This Is a Bit Too Stimulating for Hinata

Shigure raised an eyebrow, though he felt no urgency.

In any case, the three audience members who could be pulled into the dream space just needed to have a close relationship with Naruto.

If Sasuke couldn't make it, he could simply swap in someone else.

Thinking of this, Shigure moved his mind to pull up the system panel and quickly browsed the list.

There weren't many people who met the criteria; after all, when it came to the depth of their relationship with Naruto, how many were truly suitable?

His gaze swept rapidly across the list, names flashing through his mind one by one.

Uncle Teuchi? Forget it, there was no need for that.

The Third Hokage? It was still too early to let him know.

Shigure gently rubbed his chin, then his eyes suddenly lit up as they locked onto one of the names.

As it happened, tonight's dream was quite suitable for this particular viewer.

In the pitch-black, silent auditorium, Sakura and Kakashi sat side by side, patiently waiting for the screen to light up.

Sakura suddenly caught a glimpse of the seat beside her out of the corner of her eye. The air rippled like water, and a hazy figure slowly emerged.

"Someone's here!" Sakura felt a surge of joy and blurted out, "Sasuke, why are you so late—"

Kakashi, sitting nearby, also looked over at the sound, his originally tense expression relaxing slightly.

It seemed Sasuke had finally made it.

But before Sakura could finish her sentence, the gradually clarifying silhouette made her voice come to an abrupt halt.

The person appearing before them was not the expected Sasuke, but a petite young girl.

Silky short hair clung softly to her cheeks, and she was wearing a fluffy, light purple pajama set.

The girl's hands were nervously twisted together, and her youthful, delicate face was filled with unease and panic, especially her Byakugan, which were currently darting around the strange environment with timidity.

"Eh, Hinata?" Sakura's beautiful eyes widened, unable to react for a moment.

Kakashi was also stunned, clearly not expecting that the person who arrived wouldn't be Sasuke, but the young lady of the Hyuga Clan, Hinata Hyuga.

Hinata noticed the two people beside her at this moment.

She had been panicked and terrified, not knowing why she had inexplicably "woken up" from her bed and arrived in such a strange, dark place.

It was only when she clearly saw the faces of Sakura and Kakashi that her tightly wound nerves relaxed just a little.

Seeing Kakashi and Sakura, Hinata felt her tense mood ease slightly.

Although she didn't know Kakashi well, while keeping an eye on Naruto, she also knew that this was his jonin leader.

"Kakashi-sensei? Sakura?" Hinata blinked, calling out softly and uncertainly.

Seeing familiar faces made her feel much more at ease.

"Thank goodness, it really is you..." Hinata let out a low breath, her face flushed with nervousness, her little heart still thumping in her chest.

She tilted her head slightly and only then realized that her current location resembled a spacious movie theater.

In the dim space, rows of soft red seats extended backward, while in front was a giant black screen. Above her head was a high ceiling and the faint outline of a projection window.

If the atmosphere weren't so eerie, this place would be no different from an ordinary cinema.

"Where... is this?" Hinata asked timidly, her voice as thin as a mosquito's, "A movie theater...?"

Facing Hinata's anxious inquiry, Sakura didn't know how to answer for a moment.

She and Kakashi exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of awkwardness in each other's eyes.

How were they supposed to explain all this to Hinata?

Just then, the giant screen in front suddenly lit up!

The pitch-black image was illuminated in an instant, as if the night sky had been pierced by the morning sun.

An image appeared on the screen, and it was none other than Naruto!

Hinata recognized the blond boy at a glance. Her small mouth opened slightly, and she couldn't help but exclaim, "Eh! It's Naruto-kun!"

The girl's clear voice sounded exceptionally loud in the silent auditorium.

She was both shocked and suspicious, her voice rising involuntarily.

"Naruto-kun... why is he on the screen? This, what exactly is going on?"

[Ding! Emotional fluctuation from Hinata Hyuga captured! Emotion points +200!]

Hearing Hinata call out the name "Naruto," Sakura and Kakashi also snapped back to reality.

The two looked at each other, both at a loss for words.

Who could have guessed that instead of Sasuke, Hinata would show up?

