Chapter 27 – Sakura: Naruto... Handsome? That’s Impossible!

In the audience, just in front of the screen, Hinata's eyes were shimmering with moisture.

That expression on Naruto's face—lonely, yet laced with determination—stabbed at her heart like a blade softened by sorrow.

Has Naruto-kun... always been this strong?

Even in his dreams, he kept pushing forward, never giving up.

Hinata's gaze flickered. Her admiration for him deepened, folding gently into a quiet ache.

Meanwhile, Sakura just shrugged, utterly unfazed.

—"You saw it yourself. In his dream, Naruto has his parents with him. That's why even his personality's calmer than usual."

Kakashi gave a thoughtful nod at her words, eyes returning to the screen.

On it, at the breakfast table, Kushina gently ruffled Naruto's hair with a warm smile.

—"Alright, stop frowning. Eat before it gets cold. After breakfast, go practice your Rasengan in the backyard. Your dad's going to want to see progress when he gets home."

—"Hehe, got it!"

The gloom vanished from Naruto's face, replaced by a bright grin. He grabbed the rice ball and downed it in a few hearty bites.

—"I'll give it my all! When Dad gets back, I'll blow him away!"

Before she could even react, he'd scarfed down everything on the table and dashed out the door like a gust of wind, leaving Kushina chuckling in his wake as he raced toward the training grounds.

Out back, wooden targets and training posts were set up—clearly a space for father and son to hone their skills together.

Naruto reached into his pouch and pulled out a brand-new rubber ball. He took a steadying breath and held it in his palm, his expression sharp with focus.

He could still recall his father's guidance. Eyes burning with resolve, he began to gather chakra between his hands.

A pale blue light swirled into existence in his palm, spinning and buzzing with a low hum.

Naruto's brow tightened. He focused with all his might, shaping the chakra, forcing it to rotate and strike the rubber ball again and again—

Then suddenly, just two seconds in—

BANG.

The ball exploded in his hands. Shreds of rubber shot in every direction.

He froze, stunned, staring at the half-shredded husk of the ball still clinging to his fingers.

—"…Wait… did I just—do it?!"

In reality, he remembered how long it had taken just to get a small crack in the ball—hours of exhausting training just to barely progress to stage two of the Rasengan.

And now? Just one try—and the ball had been obliterated.

He slowly opened his right hand, as if in disbelief. Faint warmth still lingered in his palm from the spinning chakra.

His thoughts raced.

Why does training in the dream feel so much easier?

Could it be… that chakra in this dreamscape obeys him more smoothly than in the real world?

His mind spiraled through endless questions. He remembered how easily chakra had flowed earlier—like water over smooth stone—and whispered to himself:

—"Feels like… chakra control's way more natural here. Could this be... my true strength?"

From the audience seats, Kakashi's eyes narrowed, his expression turning grim.

What Naruto didn't know… was that in the real world, the Nine-Tails sealed inside him constantly interfered with his chakra control.

But here, in this dream world, that interference was gone. He could unleash his full potential—perhaps even beyond it.

"If that's really the case…"

Kakashi's heart skipped. But there were too many unknowns. For now, all he could do was keep watching.

Sakura, however, turned to him in disbelief.

—"Naruto just pulled it off that easily? Kakashi-sensei, is the second stage of the Rasengan supposed to be this simple?"

Kakashi shook his head, his tone heavy.

—"Not at all. The Fourth Hokage spent three years developing that jutsu."

Hinata didn't quite follow the technical details—but she wasn't concerned with that.

Her eyes sparkled with quiet admiration as she watched the screen, unable to stop herself from whispering:

—"Naruto-kun… is amazing."

A soft blush bloomed across her cheeks, a sweet warmth rising in her chest.

Dream Naruto... was strong. So resilient. And, when she looked closer… he even seemed a little more handsome. More confident.

Bathed in morning light, the golden-haired boy stood tall on the screen—brimming with energy, his smile shining like the sun.

Hinata stared, mesmerized.

In her pale eyes, his figure reflected like a vision—and even the corners of her eyes were tinged with an unconscious smile.

—"Naruto-kun... you look different somehow."

—"Huh?" Sakura turned toward her, equal parts confused and amused. "Different how? Isn't he still the same hopeless dead-last?"

—"I-I didn't mean it like that!" Hinata flushed, instantly flustered, waving her hands. "I just meant... in the dream, Naruto-kun seems a little more… bright and confident. Maybe even... handsome."

—"Handsome?" Sakura echoed, her face twisting in disbelief as if the words themselves were wrong.

She couldn't fathom putting "Naruto" and "handsome" in the same sentence.

But then her mind wandered—recalling the real-life Naruto: constantly laughing like a fool, loud, messy, and never dressed properly.

Then she looked back at the screen…

And… yeah. There was a difference.

Dream Naruto wore clean clothes. His hair was neat. His posture upright. He looked taller. That radiant grin on his face—it had weight. Confidence. Presence.

That stupid dead-last…

Was somehow starting to look… a little like a real ninja.

—"Hmph."

Sakura huffed and looked away with a pout, refusing to admit it even to herself.

She'd never say Naruto was good-looking. Not out loud.

[DING! Emotional fluctuation detected from Haruno Sakura! Emotion value +100!]

[DING! Emotional fluctuation detected from Hyuuga Hinata! Emotion value +200!]

Back on screen, Naruto was still lost in thought, confused by his own progress.

He stood there for a moment, ready to try again—when suddenly, Kushina's voice called from inside:

—"Naruto! Someone's at the door—go answer it!"

—"Okay!"

He clapped the dust from his hands and jogged around the house toward the front gate.

The doorbell was still ringing, clear and insistent—whoever was outside wasn't planning on leaving anytime soon.

—"Who visits this early in the morning?"

Scratching his head, Naruto turned the handle and slowly opened the door.

His eyes went wide.

Standing just outside was none other than the dignified, imposing yet refined head of the Hyuuga Clan—Hyuuga Hiashi.

And beside him, standing a respectful half-step behind—

Was his daughter, Hinata.

Hiashi wore a deep-colored kimono, loose-fitting and elegant, draped beneath the large-sleeved white robe bearing the clan's crest. His long, dark purple hair flowed behind him like a waterfall.

He stood tall, hands clasped behind his back, the headband on his forehead casting light over his clear white Byakugan eyes. His presence was sharp, like a pine tree rooted in storm.

But in this moment, his face was softened by a rare smile—none of the cold harshness he used on his clan. His eyes were kind as he looked upon the stunned Naruto.

Behind him, Hinata fidgeted.

She peeked out from behind her father, nervous but curious, glancing at Naruto's home.

In her hands, she held a carefully wrapped rectangular gift box in silk, clutching it tightly as she peeked around Hiashi's robes to steal a glance at the boy standing in the doorway.

—"Good morning, Naruto." Hiashi offered a graceful nod, his voice calm and composed. "Sorry to intrude so early. I brought my daughter with me—hope we're not interrupting anything."

Naruto snapped out of his daze.

He almost blurted out "Oh, it's that weird girl from class", but then quickly remembered:

Say that in front of his mom, and he'd get smacked.

He waved his hands in a panic, stumbling over his words.

—"U-uh, my dad's not home right now… but my mom is! She's inside!"

This wasn't like calling people weird nicknames at school.

Right now, in front of his mom, he wanted to act proper—for once.

He scratched the back of his head, trying to smile, but ended up stammering:

—"If you're here to see my dad, maybe come back later...?"