On the other side of the theater, Sasuke Uchiha scanned the dim space in silence, then walked steadily toward a seat near the middle-back row and sat down in a patch of emptiness.
His expression was noticeably more serious than the last two times. His fists were slightly clenched, jet-black eyes locked onto the still-dark screen ahead, body leaning forward slightly in a posture of intense concentration.
Tonight... I have to catch every single detail that appears on that screen.
He made the vow silently.
What the Fourth Hokage had displayed in last night's dream—a mysterious jutsu—had utterly shaken him.
If I could learn that technique...
A spark of raw desire flickered in Sasuke's eyes.
Just as he focused all his attention forward, a familiar, soft fragrance drifted past his nose.
He froze for a split second. Before he could react, a pink-haired girl had already taken the seat beside him without a sound.
Sakura Haruno glanced around and, not seeing Naruto, visibly relaxed. A sweet smile formed on her lips as she casually shifted her posture, subtly scooting half a body closer to Sasuke.
Excitement bubbled in her chest.
The first two times, she had still felt uneasy and nervous.
But after experiencing it repeatedly, she was beginning to realize—this place wasn't actually dangerous. In fact, it was kind of like watching a movie.
More importantly—
Here, there was no Ino or other brainless girls buzzing around Sasuke. No annoying Naruto to butt in either.
Other than Kakashi-sensei being present... wasn't this practically a date?
That thought made Sakura's cheeks flush with warmth.
She stole a quick glance at Sasuke beside her, secretly overjoyed.
Hehe... Just being able to sit quietly by Sasuke's side and watch a movie like this—it's kind of nice.
While each of the three harbored their own thoughts, a black-haired boy stood hidden in the shadows, arms crossed, watching them silently.
It was Shiyu.
Watching Sasuke sit so focused, so tense, he couldn't help but chuckle to himself.
Ah, dear "Second Pillar"... Lately, you've been the one contributing the least to the emotional value pool.
Tonight, it's your time to shine.
His eyes glinted subtly, a flash of anticipation hidden in their depths.
After all, tonight's performance... had been tailored specifically for him.
The screen lit up.
After a quick flash of light, an image slowly came into focus.
A simple yet cozy bedroom emerged.
Morning light streamed in through the gaps in the curtains.
Naruto sat on the bed in his pajamas, tousled blond hair messy, rubbing his eyes groggily.
"Huh? It's already morning?"
He mumbled sleepily, glancing around instinctively.
When his eyes landed on the familiar photo frame at the bedside and the chaotic, familiar arrangement of the room—
His eyes widened in an instant.
This place is...
In a flash, the memories of the past two dreams came rushing back.
That's right!
This is inside the dream!
Excited, Naruto leapt out of bed, pulled on his slippers, and bolted out of the room like a gust of wind.
The scent of breakfast wafted from the living room.
At the dining table, the Fourth Hokage—Minato Namikaze—was calmly sipping miso soup. Kushina Uzumaki, with her signature red hair and sea-green eyes, was in the kitchen, wearing an apron and busily preparing breakfast.
On the table were steaming sandwiches, fried eggs, and milk—clearly a lovingly prepared morning meal.
"Dad! Mom!"
Naruto stared at the warm, blissful scene before him, feeling his chest swell with happiness and emotion.
Grinning wide, he greeted them cheerfully, "Good morning!"
Minato turned at the sound, giving his son a gentle smile. "Morning, Naruto. Up early today, huh?"
Kushina peeked out from the kitchen with concern. "What woke you so early? Didn't sleep well last night?"
Seeing the warmth in his parents' expressions, Naruto felt a surge of emotion. His nose tingled, eyes a bit misty.
He scratched his head sheepishly. "Hehe, not really. I just... I had some questions about the jutsu we practiced yesterday, and I wanted to ask Dad while it's still fresh!"
[Ding! Emotional fluctuation detected from Uzumaki Naruto! +500 points!]
