Luck?

Kaito was about to leave his instant dungeon. Even his hand was already on the knob of the exit.

But his mind traveled once more to the training he did. And so he looked back.

It would not be the last time he would be here but it felt like now he would truly start on his journey.

"Weird..."

Then gazing upon the trees he planted near the hut a smile appeared on his face.

Right, he didn't really notice but it was a lot of fun doing this. Even now he still feels like a little kid that got something he wanted as a present for a long time.

What is he even saying? He is still a kid in everything but mind. He is just being somewhat mature is all, really.

And besides, he can't really think of how old his mind now was.

Nonetheless, it puts a smile on his face. That tree especially. It was a real bother to get that thing inside his dungeon.

That was before he noticed that the higher the level of his dungeon became, the more options were available.

He still couldn't insert living organisms inside it but he was sure it would be possible at some point.

A tree is a living being in a sense anyway.

Shaking his head and dismissing his drifting thoughts he opened the door to the hut and finally left.

--

Opening his eyes in the real world as he now liked to call it he saw two blue eyes staring at him intently.

"..."

"..."

A silent stare was the only thing Kaito gave as a reaction to his brother's close proximity.

"You really are good in that.", said Naruto now and distanced himself. He meant his meditation.

"I told you to knock if you want to enter my room. Did you forget that again?", deadpanned Kaito and was genuinely annoyed about his brother walking inside his room without his consent...again.

"Ah, sorry. I just wanted to take a look if you were already up...Just to be sure. Are you really always meditating that early in the morning?" Naruto was curious. It was something Kaito did tell him but he was still surprised to see it in action.

It was already a miracle for Naruto to wake up so early.

"Are you getting giddy about the exam today?" Kaito sighed and knew why he was up already and pestering him. It was always like that with him.

Naruto looked a little bit dejected after hearing his words. "Well...Maybe?...Do you think I can make it?"

"Why shouldn't you?"

"...Last time if screwed it up..."

"Who told you to make a bet with Sasuke that you could graduate sooner because you are so talented?", deadpanned Kaito again and hit the nail directly.

While waiting for what Naruto would say, he got down from his bed and put comfortable clothes on. He slept mostly in just his underwear recently, unlike his brother that liked to sleep in pajamas.

"Come on! If I didn't do it I would have wasted a moment to undermine Sasuke's lead..."

'Lead, is it?' Kaito wasn't having any of this and didn't react instantly. He just started walking past Naruto.

"Training hall..." Naruto knew what he meant and actually followed. "I already told you many times to stop comparing yourself to other people. He was already training long before we did."

When they finally arrived at the dojo hall, Kaito started to do some stretches.

It was now time for Naruto's Taijutsu training. Since he couldn't bring him to his dungeon yet, this was basically the only real help he gave him in training.

The physical drill. At least as much as a young body could handle.

Naruto's sorry state of chakra control was still too apparent. Though he made progress with his clones now and shouldn't fail the exam because of that anymore...

"Ready?", asked Kaito and entered a melee stance.

"Ready.", nodded Naruto and was also prepared.

Then both started to spar a little. It was not serious fighting, just refining their forms. And one could see the smiles on their faces that indicated their joy in doing so.

Their forms were fluid and grounded. Neither showing any particular openings.

They even changed styles from slow and accurate to rapid and devastating. Even weapons were included at some point. (A/N Look at the Shippuden Ending NR. 15 as visual feedback.)

--

"Phew, I am beaten.", commented a clearly exhausted and sweating Naruto now.

Kaito smiled at him while he put a staff that he used back to its original place.

"You are getting the hang of it. Don't you think?", evaluated Kaito.

"Hehe, that is only because you are such a good teacher, brother." Naruto grinned now. It was truly the outcome of his training with his brother that Naruto could become the second-best Taijutsu specialist there was in his class.

And he was not even jealous of being second. Of course, the first place went to Kaito. He was really proud to have such a genius brother.

After all, he was family and he was happy for him. And because of it he also improved a lot.

"Say, is it really alright that we have this? It feels unreal...What is mister Kimura even doing? I heard he left the village recently.", said Naruto after he looked around the dojo again.

Naruto was referring to the point that this place they were at currently was theirs. Yes, they owned this dojo.

It was even built to the side of the new home they got themselves a year ago. Maybe it should be called more of a small villa than anything. A small estate would suit it as well. It was also in a quieter area of the village.

"Are you still thinking about that?" Kaito walked over and handed him a water bottle. "What, feeling uncomfortable now that we are better off?"

"Just saying that it's weird. I ain't complaining. Just knowing that not that long ago we were still orphans...And now we own our own home. And it's freaking huge as well..."

"Enough, just let us enjoy that lucky hit we got, alright?", sighed Kaito and drank.

"You mean what luck you had. I knew you were good at cooking but not that much."

"I tell you. It's luck." Kaito shrugged his shoulders. Of course, he knew himself that he was currently lying. But for now, he kept it a secret.

"I guess you are right.", agreed Naruto with him.

"Now let's freshen up and get to the academy. It is nearly time."

"Right." Naruto immediately moved to get a shower.