Dream Maker of the Hokage!

The audience seats.

In the real world, Naruto looked like he was about to collapse.

He squirmed restlessly in his seat, fidgeting nonstop, staring at the screen with a deeply frustrated expression.

Every move the "Naruto" on screen made felt like swallowing a bug—awkward and uncomfortable beyond belief.

Ding! Emotional fluctuation detected from Uzumaki Naruto! +200 Emotion Points!

Sakura, too, had a face full of black lines, her heart churning with mixed emotions.

She stole a glance at the Naruto beside her, only to see him staring at the screen with a complicated look.

Sakura sighed quietly and turned her eyes back to the sunny dream-Naruto who was focused on reading.

Is this the kind of guy Sasuke likes...?

She couldn't stop her mind from wandering.

Sasuke usually ignored every girl and had even scolded her harshly several times because of Naruto.

And now, with this dream-Naruto being so exceptional and thoughtful, even she—who had been secretly in love with Sasuke for so long—was starting to feel moved.

If Sasuke's dream really reflected his subconscious...

Then... do I really have no chance at all?

The thought left Sakura with an odd bitterness in her chest. She couldn't tell whether it was due to disappointment in Sasuke's preferences or the bizarre shock of the whole situation.

Ding! Emotional fluctuation detected from Haruno Sakura! +200 Emotion Points!

Kakashi narrowed his single visible eye slightly as he stared at the book Naruto had just lifted on the screen. A sudden realization dawned on him.

"The Tale of Gutsy Ninja..."

Wasn't that Master Jiraiya's debut novel?

Of course Kakashi knew that book.

Back when they were young, his teacher Minato Namikaze had read it and greatly admired the protagonist's unwavering determination—so much so that he named his unborn son "Naruto" after the character.

And now, this dream-Naruto was reading that same book, one recommended by his father...

Kakashi became increasingly convinced that this dream world wasn't just a simple reflection of reality—it felt as if it had truly existed.

So much so that it even incorporated fine details about the Fourth Hokage and Master Jiraiya.

He looked at the confident, gentle, golden-haired boy on the screen, and couldn't help but sigh emotionally.

If Naruto had really grown up under Minato-sensei's care... he probably would've turned out just like this.

— — —

In the dream world.

On the other side, Sasuke's eyes remained locked on Naruto.

Watching Naruto calmly close his book, a detail he had previously overlooked suddenly flashed through Sasuke's mind.

Rumor has it Naruto graduated from the Ninja Academy as the top of his class... Even beating me, placing me second.

At the thought, Sasuke's pupils glinted faintly.

The academy's graduation rank wasn't just based on written exams—taijutsu and ninjutsu performance held significant weight too.

So doesn't that mean... this Naruto might actually be strong?

No, Sasuke's mind shifted, a faint smirk curling on his lips.

I almost forgot... On the first day Naruto entered this dream world, he beat the dream version of me.

That version of Sasuke had even admitted, sincerely and verbally, that Naruto was the strongest in Team 7.

That idiot... actually dreamed of something like that?

Even though it was just a dream, seeing dream-Naruto behaving so abnormally stirred a fighting spirit deep within Sasuke.

Maybe now was the perfect time—to truly test the strength of this dream-Naruto.

At that thought, Sasuke subconsciously clenched his fists, a surge of battle intent flooding his chest.

No longer hesitating, he strode straight toward Naruto.

Naruto noticed Sasuke approaching and smiled, about to greet him—when Sasuke suddenly crossed his arms, smirking confidently.

"Naruto, let's have a match."

Sasuke's obsidian eyes glimmered with excitement, his whole being exuding battle spirit.

"Eh?" Naruto looked surprised at first, but then his face lit with understanding. Smiling, he nodded. "Sure. If Sasuke-kun wants a spar, I'm in."

Off to the side, Sakura blinked, but rather than worrying about the sudden duel, a gleam of anticipation appeared on her pretty face.

"Whoa, Sasuke and Naruto are sparring again?" she exclaimed excitedly as she stepped back to clear space for them.

Apparently, in this dream world, Naruto and Sasuke frequently trained together—this was nothing out of the ordinary.

Naruto smiled and nodded at Sakura, then turned to face Sasuke.

The two of them locked eyes, each seeing the intense fighting will burning in the other.

Sasuke curled his lips into a faint grin and slowly took a combat stance.

Naruto, on the other hand, remained calm and composed, his posture relaxed—like he had already secured victory.

They each raised their right hand and solemnly performed the Seal of Confrontation, declaring the battle's start.

— — —

In the audience.

"W-What the hell?! That guy!"

Real Naruto, seeing Sasuke challenge his dream self out of nowhere, jumped up and shouted, "That bastard! He's totally out for revenge!"

