Chapter 48: From Now On, Call Me Big Brother!

A Peaceful Morning in Konoha*

Sunlight gently seeped through the cracks of the window, illuminating the small, humble room.

Satoru slowly opened his eyes, emerging from the meditative state he had maintained throughout the night.

The first thing he noticed was the surge of energy within him—his body felt revitalized, his mind sharp as if he had just drunk an elixir of immortality.

But more importantly…

His energy pathways were trembling.

He could feel the chakra circulating powerfully inside him, like a river pressing against an old dam, eager to break through.

"Not bad. If I keep this up, I'll surpass my current limit soon!"

Satoru sprang up, stretched his arms wide, and took a deep breath, savoring the fresh morning air.

But as he turned around, he caught sight of something rather amusing.

---

*Eren – A Stranger in a New World*

Eren was slumped over the table, one hand still resting on the pile of ninja textbooks Satoru had given him the night before.

The oil lamp had burned out, and the open pages bore ink smudges—clear signs that he had stayed up late reading them.

Satoru raised an eyebrow.

"Wow, you're actually pretty diligent."

He casually patted Eren on the shoulder.

**THUD!**

Eren instantly shot up like a spring, his sharp gaze scanning the room, his hands instinctively clenching into fists.

For a brief moment, a flicker of killing intent flashed through his eyes, but as soon as he recognized Satoru, he relaxed.

Yet deep in those stormy green eyes, there was still an inescapable shadow—one that refused to be erased.

"Oh… it's just you."

His voice was hoarse, probably from lack of sleep.

Satoru smirked. "Relax, it's just your big brother waking you up."

Eren looked up at him, a vein twitching on his forehead.

"...Who's whose big brother?"

---

*On the Way to the Academy*

The two walked through the small streets of Konoha, side by side.

Satoru strolled at a relaxed pace, hands behind his head, chatting enthusiastically while pointing at different places.

"That over there is Ichiraku Ramen, the most famous ramen shop in Konoha!"

"And that's a weapons shop—wait, Tenten hasn't been born yet. Never mind."

"Ahead is the ninja market. They sell everything from kunai and explosive tags to rare ninja tools."

"That lake over there? My students train there. One time, Obito fell in and almost drowned!"

Eren remained silent, simply walking alongside him.

But even so, he was listening.

Everything was… so foreign.

No towering walls.

No roars of Titans.

No endless battles for survival.

Instead, there were smiles, merchants calling out their wares, young ninja chatting along the roads.

A completely different world.

Satoru continued his cheerful commentary, but suddenly, a thought struck him.

He turned to Eren, his expression unusually serious.

"Hey, Eren."

"I just realized something… We're both wanderers in this world, with no roots, no family ties. But look at us—we understand each other better than anyone else here. So how about this…"

"You become my little brother, and I'll be your big bro!"

Eren: "..."

The moment Satoru said those words, a nerve twitched in Eren's forehead.

He turned his gaze toward Satoru with a strange expression.

Satoru was undeniably handsome and full of energy… but for some reason…

The longer Eren looked at him, the more he wanted to punch him.

That lively, easygoing nature…

It really didn't suit him.

Eren gave a deadpan reply.

"I'm 19."

Silence.

Satoru froze for a moment, then let out a dramatic sigh of defeat.

"Fine, fine! Then how about this?"

He patted his chest, striking a noble pose.

"Let's become sworn brothers instead!"

"From now on, you're the elder brother, and I'm the younger brother!"

Eren furrowed his brows.

A part of him… felt something odd.

The system had summoned him here, forcing him to be bound to Satoru.

But strangely… he didn't find the guy unbearable.

In fact, this feeling…

It was eerily similar to when he was with Armin and Mikasa. Memories long buried under the weight of time stirred within him.

Eren was silent for a while, then, in the span of 0.1 seconds, he smiled briefly.

So fast that Satoru wasn't even sure if he had imagined it.

Then Eren extended his hand towards Satoru, his voice steady and firm.

"Little brother."

Satoru stood frozen for a second, then clasped Eren's hand.

As they walked, Satoru hummed happily, hands behind his head, already lost in his delusions.

"Haha, I have a big brother now!"

He was already dreaming of a day when Eren would unleash the power of the Founding Titan, exuding terrifying dominance.

Having such a big brother meant he could sleep soundly at night, knowing he had an overpowered family member.

Besides, Eren was a legendary anime figure!

If other anime fans knew that Satoru was now Eren's little brother, they would cry rivers of jealousy.

"He must have been captivated by my handsomeness and talent, right?"

Eren glanced at Satoru, then looked away.

He didn't bother responding.

But deep down… he had truly accepted this person.

Even if he would never say it aloud.

At a nearby street corner, a group of kunoichi stood watching from a distance.

They had initially been admiring Satoru, seemingly drawn to his handsome features.

But then… they saw him suddenly rubbing his hands together and giggling to himself.

Immediately, their expressions turned to disappointment.

"I thought he was a cool, mysterious guy… Turns out he's just another weirdo."

Eren side-eyed Satoru and sighed deeply.

"Little brother… you have many good qualities, but intelligence isn't one of them."

---

And thus, the legendary *Brotherhood of Satoru and Eren* was officially formed.