Naruto: Dream System

(eight chapters combined into one chapter remember to drop power stones and reviews!)

However, Naruto, Sakura, and Ino clearly had no idea what was happening.

Their knowledge of genjutsu was still at the surface level taught at the Academy. None of them had ever heard of such advanced illusion battles.

Naruto pointed at the screen with confusion. "Teacher Kakashi, why's that weird guy talking to a tree?"

Kakashi shook his head and patiently explained to his students. "He's been caught in Itachi's illusion."

"Illusion?" the three asked together, their faces brimming with curiosity.

"Yes." Kakashi seized the chance to teach. "Genjutsu is a type of ninjutsu that directly targets the mind. It disrupts the flow of an enemy's chakra and manipulates their five senses, trapping them in illusions. The strongest genjutsu can inflict torment worse than death, shattering the victim's mind entirely. What you see now is Orochimaru mistaking that tree for Itachi. Everything he perceives what he sees, hears, and feels has been warped by Itachi's Sharingan."

"Ohhh, so that's how it works!" After hearing Kakashi's clear explanation, the three students suddenly understood. Their faces lit with surprise and admiration.

"Pfft, this guy's weak!" Naruto scoffed, folding his arms behind his head and smirking like a know-it-all. "He can't even break free from an illusion. I think he's worse than Zabuza, that rogue ninja from the Mist! Teacher Kakashi, didn't you say Zabuza almost broke Sasuke's illusion with sheer willpower?"

He was remembering their mission in the Land of Waves, when Sasuke had used his Sharingan to cast genjutsu on Zabuza.

Kakashi shook his head and corrected him firmly. "No, Naruto, you're mistaken. This man Orochimaru is far stronger than Zabuza. The two of them aren't even in the same league."

As he said this, Kakashi frowned slightly, doubt flickering in his visible eye.

Something didn't add up.

He had no doubts about Itachi's strength, but… could he really overwhelm Orochimaru this easily?

As one of the Legendary Sannin, Orochimaru stood at the pinnacle of the shinobi world in strength, experience, and cunning.

His power was so dreadful that even the Third Hokage struggled to hold him back.

And Itachi how old was he now?

Even as the Uchiha clan's greatest prodigy, it was unthinkable for someone so young to reach a level high enough to crush Orochimaru outright.

There had to be some hidden reason Kakashi couldn't yet see.

In the picture.

Orochimaru remained completely oblivious to the fact that he was ensnared in Itachi's genjutsu. Staring at the tree, nearly snapped in half by the serpents, he continued his twisted, obsessive ramblings.

"Hehehe… your body… your eyes… If I could claim them, I would attain eternal life! Perfect immortality! With them, I could unravel every truth of this world!"

His hoarse voice carried a sharp edge, dripping with madness. His golden snake eyes gleamed with sick desire.

Sasuke, standing to the side, rolled his eyes and smirked to himself.

Pathetic.

This guy still hasn't realized he's been tricked. Ranting at a tree like some fool… how shameful.

Itachi's expression didn't change. His gaze was cool, laced with faint disgust and impatience.

He had nothing but contempt for men like Orochimaru, consumed by forbidden techniques and warped desires, who twisted the meaning of life for their own ends.

Unshaken by Orochimaru's crazed words, Itachi's eyes regarded him like one might look at an insect.

And then, with a chilling calm, he spoke just a few words.

"A foolish delusion."

The moment Itachi's words fell, Orochimaru's golden, snake-like eyes shrank in shock. The smug smile froze on his face.

It was as if a bucket of ice water had been dumped over his head. He looked at the thick tree bound by serpents in front of him with disbelief, his expression going slack.

"I I was actually caught in a genjutsu?!" Orochimaru twisted his serpentine neck stiffly.

His face contorted in horror as he stared at Uchiha Itachi, calm and unshaken, as though he were seeing a ghost.

"I can't move my body! What level of illusion is this?!"

He could feel countless invisible chains binding him, his limbs frozen. Even twitching a finger took immense effort.

But in the next instant, his fear twisted into something else his greed burned hotter than ever. He fixed his gaze hungrily on Itachi's eyes.

Because at that moment, the dark pupils of Itachi's Sharingan shifted.

Around the black centers spun three strange, rotating shapes like windmill blades. Different from the ordinary three-tomoe form, these eyes radiated an unfathomable and terrifying beauty, filled with crushing power.

"The Mangekyō Sharingan?!"

Orochimaru's breath quickened, his chest rising and falling as madness shone in his golden eyes. It was as if he had glimpsed the ultimate treasure of the shinobi world.

"Such overwhelming eye power! Such perfection! Is this the true strength of the Uchiha?!"

His long tongue slid out and licked his cracked lips greedily. His hoarse voice trembled with obsession. "So beautiful… so perfect… I must have those eyes!"

"Mangekyō Sharingan?"

Sasuke's heart thudded at the unfamiliar word. Curiosity and desire flickered in his gaze. "What is that? It sounds even stronger than the three-tomoe Sharingan…"

[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Uchiha Sasuke detected! Emotional value +200!]

From his distance behind Itachi, Sasuke couldn't clearly see his brother's eyes. Still, the mysterious term gripped his heart. He felt instinctively that this Mangekyō Sharingan was the key to unlocking the Uchiha clan's deepest secrets.

At that moment, Orochimaru, though trapped in Itachi's illusion and bound tightly, let out a furious roar. An astonishing force of will burst from his golden eyes as he struggled against the crushing pressure in his mind.

