***
**Chapter 13: My Dream**
"I'm back!"
Naruto shouted loudly as he pushed open the door, then flashed an awkward smile at Rubik behind him.
"Uh, saying that when I'm home alone does feel kinda weird, huh..."
Rubik felt a pang in his heart at Naruto's smile.
*"Next up, another tearjerker tale of Obito the simp.."* Rubik couldn't help but mentally roast his cheap old man again.
*(Inside the Kamui dimension)*
"Achoo! What's going on? Weird, this body shouldn't even get colds anymore. Guess I'll have to use phasing next time I head to Amegakure..."
The man wearing the swirl mask muttered to himself in confusion.
*(Reality)*
Rubik's mouth twitched as he eyed Naruto's messy room, suddenly at a loss for where to step. He wouldn't call himself a neat freak—not anymore, anyway. After years tagging along with Jiraiya, he'd long since parted ways with the concept of "clean." But this scene was still a bit over the top.
"Ahaha, uh, maybe you wait outside for a bit, Rubik bro? I can use Shadow Clones to clean it up super fast!" Naruto scratched his cheek, feeling regret for the first time in his life over his sloppy habits.
Rubik shook his head gently and ruffled the blond head that was a full head shorter than his own.
"Shadow Clones are handy, sure, but the fatigue hits the real you when they dispel. Fine for missions, but try not to overuse them day-to-day. Even with Uzumaki vitality, you gotta take care of your body."
He paused, his tone softening. "Besides, you don't need Shadow Clones to chase away loneliness anymore."
"Rubik bro! H-how'd you know...?" Naruto's eyes widened, his blue irises swirling with emotion and confusion—this was something he'd never told anyone...
"Yeah... let's just say I've got some mind-reading superpower or whatever!" Rubik winked at him, then swept his hand dramatically. "Alright! Mission objective: clear all the trash and scrub this place spotless! Naruto, let's do this!"
"Oh yeah!"
After a flurry of activity...
Naruto flopped onto the floor, clothes dusted with grime, panting as he asked, "Rubik bro! How come you're not even tired? Cleaning feels way harder than a mission!"
"Don't fight it—this counts as training too, y'know."
Rubik was actually enjoying himself. He hadn't properly cleaned a house since his mom passed away, and it stirred up some nostalgia.
"All done!" Pride swelled in both their chests as they surveyed the spotless room.
*Grrrowl~* Naruto clutched his stomach with a loud rumble.
"Ah! Time to eat! Hang on, Rubik bro—I'll grab the good stuff!"
Before Rubik could respond, Naruto blurred into a golden streak, yanked open the fridge, and plunked over a dozen instant ramen cups on the table.
He wiped his mouth proudly. "These are my prized collection—collector's editions! Go wild, bro: char siu, miso, low-salt... full lineup, pick your poison!"
*"All ramen, as expected."* Rubik thought, unsurprised.
He didn't take the bait, instead heading straight to the kitchen. "First meal together? Let's make something fresh. Ramen can wait. Naruto! Come help out!"
"Huh? But I got no ingredients..." Naruto said, puzzled.
Rubik revealed the sealing formula on his left wrist. "Release!"
With a puff of smoke, a pile of potatoes, fresh beef, and assorted seasonings materialized.
"Whoa?! You made 'em appear! So cool—like when Sasuke summons his wind shuriken!"
"Yeah, storage seals work like this too. Ninjas just don't waste 'em on food usually," Rubik explained.
"By the way, Rubik bro, why so many potatoes?"
"Because they generate electricity."
"Huh?"
"Kidding—it's just my master's favorite." Rubik tossed out a white lie.
"Oh yeah! I haven't met your master yet! Anyone who trained a beast like you must be insane. One of the Legendary Sannin, right...? What're their names again?" Naruto's curiosity bubbled over.
Rubik's mouth twitched at the thought of that unreliable, lecherous white-haired geezer.
"Uh... yeah, a great ninja. Super strong." He squeezed out a sliver of truth.
"See? Can't wait to meet him, Rubik bro!"
"Uh... sure." Rubik mumbled, adding inwardly, *"I'd advise lower expectations if I were you..."*
"Don't worry—you'll meet him soon enough. Anyway, enough chit-chat," Rubik cut in quickly, "or we'll miss dinner!"
"Osu!"
...
On the table steamed a feast of potato beef curry, potato pancakes, potato salad, and mashed potatoes. Naruto gawked.
"Huh?! All potatoes, but so many dishes?"
"Don't underestimate potatoes—their potential's limitless." Rubik grinned, hands on hips, beaming at his "potato banquet."
"Dig in before it cools."
"Itadakimasu!" Naruto dove in with chopsticks, scarfing it down—this was the first real home-cooked meal in his own house.
"Whoa, slow down—don't choke," Rubik warned.
"Thanks, Rubik bro..." Naruto mumbled through a mouthful.
"That's like the tenth time today. Just focus on the food when you're eating." Rubik smiled warmly.
"Mm!"
...
After dinner, Naruto offered his bed to Rubik and insisted on sleeping on the floor, but Rubik shot it down firmly. Naruto then suggested squeezing in together, only for Rubik to nix it with "bed's too small for two" (real reason: Naruto's apocalyptic sleeping habits).
Late at night
Lying in bed, not quite ready to sleep, the restless Naruto peppered Rubik with questions. Rubik answered patiently. They talked about lost mothers, travels, ninjutsu training... and dreams.
"Hey, Rubik bro, what's *your* dream?" Naruto rolled over, his eyes gleaming in the dark.
"My dream?"
"Yeah! Mine's to become Hokage—and get acknowledged by everyone!"
"Everyone, huh?" Rubik murmured. "Isn't it enough if the people who matter to you recognize you?"
"Uh..." Naruto fell silent for a beat—he'd never pondered that.
"Just thinking out loud—don't sweat it. As for mine... call it 'world peace,' I guess."
"Whoa! That's huge! But what's with the 'I guess'? You're so casual, bro!" Naruto teased, then added with full trust, "Still, you're so strong—you could totally pull off world peace!"
Rubik just smiled at him without replying.
...
Deep into the night.
Rubik lay on his futon, replaying their dream talk.
*"Naruto, I wasn't kidding..."* he whispered to himself. *"This world's sick. It needs healing."*
Memories from years wandering the shinobi world flashed by. He covered his eyes with one hand, feeling the restless stir of his pupil power.
*"Still a ways off from awakening the Mangekyo... the mental training plan flopped, huh? No biggie."*
Rubik's mind shifted, diving into the system interface. He noted [Team 7 · Uchiha Sasuke]'s successful recruitment status, then sensed the faint Indra-derived chakra in his body. A smirk tugged at his lips.
"Hm?"
A faint, unfamiliar presence pinged his senses. Rubik rose silently, dressed, tucked Naruto's kicked-off blanket back over him with gentle care, then slipped soundlessly out the window to land outside.
Under the moonlight stood a familiar figure.
"Yo, thought you'd be buried in some gentleman's company after briefing the Hokage," Rubik said, arms crossed with his usual tease. "Didn't expect you'd stoop to midnight house-breaking. Real classy, you perv..."
It was Jiraiya.
***