What Was That Ninjutsu Called Again Yesterday?

Sasuke Uchiha swept his gaze around the dim theater, then silently walked toward a seat slightly behind the center and sat down in an empty row.

His expression was even more serious than the previous two times. His fists clenched slightly as his black eyes remained fixed on the still-dark screen ahead. He leaned forward a little, assuming the posture of someone "listening attentively in class."

Tonight, he had to see every detail shown on the screen clearly...

Sasuke silently made up his mind.

The mysterious technique displayed by the Fourth Hokage in yesterday's dream had deeply shocked him.

If he could learn that move...

A burning desire flashed through Sasuke's eyes.

As Sasuke waited in total concentration, a familiar fragrance drifted beneath his nose.

He froze slightly. Before he could react, a pink-haired girl had quietly taken the seat beside him.

Sakura Haruno looked around and, seeing that Naruto was not there, smiled sweetly as if relieved. Then, pretending to be calm, she shifted in her seat and quietly moved half a body length closer to Sasuke.

Sakura could not help but feel delighted.

During the first two times, she had still felt uneasy and frightened.

But after experiencing it again and again, she gradually realized that this place did not seem malicious. Instead, it felt like watching a movie every time.

More importantly—

As long as she was here, Ino and those other idiots would not be swarming around Sasuke, and Naruto that idiot would not be there to ruin things.

Other than Kakashi-sensei being present, how was this any different from going on a date with Sasuke?

At that thought, Sakura's cheeks grew warm.

She secretly tilted her head to glance at Sasuke beside her, inwardly delighted.

Hehe, being able to quietly watch a movie beside Sasuke like this was pretty nice too...

As the three of them each entertained their own thoughts, a black-haired youth stood with his arms crossed, quietly watching them from deep within the shadows.

It was Shigure.

Watching Sasuke's fully focused, tense appearance, Shigure secretly grinned.

Little Sasuke, little Sasuke. You've contributed the fewest emotion points lately.

Today, I'll give you a C...

At that thought, his eyes lit up slightly, and a trace of anticipation flashed deep within them.

After all, tonight's scene had been arranged especially for Sasuke.

The screen soon lit up.

After a flash of intense light, the image on the screen gradually became clear.

A simple yet cozy bedroom slowly appeared.

The faint morning light streamed into the room through a gap in the curtains.

Naruto, his short blond hair messy, sat on the bed in his pajamas and groggily rubbed his eyes.

"Eh? It's morning?"

He muttered to himself and instinctively looked around.

When his gaze landed on the familiar picture frame by the bed and the messy layout of the room, Naruto's eyes suddenly widened.

This place was—

Almost instantly, a flash of realization struck Naruto, and he abruptly recalled what had happened during the previous two dreams.

That was right!

This was a dream!

He excitedly flipped out of bed, slipped on his slippers, and dashed out of the bedroom like the wind.

The scent of food drifted from the living room.

At the dining table, the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, sat upright in a chair drinking miso soup, while Kushina Uzumaki, with red hair and green eyes, bustled about the kitchen in an apron.

Steaming sandwiches, fried eggs, and milk had already been set on the table. It looked like a lavish, loving breakfast.

"Dad! Mom!"

Looking at the warm scene before him, Naruto felt happiness and emotion well up in his heart.

He grinned and greeted them, "Good morning!"

Minato turned at the sound of his voice and smiled gently at his son. "Good morning, Naruto. You're up early today?"

Kushina also poked her head out from the kitchen and asked with concern, "Why are you awake so early? Didn't you sleep well last night?"

Seeing the concern on his parents' faces, Naruto's heart warmed, and his nose stung slightly.

He scratched his head and chuckled. "Hehe, no, it's just... there was something about learning that ninjutsu yesterday that I didn't understand. I wanted to get up early and ask Dad!"

[ Ding! Emotional fluctuation from Naruto Uzumaki detected! Emotion points +500! ]

Hearing that, Minato put down his bowl of soup and smiled as he gestured for Naruto to come over. "Oh? What part didn't you understand? Come tell Dad about it."

Naruto hurriedly jogged over to Minato's side, scratching his head as he tried to remember. "It was that thing you taught me yesterday... Oh, right, what was that ninjutsu called again?"