He forced his hands upward, inch by inch, attempting to form hand seals. His chakra stirred violently, and he tried to summon jutsu to break free.

A glint of surprise flickered in Itachi's gaze.

Worthy of one of the Legendary Sannin. Orochimaru was not easy prey.

Yet even as he acknowledged it, his expression remained cold. Against a threat like Orochimaru, hesitation was unthinkable.

A flash of steel glinted in his right hand an Uchiha-crafted kunai appeared soundlessly.

With a single flick of his wrist, the blade cut a merciless arc through the air, as sharp as death's own judgment.

"Pshhht!"

The sound of flesh tearing echoed. A spray of warm blood glittered crimson under the shafts of sunlight piercing the forest canopy.

Orochimaru's right hand fell to the grass with a wet thud, blood pouring from the stump.

"All your struggles are meaningless before my eyes."

Itachi's voice was icy, stripped of all feeling.

"Nii-san…"

Sasuke's eyes widened, filled with awe and envy.

So this was the true power of the Sharingan.

So strong!

Compared to Nii-san's overwhelming strength, my own Sharingan mastery is still far too shallow!

[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Uchiha Sasuke detected! Emotional value +300!]

The searing pain from his severed wrist allowed Orochimaru to briefly tear himself free from Tsukuyomi's crushing illusion.

Clutching his bleeding stump, his body convulsed under the agony. His face drained of all color, twisted in horror and rage, while his golden, snake-like eyes burned with madness.

"You're too arrogant, Uchiha Itachi!" he spat.

Auditorium.

"Wow! Is that really Sasuke-kun's brother? He's so handsome! Absolutely incredible!!"

Ino squealed as she watched Itachi's cold precision and dominance on the battlefield. Her eyes glittered with admiration.

"That's right! He's amazing!" Sakura nodded vigorously, her cheeks flushed. "I never thought Sasuke-kun's brother would be so calm and decisive in battle. He's so dependable."

[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Yamanaka Ino detected! Emotional value +200!]

[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Haruno Sakura detected! Emotional value +200!]

"Tch. Both of those brothers are just showing off." Naruto pouted and muttered under his breath.

[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Uzumaki Naruto detected! Emotional value +200!]

Kakashi, however, stared intently at Itachi's Sharingan displayed on the screen, his hand lightly touching his chin, his visible eye filled with thought.

"The Mangekyō Sharingan…" he murmured.

On the screen.

Itachi stood poised, a bloodstained kunai in hand, its sharp tip leveled at the pale and trembling Orochimaru. His gaze was as cold as winter ice.

"If you are responsible for killing these faceless shinobi, then you have violated the laws of Konoha. I, Uchiha Itachi, as Captain of the First Division of the Konoha Police Force, hereby place you under arrest!"

"You will not act with impunity in this village. Orochimaru S-rank rogue of Konoha!"

Orochimaru's expression twisted darker still. Blood seeped between his pale fingers as he clutched his ruined wrist, fury blazing in his golden eyes.

How laughable.

He was one of the Legendary Sannin Orochimaru!

"Heh… heheheh…"

A low, serpentine laugh spilled from his lips.

"Uchiha Itachi… you are very good… very good indeed…"

Just as the tension in the clearing stretched taut, ready to erupt into another clash

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Several kunai and shuriken gleamed in the sunlight as they shot from the forest behind Itachi, slicing through the air like venomous vipers.

Their deadly trajectory aimed straight for Itachi's vital points.

The speed, precision, and angles revealed this was no random strike it had been meticulously planned.

The attacker was none other than the gray-haired youth in glasses, the one who had earlier claimed to be dispatched by the Fourth Hokage to aid the police force.

However, faced with this sudden betrayal and deadly ambush, Uchiha Itachi reacted as though he had eyes in the back of his head. Without even turning fully, he shifted his body slightly, twisting into an incredible posture that allowed him to avoid every single weapon with ease.

The kunai and shuriken whistled past, grazing the hem of his cloak before embedding themselves deep into the ground before him.

"Hmph. I knew there was something wrong with you." Itachi slowly turned, his gaze cold as he looked at the gray-haired youth, his voice calm but carrying the weight of one who had already foreseen everything.

From the very beginning, he had sensed something off about this so-called "helper." He simply hadn't expected the betrayal to come at this exact moment.

The gray-haired youth didn't flinch. Instead, he calmly adjusted his glasses with one hand, a faint, chilling glint flashing behind the lenses.

"Hehehe… Kabuto. Just in time!" Orochimaru rasped with a hoarse, satisfied laugh.

Ignoring the pain in his mutilated wrist, Orochimaru leapt backward, retreating dozens of meters until he stood at the side of the bespectacled young man now revealed as Kabuto.

Orochimaru's most trusted and capable subordinate Yakushi Kabuto had finally shed his disguise.

Kabuto gave Itachi a mocking smile.

"So what if you've seen through me, Uchiha Itachi? You're already too late. Look at your precious little brother."

"What?!"

Itachi's heart clenched at the words.

A split-second later, the faint crackle of burning reached his ears.

"Sasuke!"

His expression changed at once, and he whipped his head around.

At the same time, Sasuke, who had been focused on the battle before him, finally realized something was wrong.

He instinctively looked down his pupils shrank in terror.

Without his notice, several explosive tags had been laid at his feet.

Now, sparks crawled across their surfaces, glowing with dangerous red light. They were seconds from detonation.

"Wh-when ?!"

Sasuke's breath caught in his throat.

