In the vast, dark, and silent theater, rows of seats stretched endlessly into the shadows. Naruto suddenly opened his eyes and found himself seated in the front row of the auditorium.
He looked around in confusion. The entire theater was empty. Not a single person could be seen.
"Is this… a theater?"
Naruto blinked, stunned for a moment. Then his shoulders drooped.
There was no warm, familiar bedroom. No comforting presence of Mom or Dad. Just a cold, quiet, and utterly empty hall.
He lowered his head, a deep sense of disappointment weighing down on his chest.
"So… I guess that really was the last time…"
[Ding! Uzumaki Naruto's emotional fluctuation detected! Emotional value +300!]
[Ding! Uzumaki Naruto's emotional fluctuation detected! Emotional value +300!]
[Ding! Uzumaki Naruto's emotional fluctuation detected! Emotional value +300!]
In the shadows at the back of the theater, a figure stood silently, gazing at the blond-haired boy sitting alone in the front row.
"Hehe… You think I'd let you fall asleep again so easily? You're far too slow."
Aren's lips curved into a playful smirk. "It's good to have more than one person driving the dream. If Naruto were the only dreamer, his emotional waves would fade once he got used to everything. But now that Sasuke's involved, both sides are feeling the pressure. The emotional value just spiked."
He chuckled quietly to himself.
"This is what they call the 'catfish effect,' right?"
…
It was hard to say how much time passed.
Suddenly, a ripple shimmered through the air like waves across water.
Two blurry figures materialized in the front row of the auditorium.
Naruto heard the sound and whipped his head to the side. "Kakashi-sensei? Sakura?"
"Yo," Kakashi greeted lazily, as casual as ever.
Sakura crossed her arms and muttered "jerk" under her breath, glaring at Kakashi.
"Ugh…" Naruto grumbled, recognizing the situation instantly. "So it's Sasuke again tonight!?"
He threw his arms over his chest in frustration, sulking. "Why is it always Sasuke's turn!?"
Kakashi glanced at him and said, "Don't feel too bad, Naruto. Maybe this time… you'll get to see things from Sasuke's point of view."
Naruto froze.
A warm image of his parents flashed through his mind.
Right if Sasuke was still in that dream world, maybe… just maybe… his parents would show up again, too.
The moment Naruto thought of that possibility, his earlier frustration eased a little. His gaze naturally shifted toward the giant black screen in front of the theater.
At that very moment, the dark screen emitted a faint hiss and flickered to life.
An image slowly appeared on the screen, and Sasuke's figure emerged into view.
On screen, Sasuke was standing inside his living room.
In front of him stood a black-haired woman with delicate features and a gentle aura. It was his mother Uchiha Mikoto.
Mikoto looked at her son, who seemed to be dragging his feet, and gently urged him with a smile, "Sasuke, why are you still hanging around at home? Aren't you supposed to go on a mission with Naruto and the others today?"
Sasuke looked down and mumbled softly, "I… I just want to stay with you a little longer, Mom."
Mikoto was briefly taken aback. Then she chuckled, shaking her head. "Honestly, what am I going to do with you… I saw that you weren't in a good mood yesterday, so I let you rest for the day and even had someone notify your teacher, Kakashi. I didn't expect you'd still want to stay home again today!"
She furrowed her brows in mock sternness. "You're a Genin now. You can't just stay at home every day. Go on head over and meet your teammates. Don't keep them waiting, alright?"
"But… I…" Sasuke still seemed reluctant. But when he met his mother's firm yet gentle gaze, he finally gave in with a quiet sigh. "Okay… I get it."
Seeing him relent, Mikoto smiled with warmth and pride. "That's better. Be careful on the road, and take care of yourself."
As Sasuke looked at the soft curve of his mother's smile, a sense of warmth bloomed in his chest.
He parted his lips like he wanted to say something more, but in the end, he only whispered, "…I'm heading out."
Mikoto walked him to the front door and watched him push it open and step outside. Only after his slender figure disappeared at the end of the alley did she finally turn and return to the house.
Sasuke walked alone down the street, the morning breeze brushing gently against his face.
He thought of the way his mother had just looked at him with kindness and a little sternness and his heart stirred with emotion.
"The mother in this dream… is exactly like I remember her."
Then, a sudden thought hit Sasuke.
Where was the meeting place?
In the dream world… where would Kakashi-sensei ask them to gather?
Sasuke thought it over. "Since our team lineup hasn't changed in the dream, the meeting spot must be the same as usual."
Having made up his mind, he turned and began walking quickly along the familiar path heading toward the small bridge where Team 7 always met.
Along the way, the streets were lively. Flags bearing the Uchiha clan emblem fluttered gently outside shops, and townsfolk bustled about.
Compared to the abandoned, ruined Uchiha compound in the real world, everything here felt vivid and precious.
Many of the shopkeepers were familiar faces people from the clan and village. When they saw Sasuke passing by, they greeted him warmly.
"Master Sasuke! Off on another mission today? Best of luck!"
Sasuke responded to each one with a polite nod and a faint smile… but deep inside, his heart trembled.
These kind, cheerful people… these members of his clan who smiled and spoke to him so naturally… were no longer alive in the real world.
Clenching his fists, Sasuke forced himself to suppress the waves of emotion swelling in his heart. He moved through the crowd, heading toward the familiar meeting place.
Sure enough, Naruto and Sakura were already there.
Sakura was standing close to Naruto, chatting non-stop about something, while Naruto leaned casually against a tree beside the small bridge, arms resting behind his head, a laid-back smile on his lips. He looked unusually relaxed and confident.
Sasuke came to a halt, his brows slightly furrowed.
Something about that Naruto seemed… off.
His posture, his demeanor his whole aura was different from what Sasuke remembered.
He squinted to get a better look and realized something else.
Naruto… looked taller.
In fact, he seemed to be half a head taller than usual.
That's not right. The real Naruto was definitely shorter than him!
Wait… is this Naruto actually taller than me?
While Sasuke stood frozen, trying to process what he was seeing, the blond boy glanced in his direction.
Naruto's eyes widened slightly in surprise then he broke into a soft, cheerful smile. Walking over with Sakura, he raised a hand in greeting.
"Good morning, Sasuke-kun!" Naruto called out warmly.
"We were just about to go look for you," Sakura chimed in, waving sweetly as she smiled brightly. "Morning, Sasuke!"
Sasuke watched the two of them run up to him from opposite sides.
Naruto's smile was bright like morning sunlight spilling across the ground.
For a second, Sasuke froze again.
There was something strange about that smile.
Why did it look… kind of… handsome?
Sasuke's focus wavered. He immediately regretted letting his guard down, distracted by Naruto's glowing expression.
He quickly shook it off and resumed his usual cold expression.
Naruto stopped just in front of him, his blue eyes curving with a friendly glint.
He looked at Sasuke, full of sincere concern.
"Sasuke-kun, there you are. Aunt Mikoto said you weren't feeling well yesterday. Are you feeling better today?"
As he spoke, Naruto gave Sasuke a once-over, his tone gentle and serious.
It felt like a spring breeze brushing against the skin genuine and warm.
But to Sasuke… it was terrifying.
What the heck is going on with this cheerful, gentle, polite guy!?
Is this… really Naruto!?
[Ding! Uchiha Sasuke's emotional fluctuation detected! Emotional value +400!]