Chapter Thirty-Eight: Naruto I

[A/N: This is a transitional chapter, so a bit short. And a bit childish as it's from Naruto's PoV, sorry I was late... had been partying... oops?]

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October 5th, Year 72, Konohagakure

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"NARUTO! Get back here this instant!"

'Hah! Like I'm gonna stop!' I laughed out loud, running even faster while Iruka-sensei chased me. I glanced back to see Shika's annoyed face and Choji's terrified expression as they struggled to keep up.

"Come on, Shika, Choji! Faster! Or we'll get CAUGHT! HAHAHAHA!" I shouted, urging them to run faster.

"Idiot! Why would you put detergent in Sensei's ramen? And then dump that much chili flakes in his water? He's gonna kill us if he catches us—or worse—he'll tell our moms!" Shika hissed, right behind me.

The last part sent shivers down my spine. I was sweating buckets now.

Choji nodded with the most horrified look on his face—or was it constipa... constipetion… consti-SOMETHING!

I forced a nervous laugh, trying to pump myself up. "Well then, we just gotta make sure we don't get caught, right?"

Shika looked like he wanted to strangle me. What did I do? Meh, who cares!

We bolted through the shopping district, dodging people and stalls. The villagers laughed, mock scolding us for being troublemakers. One nice granny even offered to let us hide in her store, but nah, we didn't wanna bother her. Besides, we had our own secret hiding spot!

"Oi, Naruto," Shika groaned, sounding extra annoyed. "Your mom specifically told you not to go there. Remember? The place with rats big enough to eat us?"

"Ah, stop being a wimp! We'll be fine!" I waved him off confidently. "And I've got Dad's kunai with me, so—" I patted my pocket... but...

The kunai wasn't there.

"Naruto?" Shika's voice was cautious now.

I laughed nervously, scratching the back of my head. "Uh... well... about that… I might've… sorta… lost it?"

Shika facepalmed so hard it sounded painful. Choji looked like he was about to cry.

"It's okay, guys! We'll find another spot to hide! Dattebayo!" I said, trying to cheer them up.

But Shika and Choji weren't listening. They were staring behind me, pale and shaking.

"Huh?" I turned slowly, feeling a terrifying aura behind me.

GULP.

There she was. My mom. Smiling.

"So, Naru-chan, Shika-chan, and Cho-chan…" she said, her voice sweet but scary. "Care to explain why you put detergent in Iruka-sensei's ramen and chili powder in his water? Hmm?"

My legs felt like jelly. My mom could be super nice, but when she was mad? Yikes.

"Uh... Mom, I... uh…" I stammered, but she cut me off.

"Save it!" she snapped, before turning her scolding gaze to Shika and Choji. "Shika-chan, I expect a responsible boy like you to stop Naru-chan from pulling such ridiculous pranks! And Cho-chan, you're such a sweet boy—don't let these troublemakers drag you into their nonsense!"

We nodded furiously, like bobbing pigeons.

Wait… why weren't we getting punished?

"Oh, don't think you three are off the hook," Mom said sweetly, but her eyes gleamed dangerously. "Your punishment is postponed for today because something special is happening. But tomorrow..." Her expression turned downright demonic. "You three will clean Iruka-sensei's house, including the toilet. Got it?"

'Drats…'

"UNDERSTOOD?!" Her hair flared like she was a demon from the underworld, and we all yelled together,

""UNDERSTOOD, Mom/Aunty/Ma'am!""

Her sweet smile returned. "Good boys! Now, let's head to Shika-chan's house—there's a surprise waiting!"

Mom looked so happy, like how I feel when I'm about to eat ramen. Maybe it is ramen? Yatta!

"Let's gooooo!" I cheered, bouncing with excitement.

Mom laughed, Shika muttered, "What a drag," and Choji just followed along nervously.

…

…

"You know, Mom, Sasuke-baka was showing off his kunai throwing, but I beat him in Taijutsu! Then he got all moody and said he'll beat me next time. Like he can beat me!" I puffed up my chest proudly as I told Mom what happened at the academy today. She was smiling and listening eagerly as we walked to Shika's house.

"You know, I'm the best! Dattebayo!" I grinned, feeling on top of the world.

But, of course, Shika had to ruin it. "But Naruto, Sasuke got the second-highest marks in class… and you barely passed."

I froze mid-step, my smile twitching as I nervously glanced at Mom.

She still had that sweet smile on her face—but it didn't reach her eyes. Oh no.

"Naru-chan…" she said, her voice syrupy sweet, "we'll study hard when we get home, won't we?"