He had been so absorbed in watching his brother clash with Orochimaru that he hadn't noticed when the gray-haired shinobi had crept so close.

[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Uchiha Sasuke detected! Emotional value +400!]

"BOOM!!!!"

The tags erupted in a blinding flash of light, followed by a deafening explosion.

A monstrous shockwave tore through the clearing, carrying scorching heat and a storm of shattered branches.

The earth quaked violently, as though a dragon was thrashing beneath the ground.

At the critical moment, Uchiha Itachi appeared before Sasuke like a phantom, pulling his terrified younger brother tightly into his arms.

The smoke slowly thinned. Holding Sasuke close, Itachi darted through the chaos with practiced agility, landing them both behind the cover of a massive boulder.

He set Sasuke down carefully and immediately checked him over, his voice tense with concern. "Sasuke! Are you alright? Are you hurt?" ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ɴovel(ꜰ)ɪre.nᴇt

Sasuke's face was pale, his ears still ringing from the blast. It took him several seconds to recover his senses.

Finally, he shook his head, his voice trembling. "I I'm fine, Nii-san "

Itachi let out a quiet breath of relief when he confirmed Sasuke was unharmed.

Then he turned sharply, his eyes narrowing toward the site of the explosion.

All that remained was a massive charred crater and faint smears of blood. Orochimaru and Yakushi Kabuto were nowhere to be seen.

They had taken advantage of the chaos to escape.

Itachi's expression hardened, his handsome features set in ice.

If betraying the village was already an unforgivable crime, then laying hands on his younger brother was a transgression beyond all bounds.

From the depths of the forest, Orochimaru's hoarse, venomous voice echoed faintly, slithering through the trees like a chilling whisper:

"Hehehe… the collapse of Konoha has already begun, Uchiha Itachi! You cannot escape. We will meet again… soon… soon… hehehe…"

The voice faded gradually into the woods, leaving only an eerie echo hanging in the silence.

[Dream Target: Uchiha Sasuke]

[Viewers: Uzumaki Naruto, Haruno Sakura, Hatake Kakashi, Yamanaka Ino]

[Total Emotional Value Gained: 30,200 points!]

[Current Emotional Value Balance: 245,631 points!]

Current Dream Level: 3 (300,131 / 300,000)

[Upgrade conditions met. Proceed with upgrade?]

[Dream Master System Upgrade Successful!]

[Please select one of the following enhancement effects]

[1. Increase number of dream targets +1]

[2. Unlock Dream Dungeon Expansion Pack: "Slam Dunk"]

[3. Increase Dream Intensity (unlock stronger dream targets)]

Aren's gaze lingered on the three choices for a moment before settling firmly on the third. A gleam of determination flashed in his eyes.

The first option, increasing the number of dream targets, was tempting.

More targets meant more stable streams of emotional value.

But right now, with so many restrictions, simply adding more people was not the most efficient path.

The second option the "Slam Dunk" expansion he dismissed outright.

Seriously? In the world of Naruto, where destruction lurks at every turn, playing basketball?

What next, Naruto pulling off a "Rasengan Dunk," or Sasuke hitting a "Chidori Three-Pointer"?

Compared to that, the third option "Increase Dream Intensity" was exactly what he needed.

It meant he could finally draw stronger shinobi into the Dream Theater.

Kakashi. The Tsuchikage. Itachi. Even the Hokage.

Each of them carried obsessions and regrets deeper than most could imagine.

If Aren could tap into those hearts, the emotional surges would be immense.

"I'll choose this one," Aren said decisively.

[System Upgrade Successful]

[Current Dream Level: 4 (300,131 / 400,000)]

[Number of Dream Targets: 2]

[Viewers: 4]

[Dream Instance Limit: 1]

[Current Dream Instance: "Eternal Flash"]

Looking at the updated data on the system panel, Aren nodded in satisfaction.

The next morning.

At the border of the Land of Waves, inside a simple temporary tent

Kakashi awoke suddenly, sitting bolt upright, his brow furrowed.

The scenes from last night's dream replayed vividly in his mind.

Most troubling were Orochimaru's final words before his departure, which weighed heavily on his heart.

Most of the events within these dreams had always aligned closely with reality.

The dreams he experienced in that strange "theater" often carried a startling degree of consistency with real-world events, even foreshadowing future outcomes.

If Orochimaru in the dream revealed his intent to attack Konoha, could it mean that in reality, Orochimaru was already plotting against the village?

Kakashi felt a headache form at the very thought.

He knew better than most the true terror of Orochimaru.

If that man seriously set his sights on destroying Konoha, the consequences would be catastrophic.

For a brief moment, Kakashi even considered abandoning their current escort mission to rush back to the village and report this information to the Third Hokage in person.

But as he wrestled with his unease, weighing the options, the tent flap suddenly flew open.

"Kakashi-sensei! Why aren't you packed yet? The sun's practically burning our butts already! We've gotta get moving!"

Naruto's familiar, boisterous voice filled the tent.

Kakashi looked up to see Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Dazna already dressed and waiting outside, eager to depart.

"Ah, sorry, sorry." Kakashi stood quickly, responding in his usual casual tone. "Give me a minute. I'll be right there."

As he packed his gear, his thoughts continued to race.

The escort mission may have seemed simple on the surface, but for these three freshly graduated Genin, it was critical.

Their performance on this mission would determine whether they were deemed qualified to participate in the upcoming Chunin Exams, jointly held by Konoha and Sunagakure.

