Naruto, what's the point of being Hokage if you don't get involved!

In the square in front of the Hokage Building, gongs and drums were deafening, firecrackers were popping, red flags were fluttering, and the crowd was a sea of people...

Countless children were shouting Naruto's name, their eyes shining with excitement, cheering and leaping for joy, their adoration and worship plain for all to see.

Many girls were even wiping away tears of excitement, stretching their hands out desperately, wanting to get as close to him as possible...

Beside him, Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, Might Guy, Iruka, Mizuki, and many other Konoha bigwigs, both known and unknown, were looking at him with gratified expressions...

"From today on, I am the Fifth Hokage of Konoha!"

Naruto took off his Hokage hat and announced loudly to the roaring, seething crowd.

In an instant, the crowd erupted, a tsunami of cheers rising up like a massive wave.

"Hehe, hehehe..."

Even in his sleep, Naruto couldn't help but grin foolishly.

But just then.

A bolt of lightning struck down violently!

It hit the "Fifth Hokage" on the roof of the Hokage Building dead center!

BOOM--

"Ahhh!"

Naruto let out a miserable scream, trembling in terror, cold sweat rolling down his body, instantly soaking his clothes.

Yet what was even more terrifying was...

He didn't wake up!

"Wh-what was that just now?"

"Why was I baptized by Lightning Release even in my dreams?!"

[Detected that the host has had a good sleep, but spending such a long time in dreams every night should never be wasted. Sleep is the best time to out-grind everyone else!]

[Please start training in your dreams immediately!]

Naruto nearly died of shock upon hearing this.

"Wh-what the hell?!"

"I have to train in my sleep too?!"

"System Bro, this really won't do..."

"Give me a chance!"

[It is precisely to give the host more opportunities that I am strictly requiring this of you. If you don't seize every moment to catch up, how will you ever defeat those genius ninjas!]

"...That may be true, but isn't it a bit too much to train while sleeping!"

"I-I'm still just a child!"

[Please rest assured, host. Training in your sleep will not affect your growth and development. This system has undergone rigorous training and is absolutely safe.]

Naruto: "I almost believed you!"

At that very moment...

The scene in his dream changed abruptly, transforming into the training ground of the Ninja Academy.

Under the summer sun, tree shadows were mottled, cicadas were chirping, and a gentle breeze swept across the entire field.

He could even hear the laughter and play of the students from time to time.

It was no different from the real Ninja Academy.

"We will now begin ninja sparring."

"The first pair to face off is..."

"Naruto..."

"Sasuke!"

In an instant, everyone's eyes fell upon him.

Naruto suddenly realized.

So this is what training in his dreams was all about!

"Ninja sparring, huh?"

"And the opponent is..."

"That bastard Sasuke!"

His expression, which had been one of despair, changed instantly, now filled with high spirits and eagerness!

Especially looking at Sasuke Uchiha's smug face, Naruto couldn't wait to kick him twice!

"System Bro, you should have said so earlier!"

"If I had known I was fighting Sasuke Uchiha, I would have started long ago!"

Iruka frowned in his sleep.

"Naruto, what are you spacing out for?"

"First, perform the Seal of Confrontation, and after the sparring match ends, perform the Seal of Reconciliation."

"I understand, Iruka-sensei."

In Naruto Uzumaki's field of vision, Sasuke Uchiha walked forward coldly with his hands in his pockets, his eyes filled with utter disdain.

"Damn it!"

Even in a dream, Sasuke is this infuriating!

Moreover, the surrounding schoolgirls, including Sakura Haruno, were no different from reality, screaming passionately like lovesick fans.

"Ahhh, Sasuke-kun is so cool!"

"Take down Naruto!"

"How could that guy possibly be a match for Sasuke-kun!"

"Exactly, exactly!"

Only Hinata stood alone, silently twiddling her fingers and whispering prayers of encouragement for Naruto.

"Go, go, Naruto-kun..."

The scene was so realistic that for a moment, Naruto couldn't tell if it was a dream or reality.

However...

"What's wrong, dead-last?"

"Are you scared?"

With that one sentence from Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto instantly lost his cool.

I don't care if this is a dream or reality!

If I don't beat you into a pulp today, my name isn't Naruto Uzumaki!

"Hey, Sasuke, today I'll let you taste my true power!"

"If you underestimate me, you're going to have a miserable end!"

Sasuke Uchiha's expression shifted.

"Hmph, what empty talk!"

The two simultaneously formed the Seal of Confrontation, with their thumbs pressed against their ring and little fingers, while their index and middle fingers stood upright like blades.

Following Iruka's command...

"Sparring match, begin!"

Naruto let out a roar; the anger accumulated over years and the fruits of the desperate training he had endured these past few days finally, in this very instant...

Exploded completely!

Naruto's suppressed rage, fueled by the long and grueling training forced upon him by the system's Lightning Release baptism, erupted in that moment.

Bang—

His toes slammed into the earth, and his body shot forward like a sharp arrow!

"So fast..."

Sasuke and all the teachers and students watching the match couldn't help but change their expressions, shocked to the core.

Full of confidence, Naruto lunged in front of Sasuke in the blink of an eye and delivered a fierce side kick!

The results of his daily brutal special training with Rock Lee...

Were revealed!

The power of this kick exploded with such intensity that even Sasuke couldn't help but show a trace of shock!

But his reaction was also extremely fast; he immediately bent his elbow, turning his right arm into a hook-punch posture, attempting to defend against Naruto's kick.

However...

Bang!

Naruto's physical strength and explosive power far exceeded Sasuke's expectations.

Even though the block was successful, he still lost his balance, nearly toppling toward the ground!

"What..."

Sasuke was a genius after all; in an instant, he slammed his left hand against the ground. Not only did he avoid falling, but he also took advantage of the momentum to execute a sweep kick, aiming fiercely at the foot Naruto had landed on!

But Naruto also used the momentum to retreat temporarily, dodging the strike.

"What's going on?"

"Sasuke was actually almost knocked down?"

"No... no way, is that Naruto?!"

"How could that dead-last possibly be suppressing Sasuke?"

Sakura Haruno and the many fans of Sasuke couldn't help but gasp in shock.

Only Hinata's eyes shimmered with light, her tightly clenched hands trembling as she felt overjoyed for Naruto.

Iruka was also left dumbfounded.

"That guy Naruto, how did he suddenly become so strong?"

"What on earth is..."

Having just fallen into a disadvantage, Sasuke glared with furrowed brows and gritted teeth. A kunai instantly appeared in his hand, spinning smoothly between his fingertips as he pursued Naruto.

Naruto likewise drew a kunai, holding it horizontally in his palm, its edge gleaming.

Clang—

The kunai clashed, emitting a crisp ring and sending sparks flying in every direction.

"Damn it, this dead-last's strength is actually superior to mine!"

"What is going on..."

"But, in terms of technique, he is still far inferior to me!"

Sasuke brandished his kunai and lunged forward, the cold arc of the blade slicing through the void.

Naruto was indeed dazzled; in terms of moves and technique, he was truly not as flawless or masterful as Sasuke.

Rip—

Naruto dodged as best he could, but Sasuke's kunai still managed to tear his sleeve.

"Damn it, this bastard Sasuke is still as tough to deal with as ever..."