The moment Kakashi saw the image on the screen clearly, he froze in his seat as if petrified!
Then, an indescribable wave of emotions, like a volcanic eruption, instantly shattered all his composure and pretense. He shot up from his seat, his one exposed eye widening as he stared intently at the screen.
"This... This is impossible!"
This time, the image on the screen was no longer the blurry, red-haired figure he'd only glimpsed last night. Instead, it was a truly vivid and clear figure!
It was a beautiful woman with long, blazing red hair, an apron tied around her neck, and a gentle, vibrant smile on her face, busy preparing dinner in the kitchen! Her profile was soft, with a touch of heroism between her brows, and her eyes were bright and warm, filled with a zest for life. It truly was Kushina-senpai! The very same Uzumaki Kushina, as if she'd never left!
And more than that. Kakashi's eyes darted across the background.
That kitchen, filled with a warm, everyday atmosphere, and the living room layout, furniture, and wall paintings visible through the kitchen door...
It's here! It's definitely here! This is clearly... the home of Minato-sensei and Kushina-senpai!
He was certain he wasn't mistaken. Back then, as Minato-sensei's most trusted disciple, he had visited this place countless times to discuss missions with him, to eat with his wife... While the details in the image differed slightly from his memory, the overall structure and feel were definitely the same place.
But... this house...
To completely erase Naruto's connection with Minato and to protect Naruto's safety, the Third Hokage had ordered it sealed and destroyed twelve years ago, shortly after the Nine-Tails' attack. Even the relevant records were classified as top secret!
Naruto... there was no way he knew this house existed. Much less was he aware of its internal structure.
So, what was going on before his eyes?
If last night's fleeting glimpse could be explained by coincidence or subconscious reflection... then what about now? This crystal-clear image, this unmistakable scene, was definitely no coincidence. Nor was it something Naruto could have imagined.
[Ding! Emotional fluctuations from Hatake Kakashi captured! Emotional value +1000!]
"Kakashi-sensei? What's wrong with you?"
Sakura's concerned voice echoed nearby. She and Sasuke stared in wonder at Kakashi, who was becoming a bit overwhelmed by his emotions. To them, the scene on the screen was ordinary: just a gentle-looking red-haired woman cooking. Nothing special, right? Why the teacher's reaction?
"Tsk, tsk, tsk... As expected of the Sixth Hokage."
In the shadows of the last row of the theater, Shigure watched the numbers on the system panel soar again, grinning from ear to ear. "I didn't expect that Kakashi, the one who usually seems the most unmotivated in Team 7, is actually the hidden powerhouse of emotional value. Just a little stimulation and it's skyrocketing."
Shigure stroked his chin, a calculating glint in his eyes. He glanced at his system panel again.
[Dream Master System]
[Current Dream Fulfillment Level: Level 1 (7450/100000)]
[Target Dream Fulfillment Number: 1]
[Number of Viewers: 3]
[Dream Instance Limit: 1]
[Current Dream Instance: "The Flash Never Dies" - This time, on the night destined for death, the Yellow Flash thwarted the enemy's plot.]
...
According to the system, this instance isn't a completely ethereal illusion but rather a "parallel world fragment" simulated and constructed by the system based on the real world. Within this fragment, key historical nodes may be altered for some reason, leading to a future completely different from the main world.
"Only this possibility, based on 'reality,' can maximize the ability to engage the participants' true emotions and bring about intense emotional fluctuations... Kakashi's reaction was so strong because he saw not just an image, but a 'possible past or future.'"
However, he also noted the system's limitations. With his current Level 1 permissions, he couldn't freely create instances and couldn't treat others' dreams as a blank canvas to paint freely.
He can only choose to make "fine adjustments" based on a key life node of a "dream goal". The only thing he can change is the direction of that "key node".
This is also an important reason why Shigure chose Naruto as the first target. There are too many "regrets" and "possibilities" in Naruto's life. His life trajectory, as long as the initial tragic node is changed, everything that follows will change drastically. This huge contrast and possibility is the best catalyst for emotional value.
"Hehehe... Kakashi, enjoy it. This is... the 'truth' of another possibility."
Shigure's gaze returned to the screen.
In the image, Naruto in his dream also seemed somewhat bewildered. He sat blankly on the plush sofa in the living room, gazing around blankly.
This was... a home?
A remarkably clean, bright, and... warm home. The air was filled with the enticing aroma of food, emanating from the adjacent kitchen.
He turned and saw a checkered tablecloth-covered table in the center of the living room, already laden with a hearty, steaming meal. There was his favorite miso ramen, a golden omelet, a lush green salad, and... a large plate of delicious-looking tonkatsu.
On the other side of the living room, in the connected open kitchen, a figure with dazzling red hair bustled about. Her movements seemed expert, humming a tuneless tune as she added ingredients to a soup pot. The sunlight in dreams always shone brightly.
The light shone through the kitchen window onto her profile, outlining a soft, beautiful silhouette.
Naruto looked at the figure, his heart beating uncontrollably.
Who is this red-haired auntie? She feels... so familiar... so kind...
Just then, the red-haired woman seemed to notice his gaze. She turned around and gave Naruto an extremely gentle smile.
She walked out of the kitchen with the last large plate of fragrant fried chicken nuggets, placed the dish on the dining table, and then called to the still dazed Naruto in a tone full of energy and doting:
"Naruto! What are you still sitting there for? Go wash your hands! It's time to eat!"
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Early chapter @ patreon.com/Reborn_noob