The Chunin Exams were more than just a test of skill. They were also an international stage, a platform for villages to showcase their strength and secure more high-level missions.

If Team 7 failed this assignment and missed the chance to enter the Exams, it would deal a serious blow to their growth.

Orochimaru's potential plot was urgent, but the information came from a dream its authenticity remained uncertain.

If it turned out to be nothing more than a false alarm, and he sacrificed his students' future because of it, that too would be a grave mistake.

Kakashi took a breath, weighing his options, and made his decision.

He would pass the intelligence back to Konoha immediately and let the Third Hokage investigate and decide the next steps.

Then, Team 7 accelerated at full speed, determined to finish their mission in the Land of Waves as quickly as possible and return to the village without delay.

This way, Kakashi could ensure that the critical information reached Konoha in time, while still allowing his students to participate in the upcoming Chunin Exams.

Having made his decision, Kakashi's movements grew sharp and efficient.

He swiftly packed his bag, pulled a blank scroll, pen, and ink from his ninja pouch, then leaned over a wooden crate and quickly wrote down the details of Orochimaru's words and the troubling dream from the night before.

When he finished, he rolled the scroll carefully, formed hand seals, and whispered, "Ninja Art: Summoning Technique Spiritual Communication!"

"Poof!"

A puff of white smoke cleared, revealing a small pug with drooping ears, a wrinkled face, and a perpetually tired expression.

The dog wore a Konoha forehead protector and a blue vest. This was one of Kakashi's ninja hounds Pakkun.

The pug yawned widely, grumbling in his distinctive hoarse voice. "What's the deal, Kakashi? Summoning me this early… don't you know I was still sleeping?"

"Pakkun, this is urgent," Kakashi said firmly, his expression unusually grave. He ignored the complaint and handed the scroll over.

"Take this to the Third Hokage immediately. Deliver it personally. This information is extremely important go at top speed. There must be no delay."

Seeing Kakashi's tone so different from his usual laid-back manner, Pakkun immediately understood the seriousness.

He stopped joking, nodded solemnly, clamped the scroll in his jaws, wagged his tail once in acknowledgment, then sniffed out the direction of Konoha.

In the next instant, he was gone vanishing into the morning woods like a brown blur.

Sasuke, who had been standing nearby, had silently watched every move.

He noticed that Kakashi, normally so casual and lazy, was wearing a serious expression he had never shown before.

Was it connected to what that mysterious attacker had said yesterday?

The cold image of Orochimaru surfaced in Sasuke's mind, along with the haunting words: "The Leaf will fall."

A solemn light flickered in his dark pupils.

When Pakkun's figure disappeared from view, Kakashi turned to his team, his tone low and firm. "Alright, let's move! From here on, we pick up the pace. We must complete this mission quickly then return to Konoha."

The straight-line distance between the Land of Waves and Konoha wasn't actually that far.

At a normal shinobi pace, it would take less than a day.

The only reason Team 7 had been so slow before was because of their client, Dazna, an ordinary old man who couldn't keep up.

But this problem was nothing to an experienced jonin like Hatake Kakashi.

Kakashi strode over to Dazna, who was still yawning. He spoke a few words, and before the bridge builder could even react

Kakashi bent down and hoisted the stunned Dazna onto his shoulder with ease.

"K-Kakashi-san, what are you "

Dazna began to struggle, but Kakashi cut him off with a deep voice. "Hold tight, Mr. Dazna. We're moving at full speed."

Before he even finished, Kakashi pushed off with explosive force, launching forward like an arrow. The wind from his movement was so fierce that Dazna had to squeeze his eyes shut.

"Hey! Kakashi-sensei, wait for us!"

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura were caught off guard for a moment, then quickly snapped back to their senses.

They sprinted after him at full speed, matching Kakashi's pace as best they could.

During missions, the jonin squad leader held absolute authority.

Since Kakashi had decided to speed up, the three subordinates naturally obeyed without question.

The four of them raced swiftly along the forest path.

Fortunately, ever since their joint effort to "repel" Momochi Zabuza a few days earlier, no further enemy attacks had occurred during the mission in the Land of Waves.

This allowed Team 7's journey to proceed smoothly and at high speed.

By that afternoon, before the sun dipped completely below the horizon, they reached the border of the Land of Fire.

Up ahead lay the ferry leading to the Land of Waves.

Meanwhile, in Konoha Village, inside the Hokage's office

The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, sat behind his massive desk, surrounded by towering stacks of official documents, while the familiar green smoke of his pipe curled lazily through the room.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

Suddenly, a series of light, rapid knocks came from the window.

Sarutobi frowned slightly and rose to his feet, puzzled. Who would try to enter in this way at such an hour?

Sliding the window open a crack, he caught sight of a dust-covered pug, panting heavily.

It was Kakashi's ninja hound Pakkun.

At once, Sarutobi's gaze sharpened.

He recognized the small dog instantly. Kakashi had relied on Pakkun to deliver urgent intelligence more than once in the past.

"Pakkun? Why are you here?" Sarutobi quickly opened the window fully to let the exhausted hound in.

Pakkun hopped onto the windowsill and dropped the tightly gripped scroll onto the desk.

"Yes… Kakashi asked me to bring this," Pakkun rasped between heavy breaths. "He said it's very important. I ran back at top speed… I'm exhausted. I need to rest…"

Before he finished, Pakkun's form vanished in a puff of smoke, his summoning released so he could return to rest.

Sarutobi stared at the scroll, its surface smudged with dirt, his frown deepening.