Clenching his fists, Naruto ranted furiously.

He still remembered how dream-Sasuke had lost to him—and how happy he was seeing Sasuke's sour expression.

And now, Sasuke had waited until today, just to challenge the dream version of himself and try to even the score?

That's low!

Ding! Emotional fluctuation detected from Uzumaki Naruto! +200 Emotion Points!

Sakura tilted her head as she watched the tense standoff on the screen. For some reason, an inexplicable excitement stirred in her chest.

She glanced sideways at the real Naruto, who was staring intensely at the field, visibly anxious and excited.

On screen, Sasuke and Naruto stood face-to-face, their gazes burning with resolve. The surrounding air seemed to blaze with their fighting spirit.

Sakura's heart began to race, a blush creeping across her cheeks, as a strange thought flashed through her mind.

Ugh, why am I suddenly thinking that...

She quickly shook her head to chase away the ridiculous idea—but her expression still betrayed a sense of anticipation.

Ding! Emotional fluctuation detected from Haruno Sakura! +100 Emotion Points!

Kakashi rested his chin on one hand, watching the confrontation on the screen with great interest. A probing glint shimmered in his eye.

Just how strong is this dream-Naruto?

With training from Minato-sensei, he must be far from ordinary.

— — —

In the dream.

On a forest clearing, Naruto and Sasuke faced each other. Tension crackled between them like drawn blades.

A gentle breeze stirred the fallen leaves, making them swirl in the space between the two.

Sasuke made the first move. He leapt backward, widening the distance between them.

Naruto didn't rush forward. He stood his ground, calm and focused, silently watching Sasuke's movements.

Seeing Naruto remain still only made Sasuke more tense.

The Naruto I know is reckless and hot-headed—he'd have rushed at me screaming by now.

But this Naruto was composed, poised, utterly unfazed.

That demeanor irritated Sasuke.

Tch. Is he looking down on me?

Or is he trying to mess with my rhythm by holding back?

With a snort, Sasuke decided to probe his opponent.

He quickly pulled two shuriken from his pouch and flicked his wrist—whoosh, whoosh!—two sharp gleams of steel flew straight at Naruto's face.

The shuriken came at tricky angles, but Naruto remained unfazed.

As they neared, he shifted his body ever so slightly—evading both blades by a hair's breadth.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes.

That was clean. Fast, too.

Is this really the same dead-last Naruto...?

Ding! Emotional fluctuation detected from Uchiha Sasuke! +200 Emotion Points!

Sasuke's expression darkened.

Two shuriken were hardly dangerous—but Naruto's composure made him instinctively more cautious.

Then how about this?

He plunged both hands into his pouch and instantly pulled out a handful of shuriken.

With a low shout, Sasuke hurled seven or eight shuriken in a storm of spinning blades.

They spun through the air at overlapping angles, colliding midflight and altering trajectory—attacking Naruto from all directions.

This was the Uchiha clan's specialty: the Art of Shuriken Control.

The projectiles all struck at once—a seamless, deadly web of steel.

But even faced with this ferocious barrage, Naruto remained calm and collected, clearly no stranger to such attacks.

He stepped lightly to the side, then swiftly formed hand seals, shouting in a deep voice:

"Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

At the same time, he flung a single shuriken!

Boom! That lone blade split into countless copies midair, creating a dense curtain of weapons.

With several crisp clang sounds, Sasuke's shuriken were all knocked down.

And the remaining shadow shuriken continued on—howling through the air straight at Sasuke!

"What?!"

Sasuke's eyes went wide. He had completely misjudged the situation, expecting Naruto to dodge in panic.

But instead, Naruto had not only countered—he'd turned the attack completely around with ninjutsu.

In that instant, Sasuke felt danger.

He barely had time to react. Drawing a kunai, he slashed wildly, deflecting the oncoming projectiles with a flurry of sparks.

The metal clashed in rapid succession, a stream of fire ringing out. Sasuke managed to block all the shuriken—but he was clearly flustered, a bead of sweat trickling down his temple.

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

Sasuke landed and stumbled back a few steps, breathing heavily as he stared at Naruto.

He never imagined Naruto would use something as advanced as the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique.

Even most Chūnin struggled to use that move proficiently—it required precise hand seals and chakra control.

And yet this Naruto had used it flawlessly, in perfect timing, neutralizing his entire assault.

Sasuke's heart was still pounding.

If he hadn't reacted quickly, he'd have been skewered.

Gritting his teeth, he forced down his embarrassment and shock.

Damn it...! I let my guard down and almost paid for it!

A vein twitched at his temple.

Sasuke glared at Naruto, and for the first time, he resolved to treat this battle with full seriousness.

Ding! Emotional fluctuation detected from Uchiha Sasuke! +300 Emotion Points!