Karot's Strength

"Brother."

Kakashi's eyes widened. He clenched his fists so tightly that the veins bulged. He couldn't accept what he was seeing.

"You've gone too far, Uchiha brat."

Asakawa spoke angrily. As the referee, he had failed to protect a contestant's life—that was a dereliction of duty.

He didn't know whether Karot could withstand the Fireball Jutsu. Even if he could, he'd suffer severe burns.

"Accidents are inevitable in a fight. They can't be avoided. You should know that very well."

The other boy didn't care in the slightest and shot back at Asakawa.

"You've really made me angry, Uchiha. You nearly ruined my clothes."

For the first time, Dragon Ball's "no smoke, no injury" phenomenon had appeared in the world of Naruto—and Karot was furious.

Just then, the flames died down, revealing Karot to everyone.

"Karot, are you all right?"

Seeing that Karot was completely unharmed, Asakawa went over and asked with concern. This student had surprised him far too many times.

"Teacher, continue the exam. It isn't over yet."

Karot's tone was calm. He kept his anger under control, like the stillness before a volcano erupted.

"You've already lasted ten moves. You passed the exam."

Asakawa didn't want Karot to fight that dangerous Uchiha again. It was too risky.

"Then can I apply to continue the exam?"

"What are you trying to do? You should know when to quit while you're ahead."

"I just haven't had enough. I want to let off some steam."

"No."

Asakawa refused at once.

"Then consider it a friendly match between a Genin and a Chunin."

As soon as Asakawa finished speaking, the Uchiha's voice rang out.

"That's exactly what I want."

With that, Karot vanished from in front of Asakawa. Only the sound of Karot and the Uchiha exchanging blows remained.

After a few exchanges, the two stood facing each other.

"Damn it."

The opponent was furious. He couldn't believe his abilities weren't enough to take down Karot. The Uchiha Clan's glory had been tarnished in his hands.

"Is that all you've got, Uchiha?"

"What did you say?"

"If that's all you've got, this match is about to end."

"Are you provoking me, Karot?"

The opponent challenged him.

"I'm just stating a fact."

Karot attacked in an instant, faster and stronger than before. The opponent could only watch helplessly as a single blow sent him flying. But it wasn't over. As his body was knocked through the air, Karot had already appeared behind him. He threw a punch at incredible speed, leaving the opponent no time to react before it landed.

His body was battered back and forth like a punching bag. Pain surged through him, and he couldn't escape the terrible nightmare.

"Karot, that's enough."

Just then, a familiar voice made Karot stop. It was his father, Hatake Sakumo.

The Uchiha dropped from the air and slumped onto the ground. Karot hadn't taken his life, but he'd broken most of his bones. It would take at least half a year to recover, and the process would be agonizing—because Karot was a petty person.

"Karot, don't hit someone from the village so hard next time."

Hatake Sakumo walked over and spoke to Karot. After all, they were both shinobi of the same village. Going too far would damage his son's reputation in the village.

"Yes, Father."

Karot nodded.

His father's expression was stern, as if he were scolding him, but Karot understood that he was putting on a show for the others.

"Sakumo-sama."

When Asakawa saw Hatake Sakumo arrive, he hurried over and greeted him respectfully.

"This isn't Karot's fault. Accidents can't be avoided in a fight. The other boy was simply too weak to block Karot's attacks, and that's why this happened."

Karot gave Asakawa a strange look. This big-eyed teacher was quite skilled at talking nonsense. Wasn't it just because the other boy had disrespected him earlier? He was getting revenge, and Karot rather liked it.

In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi watched the exam through a Crystal Ball. His expression turned grave. He'd thought Kakashi was already talented enough, but Karot was even more impressive. He had a feeling that, given enough time, Karot might even surpass Hatake Sakumo.

Three prodigies in the Hatake Clan! Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe and fell into thought.

Members of the Uchiha Clan carried the unconscious opponent away. Before leaving, they threatened Karot.

"Remember this: the Uchiha won't let this go. Just you wait."

The Uchiha really were arrogant. They'd threatened Hatake Sakumo's son right in front of him.

"There's a reason a clan this overbearing gets wiped out."

Karot thought that the Uchiha had always held themselves above everyone else and never truly integrated into the village. When you wielded great power, people accommodated you. Once you lost that power, you became meat on the chopping block.

"Congratulations to both of you. You've graduated."

Asakawa handed the headbands signifying their status as shinobi to the Hatake brothers.

"I hope you become shinobi like Sakumo-sama and protect the village."

Asakawa's words carried his heartfelt hopes for the brothers.

"Make sure you thank your teacher for teaching you."

Hatake Sakumo patted the brothers on the back. The Hatake Clan had always valued good manners.

"No, no. They've achieved what they have through their own efforts. I haven't really taught them anything."

Asakawa was telling the truth. With two prodigies like the brothers, he hardly needed to teach them at all; they could grow on their own. He didn't feel like a teacher in the least.

"Kakashi, just you wait. I'll become a Genin and beat you!"

As the group was leaving, Obito called after Kakashi and the others.

"Come back when you've become a Genin, dead last."

Kakashi replied coolly.

"Damn it!"

"Karot, I won't let you down. I'll definitely become a shinobi!"

Might Guy called out from behind Karot.

"You can do it, Guy. You're stronger than you think."

Karot answered with such conviction that it was impossible not to believe him.

Hearing Karot's reply, Might Guy felt he'd found his direction. The future seemed bright.

Inspired by them, the other students trained harder. In this world, where everyone matured early, they couldn't help asking themselves: If the Hatake brothers could do it, why couldn't they? A wave of intense training swept through the Ninja Academy.

Back at home, the three men of the Hatake family sat together.

"Tomorrow, you two will be assigned to teams under Jonin and start carrying out missions."

"Will we be on the same team, Father?"

Kakashi asked.

"No. I considered putting you on the same team at first, but after thinking it over, I decided it would be better to separate you."

"I think so too."

Kakashi nodded. He really didn't want to be on the same team as Karot. Karot was strong, and missions would be much easier with him around, but it was hard having a mountain stronger than himself looming over him all the time.

"That's so mean. My little brother doesn't even want to be on the same team as his big brother."

Wasn't everyone in the Naruto world supposed to be obsessed with their older brothers? Had I ended up in a fake Naruto world?

"Karot, come outside with me for a moment. I want to see your true strength."

Hatake Sakumo suddenly spoke up. He'd been watching Karot's fight with the Uchiha, but he still couldn't get a clear measure of Karot's strength. Now he'd have to test it himself.