Before Naruto could finish his sentence, a cheerful voice rang out from inside the house.
— Who's there, Naruto?
Kushina had already set down her chopsticks. Upon hearing someone at the door, she hurried to dry her hands and stepped out to greet the guest.
But when she saw who was standing outside, she froze slightly.
— Isn't that... the head of the Hyūga clan?
— Good afternoon, Hiashi-san. — Kushina quickly went up to him, her face lighting up with a warm, welcoming smile. — What a rare visit! Minato headed out early this morning to the Hokage office. If you're looking for him, I'm sure you'll catch him there…
She assumed Hiashi had come personally to discuss some important matter, so she didn't dare be careless — her tone was polite, and she even covered for her husband with grace.
However, Hiashi simply gave a gentle smile and said in a calm tone:
— You misunderstand. I'm not here to see the Hokage. I've brought my daughter to pay a visit.
Then, he turned his gaze toward Naruto, eyes soft with a touch of affection.
— In truth, I came here especially for Naruto.
— F-For... me? — Naruto was stunned.
Kushina, standing beside him, looked just as confused.
…
Spectators' Stand.
Sakura blinked at the scene playing out before them.
— W-Wait a sec... Hinata! That girl on screen... that's you, isn't it?!
On the massive screen, the girl standing at Naruto's front door was unmistakably Hinata herself.
[Ding! Emotional fluctuation from Haruno Sakura detected! +200 emotion points!]
Hinata was equally shocked.
She never imagined she'd appear — or rather, that a version of her would show up — right at Naruto-kun's doorstep.
Though the girl on screen moved exactly like her, spoke and acted like her, the real Hinata, watching as an audience member, was overwhelmed by an odd sense of unreality and wonder.
Why… why would Father take "her" to visit Naruto-kun's house?
And judging by the looks of it... he even brought a gift?
Hinata's head was spinning — part disbelief, part confusion, but mostly... joy.
Yes.
Could it be... Naruto-kun dreamed of me too?
[Ding! Emotional fluctuation from Hyūga Hinata detected! +300 emotion points!]
Meanwhile, Kakashi's expression darkened.
His gaze fixed on the image of Hiashi and Hinata entering the Uzumaki household, brows drawing into a deep frown.
— Hinata happened to enter this space tonight… and suddenly, Naruto's dream includes her? That's far too convenient.
His sharp instincts told him this wasn't just coincidence — no, something else was at play here. A hidden pattern, perhaps.
Could it be… that Naruto's dream world reshaped itself based on the identities of those entering the viewing space?
If so, the entity behind all this… possessed an unimaginable power.
Kakashi quickly adjusted his thoughts but kept his tone even as he murmured:
— Don't let this dream bother you too much.
Hinata nodded quietly, trying to calm her wildly pounding heart, her eyes slowly turning back to the screen.
…
Inside the dream.
Naruto and Kushina were both confused. Why would the head of the Hyūga clan come looking for Naruto?
Naruto's mind was a complete blank.
— Won't you invite us in? — Hiashi smiled at the stunned mother and son, his tone half teasing.
— Oh! — Kushina flushed slightly. — My apologies, how rude of me. Please, come in, Hiashi-san.
The Hyūga father and daughter stepped into the entrance hall.
Hinata changed into indoor slippers with quiet care and followed her father closely, holding the gift box delicately in both hands.
She kept her head slightly lowered, breathing softly, as if afraid of disturbing the warmth around her.
So this is Naruto-kun's home...
It feels so warm… so cozy.
Not cold or intimidating like my house.
Her violet eyes flicked around shyly.
The living room was modest but tidy. A few family photographs hung on the wall — one of Naruto as a baby, swaddled in blankets, another a smiling family portrait.
In the photo, Minato held Kushina and little Naruto close, his expression gentle. The entire scene radiated happiness and familial love.
— Please, have a seat. — Kushina motioned for the guests to take the sofa, then sat down across from them.
Naruto, still a little lost, followed his mother's lead and sat quietly, his big blue eyes blinking at Hiashi and Hinata. He had no idea what was going on.
— So, Hiashi-san... what brings you here today? — Kushina asked cautiously.
Hiashi set down the teacup in his hand and smiled mildly.
— It's nothing major. I heard Naruto graduated from the Academy at the top of his class, so I came as an elder to offer my congratulations.
He then gave Hinata a small tap on the shoulder.
— Hinata, do you remember what we talked about?
Hinata's entire body trembled. She nearly dropped the gift box in her hands.
Gripping it tightly with both arms, her face turned a brilliant red.
— I... I...
Naruto stared, completely bewildered by Hinata's sudden shyness.
Trying his best to stay polite, he said with a puzzled tone:
— Uh... Hinata? You need something?
That only made Hinata blush even harder.
Her brain had short-circuited completely, but she somehow managed to step forward and offer the box with trembling hands.
— N-Naruto-kun... this is... for you...
She'd barely managed to speak the words — her entire being screamed to vanish into thin air.
Audience seats.
[Ding! Emotional fluctuation from Hyūga Hinata detected! +800 emotion points!]
[Ding! Emotional fluctuation from Hyūga Hinata detected! +800 emotion points!]
[Ding! Emotional fluctuation from Hyūga Hinata detected! +800 emotion points!]
— Hinata?! Are you okay?!
Sakura turned and saw Hinata blushing furiously, hands clutched to her chest, breathing quick and shallow.
She looked like she might actually explode.
Sakura could only sigh in frustration.
— Seriously, that idiot Naruto! First he dreams of me confessing, now he's fantasizing about...
She stomped her foot, utterly flustered.
— Why does every girl in his dreams end up like this?! It's outrageous!
Hinata, meanwhile, was a mess of steam and embarrassment.
She wrung the hem of her shirt, head hanging so low it almost buried into her chest, whispering over and over:
— Naruto-kun… how could you dream something like this… Naruto-kun…
She looked like a little kettle about to boil over.
Sakura stared at her in disbelief.
— ????
She'd expected Hinata to be angry or mortified — not glowing with excitement and shamefully pleased.
Wait, Hinata... you're not mad? You're actually... happy?!
That's not right…
Even Kakashi was taken aback, his pupils shrinking slightly.
He hadn't seen that coming.
As the two girls on the viewing platform drowned in emotional turmoil, deep in the shadows, Shiyu was grinning from ear to ear.
In mere moments, the system panel filled with wave after wave of emotion points — a cascade of rapid, rising numbers.
Shiyu stared, stunned — and then couldn't help but snort with amusement.
Truly, Hinata the Steam Princess was delivering beautifully.
If he'd known the shy Hyūga heiress was such a powerhouse of emotional energy, he would've pulled her in sooner.
When it came to harvesting emotion points, who could rival a red-faced Hinata steaming like a teapot?
In the dark, Shiyu's lips curled into a satisfied smile.