3 Books x 3 Years x 3 siblings

The 7th of February marked Togiri's birthday. While his physical age appeared to be around nine, his true age spanned twenty-three years: twenty from his past life and three in this new world.

The sun had already risen, yet for the first time, the birthday boy remained asleep.

"Hehe," giggled Fang, a boy in pajamas, as he crept into Togiri's room.

"WAKE UP!" Fang yelled, leaping onto Togiri. Togiri rolled out of the way just in time, and Fang hit the floor with a thud.

Though Fang was shrouded in Ten, enhancing his defense and vitality, he still felt the impact. "Ouch! Hahaha. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TOGIRI!" he exclaimed, grinning.

"Shhh! Do you want to wake the whole neighborhood?" Togiri whispered.

"Hehe... I know you don't want anything, but here's my present," Fang said, darting out and returning with a large, wrapped box.

"Wow! Thanks, man!" Togiri fist-bumped Fang.

"Brother, I've thought long and hard about this. You not only live with us but also help out so much. I asked Mom and Dad if they could officially adopt you. You can say no again, like last time."

Fang's smile was sincere and brimming with happiness. Previously, when Togiri began working and living with Fang's family, their father had offered to adopt him, but Togiri declined.

Togiri started to cry. 'Twenty-three years old and still crying like a kid'

"Y-Yeah. I'd love that," he said, his voice breaking as snot ran down his face. "Gross, haha!"

Both boys laughed as Togiri wiped his face.

"Now, let's see what bad gift my brother gave me this year," Togiri said, smiling more freely than he had in a long time.

He opened the big box to reveal several old, fragile books. Their titles intrigued him:

1. **The Abyss**

2. **The Garden**

3. **The Floating Palace**

The Abyss was bound in dark, animal-like skin, cold and smooth like a brick. The title, written in a mysterious white substance, seemed erasable but wasn't.

Togiri fell into a light trance as he stared at it, and swore he saw black smoke emanating from the book.

The Garden was covered in beautiful, realistic illustrations of flowers and herbs, with a title that changed color. The drawings were so lifelike that they appeared three-dimensional.

The book's texture varied, from smooth to rough, and despite its thinness, it was heavier than a two-thousand-page tome.

The Floating Palace had a sky-colored cover, with a title that transitioned from white to gray, written in elegant cursive.

The back of the book glowed a strong orange, which moved slowly, forming shapes in the darkened room. The spine was made of cold, hard tungsten, a material Togiri knew well from his blacksmithing.

"Wow... When-how much-how did you even...?" Togiri stammered.

"Hehe! Will these books go into your Review Notebook?" Fang asked, looking embarrassed.

Togiri had filled dozens of notebooks with reviews of books he'd read. Even on another world Togiri continued to read books and review them.

"Thank you, Fang. I know these were hard to get." He raised his fist for another bump, but Fang hugged him instead.

They stayed that way for a minute, Fang smiling while Togiri looked stunned. Finally, Togiri hugged back.

"I'm happy. It always feels like one day you'll disappear."

"H-Haha," Togiri laughed, thinking, 'Fang's intuition is as sharp as ever.'

In his past life, Togiri had trusted no one. But over the last few years, living with Fang and his family had begun to heal his heart even if it was a little, but he knew this happiness wouldn't last for long.

----------

After a regular workday, the evening was spent celebrating Togiri's birthday and adoption. Fang, his parents Julia and Arthur, and Togiri gathered around the dinner table.

Julia announced, "Kids, listen. We know how much money you made from fighting in the Heaven's Arena, but that's your money. Our smithy is expanding, and we've decided to have another child."

"Congratulations! Fang, you're going to be a big brother!" Togiri said, surprised. Serious news usually meant bad news for him.

"Congratulations, Mom and Dad," Fang added, smiling brightly but looking distant.

"We'd like you both to pick a name," Arthur said, holding Julia's hand.

"Really? Are you sure?" Togiri asked.

"Yes. You've been like a brother to Fang and a son to us. You've helped us in so many ways," Julia said, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"M-Mom," Togiri said for the first time, and she hugged both boys.

"I disappointed my original mother. I won't disappoint my adopted one. I'll keep Fang safe and help bring back their other son, Kastriot," he vowed.

Togiri had transformed their small smithy into a growing business empire, earning fame as a blacksmith even among Heaven's Arena fighters. His success was a way to repay his debt, since they refused to accept money.

"Thank you," Togiri said, tearing up. He felt he had found a second family, not by blood, but by love. They all hugged, except Fang, who seemed lost in thought.

---

Several hours later, as the city slept, Togiri and Fang, dressed in black, prepared to leave.

"Wait, we need to talk," Togiri said, pulling down his mask. "About what?" Fang whispered.

"Don't play dumb," Togiri said, concerned.

"Sigh... We're becoming big brothers, but we'll leave in two years to become Hunters and search for Kastriot. Our little sibling won't remember us, and we don't know how long it will take."

"Don't worry. We'll visit as much as we can and video call every day," Togiri reassured him.

"Oh... I forgot about video calls. T-Hehe, sorry for being so dramatic," Fang chuckled.

"Hahaha, don't worry. Now, let's go."

'Finding the criminals was easy. These dumbasses,' Togiri thought.

"Let me repeat the info. The gang is called 'The Seven Deadly Sins,' with seven Nen fighters. Their leader, Akura, thrives because he's related to a high-ranking Hunter Association executive."

"We've never killed, but we might have to," Togiri said, steeling himself. "I could do this alone," he offered.

@What are you doing? The kid already decided.@ Seven, the Reviewer system, chimed in.

'Shut up! You couldn't understand us humans,' Togiri retorted. @Yes, I can! I was built from your personality@

'I didn't know my old self was so annoying!' Togiri thought, tapping Fang on the shoulder.

They used Zetsu to conceal their presence, leaping over rooftops. They stopped next to the headquarters of the Seven Deadly Sins.

"They weren't this bad before, but now they're ruthless," Fang whispered. "They demand protection money and hurt people. Auntie Selma is closing her shop because of them. If I can't stop these dirtbags, how can I find my brother?"

"We will stop them, Fang. And we will find Kastriot," Togiri vowed.