Sasuke stared at the scene unfolding on the big screen, a flicker of envy passing through his eyes.
Tch.
So unfair.
He wanted to help his mom cook too.
Next time he entered the dream, he swore he would take over the kitchen and help his mother with everything.
If an idiot like Naruto could manage it, there was no reason he couldn't do better.
[Ding! Uchiha Sasuke's emotional fluctuations are captured! Emotional value +500!]
Sakura, sitting beside him in the audience, noticed the subtle redness in Sasuke's eyes. Her heart quietly ached.
Over time, after watching so many dreams, she had matured in ways she hadn't even realized.
She finally understood those simple, everyday moments that she used to think were boring or meaningless…
For Naruto and Sasuke, they were treasures they could only hold onto in dreams.
That thought filled her with sorrow for both boys, her teammates and friends.
[Ding! Haruno Sakura's emotional fluctuations are captured! Emotional value +400!]
…
Time slipped by as Naruto and Kushina worked side by side in the kitchen. Before long, the clock ticked toward noon.
Steam rose from a spread of freshly cooked dishes, filling the house with a mouthwatering aroma.
The sunlight poured in through the window, casting a soft golden glow across the table and making the food look even more delicious.
Naruto looked at the colorful plates, a deep sense of satisfaction blooming in his chest.
He did this with his mom.
A proud grin tugged at the corners of his mouth.
[Ding! Uzumaki Naruto's emotional fluctuations are captured! Emotional value +500!]
Ding-dong!
The doorbell echoed through the house.
"I got it!" Naruto called, quickly placing down the dish he was holding and racing to the entrance.
He pulled the door open in one quick motion, the same wide grin still stuck to his face.
Outside, three familiar figures stood in the warm afternoon light.
"Yo, Naruto~" Kakashi greeted lazily, raising a hand.
Sakura beamed. "Sorry for intruding, Naruto-kun!"
Even Sasuke, who was usually so cold and distant, had a rare smile on his face. He waved lightly.
"Naruto, we're here."
Naruto blinked. His body stiffened, and he just stood there frozen for a moment.
What… was this?
Why were they all being so friendly?
Sasuke smiling? Sakura being polite? Kakashi not showing up late?
It was so out of character that Naruto was momentarily stunned.
He didn't know whether to feel touched or suspicious.
Was this really a dream… or some kind of weird genjutsu?
Kakashi still looked the same lazily leaning to one side, half-lidded eyes, and that ever-present mask. But something about him felt... warmer.
He didn't seem quite as aloof as usual. Just a little more present.
But it was Sakura that made Naruto do a double take.
She smiled at him softly, her eyes filled with a kindness that made him feel oddly exposed. It wasn't bad it was just… strange. Like she was seeing him differently now.
Still, the biggest shock came from Sasuke.
Because the boy standing at the door with a bright smile and no trace of that usual cold, brooding face...
Was waving at him.
Waving.
With a smile.
Naruto blinked hard.
His brain short-circuited.
Was this really that Sasuke?
The cool, standoffish, arrogant young master?
Where was the grumpy "hnn" guy he knew?
Naruto stood frozen in place, completely speechless.
Then, before he could even process it, the dream Sasuke tilted his head, flipped his bangs to the side, and suddenly struck a dramatic pose like a middle schooler trying to act cool.
With a flourish, he raised one hand over his right eye, leaving the left one peeking out with a sharp glint. The corner of his mouth curled up smugly.
"Hahaha... Naruto, are you ready to accept my challenge?"
"Huh?"
Naruto stared, stunned.
What... what kind of ridiculous line was that?
Was this really Sasuke? That Sasuke?
He didn't have long to think.
Dream Sasuke kept going, completely in character.
"Hmph! Let me tell you something. Itachi taught me a secret genjutsu!"
He dramatically extended his palm in front of Naruto's face and smiled like he was the coolest guy in the world.
"With this move, I'll definitely beat you this time!"
Naruto's entire body stiffened.
His hair stood on end.
A chill crept down his spine.
『Σ(ﾟдﾟlll)??』
No. No way.
What was this eerie performance?
Now he finally understood how Sasuke must have felt seeing his own weird dream version back then.
This was terrifying.
What happened to his old rival?
Where was that moody, arrogant, short-tempered Sasuke?
Give him back!
Give him back his brooding, stinky Sasuke!
…
In the audience, Kakashi gave a helpless smile, rubbing the back of his head.
Sakura tried her best not to laugh, her lips twitching.
But the real Sasuke
The real Sasuke had his entire face buried in his hands.
He couldn't even look at the screen.
"Why... why do I look like that in the dream?!"
"What even is that pose?! I'd never do something like that!"
