Shigure's brow lifted slightly, but he wasn't worried.
After all, as long as the three people he brought into the dream space each time were close to Naruto, that was all that mattered.
If Sasuke couldn't make it, he could simply bring someone else.
With that thought, Shigure summoned the system panel with a thought and quickly scanned the list.
There weren't many suitable candidates. After all, how many people were truly close to Naruto?
His eyes swept quickly over the list, names flashing through his mind one by one.
Uncle Teuchi? No, there was no need.
The Third Hokage? It was too early for him to find out.
Shigure gently rubbed his chin. Suddenly, his eyes lit up as they settled on one of the names.
Perfect. Tonight's dream would be just right for this guest.
In the dark, silent audience seats, Sakura and Kakashi sat side by side, patiently waiting for the screen to light up.
Sakura's peripheral vision caught the seat beside her. The air rippled like water, and a hazy figure slowly appeared.
"Someone's here!" Sakura's heart leaped with joy, and she blurted out, "Sasuke, what took you so long—"
Kakashi heard her and looked over, his tense expression relaxing slightly.
So Sasuke had made it after all.
But before Sakura could finish, the figure gradually came into focus, and her voice cut off.
The person before them wasn't Sasuke, as she'd expected, but a petite girl.
Her silky short hair brushed softly against her cheeks, and she wore a fluffy, pale-purple nightgown.
The girl nervously twisted her hands together. Unease and panic showed on her delicate, youthful face. Her pale eyes darted timidly around the unfamiliar surroundings.
"Huh, Hinata?" Sakura's eyes widened, and for a moment she couldn't process what she was seeing.
Kakashi was stunned too. He clearly hadn't expected the guest to be anyone other than Sasuke—let alone Hinata Hyuga, the young lady of the Hyuga Clan.
Hinata noticed the two beside her as well.
She had been terrified and confused, not knowing why she'd somehow "woken up" from her bed in this strange, dark place.
But when she recognized Sakura and Kakashi, the tension in her chest eased a little.
Seeing Kakashi and Sakura helped Hinata relax somewhat.
Although she didn't know Kakashi well, she'd paid attention to Naruto and knew Kakashi was his team's jonin leader.
" Kakashi-sensei? Sakura?" Hinata blinked and called out softly, uncertainly.
Seeing familiar faces made her feel a little safer.
"Thank goodness, it really is you..." Hinata breathed a quiet sigh of relief. Her cheeks flushed with nerves, and her heart still pounded in her chest.
She turned her head slightly and realized she was in what looked like a spacious movie theater.
In the dim room, rows of soft red seats stretched back. A huge black screen stood at the front, and high above were a lofty ceiling and a faintly visible projection booth.
If not for the eerie atmosphere, it would have been just like an ordinary theater.
"Where... am I?" Hinata asked timidly, her voice barely louder than a mosquito's. "Is this... a movie theater?"
Faced with Hinata's anxious question, Sakura wasn't sure how to answer.
She exchanged a glance with Kakashi, and both saw the awkwardness in the other's eyes.
How were they supposed to explain all this to Hinata?
Just then, the enormous screen before them suddenly lit up!
The black display flashed bright, as if the sunrise had pierced the night.
An image appeared on the screen: Naruto!
Hinata recognized the blond boy at once. Her lips parted, and she cried out without thinking, "Huh! It's Naruto-kun!"
Her clear voice rang especially loudly through the silent audience.
She was so startled and confused that her voice rose several notches.
"Why is Naruto-kun... on the screen? Wh-what is going on?"
[Ding! An emotional fluctuation from Hinata Hyuga was detected! Emotion points +200!]
Hearing Hinata say "Naruto," Sakura and Kakashi came back to their senses too.
They exchanged glances, both at a loss for words.
Who would've thought that Hinata would show up instead of Sasuke?
A bead of cold sweat appeared on Kakashi's forehead.
The girl before him might have been a meek, timid Genin, but she was also the heiress of the Hyuga Main Family. He had no idea how to explain this bizarre situation to her.
Besides, he couldn't help worrying about Sasuke's situation.
Had that boy really decided not to sleep at all just to resist the dream?
[Ding! An emotional fluctuation from Sakura Haruno was detected! Emotion points +300!]
[Ding! An emotional fluctuation from Kakashi Hatake was detected! Emotion points +200!]
Sakura bit her lip, then decided to keep it simple. "It's a little complicated. Anyway... just watch for now, and you'll understand soon. Basically, we're watching Naruto's dream."
Hinata blinked. "Naruto-kun's dream?"
Kakashi added, "That's right. To be precise, we're in a special space, watching Naruto dream. The Naruto on the screen is the one in his dream."
At that, Hinata's face flushed bright red, all the way to her ears.
She stared blankly at Naruto on the enormous screen. Only after a while did she manage to stammer, "N-Naruto-kun's dream?"
The thought of being inside Naruto's dream, peeking into his most private fantasies and desires, made Hinata's heart pound. Her face grew hot.
What if Naruto-kun finds out? Will he hate me?!
The more Hinata thought about it, the more embarrassed she became. She clutched the hem of her clothes, her face growing impossibly red as she lowered her head almost to her chest.
[Ding! An emotional fluctuation from Hinata Hyuga was detected! Emotion points +500!]
Seeing Hinata's flustered expression, Sakura quickly waved her hands and clarified, "Strictly speaking, we haven't entered Naruto's dream. We're just 'watching' it, like a movie. You don't need to feel bad about it."
"Watching... a dream?"
Hinata was still completely confused. She'd never heard of anything so bizarre.
But since Kakashi-sensei and Sakura had said so, she temporarily set aside her many questions and turned her attention back to the screen.
The image on the enormous screen gradually settled.
It showed a cozy, tidy bedroom.
Pale yellow morning light streamed through a gap in the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room.
A sleeping boy lay on the bed.
His tousled blond hair spread across the pillow, and his breathing was slow and steady.
It was Naruto, inside the dream.
"Mm..."
Dream-Naruto's eyelids twitched. He murmured, then slowly opened his eyes.
His clear blue eyes shone in the morning light. He stared blankly at the ceiling for two seconds, then suddenly leaped out of bed.
"That's right! I've got to finish the second stage of Rasengan training today!"
The boy rubbed his sleepy eyes. Remembering the goal he'd set the night before, he instantly sprang into action.
He jumped out of bed, quickly got dressed, and rushed out the door, thundering down the stairs.
The camera followed Naruto downstairs to the dining room.
The spacious, bright room was filled with the aroma of a lavish breakfast laid out on the table.
Kushina sat at the table, leisurely sipping miso soup as she waited for her son to join her.
"Morning, Mom!" Naruto greeted her casually, pulling out a chair and dropping into it. Then, noticing his father was nowhere in sight, he asked in confusion, "Huh? Where's Dad? I don't see him."
Kushina looked up at her energetic son with a smile. "Morning, Naruto. Your dad left early. He had some work to take care of, I think."
"Oh... I see."
Naruto paused. His expression dimmed.
He lowered his head and poked at the fried egg in his bowl, a flicker of disappointment crossing his mind.
He'd wanted to ask his dad for pointers on the second stage of Rasengan training as soon as he got up, but Dad wasn't home again...
Would he have to figure it out and practice by himself?
His disappointment was plain to see, but soon he clenched his fist and quietly encouraged himself.
So what if no one was there to guide me for now?
I can master it on my own!
[Ding! An emotional fluctuation from Naruto Uzumaki was detected! Emotion points +200!]
Before you continue