"Kakashi should be on an escort mission to the Land of Waves. What could be so urgent that he would send Pakkun back like this?"

An uneasy premonition stirred in his chest. He quickly untied the cord, unrolled the scroll, and read.

The graceful, steady handwriting was unmistakably Kakashi's. But the contents made Sarutobi's pupils contract.

" Check if there are any corpses of attacked candidates near Konoha. If such bodies are found, it means Orochimaru may be planning something against the village "

After finishing, Sarutobi's expression grew grim.

Orochimaru.

That name weighed heavily in Konoha's history and in Sarutobi's heart.

Once his most gifted disciple, the one he had placed the greatest hopes in, Orochimaru had turned away from the village, strayed onto the forbidden path, and become one of Konoha's most dangerous S-rank rogue ninja.

"The examinees' corpses… the Chunin Exams…" Sarutobi muttered, his eyes turning cold and sharp. "That man Orochimaru… is he planning to use the Chunin Exams to strike Konoha?"

Meanwhile, pushing himself at full speed without caring for chakra consumption, Kakashi led Team 7 to Dazna's home in the Land of Waves by nightfall.

Yet even though the escort portion of their mission had reached its conclusion, their true task was far from over.

According to the agreement, they still needed to protect Dazna until the great bridge linking the Land of Waves to the mainland was fully completed before returning to Konoha.

From a distance, they could already see the bridge.

Its main structure was more than half finished, with only the final stages of construction remaining.

At this pace, in just a few more days, the "Bridge of Hope," carrying the dreams of the Land of Waves, would stand completed.

After an entire day of near non-stop forced marching, the three young Genin were utterly exhausted, their bodies aching.

After a simple dinner, each of them found a place to rest.

Naruto and Sakura collapsed onto the hallway floor, groaning as they rubbed their sore legs and complained to Kakashi.

"Kakashi-sensei, you pushed us too hard today!" Naruto whined, lying flat. "I'm completely drained. I feel like my bones are falling apart!"

"That's right, Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura added, rubbing her shoulders with a pained look. "We barely rested the whole day. Even the strongest person couldn't take this pace."

Kakashi gave them his trademark lazy-eyed smile. "Well, this is also part of your training. On missions, time is critical. Shinobi often need to travel quickly like this. Getting used to it now will benefit you in the future."

At that moment, Sasuke, who had been quietly polishing his kunai, suddenly looked up. His dark eyes fixed on Kakashi as he asked, his voice calm but sharp, "Kakashi-sensei… if the village really is in danger, why don't we return to Konoha immediately? Why stay here to finish this mission? Is this bridge really that important?"

Kakashi raised an eyebrow at the question. A trace of approval flickered in his eye.

So Sasuke had already picked up on the abnormality of his behavior today.

As expected of an Uchiha, Kakashi thought.

He sighed inwardly, then his smile faded into a more serious expression.

"You're right, Sasuke," he admitted. "The reason I hurried us along today is because I received intelligence suggesting that Konoha may be in danger. But we cannot return just yet."

"This Chunin Exam is no ordinary exam." Kakashi's gaze swept over Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura as he explained slowly. "It is being jointly held by Konoha and our ally, the Village Hidden in the Sand. It isn't only a test for Genin. It's also a stage for both villages to secretly compete and showcase their strength."

"The results of the Chunin Exam will directly influence how the Daimyo evaluates Konoha's military power. They will also impact the type and number of high-level missions assigned to our village. In short, this concerns Konoha's reputation… and its economic lifeline."

Naruto, unable to hold back, sat up with wide eyes. "Eh? Kakashi-sensei, does that mean we're going to take part in the Chunin Exams too?"

This was the first time Kakashi had given them clear confirmation.

Kakashi nodded firmly. "Yes. The Third Hokage has already decided to recommend Team 7 for the Chunin Selection Exams. That's why this mission must be completed successfully. It's both a test of your abilities and a prerequisite for your qualification."

"So that's how it is…"

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura exchanged thoughtful looks.

Although they had glimpsed the Chunin Exams through dreams before, this was the first time they truly understood the deeper meaning and importance behind them.

Kakashi studied their different reactions, then added, "Starting tomorrow, while we help Mr. Dazna complete the bridge, I'll also give you focused training. Special training to prepare for the upcoming Chunin Exams."

"Special training?"

Sasuke's eyes sharpened with anticipation and fighting spirit. He nodded decisively. "Good. I'm ready."

He never turned down any chance to grow stronger.

Naruto, however, felt something more complicated stirring in his heart.

Having learned powerful ninjutsu like the Rasengan and even "defeated" a jonin-level opponent like Zabuza, Naruto's confidence had swelled to the point of arrogance.

The corners of his mouth curved upward as he thought smugly, "It's just the Chunin Exams. What's the big deal? I've already beaten a jonin. Why should I be afraid of a bunch of Genin and Chunin? I'll pass easily and shock everyone!"

Sasuke caught the fleeting look of pride on Naruto's face and the obvious arrogance in his demeanor. He snorted inwardly, then said flatly, "Idiot."

"What did you say?!" Naruto shot up like a startled cat, glaring at Sasuke.

"Alright, enough. Stop it." Kakashi cut in before the two could break into their daily squabble.

He looked directly at Naruto and spoke with rare seriousness. "Naruto, I know you've grown a lot lately, and you've mastered some powerful techniques. But don't get cocky. This year's Chunin Exams will gather elite Genin from every major village. Many of them are strong opponents. If you think you can coast through with just a Rasengan, you're in for a rude awakening."