Minato raised a finger and patiently replied with a smile, "It's called the Super Ultra-Grand Supreme Secret Art: Halo Ice Pop Initiating Twirling Whirlwind Jiraiya Twin-Style Sphere."

In the audience.

A bead of cold sweat slid down Kakashi's forehead, leaving him speechless.

As expected of Minato-sensei. His naming style for techniques was as bizarre as ever...

Sakura Haruno's mouth fell open. "Th-that really is its name?"

Even Sasuke's eyes widened in disbelief. "That stupid name wasn't something Naruto just made up?"

Sakura complained, black lines practically appearing above her head, "What kind of ninjutsu has such a ridiculously long name?!"

Kakashi shrugged and sighed. "There are even more outrageous ones. You just haven't seen them."

Sakura and Sasuke: "...???"

[ Ding! Emotional fluctuation from Kakashi Hatake detected! Emotion points +100! ]

[ Ding! Emotional fluctuation from Sasuke Uchiha detected! Emotion points +200! ]

[ Ding! Emotional fluctuation from Sakura Haruno detected! Emotion points +200! ]

On the screen.

"Yes, yes, that's it!" Naruto clapped his hands and nodded excitedly, then complained in a low voice, "But that name is way too long and hard to say. I can't remember it at all."

Kushina could not help but get black lines across her face.

She raised her hand and poked Minato in the forehead, saying helplessly, "Minato, you're doing this again! Do you really have to make Naruto remember all these weird names?"

Minato gave an embarrassed laugh after being poked. "Haha... force of habit, force of habit."

Kushina turned to Naruto and gently explained, "Naruto, don't listen to him. Your dad's old habit is acting up again. The name of that ninjutsu is actually very easy to remember—just two words: Rasengan."

"Rasengan..." Naruto repeated it quietly several times. It felt especially smooth and natural on his tongue, and he could not help but laugh happily. "Hehe, Mom's name is way better! It sounds much nicer than that last one!"

In the audience.

Sakura let out a long breath. "Finally, something normal! I knew that ridiculously long string couldn't possibly be its real name."

Even the usually quiet Sasuke nodded in agreement.

Kakashi watched the two people on the screen and inwardly sighed.

Amazing... I don't know who is behind this, but their understanding of Minato-sensei and Kushina is truly meticulous...

They even replicated Minato-sensei's little habit of giving techniques weird names perfectly.

Ever since entering the Dream Theater, Kakashi's nerves had remained taut. At this moment, they finally relaxed a little.

No matter what the reason behind this strange dream was, at least there was nothing unnatural in the movements or mannerisms of the two people on the screen. It was as though his long-lost teacher and teacher's wife had truly reappeared before his eyes.

Wait...

What if the people in this dream are Minato-sensei and Kushina themselves?

The thought suddenly arose in Kakashi's mind. His heart jolted, and his pupils contracted slightly.

The unexpected thought startled even him, and a layer of cold sweat instantly seeped across his back.

[ Ding! Emotional fluctuation from Kakashi Hatake detected! Emotion points +800! ]

On the screen.

Naruto scratched his head and was about to ask his father for advice on the key to the second stage of training when Kushina interrupted him.

"Alright, alright, don't be in such a hurry to practice ninjutsu." Kushina walked over, rubbed Naruto's messy hair, and smiled softly. "Since you're up so early, go wash your face and brush your teeth first. Then change into some clothes and come eat breakfast."

As she spoke, she waved the spatula in her hand. "After breakfast, aren't we going to the Uchiha house to attend Sasuke's celebration banquet? I've been busy with your graduation lately, so Mikoto and I haven't gotten together in a long time. She even came to invite us over yesterday. We can't be late."

In the audience.

With a whoosh, a chill swept through the air.

Sasuke abruptly shot to his feet. His entire body froze in place, his eyes locked tightly onto the screen.

At some point, the black in his eyes had been replaced by crimson.

A one-tomoe Sharingan glimmered with a terrifying light in the darkness.

Even so, it could not completely suppress the monstrous waves surging within his heart.

Sasuke's breathing quickened, his chest heaving violently, and even his fingertips trembled slightly.

[ Ding! Emotional fluctuation from Sasuke Uchiha detected! Emotion points +2000! ]