Dream Maker of the Hokage!

The vast theater was cloaked in pitch-black silence, rows of empty seats stretching out endlessly into the darkness.

Naruto's eyes flew open. He found himself seated in the very front row of the audience.

Bewildered, he looked around—only to realize the entire theater was empty. Not a single soul. Just him, sitting there all alone.

"This place is… a theater?"

Naruto froze, then quickly slumped over, crestfallen.

No familiar, warm bedroom. No sight of his dad or mom. Just cold, lifeless rows of seats.

He lowered his head, a heavy wave of dejection swelling within him. So that really was the last time, huh…

Ding! Emotional fluctuation detected from Uzumaki Naruto! +300 Emotional Points!

Ding! Emotional fluctuation detected from Uzumaki Naruto! +300 Emotional Points!

Ding! Emotional fluctuation detected from Uzumaki Naruto! +300 Emotional Points!

Deep in the shadows of the theater, a figure stood silently, observing the blonde boy seated in the front row.

"Hehe… like I'd let you enter the dream again that easily, Naruto."

Shiyu's lips curled into a smile. "Having multiple dream targets is definitely the way to go. If it's just Naruto dreaming, his emotional output dwindles as he gets used to the dream. But now with Sasuke in the mix, both sides feel the tension and rivalry, and the emotional energy just spikes."

This is what they call the 'catfish effect'... hehe…

Who knew how much time passed.

The air suddenly shimmered with ripple-like distortions.

In the next instant, two blurry figures appeared abruptly at the front row.

Naruto heard movement beside him and quickly looked up. "Kakashi-sensei? Sakura?"

"Yo." Kakashi greeted lazily with a hand raised.

Sakura huffed, muttered scumbag under her breath, and offered a barely audible greeting.

"Dammit…" Naruto scowled at the sight of the two, instantly realizing that today's dream was, once again, Sasuke's. He puffed out his cheeks in frustration and crossed his arms angrily. "Why is it Sasugay again?!"

Kakashi gave a small shrug. "Don't let it get to you, Naruto. Maybe you can still observe what's going on through Sasuke's perspective."

Naruto jolted slightly, images of his parents flashing through his mind.

Right… If Sasuke's still dreaming in that world, maybe Mom and Dad will show up again too.

At the thought, some of the frustration in his chest eased, and his eyes naturally drifted toward the massive black screen ahead.

Just then, the dark screen at the front of the theater suddenly flickered to life with a loud buzz.

An image slowly formed, displaying the silhouette of Sasuke.

In the footage, Sasuke was standing in the living room of his home.

In front of him stood a beautiful woman with gentle features—his mother, Uchiha Mikoto.

Mikoto looked at her dawdling son and sighed with a fond, exasperated smile. "Sasuke, why haven't you left yet? Aren't you supposed to go on a mission with Naruto and the others today?"

Sasuke hung his head and muttered quietly, "I… I wanted to stay with you a bit longer, Mom."

Mikoto blinked at that, then laughed and shook her head. "Honestly… I let you rest yesterday because you seemed down, even had someone inform Kakashi-sensei and the others for you. And now today you're trying to stay home again?"

She tried to put on a stern face, half-joking and half-serious. "You're a genin now—you can't just stay home all day! Come on, go meet up with your teammates. Don't keep them waiting, alright?"

"But… I…" Sasuke still looked reluctant, but under his mother's gentle yet firm gaze, he finally nodded, albeit begrudgingly. "Alright, I got it."

Seeing him relent, Mikoto's smile softened. "That's more like it. Be careful out there, and stay safe."

Sasuke gazed at his mother's warm smile, a soft warmth blooming in his chest.

He opened his mouth as if to say something more, but in the end only murmured, "…I'm heading out."

Mikoto stood by the entrance, watching as Sasuke stepped through the door. She didn't turn away until his slender silhouette disappeared around the corner of the street.

Now outside, Sasuke walked alone through the village as a gentle breeze brushed against his face.

He recalled his mother's gentle yet stern expression from moments ago, and his heart swelled with a bittersweet mix of emotions.

The Mom in this dream… she really is exactly like I remember.

And then, a sudden realization struck him.

Wait… where's the meetup spot again?

Where would Kakashi-sensei be in this dream?

Sasuke thought for a moment. If our team formation is still the same here, the meeting place should be the same too.

Having made up his mind, he briskly walked along the familiar route toward the usual bridge where Team 7 always gathered.

All along the way, Uchiha clan banners adorned the shops and homes. The streets bustled with life, full of villagers going about their day.

Compared to the bleak, ruined Uchiha District in the real world, this place felt like a precious, untouched memory.

Many shopkeepers—people Sasuke recognized as fellow clan members—greeted him warmly as he passed.

"You heading out for another mission today, young master Sasuke? Do your best!"

Sasuke nodded politely at each one, forcing a smile even as emotional turmoil roiled in his heart.

All these people… everyone smiling and calling out to me… they're long gone in the real world…

Clenching his fists, Sasuke suppressed the emotions surging up inside and continued forward. Eventually, he reached the familiar bridge.

Sure enough, Naruto and Sakura were already waiting there.

Sakura was happily chatting away beside Naruto, while he leaned lazily against a tree, hands behind his head, a relaxed smile on his face.

He radiated confidence.

Sasuke halted in place, a frown tugging at his brow.

That Naruto… something's off.

The way he moved, his presence—his aura—it all felt different from what Sasuke remembered.

He looked closer.

Naruto's height… it seemed like he was taller by half a head than before.

No way. Wasn't Naruto shorter than me in real life?!

Now this guy was actually taller?

While Sasuke was still stunned, the blond in question noticed him as well.

Naruto blinked, then smiled warmly and waved, walking toward him with Sakura.

"Morning, Sasuke-kun!" he said with a cheery voice.

"We were just about to go look for you," Sakura chimed in, waving brightly. "Good morning, Sasuke!"

With Naruto on one side and Sakura on the other, both smiling and heading toward him under the morning light, Sasuke felt… something strange.

Naruto's face beamed with confidence, kindness… and somehow, charm.

Why does his smile… look kind of cool?

Sasuke flinched, horrified at himself for thinking such a thing. Get a grip, damn it!

He quickly straightened up and put on his usual stoic face.

Naruto stopped just a few steps away, eyes curving with a gentle smile as he studied Sasuke with clear concern.

"Sasuke-kun, you made it. Mikoto-auntie mentioned yesterday that you weren't feeling well. Are you doing better today?"

As he spoke, Naruto gave him a once-over, eyes full of genuine care and seriousness.

His voice was warm and steady, like a spring breeze brushing across Sasuke's ears.

And yet, it left Sasuke utterly shaken.

What… what is with this polite, warm, and considerate version of Naruto?!

Is this really… Naruto?!

Ding! Emotional fluctuation detected from Uchiha Sasuke! +400 Emotional Points!