Minato set his soup down and smiled, beckoning Naruto over. "Oh? Which part are you confused about? Come here, tell me."
Naruto ran over to him eagerly, scratching his head as he tried to recall. "It's that technique you showed me yesterday... Uh... what was it called again?"
Minato held up a finger and patiently replied with a smile:
"It's the Super Invincible Ultimate Secret Art: Glowing Wheel Popsicle Spiral Self-Jiraiya Double-Style no Jutsu."
...
In the audience—
A bead of sweat rolled down Kakashi's forehead.
Yup, that's Minato-sensei all right. That naming sense hasn't changed a bit...
Sakura's jaw dropped. "W-Wait, that was the real name?!"
Even Sasuke's eyes bulged in disbelief. "That ridiculous name wasn't just something Naruto made up?!"
Sakura, now covered in black lines, muttered, "What kind of ninja gives a jutsu such a long name?!"
Kakashi shrugged. "Oh, I've seen worse. You two haven't seen anything yet."
Sakura & Sasuke: "...???"
[Ding! Emotional fluctuation detected from Hatake Kakashi! +100 points!]
[Ding! Emotional fluctuation detected from Uchiha Sasuke! +200 points!]
[Ding! Emotional fluctuation detected from Haruno Sakura! +200 points!]
On screen—
"Yeah yeah, that's the one!" Naruto clapped excitedly, then muttered under his breath, "But man, that name is way too long and hard to remember..."
Kushina, now full of black lines, walked over and flicked Minato's forehead. "Minato, again with this nonsense! You seriously expect Naruto to memorize that garbage?"
Minato chuckled awkwardly. "Haha... sorry, force of habit."
Kushina turned to Naruto and explained gently, "Don't listen to your dad. He's always been like this. The real name of that jutsu is actually really simple—just Rasengan."
"Rasengan..." Naruto whispered it a few times. It rolled off his tongue naturally, and a wide smile lit up his face. "Hehe, Mom's name sounds way better! That other one was way too ridiculous!"
In the audience—
Sakura let out a huge sigh. "Thank goodness! I knew there was no way that crazy long one was real."
Even Sasuke, normally silent, nodded in agreement.
Kakashi stared at the two figures on screen, inwardly moved.
Amazing... Whoever's behind this—how could they understand Minato-sensei and Kushina so thoroughly?
Even that quirky naming habit of Minato's was perfectly recreated.
From the moment he first entered this Dreamscape Theater, Kakashi had remained on high alert.
But now, for the first time, he felt himself relax—just a little.
No matter how strange the dream's origin, the people on screen... felt real. Their every movement and expression was spot-on.
What if... what if these aren't just memories?
What if this is truly them—Minato-sensei and Kushina themselves—alive inside this dream?
The thought struck Kakashi like a thunderclap.
His heart skipped a beat. His pupils shrank slightly.
A cold sweat broke out across his back.
[Ding! Emotional fluctuation detected from Hatake Kakashi! +800 points!]
On screen—
Naruto scratched his head, just about to ask his dad about the second stage of training, when Kushina interrupted.
"Alright, alright, enough ninjutsu talk," she said, ruffling his hair. "Since you're up this early, go wash your face, brush your teeth, and get changed. Then come back for breakfast."
She waved the spatula in her hand as she added with a smile, "Don't forget—we're going to the Uchiha household later today to celebrate Sasuke's graduation. With all the prep for your own graduation, I haven't had time to see Mikoto in forever. She even came by yesterday to invite us personally, so don't make us late, okay?"
In the audience—
Shhh! A sudden chill swept through the theater.
A gust of cold wind, sharp and soundless.
The smile on Sasuke's face vanished.
His pupils trembled.
His breathing slowed.
His fingers clenched silently into fists—
What did she just say?
Mikoto... invited them over?
To the Uchiha compound...?
To celebrate... his graduation...?
TO BE CONTINUED.