Just as Naruto was feeling a bit proud of himself, a sudden knock came from the front door, echoing clearly through the quiet little house.
"Huh? Who'd be visiting me at this hour?" Naruto blinked in surprise and quickly jumped up from the bed. "Coming!"
He hurried to the door and swung it open.
Standing outside was an elderly man, his wrinkled face calm, a pipe resting between his lips, and a warm smile on his face.
"Ah! Grandpa Hokage!" Naruto's eyes widened in surprise.
The visitor was none other than the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
After hearing Kakashi's full report, Hiruzen had pondered deeply and decided it was necessary to check on Naruto personally.
Besides, the monthly living stipend for Naruto was due, so he figured he could deliver it himself along the way.
"Haha, what's this? Am I not welcome anymore, just because I'm an old man?" Hiruzen chuckled as he stepped inside.
But as soon as he crossed the threshold, he paused slightly in surprise. "Oh? Naruto… did you clean your room?"
Naruto scratched the back of his head and grinned. "Yeah… it was a total mess. I spent a while tidying everything up."
Hiruzen glanced around. The floors were spotless, the furniture neatly arranged it was a completely different sight from the cluttered little place he remembered. He nodded with clear approval. "Not bad at all. You're growing up, taking the initiative to keep your room in order."
Naruto beamed with pride, his face lighting up with a joyful smile.
Hiruzen turned around and pulled a thick envelope from inside his robe. He handed it to Naruto. "This is your monthly living allowance from the village. Everything's in here make sure to spend it wisely."
"Oh!" Naruto quickly took the envelope with both hands. "Thanks, Grandpa Hokage!"
He held the envelope close, his smile bright and grateful.
At that moment, Naruto suddenly recalled what his mother had told him in his dream when someone treats you with kindness, you should show sincere gratitude in return.
Just as Hiruzen was about to say something else, Naruto bent deeply at the waist, bowing with all his heart.
"Grandpa Hokage… thank you for always taking care of me!"
With his head lowered, his tone was serious and full of emotion. It was a rare moment of heartfelt sincerity, unlike his usual easygoing self.
Hiruzen stood stunned, staring at the blonde-haired boy in front of him in silent amazement.
Naruto had never bowed to him so earnestly before.
"Ahem…" Hiruzen finally snapped out of it, a warm, pleased smile rising on his face.
He gently reached out and helped Naruto back up. "Good boy. You don't need to thank me. This is something I'm glad to do."
"No I still want to thank you!" Naruto stood up straight and gave a firm nod, his voice resolute.
Naruto was truly grateful for the care and support the old man had shown him while he was growing up.
"Hehe, okay, okay." Hiruzen smiled warmly, stroking his beard. "By the way, Naruto… Grandpa wants to ask you something. Who taught you to say that just now?"
Naruto blinked in surprise, then scratched the back of his head and laughed. "Hehe, my mom did! She said that when someone gives you something or helps you, you should always say thank you properly. It's the most basic form of courtesy."
"Your... mom?" Hiruzen paused, visibly stunned. A look of confusion flickered across his face. "Who do you mean, exactly?"
"My mom," Naruto repeated as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "The mom I saw in my dream! She has long red hair, a gentle voice, and her cooking is amazing! She's a little strict sometimes, but most of the time she's really kind to me."
Hiruzen stood there in silence, lost in thought.
Of course, he knew exactly who Naruto was describing. There was no mistaking it that red-haired woman could only be Uzumaki Kushina.
In that moment, Hiruzen felt his heart tighten with emotion.
Kakashi had been right all along.
Naruto had truly seen Minato and Kushina in his dreams.
Even though Kakashi had already reported everything in detail, hearing it directly from Naruto struck with a force that written words simply couldn't convey.
After all, Kushina had passed away more than ten years ago. Naruto had never seen her before. There was no way he could have imagined her appearance and personality so accurately on his own.
In his dream, Naruto had met his mother and even learned lessons about etiquette something he'd never encountered in real life.
All of this confirmed beyond a doubt that what Kakashi described really had happened.
In the dream, every one of Sasuke's moves every technique, every strike was utterly insignificant in the face of Uchiha Itachi.
He had been defeated before he could even lay a finger on his opponent's cloak.
Even if the dream had been an illusion, Itachi's overwhelming strength had burned itself into Sasuke's memory.
The gap between them was a vast chasm an abyss that felt impossible to cross.
"…I'm still far from it."
Sasuke stared up at the towering stone wall, eyes full of frustration and pain.
"Damn it!" he muttered, head lowered, dark hair hanging down to hide his eyes. "At this level… how could I ever hope to defeat him?"
He took several deep breaths, trying to calm the storm in his chest. Then he raised his head and fixed his gaze once more on the steep rock face before him.
His body was tired, aching from the training, but his will the fire that burned inside him only made his eyes burn fiercer.
"One day… I will defeat you with my own hands! I'll restore the honor of the Uchiha clan!"
The village of Konoha slowly settled into calm.
Streetlights glowed dimly in the quiet evening, their soft amber light spilling through the window of Naruto's small bedroom.
He lay flat on his back, staring at the ceiling. His heart thudded restlessly in his chest sleep felt like the farthest thing from his mind.
After a while, Naruto suddenly rolled over and sat up. He clasped his hands tightly together, closed his eyes, and looked as serious as someone about to deliver a sacred prayer.
"Oh please… let me see my parents again tonight…"
He made the wish quietly in his heart. Then he took a deep breath, lay back down, and pulled the blanket up to his chin.
Tonight, he had gone to bed earlier than usual on purpose.
He hoped that if he fell asleep before Sasuke, maybe… just maybe… it would be his turn to enter the dream world.
The thought that he might get to see his parents again made Naruto's heart pound, excitement and nervousness swirling together in his chest.
"Stay calm… relax… just fall asleep early…"
He whispered to himself, forcing his body to unwind, trying to slow the pace of his breath and heartbeat.
Sleepiness crept in little by little.
Naruto's thoughts grew fuzzy. His eyelids drooped, and the weight of the day gently pulled him under.
Soon, he drifted off into a peaceful slumber.