Kakashi's words struck Naruto like cold water, dimming his overconfidence.

Naruto curled his lips, still a bit dissatisfied, but chose not to argue back.

As night deepened, the exhaustion of the day caught up with them. Everyone soon drifted into sleep.

That familiar sensation of weightlessness came again. When Sasuke opened his eyes, he found himself staring at the familiar ceiling of his dream world.

"Hmph, is it my turn again today?" Sasuke smirked.

Perfect. That meant another chance to learn new ninjutsu from Nii-san. How exciting.

[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Uchiha Sasuke detected! Emotional value +200!]

At the same time, the "audience members" reappeared in the Dream Theater's auditorium.

After her previous experiences, Ino no longer felt the panic and unease she had at first. She found her usual spot with ease and sat beside Sakura.

On the other side, Naruto slouched in his seat, arms folded, his whole body radiating gloom.

After another long day of travel, he was too drained to even start an argument with Sasuke.

Sakura looked equally fatigued, sitting listlessly in her chair.

Only Kakashi remained fully alert.

He stared intently at the giant black screen, his brows slightly furrowed.

The intel I got from yesterday's dream was far too little. Almost nothing about Orochimaru. I can only hope tonight's dream will reveal more.

In the picture.

Sasuke packed his things quickly and came down from upstairs.

Right away, he noticed Nii-san, Uchiha Itachi, seated formally at the low table in the living room. Opposite him sat Uchiha Shisui.

Itachi's brows were slightly furrowed, his expression serious as he questioned Shisui.

"Orochimaru's whereabouts still no trace?" Itachi's low voice carried a note of concern.

Shisui shook his head, his face equally grim. "No. That guy is slippery. The Police Force and the Anbu have been tracking him for days, but we still haven't pinned down his exact location. What's certain is that he's still active somewhere near Konoha."

Sasuke stepped forward and greeted them politely. "Good morning, Shisui-san."

Then he turned to his brother. "Good morning, Nii-san."

Both Itachi and Shisui returned his greeting with a small smile.

Sasuke's eyes then lit with eagerness as he asked expectantly, "Nii-san, when are we heading out on patrol today?"

Itachi's smile faded slightly. He reached out and ruffled Sasuke's hair in his usual gentle way, speaking softly. "Sasuke, the village has been unstable lately, and there are people with ill intent targeting me. It's too dangerous for you to patrol by my side. Once this matter is resolved, I'll take you with me, alright?"

The eager expectation on Sasuke's face instantly collapsed. He pouted, clearly dissatisfied.

He muttered under his breath, "But… that guy who attacked Nii-san yesterday looked really weak."

[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Uchiha Sasuke detected! Emotional value +200!]

"Do you really need to take it so seriously?" Sasuke asked, frowning in confusion.

At that, Shisui's expression sobered. He warned firmly, "Sasuke, don't underestimate him. That man is one of the Legendary Three Sannin Orochimaru. His strength is terrifying. He's no ordinary opponent."

Itachi nodded, his tone equally grave. "That's right, Sasuke. That's exactly what troubles me. Yesterday, during the encounter, Orochimaru's performance was… too weak. It felt unnatural."

He paused, then explained further. "I've met Jiraiya-sama, another of the Sannin, on several occasions. His aura alone was enough to crush opponents. Orochimaru's power is on par with Jiraiya's. So it makes no sense that he fell so easily to me. I suspect he was deliberately holding back, trying to lull us into lowering our guard."

Itachi's eyes shifted toward the window, his voice heavy. "And with the upcoming joint Chunin Exams, many outsiders have flooded into Konoha. It's a chaotic mix, which makes our investigation even harder. Sasuke, it's best you stay in the village. Don't leave on your own it's safer that way."

In the audience.

Listening to the exchange, Naruto scratched his head in confusion. "Weird… I think Sasuke and I are on the same page. That creepy guy yesterday was driven off by Sasuke's brother the moment he appeared. He didn't look strong at all. Why's Sasuke's brother acting so nervous?"

Sakura and Ino both nodded, sharing the same doubt.

To them, Orochimaru seemed pitifully weak.

Only Kakashi's face remained serious. "No. That man… is very strong."

Naruto, Sakura, and Ino turned toward him in surprise.

Kakashi kept his gaze fixed on the screen, his tone measured. "What's strange is that he was subdued by Itachi so easily. Something must have happened in the dream that we couldn't see. Perhaps Orochimaru wasn't able to fight at full strength. But make no mistake that man is undeniably powerful."

"How strong is he?" Naruto asked with wide eyes. "Is he… even stronger than Zabuza with the big sword?"

Kakashi drew a slow, deep breath before answering. "His strength is on the level of a Hokage."

"What?!"

Naruto, Sakura, and Ino shouted in unison, their faces pale with shock and disbelief.

[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Uzumaki Naruto detected! Emotional value +200!]

[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Haruno Sakura detected! Emotional value +200!]

[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Yamanaka Ino detected! Emotional value +200!]

Kakashi's choice to say this wasn't simply to frighten them.

As Orochimaru was an S-rank rogue ninja, his threat was real. It was better to warn the children now and prepare their hearts, rather than let them stumble into danger blindly.

In the dream, Itachi and Shisui spoke briefly, then left the house together, clearly heading to continue their pursuit of Orochimaru's trail.

Sasuke's parents were absent today as well. Whatever occupied them, the Uchiha mansion felt empty.

For a moment, Sasuke stood alone in the wide, quiet living room, realizing he had the house to himself.

