The commotion in the yard startled their mother Mikoto, who had dozed off in the living room while waiting for her two sons.
Mikoto hurried out from the living room, and the moment she saw her two boys, her eyes instantly reddened.
Covering her mouth with one hand, tears already welled up in her eyes.
But upon seeing their spiky hairstyles standing straight up, she couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Hahahahaha..."
"Did you two go out to get new haircuts for school tomorrow?"
Leaning against the doorframe, Mikoto laughed so hard she couldn't straighten up, tears streaming down her face—whether from worry or amusement was unclear.
Sasuke had wanted to share his joy of becoming stronger with Kaito, but hearing his mother's laughter, he reached up to touch his hair and immediately curled up like a freshly boiled shrimp.
His face turned beet red as he hunched over in embarrassment.
Unlike his prideful younger brother, Kaito simply smiled calmly at their mother's reaction and ran his hands through his hair.
"So mom, what do you think?"
"Sasuke dragged me out to get these trendy hairstyles."
Sasuke instantly flared up, shouting angrily, "I did NOT!!"
Kaito's exaggerated gestures, tone, and Sasuke's furious expression made Mikoto completely lose it, laughing so hard she slapped the floor.
If her earlier laughter had masked her worry, now she was genuinely amused by her sons.
"It looks great... HAHAHAHAHA!"
Unlike Sasuke who always maintained his pride and dignity, Kaito considered making his mother happy a blessing, caring little about embarrassment.
No matter how silly it seemed, Kaito believed this was far better than being a clown for outsiders—mothers would only worry about you, while others would truly mock you.
Seemingly infected by the laughter, he joined in heartily.
Even prideful Sasuke couldn't help cracking a smile.
After reassuring their worried mother, Kaito took Sasuke to wash up.
By the time they returned to their room, it was well past midnight—yet both remained wide awake.
Sitting on his futon, Kaito lowered his voice to ask about earlier events.
"What was that electricity thing you did before?"
Sasuke had been waiting for this question. Tipping his head back proudly, his smirk wider than an AK's barrel, he began:
"Since you, my humble younger brother, have asked so sincerely, I, your elder brother—"
THUD—
Before Sasuke could finish, Kaito's fist connected with his head, leaving a visible bump that instantly deflated his arrogance as he clutched his head in pain.
"Kaito! Are you insane?!"
"We were just talking! Why hit me?!"
Rubbing the sore spot vigorously, Sasuke's eyes watered from the sting.
"Get to the point."
Arms crossed, Kaito maintained his deadpan expression, silently warning that further pretentiousness would earn another beating.
Remembering their earlier scene outside, Kaito added sternly:
"And speak properly—no more 'taking a dump' poses or shouting."
"Mom's asleep now."
Honestly, Sasuke's "Saiyan mode" had been unbearably cringey for Kaito.
Especially with the impending clan massacre night approaching.Kaito felt that if this kid shouted a few more times, he might actually sacrifice himself away.
What a jinx.
And also, utterly absurd.
Hearing his incredibly cool technique being called "taking a dump," Sasuke was so furious he nearly shouted, but then, remembering his mother, his voice gradually softened.
"Wh-what... what do you mean 'taking a dump'?!"
"That's my new Ninjutsu!"
Kaito slightly raised his chin, signaling for him to demonstrate.
Go on, let me see what you've got.
"Watch closely."
Sasuke could sense the anticipation on Kaito's face. He threw off the blanket and got out of bed, assuming that same "taking a dump" pose again.
This time, however, he didn't shout loudly—just softly grunted, "Hnngh... hnngh..."
Sasuke squatted in a horse stance, his little face turning red from exertion, while Kaito observed from the side.
Yet, ten minutes passed, and the kid remained in the same position.
Well, no.
He scratched his back six times and killed three mosquitoes.
Meanwhile, Kaito yawned three times, stretched twice, and fought off drowsiness countless times.
"Are you done yet?"
Kaito was growing impatient. It was 4 a.m., and in a few hours, he still had to wake up early for school registration.
Though this body was stronger than his past life's, he was still only six years old—far from capable of pulling off the all-night cultivation marathons of his previous life.
"Don't rush... almost there."
"That's the seventh time you've said that!"
Kaito finally couldn't take it anymore. He rolled his eyes and flopped backward onto the bed, but just as he was about to close his eyes, he suddenly heard a faint sound.
Zzzzt...
An electric current?!
Kaito bolted upright. He saw thin blue arcs of electricity—about three strands, as fine as hair—beginning to flicker across Sasuke's body, moving up and down.
Sasuke was the first to notice the change in himself. Seeing Kaito's slightly surprised expression, he felt a surge of vindication, his whole body buzzing with even more exhilaration than before.
Mimicking Kaito's usual cool demeanor, he struck a pose and declared triumphantly,
"Kaito, say something!"
But Sasuke's triumph didn't last long. The moment he finished speaking, the flickering arcs on his body vanished as if they had never existed.
"6."
Kaito's rating was high—yet extremely brief.
He had thought Sasuke had actually grasped some ultimate technique, capable of releasing arcs of electricity rivaling those from power lines.
But in the end...
You made me wait all this time, just for this?
He lay back down and pulled the blanket over his head, no longer willing to entertain his idiot little brother.
"Hey! Wait!"
"Kaito, that one didn't count!"
"Wake up first!"
Having lived together for so many years, Sasuke naturally understood that Kaito's rating was sarcastic, so he immediately started explaining.
Of course, to Kaito, his excuses sounded no different from those trash teammates who blamed lag or a broken mouse.
And besides...
Even if Sasuke could produce electric arcs, it was still too weak. He might as well just wait and learn from Kakashi later.
"Alright, alright, I get it."
"I believe you. Goodnight."
The utterly dismissive words came muffled from under the blanket. To Sasuke, they were grating, only fueling his desire to prove himself further.
"I just ran out of juice! If I try one more time, my Lightning Release Chakra will recharge!"
Sasuke tugged at the blanket, desperate to explain, but Kaito just rolled over, presenting his back as his answer.
One more time...?
As if.Is this idiot really planning to practice under power lines every single day?
How stupid!
Sasuke was completely furious. He turned around, went to the corner, and picked up the hairdryer he had just used. With a small tug, he yanked out the power cord.
Then, dragging the plug with the cord, he walked toward the socket.
....