The sun had set by the time dinner was fully prepared. Warm lights glowed inside Kakashi's house, casting golden hues over polished wooden floors and paper lanterns.
The long dining table was surrounded by familiar faces, Anko leaned back lazily in her seat with her legs crossed, sipping from a cup of tea; Kurenai and Tsunade stood in the open kitchen, arranging the final dishes with surprising teamwork, despite their constant bickering over seasoning.
Sakura, Ranmaru, and Naruto were already nibbling from small side dishes with chopsticks; Sasuke sat silently beside Naruto, arms crossed, eyeing the steaming food like a hawk.
Orochimaru stood at the far end of the room, poised and composed. His appearance was elegant and noble, his kimono dark with silver accents, hair neatly tied back.
He kept a polite distance from everyone, especially from Kushina, who sat stiffly beside Kakashi, arms crossed and eyes burning at the empty doorway.
The smell of food filled the room, fluffy tamagoyaki, salmon grilled with miso glaze, teriyaki chicken skewers, steaming bowls of white rice, delicate chawanmushi with mushrooms, soba noodles in a light broth, gyoza with crispy skins, pickled vegetables, and sweet mochi balls. Kurenai had outdone herself with the sides, and Tsunade proudly claimed responsibility for the meat dishes.
"Itadakimasu~!" Naruto cheered, though no one had started eating yet. He earned a chopstick flick to the forehead from Sakura.
"Wait for the guest, idiot," she said.
"I'm hungry!" Naruto whined.
"Just wait," Kushina muttered, her eyes never leaving the front door. Her knuckles were white on her chopsticks.
"I believe our last guest has arrived." Orochimaru gave a theatrical sigh and strolled over, stopping before the front door.
He opened it just as Jiraiya raised his hand to knock.
The two locked eyes.
Jiraiya froze, jaw slack. The man in front of him was unmistakably Orochimaru, at least in appearance. But his posture, presence, and even aura felt… off. Not hostile, not corrupted. Almost… regal.
"You're not Orochimaru." Jiraiya furrowed his brows.
A slow, satisfied smirk curved on Orochimaru's lips. "Correct. I am not that Inferior clone." He stepped aside with a graceful bow.
"But I am Orochimaru. The original. Improved, reconstructed, and thoroughly refined. I'm honored you could tell the difference."
"Yeah… glad I can tell my best friend apart from a pale maniac." Still stiff and uneasy, Jiraiya stepped inside, muttering,
He scanned the room quickly, giving a nod to Tsunade, who gave him a pitying look, and then to Kakashi. But his gaze quickly landed on Kushina. And he froze.
Kushina stood up slowly, her eyes narrowing. Her red hair shimmered under the lamplight. For a long moment, they just looked at each other.
"Kushina…" Jiraiya said, his voice barely a whisper. "It's really you."
She didn't speak. Instead, she strode up to him and punched him in the gut.
"Oof!"
Jiraiya staggered backward as a second and third punch followed. Even though her chakra was sealed and her power limited, the sheer rage behind her fists was enough to make him stumble.
"Minato treated you like family!" Kushina yelled, tears threatening to spill. "He named Naruto after your stupid book! And you couldn't even be bothered to check how my son was living?!"
"I didn't know!"
"You didn't care!" she snapped, punching again.
"I thought Hiruzen!"
"Don't give me that crap!" she roared. "You believed them? You never looked with your own eyes?! You let him suffer, alone, treated like a monster in the same village Minato died to protect!"
Jiraiya didn't resist. He stood there, letting her vent. His face was tight, filled with guilt. Finally, Naruto stepped in and gently held Kushina's arms back.
"It's okay, Mom," he said softly. "It doesn't matter anymore. I'm not alone now."
She looked at him, her expression breaking. "Naruto…"
"I've got Kakashi-sensei, Sasuke, Sakura, Karin, Ranmaru, Kurenai-nee, Anko-nee, and even baa-chan." He grinned. "I'm not lonely. I've been happy for a long time now."
Kushina broke into tears and hugged him tightly, burying her face in his chest. The room went quiet for a moment as everyone gave them space.
"Alright, that's enough drama for one night. Let's eat before Naruto eats the table." Kakashi clapped once and said with a relaxed smile,
Naruto gave a sheepish laugh while everyone settled in their seats. Kushina wiped her eyes and sat back beside Kakashi.
Jiraiya sat down silently across from Orochimaru, still digesting the emotional outburst, and the rice ball that somehow ended up in his mouth during the chaos.
Dinner began.
Conversations quickly resumed. Sasuke commented on the seasoning of the chicken. Ranmaru asked about how soba was made. Kurenai and Anko were gossiping about a recent mission. Tsunade downed a sake cup and demanded someone refill it.
But the real entertainment was at the far end of the table.
"I'm surprised you're still upright," Orochimaru said silkily, sipping his tea with elegance.
"I expected someone your age to be on a cane by now."
"Did you always talk like a snobby noble?" Jiraiya twitched.
"I am noble. Now, at least," Orochimaru said, adjusting the sleeves of his formal kimono. "Unlike that crude, half-mad clone still scuttling around trying to collect eyeballs."
"Why is he like this?" Jiraiya growled and looked at Kakashi.
"I gave him a brain and a body. He decided the rest." Kakashi shrugged.
"As Kakashi-sama said." Orochimaru nodded.
"Don't call him that!" Jiraiya barked.
"I don't mind it." Kakashi leaned on his palm and smiled innocently.
The rest of the table laughed, and even Sasuke smirked. Jiraiya sulked like a kid, stabbing his rice with chopsticks.
"Well, now you know how Naruto felt being ignored. Sucks, doesn't it?" Kushina chuckled and added,
Jiraiya nearly choked on his rice ball.
"Want me to teach him a lesson, Kushina?" Anko grinned widely.
"Nah, I already softened him up." Kushina waved her off.
"Softened?!" Jiraiya sputtered. "You cracked my ribs!"
Dinner continued with lively energy. Stories were exchanged, laughter spilled freely, and food disappeared fast.
As the plates emptied and dessert was served, sweet mochi with red bean filling and cold green tea, Jiraiya stood and sighed.
"I think I'll go to the tavern for a drink," he muttered, rubbing his sore ribs. "I need something stronger than tea after tonight."
"Try not to get arrested for peeping." Orochimaru waved his sleeve lazily.
Jiraiya grumbled and made his way to the door.
As he left, Kakashi leaned back, a sly smirk tugging at his lips. He couldn't wait for Jiraiya to run into his Orochimaru clone. Or worse… Kushina again tomorrow.
He looked around the room. Everyone was full, happy, and relaxed.