No Ninja Academy. Nii-san hadn't taken him on patrol. Even his parents weren't home.

"Damn it, Nii-san's so annoying. He said he'd train with me," Sasuke grumbled in frustration, his lips curling.

But then his expression shifted, his eyes flashing with inspiration.

That's right. He could go find Naruto for a spar!

Sasuke's lips curved into a faint, eager smile.

The Naruto that existed in this dream world was frighteningly strong so strong that even Kakashi's presence in reality felt less oppressive by comparison.

To face such an opponent in battle would no doubt sharpen his strength.

And more than that

Sasuke stroked his chin, a sly gleam flickering in his eyes.

This was the perfect chance to erase the humiliation of last time. He had grown stronger since then, and now he had new power to prove it.

Once Sasuke decided on something, he never hesitated.

He turned at once and headed straight toward Naruto's house.

In the audience.

Seeing Sasuke's purposeful stride on the screen, Ino narrowed her eyes, then cast a sidelong glance at the Naruto sitting nearby. She leaned close to Sakura and whispered in confusion, "Sakura, is Sasuke going to spar with Naruto?"

[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Yamanaka Ino detected! Emotional value +100!]

Naruto's hearing was sharp. Even though Ino had spoken in a low voice, he caught every word.

"What?!" He jumped up angrily. "What do you mean by that, Ino-pig? You think I'm weaker than that stuck-up Sasuke?!"

[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Uzumaki Naruto detected! Emotional value +400!]

Sakura glanced at Naruto's indignant face and covered her mouth with a giggle.

She explained to Ino, "Don't underestimate him. The Naruto inside the dream isn't the same as the Naruto we see every day. You'll be surprised when you watch."

"Really?" Ino blinked, unconvinced. Her face still showed doubt.

On the screen.

Sasuke strode quickly through the streets of Konoha.

Though he had never been to Naruto's home inside the dream before, he had watched Naruto's dreams enough times to memorize the paths Naruto usually took when leaving his house.

Besides, in this dream-built Konoha, most of the layout remained the same as reality except for the Uchiha compound and Naruto's residence.

With that knowledge, Sasuke easily pieced together Naruto's location.

Their homes weren't far from each other.

Ignoring the bustling stalls lining the street and the cheerful chatter of passersby, Sasuke moved straight toward his destination, not sparing a glance at the distractions around him.

Just as he turned down an alley close to Naruto's home, a figure suddenly leapt out and blocked his path.

It was a girl about Sasuke's age.

She carried a massive iron fan and wore her blond hair in four distinctive ponytails. A Sand Village forehead protector gleamed at her neck as she eyed Sasuke with open curiosity.

"Hey, handsome!" the girl called, pointing her fan at him. "Why the rush? You look bored. How about I keep you company and we go shopping together?"

Sasuke's expression cooled instantly. His sharp gaze swept over her forehead protector she was a ninja from the Sand.

He shook his head without a word, his face impassive, and brushed past her.

"Tch. Lame," the girl muttered, curling her lip in dissatisfaction.

Sasuke smirked inwardly.

What a joke. He wasn't some fool like Naruto who wasted time chasing after girls. How could he squander his precious training time on something as pointless as shopping?

[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Uchiha Sasuke detected! Emotional value +200!]

Soon after, Sasuke arrived at Naruto's doorstep.

Sasuke straightened his clothes before knocking on the door.

After a short moment, the door opened to reveal Naruto's mother, Uzumaki Kushina.

Sasuke quickly bowed and greeted her politely. "Hello, Aunt Kushina. Is Naruto home? I came to talk to him about something."

Kushina's face lit with a warm smile. "Oh, Sasuke! Come in, come in! Naruto's here, I'll call him for you right away!"

She turned back into the house and shouted, "Naruto! Sasuke's here to see you!"

Moments later, a blond boy stepped out. He wore neat, casual clothes, and his smile was bright as the sun.

It was Uzumaki Naruto within the dream world.

He greeted Sasuke with a radiant expression.

In the audience.

Ino's eyes widened at the sight of this cheerful, well-dressed Naruto. "Naruto?! Since when do you have such a handsome brother?!" she exclaimed.

[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Yamanaka Ino detected! Emotional value +300!]

Naruto, who had been sitting cross-legged and smugly enjoying the show, nearly toppled out of his chair at her words.

He shot to his feet, face flushing with panic. "Brother?! What are you talking about?! That's me! He looks exactly like me how could he be my brother?!"

[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Uzumaki Naruto detected! Emotional value +400!]

Sakura burst out laughing at Naruto's frustration.

Even Kakashi, who usually kept his composure, couldn't suppress a small grin. The corners of his mouth tugged upward despite himself.

The entire theater filled with laughter and lightness.

[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Haruno Sakura detected! Emotional value +200!]

[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Hatake Kakashi detected! Emotional value +200!]

Ino, however, was still stunned. She pointed at the screen and asked, wide-eyed, "Wait… Sakura, are you telling me that sunny, handsome guy with the clean clothes and tidy hair is really Naruto?!"

[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Yamanaka Ino detected! Emotional value +300!]

Naruto crossed his arms and pouted, clearly sulking. "What?! Sakura too? Ino too?! He looks exactly the same as me how is he supposed to be that much more handsome?!"

At that, Sakura and Ino exchanged a glance. Then, with perfect timing, they nodded in unison and answered together:

"Much more handsome!"

Naruto: "..."

[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Uzumaki Naruto detected! Emotional value +400!]

