In the Dream Theater audience, Sakura's eyes widened in shock.
"What's going on with Sasuke? Why is he attacking like a maniac the moment he sees that person?"
"Weren't they welcoming guests together in Naruto's dream the other day? It seemed like they had a good relationship…"
Kakashi exhaled softly, his voice tinged with quiet sorrow.
He knew exactly why Sasuke had lost control. That person on the screen was the very source of Sasuke's nightmares the one he hated most.
But how could he explain that kind of pain to Sakura?
On the other side, Naruto sat frozen, staring blankly at the enormous screen that resembled a giant curtain. His blue eyes were full of loss.
This time, he hadn't entered that warm dream world.
There was no smiling father. No loving mother. No home-cooked meal waiting for him. Just the cold seats of the Dream Theater and a dream that belonged to someone else.
Does this mean... I won't get to see them again?
Was yesterday the last time?
Will I ever see my parents again...?
The thoughts spiraled like whirlpools in his heart, and Naruto's breathing turned uneven.
The warmth he had longed for since he was a child had finally been within reach... only to be snatched away again.
He gripped the edge of his seat tightly.
Sakura noticed his pale face and whispered awkwardly, "Naruto… are you okay?"
Naruto blinked, his throat tightening. He gave a weak nod but didn't say anything.
He didn't want to look away from the screen.
Even if tonight's dream wasn't his, he had to watch. Because deep down, he understood Sasuke's pain might be just as deep as his own.
[Ding! The emotional fluctuations from Uzumaki Naruto are captured! Emotional value +800! ]
The scene on the screen continued to unfold.
Sasuke stood in the center of the sunlit training ground, his eyes locked on the tall, familiar figure before him. His expression was twisted with fury as he roared, "I'll never forgive you! I've trained for years for this very day!"
Before he even finished speaking, he flung his arms forward.
Over a dozen sharp-edged shurikens sliced through the air, flashing like arcs of silver light as they flew toward Uchiha Itachi from every direction.
Itachi's gaze sharpened. His hand moved instinctively, reaching for his ninja pouch. The next moment, his figure blurred into a shifting shadow.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
A rapid series of crisp metallic clangs rang out. Itachi's kunai moved with precision and grace, deflecting every incoming shuriken one after another.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes and suddenly weaved hand signs in a blur.
He took a deep breath. Chakra surged violently from his chest and concentrated in his throat like a roaring flame waiting to erupt.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"
Boom!
A massive fireball burst from his mouth, engulfing the training ground in a wave of blazing heat. The flames surged forward like a hungry beast, bearing down on Itachi with tremendous force.
The air shimmered, the grass wilted, and the intense heat distorted the view yet Itachi didn't flinch.
The massive fireball surged forward, roaring like a furnace, sweeping across the training ground with an oppressive wave of heat.
The surrounding grass was instantly scorched to ash, and the searing air warped the view like a mirage.
Itachi narrowed his eyes at the sudden, deadly move. Just before the flames could swallow him, he leapt back and twisted midair, narrowly avoiding a direct hit.
The moment he landed, Sasuke burst through the smoke and heat, using the fireball as cover. With a sharp shout, he closed the distance and spun his body, delivering a powerful horizontal kick.
Itachi's eyes widened slightly. With no time to dodge, he brought his arms up in a swift block.
Bang!
The force of the kick slammed into him like a hammer. Itachi staggered back, his feet digging long grooves into the dirt as he skidded several steps away.
He glanced down at his arms. A faint trace of surprise flickered in his usually calm eyes.
His little brother's strength... had grown.
In just a few days, Sasuke's fire jutsu, hand-to-hand combat, and throwing techniques had all improved remarkably.
Itachi's brow furrowed slightly.
How much training has he gone through in such a short time?
A quiet sense of guilt welled up in his chest.
Sasuke's sudden strength and relentless onslaught made Itachi realize something.
His little brother hadn't just grown stronger overnight. He must have been training tirelessly in secret for a long time, pouring everything into preparing for this day.
And yet, Itachi… had been too busy.
Caught up in his duties at the Konoha Military Police Force, always brushing Sasuke off with vague promises, rarely making time for him he had missed the signs.
He opened his mouth, intending to say something. Maybe explain, maybe apologize.
But before he could speak, Sasuke struck again.
There was no hesitation. No room for conversation. Sasuke launched himself at Itachi like a whirlwind, fists flying, eyes blazing with the intensity of a storm.
Though still able to respond with calm and practiced ease, Itachi could no longer afford to dodge casually. He saw the seriousness in his brother's movements.
So, his expression shifted. He stopped holding back.
He raised his guard and began meeting Sasuke's attacks head-on.
A fist flew toward him he caught it.
A leg swept at his side he leapt above it, spinning, and dropped an elbow in return, forcing Sasuke to stumble back under the blow.
Sasuke gritted his teeth and attacked again, shuriken whistling through the air, but Itachi's counterattacks became sharper, more precise. Every opening was punished. Every movement exposed Sasuke's inexperience.
The rhythm of the battle changed.
Sasuke's heart began to pound wildly. The deeper they fought, the clearer the difference became.
Same taijutsu… same techniques…
But he couldn't land a single decisive blow.