[Ding! Uchiha Sasuke's emotional fluctuations are captured! Emotional value +1000!]
Even Sakura couldn't help glancing at him in disbelief, then burst into soft giggles as she looked back at the screen.
So that's the Sasuke inside the dream...
No wonder the dream version of herself liked Naruto more.
Her cheeks turned slightly pink. She covered her mouth and laughed quietly.
This was getting funnier by the second.
Sasuke's face burned with embarrassment.
His cheeks flushed red as the dream version of himself kept prancing around like a second-rate actor.
If it were possible, he'd leap through the screen right now and give that ridiculous version of himself a solid punch.
He couldn't take it anymore.
With his gaze fixed firmly away from the screen, he avoided Sakura and Kakashi-sensei's eyes entirely.
He couldn't bear to see their reactions.
『This is so humiliating…!』
Damn Naruto!
Can't that guy have a normal dream just once?!
[Ding! Uchiha Sasuke's emotional fluctuations are captured! Emotional value +500!]
…
Meanwhile, on-screen Naruto was also having a quiet meltdown.
『A challenge?』
『You want me to fight this bizarre version of Sasuke?』
『Is this some kind of sick joke?』
To be completely honest, although he technically "won" that first battle with Sasuke in the dream… it wasn't really him who did it.
When he opened his eyes, dream Sasuke was already lying on the ground, groaning in defeat.
The one who had pummeled Sasuke until he gave up wasn't him it was that other "Naruto."
The cool, capable, super-awesome dream version of himself who showed up yesterday and made Sasuke look like a chump.
And now he, the real Naruto, was expected to go toe-to-toe with a Sasuke who had probably been training with that guy?
No way.
Naruto wasn't stupid!
He glanced at Sasuke's smug expression and felt his skin crawl again.
A nervous chuckle slipped out.
"Haha... hey, Sasuke, let's not rush "
Before he could finish, Kushina's voice cut in brightly from the kitchen doorway.
"Alright, alright! Food's ready!" she announced cheerfully, carrying in a steaming pot of miso soup.
"You boys keep picking fights the second you get together. Don't you ever get tired?"
Naruto's eyes lit up like fireworks.
"Yes, yes! Food first!" he shouted, nodding so fast his cheeks puffed out. "Haha, we'll talk later, much later!"
He bolted straight to the table like a rocket, grinning from ear to ear.
『Long live Mom!』 he cried out in his heart.
Dream Sasuke, who had been about to boast some more, clicked his tongue and folded his arms.
"Hmph."
Still, he didn't resist too much. Instead, he walked over and leaned close to Naruto, whispering just loud enough for him to hear.
"What's wrong, Naruto? Afraid of my new jutsu?"
A teasing smirk curled at the corner of his lips.
Naruto nearly tripped over himself as he waved both hands quickly.
"W-Who's afraid? I'm just saying… it's rude not to eat the food my mom worked so hard on, that's all!"
He turned his face away in a huff and began stuffing rice into his mouth like a squirrel.
No way he'd ever admit he was scared.
He just… didn't want to embarrass the other version of himself in the dream.
That's all.
Really.
In the audience.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes at the screen, watching Naruto scramble to avoid a friendly challenge. He scoffed, arms crossed tightly.
"Hmph. Just as I thought. Last place is still last place," he muttered. "Coward."
Sakura tilted her head playfully and gave Sasuke a teasing wink.
"But Sasuke-kun... weren't you the one who got totally wrecked last time?"
Sasuke's mouth opened slightly, caught off guard. His face stiffened, and a faint flush crept up his cheeks.
"I That was... I just wasn't ready!" he snapped, flustered. "It doesn't count if you're not prepared!"
[Ding! Uchiha Sasuke's emotional fluctuations are captured! Emotional value +500!]
Kakashi chuckled softly behind his mask, the sound light and amused.
He glanced at Sasuke's red ears and thought to himself, This kid really loses all composure the moment Naruto gets involved.
Just as their laughter was fading, a quiet creak echoed in the dream scene.
The door of the Uzumaki household slowly swung open.
"I'm back~"
A warm, easygoing voice drifted into the room, carrying a sense of comfort that wrapped around everyone like a soft blanket.
The golden-haired man stepped into the house, smiling as sunlight glinted off his Konoha flak jacket.
Naruto turned toward the door in confusion, blinking.
But Sasuke and Sakura who were seated at the dining table suddenly froze.
The playful banter vanished from their faces.
Without a word, they stood up straight, backs straightening instinctively like soldiers before a commanding officer.
Their eyes were wide.
And serious.
Because they recognized that voice.
And more than that...
They recognized the man who had just walked in.