Kaito had no intention of answering the boy's question. Glancing at the messy living room, he began instructing his younger brother.
"Clean this up."
"Father and Mother will be back for dinner tonight."
Upon hearing this, Sasuke let out an impatient noise, clearly reluctant to start tidying the chaotic room.
After giving his instructions, Kaito returned to his own room first.
Noticing Runtu still dutifully studying, he casually praised him before using the various books he'd bought from outside to motivate him further.
"Study hard. A dog your age can't afford to fall behind at the starting line."
Runtu: ?
Thud—
The backpack filled with books hit the floor with a dull thump, the sound alone indicating its considerable weight.
Truly a generous reward.
Runtu's head creaked as it turned, the red glow in its eyes flickering intermittently. After about three seconds, it finally spoke.
"I! Am! A! Soul pet!!"
At this moment, Runtu desperately wanted its master to understand its proper use—it was perfectly capable of fighting and such.
But studying? Absolutely not!
In its consciousness, it had never heard of any Soul pet being made to read and study from the moment it gained awareness.
Could it possibly... even go to the capital to take imperial exams?
"I know."
Kaito nodded, very satisfied with Runtu's progress.
Look, just a few days of reading, and it could already speak in full sentences instead of word by word.
Rapid improvement indeed.
After a few perfunctory words, Kaito turned and pulled out a bag from under the wardrobe.
Inside were two Ninja swords he'd made from the leftover materials when crafting Runtu's body.
The material was the same Chakra Metal his father had bought.
These two Ninja swords could be considered a gift for his foolish younger brother after his departure.
That night, Fugaku and Mikoto indeed returned early. To Kaito's greater surprise, Itachi also came home today.
The family sat around the dinner table. Every time the old man Fugaku glanced at Itachi, his face darkened, and he would occasionally snort coldly between bites of rice.
His dissatisfaction was unmistakable.
Mikoto kept piling food onto her three sons' plates today. The dishes in their bowls towered over the rice, while her own plate remained untouched.
Throughout the dinner, Sasuke was visibly happy—with his brothers by his side and his parents, whom he hadn't seen in days, present. His smile never left his face during the meal.
Though the others maintained their usual expressions, each was burdened with heavy thoughts.
"I'm done."
Itachi was the first to set down his chopsticks. He stood up and bowed deeply to his parents, a trace of sorrow inadvertently showing.
"Itachi, later... I need to talk with you," Fugaku said gravely, knowing this might be his last face-to-face conversation with his eldest son.
"Apologies, Father."
"I'd like to retire early tonight."
Itachi respectfully declined, making it clear his stance wouldn't align with his father's.
Any further conversation...
Would be meaningless.
Fugaku's lips trembled, but no words came out. He understood his son's meaning, the complexity in his heart beyond words.
In the end, all his thoughts condensed into a single sentence.
"Sigh..." Fugaku exhaled heavily. "Go rest then."
Father and son locked eyes for a long moment before Itachi turned wordlessly toward his room.
Just like their opposing stances.
Sasuke wanted to follow his brother but had barely jumped off his chair when Kaito grabbed him.Suddenly stopped, Sasuke turned his head and glared angrily. With his parents present, he didn't dare to curse, so he could only stare straight at Kaito.
The meaning was clear...
If you don't give me a reason, I'm going to make a scene right now.
"I'm giving you something."
Kaito lightly hooked a black bag from under the table with his foot and kicked it toward Sasuke.
"Huh?"
Hearing this and seeing the bag at his feet, Sasuke pointed at his own nose, eyes fixed on Kaito. "For... me?"
He was utterly shocked and flattered.
Fugaku and Mikoto exchanged a glance, smiling warmly at the brothers' interaction.
"It's useless to me, so I'm giving it to you."
Kaito spoke nonchalantly, tilting his chin to signal Sasuke could open it.
Normally, if Sasuke heard Kaito's pretentious tone, he'd argue back. But today was different.
This annoying... well, not entirely annoying guy...
Was actually giving him a gift!?
Had the sun risen from the west or something!?
Sasuke took a deep breath, wiped the sweat from his hands, and knelt before the bag. He cautiously touched it first, as if sensing what was inside, then eagerly tore it open.
When he saw the contents, he couldn't help but shout loudly.
If Sasuke's exclamation had physical force, it would have blown the roof off.
"A ninja sword!!!"
"Kaito! How did you know I wanted this!?"
Clang—
Sasuke drew one of the swords, revealing a pale blue blade etched with lightning-like patterns.
The other was red, with flame-like engravings.
They were clearly custom-made for his Chakra attributes.
"Kaito! I... I love them so much!!!" Sasuke hugged the two ninja swords, overflowing with joy. Unable to contain his excitement, he unsheathed them and swung them a few times.
After a few minutes, he finally turned back to Kaito. "What are their names?"
Names...?
One red, one blue...
Kaito stroked his chin, thought for a couple of seconds, and instinctively blurted out.
"Frostmourne, Fire Joy."
Sasuke: ???
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GIMME YOUR STONEESSSS.
well tbh i dont know what it used for but since other people always asking for it, i want it too!!
So, GIVE ME YOUR STONESSSSSS.