By the time Naruto Uzumaki returned home, it was late.
Uchiha Izumi, waiting at home, noticed his uneven footsteps and stepped out of her room.
"What's wrong, Naruto?"
"It's so late. Are you hurt?"
Izumi asked with concern.
"Don't worry, Sis. I'm fine."
"I'm just tired. Gonna rest now."
Naruto forced a smile, though Izumi couldn't see it.
Not wanting her to worry, he quickly retreated to his room.
"Did the Hyuga clan give you trouble?"
Izumi glanced toward Naruto's room, sighing inwardly.
She suspected something happened when Naruto escorted Hinata Hyuga home.
The Leaf's noble clans held little fondness for the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
This incident confirmed to Izumi that the Hyuga clan head likely wanted Naruto to stay away from their clan.
Late at night, Naruto's physical pain had mostly faded.
He slipped into a deep sleep.
In his subconscious, Chu Ran smirked.
[Your talent's enough. It's time to make you stronger.]
Chu Ran activated the Blackening System, triggering the recently acquired ability.
[Ding! Dream Contact activated!]
With the system's chime, Chu Ran's surroundings transformed.
...
In the dream, Naruto found himself in a valley.
Wildflowers bloomed vibrantly, and a gentle breeze brushed his face, creating a soothing atmosphere.
He scanned his surroundings until a figure at the valley's edge caught his eye.
A man stood with his back turned, wearing a white cloak adorned with bold red characters.
Too far to read clearly, Naruto could only make out the outline.
Yet, the figure felt strangely familiar, stirring an inexplicable warmth in him.
Drawn forward, Naruto took a few steps, the figure growing clearer.
As he neared, the red characters on the cloak came into focus.
Naruto's pupils contracted.
"Fourth Hokage."
His eyes widened, his steps quickening.
The familiarity clicked—blond hair like his own, coupled with the cloak's inscription.
This was Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage.
Sensing movement, the figure turned slowly.
A handsome, youthful face with striking blue eyes, just like Naruto's, met his gaze.
Naruto froze, staring in disbelief.
The resemblance was uncanny, leaving him speechless.
His heart yearned to ask if he was the Fourth Hokage's son, but the words wouldn't come.
[Is that you, Naruto?]
[You've grown so much.]
Chu Ran, disguised as Minato, smiled warmly.
He stepped forward, pulling Naruto into a tight embrace, enveloping him in the familial warmth Naruto had always craved.
"Dad?"
Naruto whispered, uncertain, his voice trembling with hope, doubt, and fear.
He dreaded a denial, terrified the comforting embrace might vanish.
[Yes, I'm here.]
[Looks like the Third took good care of you, Naruto.]
Chu Ran nodded, maintaining Minato's gentle smile.
This was a facade—Chu Ran impersonating Minato in a dream crafted to push Naruto's blackening.
Naruto paused, his mind racing. Every time he'd asked the Third Hokage about his origins, Hiruzen had dodged the question.
If his father was the Fourth Hokage, why hide it?
Why let him endure the village's scorn and bullying?
Resentment toward Hiruzen began to fester.
But the moment passed quickly. Naruto focused on the present, knowing what mattered most.
A child who'd never known his father, now face-to-face, had countless things to say.
The "father and son" had much to discuss. Naruto's questions poured out—about his mother, his parents' lives, and himself.
Chu Ran listened patiently, responding with answers tailored to Minato's character from the original Naruto story.
"Alright, Naruto."
"My time's running out. The chakra I left in you can't sustain this long."
Chu Ran patted Naruto's shoulder. He wasn't here to chat.
He was waiting for Naruto to voice his desires.
"Oh…"
"Dad, teach me ninjutsu! I need to learn to beat my rivals."
"I want to become Hokage, like you!"
Naruto's expression dimmed briefly, but his eyes soon gleamed with determination.
His father was the Hokage, greater than any noble clan ninja—the strongest in the village, the Yellow Flash of the Leaf.
With his guidance, Naruto was sure he'd improve rapidly.
"Ninjutsu? Let's start with some Wind Release."
"We'll begin with the basics. Watch the hand signs carefully."
Chu Ran nodded, inwardly thrilled.
With Dream Contact's time nearly up, he began teaching Naruto two C-rank Wind Release techniques.
Starting with the simplest—Wind Release: Gale Palm and Wind Release: Great Breakthrough.
He explained the hand sign sequences, key details, and techniques for execution.
Chu Ran demonstrated each jutsu once, guiding Naruto meticulously.
Naruto's talent suggested he'd master them quickly.
"Alright, Naruto, I have to go."
"Next time we meet, I'll teach you even stronger ninjutsu."
Dream Contact's timer was ticking down, and Chu Ran knew it was time to end.