naruto, who seemed to be listening more intently now.
Tsunade's eyes softened. She had spent years distancing herself from the role of 'family,' thinking it was something better left to others. But here she was, feeling that missing piece of herself stir. She hadn't realized how much she craved being part of something until she saw Naruto, surrounded by warmth and care, a boy who should have been hers to protect.
As the meal wound down, and the laughter settled into quieter conversations, Naruto sat back in his chair, his face full but his heart full in a way it had never been before. Iruka, who had been guiding him gently, looked across the table, his eyes catching Kurenai's.
She nodded subtly, acknowledging what both of them had come to realize: This was where Naruto belonged.
And for the first time, it was clear to everyone in the room.
Naruto had found his family.
[End of Chapter]
I am setting the chapter for the next one hope you like this one