I nodded so fast I thought my head would fall off.

Why me?!

I pouted, glaring at Shika, who was trying (and failing) to hide a grin. Ugh, stupid Shika. At least Choji wasn't rubbing it in… though he was munching on another bag of chips. Choji really gets me.

When we reached Shika's clan compound, I noticed something weird—it felt… lively?

Shika's house was usually the quietest, laziest place in all of Konoha! But now, people were running around everywhere, and even Shika seemed confused.

He walked over to one of the guards, a tall guy with a calm face who always followed Kuro-niichan. "Shikaichi-san, good afternoon. Why is everyone running around?"

The guard, Shikaichi-san, turned to us, his face breaking into a soft smile. "Ah, Shikamaru. And Kushina-sama, Naruto, Choji—good afternoon." Then his grin got bigger, and he said mysteriously, "Why don't you go inside? Maybe you'll find out."

Shika groaned and muttered, "You're killing me, Shikaichi-san… Why do us Naras have to be so troublesome? What a drag…"

But I ignored Shika's complaining because I was way too excited now! Jumping up and down, I shouted, "A surprise? Maybe it's a feast! Shika! Choji! Let's go, let's go! Yatta!"

Grabbing their hands, I dashed toward Shika's house. Behind us, I could hear Mom laughing as she followed.

When we got to the house, it was packed! Everyone was there—even Choji's and Ino-chan's parents.

"Hello!" I shouted as we ran in, waving at everyone. But then I froze.

There, standing in the middle of the room and being hugged by Aunt Yoshino, was someone we hadn't seen in forever.

Shika stopped too, staring wide-eyed. Choji looked like he might cry.

He was taller now, his hair longer, but that lazy, calm aura of his was the same. He turned around when he heard me, and when he smiled, it felt like everything was okay again.

"Well, well, look what the wind blew in," he said warmly. "Hey there, little brothers. Miss me?"

The spell broke, and all three of us charged at him, yelling, "KURO-NIICHAN!"

We tackled him in a huge hug, tears streaming down our faces. Even Shika was sniffling, though he tried to play it cool.

Kuro-niichan laughed softly and hugged us back. "Sorry for being away so long, brats… I missed you too."

Just as I was feeling all warm and happy, a loud, bossy voice interrupted.

"MOU! How long are you idiots gonna hug Kuro-niichan? Move! Don't rub your dirt on my niichan!"

Ino-chan.

Shika groaned, annoyed. "Shut up, Ino. We're not dirty! Well… Naruto is, but Choji and I are clean."

"HEY!" That was rude! But… maybe I should wash my hands. I did put chili powder in ramen earlier…

Ino huffed and pushed us apart before latching onto Kuro-niichan's waist. Then she stuck her tongue out at us.

Mom always tells me not to hit girls, but I really wanted to hit her right then.

Kuro-niichan just laughed, patting Ino-chan's head before looking past us and smiling softly at Mom. "Hello, Aunt Kushina. Long time no see. Made any new seals?"

Mom had tears in her eyes as she hugged him tightly. "I made a few prison seals… so the next time you want to leave for two years, I can make sure you can be contained in a garbage bag, brat! Do you understand, Dattabane?!"

Kuro-niichan groaned, squirming in her grip. "You know it was your husband and his master who sent me on that mission/training thing, right?"

Mom chuckled, squeezing him harder in her bone-crusher hug. "Don't backtalk your master, brat! I'm just glad you're back."

Kuro-niichan was turning blue.

Well… rest in peace, Niichan.

…

…

We had a nice dinner after that reunion! And yes! Aunt Yoshino made Ramen! Yatta!

Kuro-niichan told us all his stories…

I felt like he wasn't telling us everything, but it was still so cool! He took down so many bad Kumo ninjas! And he beat up so many bad guys! He got so strong that even Pervy Grandpa can't keep up with him anymore!

I wonder how strong Dad is compared to Kuro-niichan!

Kuro-niichan even took down another monster and brought it back! SO COOOL! Maybe Dad will let me see it? He said it was huge—and ugly… Ugh, why do monsters have to be so ugly?

After that, we got super tired, but we didn't want to sleep just yet. Kuro-niichan promised to take us out to play tomorrow and maybe even teach us some new Jutsu! Yatta!

I'm going to show Sasuke-baka just how much better I am! So what if he's better at studying? I'm way better at physical activities!

And he keeps talking about his older sister… well, I have an older brother too! And I'm sure my brother is much cooler than his sister. Hmph!

I can't wait for tomorrow!

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