Dream Maker of the Hokage!

Just as Naruto was basking in a moment of satisfaction, a sudden knock knock knock echoed from the living room door—sharp and clear in the quiet little house.

"Who could that be?" he blinked in surprise and leapt off the bed. "Coming!"

He rushed to the door, his footsteps quick and light.

Pulling it open, he found an old man standing outside—his face lined with deep wrinkles.

The old man had a pipe between his lips and was smiling warmly at him.

"Ah—Grampa Hokage!" Naruto's eyes lit up in surprise and delight.

It was none other than the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.

After hearing Kakashi's report, he had thought it over carefully and decided it was best to come see Naruto in person.

Besides, it just so happened that Naruto's living stipend was due—he could deliver it along the way.

"Haha, what's wrong? Not happy to see this old geezer of yours?" Hiruzen chuckled as he stepped inside.

But the moment he crossed the threshold, he paused slightly. "Hmm? Naruto... did you clean your room?"

Naruto scratched the back of his head, chuckling sheepishly. "Yeah… it was way too messy, so I spent a little time cleaning it up just now."

Hiruzen glanced around. The floors were spotless, the furniture neatly arranged—it looked nothing like the chaotic little shack he remembered. He nodded with genuine approval. "Not bad, not bad. Looks like you're growing up—cleaning on your own now."

Pleased by the praise, Naruto's face lit up with pride, a happy little grin spreading across his cheeks.

Hiruzen turned and pulled out a thick envelope from his robes, handing it to the boy. "This is your stipend for the month. It's all here—keep it safe."

"Whoa—thanks, Grampa Hokage!" Naruto accepted it with both hands, grinning from ear to ear as he clutched the envelope.

Then suddenly, he remembered what his mother had told him in his dream—when someone's kind to you, thank them properly.

Hiruzen was just about to speak when Naruto bowed deeply, his expression earnest and solemn. "Grampa Hokage—thank you… for always taking care of me."

His head was bowed low, his voice sincere. None of the usual goofiness remained—only genuine gratitude.

Hiruzen froze for a moment, staring blankly at the blond-haired boy before him.

This… wasn't the Naruto he knew. That kid had never been this polite or formal before.

"Ahem…" Hiruzen cleared his throat, a warm smile spreading slowly across his face. He reached out and gently lifted Naruto up. "Good boy. No need to thank me—it's what I should do."

"No… I still want to thank you." Naruto straightened up, nodding firmly, his tone unwavering.

He truly meant it—from the bottom of his heart.

"Haha… good, good." The old Hokage chuckled, his heart quietly moved. Stroking his beard, he smiled. "Say, Naruto… just curious—who taught you to speak like that just now?"

Naruto blinked, then scratched his head with a grin. "Hehe… my mom! She said whenever someone gives you a gift or helps you, you should always thank them properly. That's basic manners."

"Your… mom?" Hiruzen's smile faltered, his expression shifting. "Who taught you that, exactly?"

"My mom," Naruto replied, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "She taught me in a dream. She's got beautiful red hair, a really gentle voice… and she's a great cook! She's a little scary sometimes, but most of the time, she's super kind to me."

Hiruzen stood there silently, stunned.

He knew exactly who that "red-haired mom" had to be—Uzumaki Kushina. Without a doubt.

In an instant, a storm of emotion surged in his heart.

Kakashi was telling the truth…

Naruto really had seen Kushina and Minato in his dreams.

Though Kakashi's report had been detailed, hearing it from Naruto's own lips carried a completely different weight. The impact was something no piece of paper could ever convey.

After all… Kushina had been gone for over a decade. Naruto had never met her—there was no way he could've imagined her so vividly.

And yet… here he was, talking about her—about things he'd never been taught before.

There was no doubt about it.

The impossible had truly happened.

—

Elsewhere—amid the ruins of the Uchiha compound.

Sasuke pushed open a half-broken gate, and the desolation that greeted him was all too familiar.

Weeds choked the courtyard, walls stood cracked and crumbling, and the once-proud Uchiha crest on the wall was faded and peeling.

But he had no time to grieve.

He strode across the courtyard, eyes fixed on a tall stone wall at the far end. Without hesitation, he began to climb—bare hands against harsh stone.

The jagged rock scraped his palms raw, and sweat poured down his face under the scorching sun.

But Sasuke gritted his teeth and kept moving, pushing himself upward again and again, as if he couldn't feel the pain.

The memory of that dream burned in his mind—that man, that battle.

Itachi…

The way he crushed me without effort.

Not even a scratch. Not even a touch.

"Bam!"

His fist slammed into the wall, scattering chips of stone.

Sasuke hung there, high above the ground, his jaw clenched tight, veins bulging at his temples.

"Damn it… still not enough?!"

Breathing hard, he dropped back to the ground. His fists trembled with frustration.

In that dream, every move he made was worthless. Against Itachi, he had been a child before a storm.

No matter how false the dream might have been—Itachi's strength was seared into his bones.

A gulf of power lay between them—a canyon he couldn't yet cross.

"Still far too weak…"

He looked up at the towering stone wall, eyes brimming with pain and defiance.

"Damn it…" he muttered, head lowered, bangs shadowing his eyes. "At this rate… how can I ever defeat him?"

He took several deep breaths, forcing himself calm.

Then, once more, he looked to the wall—his gaze sharpening like steel drawn from a sheath.

His body was tired, but the fire in his chest would not let him stop.

"One day… one day I will defeat you. And wipe away the shame of my clan."

—

Nightfall.

Konoha gradually fell into slumber.

The dim streetlamps glowed softly, casting warm light through the bedroom window of Naruto's tiny home.

Lying on his back in bed, Naruto stared up at the ceiling, nerves fluttering in his chest.

After a while, he sat up abruptly, clasped his hands together, and closed his eyes tight—almost like he was praying.

"Please, please, let me see Mom and Dad again tonight…"

He made his wish silently, then took a deep breath and lay back down, pulling the blanket up to his chin.

Tonight, he'd gone to bed earlier than usual—hoping to fall asleep before Sasuke.

Maybe then, he would be the one to enter the dream world this time.

Just the thought of seeing his parents again made his heart race with anticipation.

"Stay calm… gotta stay calm… I have to fall asleep first…"

He forced himself to relax, controlling his breathing, easing the pounding of his heart.

And slowly, steadily…

Sleep began to claim him.

His thoughts drifted…

His breath slowed…

And in the quiet of night—Naruto Uzumaki slipped into dreams once more.