Itachi blocked them all effortlessly.
He was still miles ahead.
Sasuke's frustration mounted. His breath grew heavier, and sweat slid down the side of his face.
This can't be…!
The gap… it's too wide!
[Ding! Uchiha Sasuke's emotional fluctuations detected! Emotional value +400!]
"No... I'm not done yet!" Sasuke roared.
He forced his exhausted body to move again, hands flashing through a new set of seals. He squeezed out every last drop of chakra he had left.
"Fire Style: Phoenix Fire Jutsu!"
A burst of blazing fireballs shot from his mouth dozens of small but swift flaming orbs, each burning with intense heat. At the same time, he flicked his wrists, sending a handful of shuriken hidden behind the flames toward his brother.
From a distance, the view was chaotic and blinding searing flames streaked through the misty air, shuriken slicing silently between them.
Itachi's eyes narrowed. He quickly raised both hands and performed a water-style seal.
"Water Style: Water Wall!"
With a rush of chakra, a shield of water surged up from the ground and curled into a high, circular barrier that protected him completely.
Hissss…!
The fireballs struck the wall of water one after another, releasing bursts of steam into the air. Thick white mist billowed out, rapidly swallowing the entire training field in a shroud of fog.
The Phoenix Fire was neutralized.
The hidden shuriken clattered to the ground, their force deflected and spent.
Sasuke's expression tensed. He knew he was running on empty. His breathing grew ragged. But he clenched his fists and charged into the cloud of steam without hesitation, aiming one final punch at the blurry figure within.
Even if it was pointless
Even if he couldn't win
He had to keep fighting.
This was everything he had trained for.
Everything.
…
…
Up in the Dream Theater audience
Kakashi, Sakura, and Naruto watched in silence.
None of them spoke.
The fog still swirled on the screen, obscuring the two figures locked in battle.
Even Naruto, who was usually quick to shout or react, remained quiet.
He stared at the glowing screen, fists clenched in his lap.
His chest felt heavy.
"Sasuke…" he muttered under his breath.
The same person who had stood beside him yesterday in a warm, happy dream was now burning himself out in pain and rage.
Why?
Why was he fighting like this?
Why did he look so desperate?
Naruto stood frozen, wide-eyed.
He had to admit it Sasuke was incredible.
He slowly rose to his feet, fists clenched tight at his sides as he stared at the massive glowing curtain.
Fire Style, Phoenix Fire Jutsu, shuriken skills, close-range combat...
Sasuke's techniques flowed together seamlessly, one after another. His attacks were so fast and relentless it made Naruto's head spin.
"That guy... he's taken the Great Fireball Jutsu to a whole new level!" Naruto muttered in disbelief.
Then he thought of himself and his enthusiasm dimmed a little.
Besides his Shadow Clone Jutsu, all he had was a half-finished Rasengan.
If he had been the one fighting just now, Itachi would probably have knocked him down in three moves.
That harsh truth stung.
Naruto gritted his teeth and made a silent vow in his heart.
I have to master the Rasengan. I don't care what it takes. I'll catch up. I will!
Off to the side, Sakura had both hands pressed to her cheeks, stars twinkling in her eyes.
"Sasuke is so cool..." she said dreamily.
The flickering firelight on the screen shimmered in her pupils, like a girl completely absorbed in her favorite romance drama.
Kakashi, who was usually laid-back even during battle, nodded thoughtfully.
Though his tone was casual, his gaze was sharp with appreciation.
"For a Genin who just graduated, this is outstanding. His chakra control, awareness, and timing are all excellent."
Even for someone like him, that level of precision was not something to take lightly.
...
...
Back on the screen
Itachi sensed Sasuke's fierce resolve, but did not hesitate to counter it.
He shifted his stance, ducking low to avoid the straight punch, then swiftly raised his index finger and flicked it forward with perfect precision.
"Pak!"
Sasuke winced as a sharp pain bloomed on his forehead. His punch halted in mid-air, and his balance faltered. He stumbled back a few steps, stunned.
Before he could react, Itachi's hand slid like a blade across his neck, resting gently but firmly. His face carried a trace of helplessness.
"Sasuke, is that enough?"
Sasuke stood frozen.
He stared at the hand resting on his neck, feeling its light pressure cold, composed, in complete control.
His clenched fists slowly loosened. Frustration surged in his chest like a flood.
I can't beat him. Not at all.
No matter how hard I try, no matter how much I practice… the gap is still there!
[Ding! Uchiha Sasuke's emotional fluctuations are captured! Emotional value +400!]
Just as despair wrapped around him like a fog, a calm and gentle voice called out from the edge of the training ground.
"Sasuke, Itachi, stop sparring. It's time for lunch."
Sasuke stiffened, the sorrow on his face turning into stunned disbelief.
He turned his head sharply.
A woman stood near the boundary of the training field, the sunlight shining softly behind her. She had long, silky black hair and a gentle, refined face that radiated kindness.
She smiled warmly as she looked at the two brothers standing in the middle of the field.
[Ding! Uchiha Sasuke's emotional fluctuations are captured! Emotional value +2000!]
His heart trembled.
That was… Mother?
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