Sasuke: Damn, why is Naruto so handsome?

In the pitch-black, silent expanse of the massive theater, rows of seats stretched off into the gloom.

Naruto opened his eyes abruptly and found himself sitting in the front row of the theater.

He looked around blankly, but the empty theater held no sign of anyone else; he was sitting there all alone.

"Is this... a theater?"

Naruto froze, then his entire demeanor wilted.

There was no familiar, warm bedroom, no sign of his mom and dad—only cold, silent, empty seats.

He lowered his head, a thick sense of loss welling up in his heart. "So... was the last time really the final time after all..."

[Ding! Emotional fluctuation from Naruto Uzumaki captured! Emotion points +300!]

[Ding! Emotional fluctuation from Naruto Uzumaki captured! Emotion points +300!]

[Ding! Emotional fluctuation from Naruto Uzumaki captured! Emotion points +300!]

Deep within the darkness of the theater, a figure stood quietly, watching the back of the blond boy in the front row.

"Heh heh... how could I let you back into a dream so soon, Naruto."

Shigure's lips curled into a smile. "It's great having multiple dream-fulfillment targets. If I only let Naruto dream, his emotional fluctuations get smaller and smaller once he gets used to the situation. But now that I've added Sasuke, the pressure and competition between the two make the emotion points flow in much more abundantly.

This is what they call the 'catfish effect,' heh heh..."

I don't know how much time passed.

Suddenly, ripples like waves disturbed the air.

Immediately after, two blurry figures appeared abruptly in the front row of the audience.

Hearing movement beside him, Naruto jerked his head up. "Kakashi-sensei? Sakura?"

"Yo!" Kakashi greeted him lazily.

Sakura just huffed and muttered "scumbag" under her breath, which counted as her greeting.

"Damn it..." Seeing the two of them appear, Naruto realized it was likely Sasuke's turn to dream again. He could only seethe with impotent rage, crossing his arms with a pout. "Why is it Sasuke again!"

Seeing this, Kakashi suddenly said, "Naruto, don't be discouraged. Perhaps you can see what's happening in the dream through Sasuke's perspective."

Naruto's body jolted, the image of his parents flashing through his mind.

That's right, if Sasuke was still dreaming in that world, maybe his mom and dad would appear too.

At the thought, his annoyed mood improved slightly, and his gaze couldn't help but drift toward the massive black screen in front of him.

Just then, the pitch-black screen at the front of the theater flickered to life with a buzz.

The image gradually emerged, reflecting the figure of Sasuke.

In the scene, Sasuke was standing in his own living room.

Before him stood a woman with beautiful features and a gentle temperament—his mother, Mikoto Uchiha.

Watching her dawdling son, Mikoto was caught between laughter and tears as she urged him, "Sasuke, why aren't you out the door yet? Aren't you supposed to go on a mission with Naruto and the others today?"

Sasuke hung his head and muttered, "I... I want to stay home with you a bit longer, Mom."

Mikoto was taken aback by his words, then shook her head with a laugh. "I really don't know what to do with you... I saw you weren't feeling well yesterday, so I specifically let you stay home and even sent word to Kakashi-sensei and the others. I didn't expect you to still be trying to slack off at home today!"

She put on a stern face, half-joking and half-serious. "You've already become a genin, so what's the point of staying home all day? Now, hurry up and meet your teammates. Don't keep them waiting too long, you hear?"

"But... I..." Sasuke was still reluctant, but meeting his mother's slightly authoritative gaze, he could only nod sullenly. "Fine, I understand."

Seeing her son finally agree, Mikoto broke into a relieved smile. "That's better. Be careful on the road, and stay safe."

Sasuke looked at his mother's gentle smile, a warmth spreading through his heart.

He opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to say something more, but in the end, he only whispered, "...I'm leaving."

Mikoto stood by the entrance, watching Sasuke push the door open and leave. She didn't turn back to the house until his slender silhouette disappeared at the end of the alley.

Sasuke walked alone through the streets, a light breeze brushing his face.

He thought of the gentle yet firm expression his mother had worn while giving her instructions, and his heart was filled with a complex mix of emotions.

"Mom in the dream... she really is exactly the same as in my memories."

At this very moment, Sasuke suddenly realized a problem.

Where was the meeting spot?

Where would Kakashi-sensei in the dream... be holding the meeting?

Sasuke pondered for a moment. "Since our team assignments haven't changed in the dream, I assume the meeting spot is still the same old place."

Having made up his mind, he followed the familiar route from his memory and walked briskly toward the small bridge where Team 7 usually gathered.

Along the way, everywhere Sasuke looked, there were various shops hanging the Uchiha clan crest. The streets were bustling with people coming and going.

Compared to the cold, dilapidated Uchiha Clan District in reality, every sight here felt exceptionally precious.

Many of the shop owners were acquaintances from the clan. Seeing Sasuke pass by, they greeted him warmly: "Young Master Sasuke, heading out on a mission today? Good luck!"

Sasuke smiled and nodded to each of them, but his heart was churning with waves of emotion.

These clansmen who were smiling and talking to him were already gone in reality...

Clenching his fists, Sasuke suppressed the surging emotions in his heart and pushed through the crowd to the meeting spot from his memory.

Sure enough, Naruto and Sakura were already waiting there.

Sakura was hovering around Naruto, chattering away about something, while Naruto leaned lazily against a tree by the bridge with his hands behind his head. A relaxed smile hung on his lips, and he appeared exceptionally confident and composed.

Sasuke's footsteps faltered, and his brow furrowed involuntarily.

That Naruto—why does he feel so strange?

His demeanor, his behavior, even his temperament and appearance were all slightly different from his memories.

He looked closely and discovered that Naruto seemed to be half a head taller than before. That shouldn't be right; in reality, Naruto was supposed to be a bit shorter than him!

How was this Naruto taller than him?

While he was lost in doubt, the blond boy ahead noticed him.

Naruto froze for a second, then broke into a bright, gentle smile. He walked over with Sakura by his side and waved at Sasuke. "Good morning, Sasuke-kun!"

"We were just about to go find you to meet up," Sakura added, waving sweetly at Sasuke with a happy smile on her face. "Good morning, Sasuke!"

Sasuke watched as Naruto and Sakura ran toward him from either side. Naruto's face was lit with a brilliant smile, as warm as the sun.

He subconsciously felt that the Naruto before him was somewhat unfamiliar.

How could this smile make someone feel... a little handsome?

Sasuke shook his head abruptly, secretly annoyed that he had been swayed by Naruto's smiling face.

He immediately regained his composure and put on a stern face again.

Naruto soon arrived a short distance in front of Sasuke, his eyes curving into friendly arcs.

He looked at Sasuke with concern.

"Sasuke-kun, you're here. Auntie Mikoto said you weren't feeling well yesterday. Do you feel better today?"

As Naruto spoke, he looked Sasuke up and down carefully, his expression full of genuine care and sincerity.

Naruto's concern sounded sincere and gentle, like a spring breeze.

But it left Sasuke looking horrified.

What the hell is this cheerful, gentle, and polite guy?!

Is this really Naruto?

[Ding! Emotional fluctuation from Sasuke Uchiha captured! Emotion points +400!]