—
On screen.
Under Kushina's lead, Naruto continued toward the gathering place of the Uchiha clan.
It wasn't long before a large Uchiha estate came into view in the distance.
That was Sasuke's home.
Normally quiet and solemn, the estate was now decorated with bright lanterns and colorful banners—clearly the site of a major celebration.
A lively crowd had already formed at the gates, guests coming and going in waves.
"Whoa—so many people!"
Naruto's eyes widened as he looked ahead, curiosity sparkling in his gaze.
He'd always known the Uchiha were a powerful clan, but seeing such a grand event firsthand was a whole different experience.
Kushina smiled and explained,
"The Uchiha are the largest clan in Konoha. When the clan head throws a party, everyone shows up to offer their congratulations."
Naruto nodded, staring at the lively crowd.
At the entrance to the estate, two figures stood greeting arriving guests.
From the distance, they looked like two Uchiha—one tall, one short—but it was hard to make out their faces.
Naruto guessed that the shorter one might be Sasuke.
This party was probably for him, after all. He had just graduated from the Academy not long ago.
But who was the other one—taller than Sasuke, standing right beside him?
As Naruto followed his mother closer, his mind buzzed with speculation.
At the same time, voices drifted from the crowd around them—quiet conversations between guests.
"I heard Clan Head Fugaku is planning to semi-retire. He's going to hand over the position of Police Force Commander to his eldest son."
"Really? Isn't he announcing it during this banquet?"
"Makes sense. Word is, his eldest just awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan not long ago. Double celebration!"
"Fugaku is truly blessed—both his sons are outstanding."
"No kidding! The older one awakened the Mangekyō at such a young age, and the younger just graduated second in the whole Academy. At this rate, the Uchiha are going to rise to new heights."
These murmured conversations trickled into Naruto's ears.
He walked ahead, only catching bits and pieces, but he got the general idea.
The voices weren't particularly loud, so the first part didn't register completely. But the last sentence rang out clear as day:
"The younger one just graduated second in the whole school…"
"…Huh?"
Naruto stopped in his tracks, confusion flashing across his face.
Second in the whole school?
Sasuke?
Naruto frowned slightly, puzzled.
Sure, Sasuke could be a bit full of himself, but Naruto had to admit—he was strong.
He remembered it clearly: in their class, Sasuke had graduated first. Without question.
So where was this "second place" coming from?
He couldn't make sense of it, so he turned and looked up at his mother.
"Mom, Sasuke only got second place? Then… who was first?"
Kushina blinked, caught off guard. "Huh?"
She looked down at her son in surprise.
Then, suddenly, her brows knit together in mock anger. She reached out and gave Naruto a sharp flick on the forehead.
"You little brat! What kind of nonsense are you spouting?"
"Oww—!" Naruto yelped, clutching his stinging forehead and stumbling back, looking aggrieved.
"Mom! What was that for?!"
He looked up at her with watery eyes, completely lost on what he'd done wrong.
Kushina put her hands on her hips and gave him a stern glare.
"Don't use that sarcastic tone when asking questions like that! Who have you been hanging out with? First place was you, obviously! Why are you acting like it's someone else? Don't talk like that again—so full of yourself!"
"Wha—?!" Naruto gawked at her. "F-First place… was me?!"
He pointed at his own nose, completely stunned.
"Mom… are you serious? I was top of the class? You're not joking?!"
[Ding! Emotional fluctuation from Uzumaki Naruto detected! +200 emotion points!]
—
In the audience seats.
Haruno Sakura scrunched her nose as she watched Naruto's stunned expression on the screen.
"Tch—Naruto's always having these ridiculous daydreams!"
To her, this dream where Naruto made himself out to be better than Sasuke was just his over-the-top imagination running wild.
Totally in character for a loudmouth idiot like him.
Beside her, Kakashi didn't respond, but his gaze grew more thoughtful.
Naruto becoming top of the class in his dream… on the surface, it seemed like a subconscious wish.
But the more Kakashi observed, the clearer it became—this dream was far more than just fantasy.
He rubbed his chin in contemplation. Something important was beginning to take shape.
As for Sasuke, he couldn't care less about who was first or second right now.
All his attention was locked on the two figures standing at the Uchiha estate gates in the screen.
As Naruto and Kushina walked closer, the two faces grew clearer.
Sasuke held his breath, heart pounding.
One of the figures was unmistakable—his younger self, standing upright, welcoming guests at the front gates.
And the one beside him…
Sasuke's eyes locked on that face, soul trembling as if it might leap out of his body.
In the soft glow of the dream, the older boy had handsome features, black hair tied in a low ponytail, a Konoha headband across his brow, and a calm, gentle demeanor.
He wore the Uchiha clan attire, the fan crest proudly displayed on his chest. There was no doubt he was Uchiha.
That refined face… that composed presence—
It was him.
Sasuke's pupils shrank violently. He froze, like struck by lightning.
Even after all these years, he recognized that face instantly. The one that haunted his nights and scorched his memories.
"…?!"
His voice came out hoarse, disbelief widening his eyes as he stared at the youth standing calmly in the dream.
That person—so familiar, yet so impossibly distant.
Uchiha Itachi.
His brother.
[Ding! Emotional fluctuation from Uchiha Sasuke detected! +2000 emotion points!]
"This can't be happening!"
Sasuke cried out, voice cracking with emotion.
His eyes flew open, heart slamming in his chest as he stared at the image of Itachi, who stood at the family gates—calm, poised, smiling—as if he'd never left.
As if he hadn't murdered their clan.
As if he hadn't killed their parents.
As if he wasn't the traitor who destroyed everything.
"No… No way! Why is he here?!"
Sasuke completely lost control. His breathing turned ragged, chest heaving.
Sakura blinked, startled. "Who… who is that?"
To her, just an outsider, the identity of this man was unknown.
Kakashi, however, remained silent, eyes locked on the screen with a heavy look.
He knew exactly who the man was—what he represented to Sasuke.
Seeing Sasuke on the verge of collapse, Kakashi was about to step in, but before he could—
"IT'S ALL FAKE!! FAKE!!" Sasuke suddenly screamed.
His voice was hoarse, almost choked, his Sharingan faintly flaring red as tears threatened to fall.
He wanted to deny everything—everything this dream was showing him.
That figure…
[Ding! Emotional fluctuation from Uchiha Sasuke detected! +1000 emotion points!]
—
In the audience.
Sasuke's chest rose and fell in violent rhythm, waves of grief, rage, and sorrow crashing in his eyes.
Sakura was frozen in place, stunned by his reaction and not daring to speak again.
On screen, the dream continued…