When Naruto arrives back in his room, he immediately notices two things: firstly, the torn photo of his parents is no longer on the floor, and secondly, Kimiko is sleeping on Naruto's bed. Naruto goes over to his bed, intending to wake Kimiko up and kick her out. Then he sees what she is holding in her hand: the photo of Naruto's parents.
She taped it back together.
Naruto reaches over Kimiko and takes the photo out of her hand. No longer annoyed at finding Kimiko sleeping on his bed, Naruto creates a new safety seal on his chest, over his heart. He places the letter Granny Tsunade gave him and the photo of his parents inside.
Wondering how Kimiko can sleep with the light on, Naruto switches the light off. He was in his pyjamas when he ran off, so he does not need to put them on. Naruto pushes Kimiko over so there is enough room for him on the bed and flops down. If they had bunk beds, he could just use the other one. But no. No bunk beds.
Naruto falls asleep very quickly and wakes up the next morning with Kimiko's hand on his face. Annoyed, Naruto brushes her hand off. What is it with Kimiko and Pervy Sage hitting or kicking you in their sleep?
Naruto rolls off the bed, wondering what it will take to convince his Grandma that he and Kimiko NEED bunk beds. Probably a lot. Especially since they haven't decided on the most important part of the building-on. Once they've all agreed on the layout of the extention, Lord first is going to build on to Naruto's house. Kimiko will have her own room then, and there will be a room for Pervy Sage too. Naruto's Grandma is getting a proper music room and they are going to have a nice, big room for guests to sleep in. The only thing Naruto and his Grandma can't agree on is whether or not the new swimming pool should be inside or outside. Naruto wants it inside, his Grandma wants it outside. Everyone else doesn't care so long as there is a pool.
Kimiko wakes up and sits up. "Where's the photo…" she sees Naruto. "Did you find the photo?"
"Yes I did," grins Naruto and hugs Kimiko. "You fixed it for me, didn't you? You're the best little sister ever."
Kimiko blushes and grins. Naruto likes being a brother. "Why didn't you kick me out of your room?" Kimiko asks frowning up at Naruto.
"Didn't want to wake you up after you fixed my photo for me," admits Naruto. "I wish we could have bunk beds. Then I could've just used the other one, and it would've been fun, 'tebayo."
Kimiko droops. "I want bunk beds too. Then I could invite friends over for sleepovers and we could sleep in the bunk beds and it would be fun."
"Bunk beds would be fun," Naruto agrees. "Maybe we can convince Grandma to put some in the guest room or your room, 'tebayo."
"Or both," says Kimiko.
Kimiko runs off downstairs to change out of her pyjamas, and Naruto changes out of his. They meet up again in the kitchen, searching for breakfast. Namiko, Pervy Sage, Iruka-nii and Naruto's Grandparents are already there. Naruto does not even bother trying to sneak ramen out of the cupboard to have for breakfast. He has cereal, like a healthy person. As soon as she is finished her breakfast, Kimiko runs off to school. Iruka-nii promises he will turn up today, after he's taken care of some important business. Until then, Kimiko's class has study hall again.
A few minutes after Kimiko leaves, Burifu marches into the kitchen and asks if Namiko can come out to play. Iruka-nii says she can, so long as Namiko is home by five and Burifu's family knows where she is. The two little girls run off to play in the mud or something, and Naruto is left alone with all the adults.
Naruto is about to leave when his Grandma says, "Stay here, Naruto. We need to talk."
Naruto's first thought is that he is in trouble for running off.
"Tsunade told us what happened," says Naruto's Grandpa. "And we told Jiraiya and Iruka."
Naruto sinks down in his chair, feeling ashamed of his behaviour now that he knows his parents obviously loved him. Unsure what to do or say, Naruto keeps quiet.
"Naruto," says Jiraiya, gazing at Naruto seriously. "There is absolutely no doubt your parents loved you unconditionally. When we say they 'would have been proud of you', or 'would have loved you', we mean that Kushina would've gushed and bragged about whatever stunt you just pulled off. Minato would've just grinned his stupid grin, but he'd have been bursting with pride. It would have been the cutest thing, and the most wonderful thing to see, and it hurts for me to think about what might have been. Do you understand, Naruto?"
"Yes, dattebayo," says Naruto, tears filling his eyes.
"Good," says Iruka-nii. "Now, Naruto: where did you get that photo of your parents from?"
"I stole it from Lord Third's house," admits Naruto, boldly. "There were intruders in his house at the time, and I ended up saving Konohamaru from the ringleader. It was Mizuki sensei, by the way. I think they were stealing the Sacred Scroll of Sealing or something. I was more worried about protecting Konohamaru, 'tebayo."
"Well, at least you had your priorities straight," says Iruka-nii. "Lives matter more than scrolls."
Naruto and Jiraiya are doing some taijutsu sparring when a messenger hawk arrives from the Hokage. "What does it say, 'tebayo?" Naruto asks, as Jiraiya unrolls the message.
"We have to go to the Hokage Tower," says Pervy Sage gravely. "Lord Fifth wants us to collect Iruka on our way. He wants us all there when they read the Sacred Scroll from the Temple of Dave for the first time."
"Why haven't they read it through already?" asks Naruto. "We figured it out last night."
"Ah, well," says Jiraiya, scratching the back of his head. "It seems that only those with base-level sharingan can actually read it. We got someone to copy out the sealing formula, but then we discovered something else. After realizing what the scroll actually contains, Lord Fifth thought it would be best if members of all four clans mentioned on the scroll are present."
"Okay, let's go get Iruka-nii, 'tebayo," says Naruto, and the pair sets off for the Academy.
When Pervy Sage and Naruto arrive at the Academy, they find Iruka-nii in the target practice area, drilling his class with shurikens. Namiko and Burifu are there too, chucking shurikens at other people's targets. Kimiko and the Konohamaru Trio are the only ones who do not seem annoyed by this.
Konohamaru sees Naruto and waves. "Hi Naruto-bro!" he calls.
"NARUTO!" the rest of the Konohamaru Trio shouts, running over to Naruto.
Kimiko takes the opportunity to throw perfect bull's eye. Then she smiles proudly at Pervy Sage. Pervy Sage goes over and pats her on the head proudly.
The Konohamaru Trio drags Naruto over to the targets and shows off their skills. Only Konohamaru can actually hit the target.
"Okay, now that you kids have shown off," Iruka-nii interrupts after a few minutes. "Jiraiya, Naruto: what are you actually here for?"
"The Hokage wants all three of us in the Hokage Tower for the Scroll Reading," says Pervy Sage.
"Take Namiko," says Iruka. "I need to actually teach my class."
Namiko pauses in the middle of throwing a spitball at one of her dad's students to look as innocent as possible.
"Come one, Namiko!" says Naruto, grabbing her hand and dragging her off in the direction of the Hokage Tower. "Let's go find out what's in that Scroll, dattebayo!"
"No, Burifu, you stay here," Naruto hears Iruka-nii say. "There's some harder targets over there you can practice on."
Pervy Sage catches up to Naruto and Namiko and grabs the back of Naruto's chunin vest. "Slow down, Naruto," he says. "There is no need to rush."
"But I want to see the scroll sooner!" protests Naruto.
"You can't see the scroll," points out Namiko. "Sasuke can though."
"Sasuke…." Naruto growls, feeling jealous and annoyed that Sasuke can read the Sacred Scroll of Dave.
"I thought you liked Sasuke," says Namiko, frowning up at Naruto.
"I do...sometimes."