On the screen.

Sasuke got straight to the point. "Naruto, the Chunin Exams are coming soon. I want to train with you to grow stronger."

Dream Naruto smiled warmly and nodded. "Of course, Sasuke-kun. That's exactly what I was hoping for too."

Sasuke couldn't help the confident grin that spread across his face.

This time is different from last time. I've mastered the art of genjutsu. Let's see how you handle me now.

Dream Naruto chuckled, almost as though he could read Sasuke's mind. "Shh… Sasuke-kun looks extra confident today."

Sasuke raised the corners of his mouth in a defiant grin. "Of course! Just wait and see, Naruto!"

Dream Naruto nodded, his eyes sharpening. "Then today, I'll have to show you some of my best techniques."

The two smirked at each other, then walked side by side toward the training grounds outside the village.

Before long, they arrived at the familiar Third Training Ground.

After a brief exchange of hand seals in salute, Sasuke didn't bother with the usual shuriken testing. Instead, he drew in a deep breath, his eyes flashing as the Sharingan instantly spun to life.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"

Without hesitation, he opened with Fire Release.

A massive fireball roared forward, radiating scorching heat as it surged straight for Naruto.

"Water Style: Bullet!"

Naruto countered immediately. A tightly compressed ball of water shot from his mouth and struck the fireball dead-on.

"Boom!"

The collision of fire and water erupted in midair, releasing a billowing cloud of steam that quickly engulfed the battlefield.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes, his brows furrowing.

Water Release? Since when did Naruto learn Water Release? Last time, he used Wind Style to break my fire…

Before he could make sense of it, the steam cleared.

And then he froze.

On Naruto's shoulder sat a palm-sized, bright orange clam, its cheeks puffed and its tiny face radiating anger.

[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Uchiha Sasuke detected! Emotional value +200!]

Naruto noticed Sasuke's shock and smiled. "What's the matter, Sasuke-kun? Surprised? This is my summoning beast, Gaji. He helped me use Water Release just now. It's a method I learned from Jiraiya-sensei one meant specifically to counter the Sharingan."

"Summoning beast… counters the Sharingan?" Sasuke repeated, his eyes flashing with disbelief.

A clam? Just a tiny clam… and it could counter the Uchiha's bloodline limit? Impossible.

"Hmph. Stop acting mysterious!" Sasuke scoffed, his Sharingan spinning rapidly. "Let's see just how strong your little trick really is!"

Power gathered in his gaze as he cast his genjutsu.

"Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique!"

His invisible spiritual force lashed out, locking onto Naruto.

But to Sasuke's shock, Naruto only stiffened for the briefest moment then stood there calmly, staring back at him as if nothing had happened.

His illusion hadn't worked.

[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Uchiha Sasuke detected! Emotional value +400!]

Sasuke's heart pounded. His Sharingan genjutsu something he took such pride in had failed completely?

Impossible!

Before he could recover, Naruto moved.

With a sudden kick, Naruto blurred and vanished from sight, his body flickering like a ghost.

Sasuke's chest tightened. He quickly pushed his Sharingan to its limits, desperate to track Naruto's movements.

"Here!" Sasuke growled, throwing a punch to his left.

"Boom!"

His fist connected striking Naruto's form squarely.

But in the next instant, the figure dissolved into a puff of white smoke.

"Shadow Clone?!" Sasuke's pupils shrank.

"Too slow, Sasuke-kun." Naruto's cheerful voice suddenly rang out from behind him.

Startled, Sasuke whirled around to defend himself only to see Naruto already there, whipping a powerful kick toward his side.

In a rush, Sasuke raised his arms to block.

"Bang!"

The force slammed into him like an iron hammer. His arms went numb, and his body was sent flying uncontrollably, rolling across the ground before he finally stopped.

"Damn it "

Gritting his teeth, Sasuke forced himself up, frustration burning in his eyes.

No matter if it was taijutsu, ninjutsu, or even combat awareness this Naruto in front of him far surpassed anything he had imagined.

Drawing a sharp breath, Sasuke began to form hand seals, preparing to unleash an even stronger Fire Style.

But Naruto didn't give him the chance.

"It's over, Sasuke-kun."

The voice carried calm authority.

Sasuke's head jerked up Naruto was suddenly right before him, close enough to touch. In his palm spun a swirling ball of pure chakra, glowing blue and whirring with devastating force.

"Rasengan!"

Sasuke's pupils contracted sharply. The small sphere radiated a killing intent that froze him to his core.

He tried to dodge but his body felt locked, pinned down by some unseen force, unable to move.

And then

The Rasengan stopped. Just an inch away from his abdomen.

Naruto let the chakra sphere dissipate. He smiled apologetically, then extended a hand to pull the dazed Sasuke up from the ground.

"Thank you, Sasuke-kun."

Staring at the all-too-familiar scene, Sasuke's face twisted with unwillingness.

Again.

He had lost again.

And this time it was a complete defeat.

[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Uchiha Sasuke detected! Emotional value +300!]

This Naruto was simply too strong. His taijutsu flawless, his ninjutsu overwhelming, and his combat style endless. Sasuke had been left with no chance to fight back.

[Dream Target Achieved: Uchiha Sasuke]

[Viewers: Uzumaki Naruto, Haruno Sakura, Hatake Kakashi, Yamanaka Ino]

[Total Emotional Value Gained: 24,100 points!]

[Current Emotional Value Balance: 269,731 points!]

[Dream Level: 4 (324,231 / 400,000)]