A bead of cold sweat appeared on Kakashi's forehead.

Although the young girl before them was just a soft and weak genin, she was still the daughter of the Hyuga main house, and he wasn't sure how to explain this bizarre situation to her.

Moreover, Sasuke's current situation also made him secretly worried.

Had that kid actually chosen not to sleep just to resist the dream?

[Ding! Emotional fluctuation from Sakura Haruno captured! Emotion points +300!]

[Ding! Emotional fluctuation from Kakashi Hatake captured! Emotion points +200!]

Sakura bit her lip and decided to be simple and direct with Hinata. "It's a bit complicated, but in short... just watch for a while and you'll understand. Simply put, we are currently watching a dream Naruto is having."

Hinata was stunned. "Naruto-kun's dream?"

Kakashi added, "Correct. To be precise, we are in a special space, watching Naruto dream. The Naruto on the screen is him within the dream."

Upon hearing this, Hinata's small face turned red to the roots of her ears in a "whoosh."

She stared blankly at the Naruto appearing on the giant screen before her, and after a long while, she stammered, "Na, Naruto-kun's dream?"

The mere thought that she was currently inside Naruto's dream, peeking at his most private fantasies and desires, made Hinata's heart race, and her face heated up instantly.

If Naruto-kun finds out, will he hate me?!

The more Hinata thought about it, the more shy and timid she became. Her small hands gripped the corners of her clothes tightly, her face redder than ever, her head almost buried in her chest.

[Ding! Emotional fluctuation from Hinata Hyuga captured! Emotion points +500!]

Seeing Hinata's panicked expression, Sakura quickly waved her hands to correct her. "Strictly speaking, we haven't entered Naruto's dream; we're just 'bystanders' like we're watching a movie. You don't need to have any psychological burden."

"Bystanders... of a dream?"

Hinata was still completely confused; she had never heard of such a bizarre thing.

However, since Kakashi-sensei and Sakura had both said so, she had to suppress her overflowing questions for the time being and turn her attention back to the screen.

At this moment, the image on the giant screen had gradually stabilized.

The scene showed a cozy and tidy bedroom.

Pale yellow morning light spilled into the room through the gaps in the curtains, casting a soft hue over the space.

On the bed, a boy was fast asleep.

His messy blond hair was spread out fluffily on the pillow, his breathing light and steady.

It was Naruto, having entered the dream.

"Ugh..."

The Naruto in the dream twitched his eyelids slightly, let out a murmur, and then slowly opened his eyes.

His clear, azure eyes shone brightly in the morning light. He stared blankly at the ceiling for two seconds before suddenly leaping up from the bed.

"Right! I have to complete the second stage of the Rasengan training today!"

The boy rubbed his sleepy eyes, and thinking of the goal he had set last night, he was instantly filled with motivation.

He rolled out of bed, put on his clothes in a few quick motions, and pushed open the door, "thump-thump-thumping" down the stairs.

The camera followed Naruto all the way to the dining room downstairs.

In the spacious and bright dining room, a hearty breakfast was laid out on the table, the aroma wafting through the air.

Kushina was sitting at the table, leisurely drinking miso soup, waiting for her son to come down for breakfast.

"Mom, good morning!" Naruto greeted her casually and pulled out a chair to sit down, but seeing his father was nowhere to be found, he couldn't help but ask in confusion, "Eh? Where's Dad? Why don't I see him?"

Kushina looked up, smiling at her energetic son. "Morning, Naruto. Your dad went out early this morning; it seems he has some official business to attend to."

"Ah... I see."

Naruto was slightly taken aback, and the expression on his face dimmed a little.

He lowered his head and poked at the fried egg in his bowl, a trace of disappointment flashing through his heart.

He had originally wanted to ask his dad for the secret to the second stage of the Rasengan as soon as he woke up, but his dad wasn't home again...

Did he have to figure out the practice on his own now?

The boy's disappointment was written all over his face, but soon, he quietly clenched his fists, secretly cheering himself on in his heart.

It's not like I can't practice just because there's no one to guide me for a while!

I can master it on my own just the same!

[Ding! Emotional fluctuation from Naruto Uzumaki captured! Emotion points +200!]