Karot vs. Hatake Sakumo

In the Hatake family training grounds.

Karot and Hatake Sakumo stood facing each other.

"Now, you can use your full strength. I've set up a barrier around the training grounds, so no one can detect us."

"Understood, Father."

With that, Karot took off his shirt, throwing the black innerwear inside onto the ground. With a "bang," a cloud of dust kicked up.

Kakashi was very surprised. He walked over to pick up the clothes, and when he lifted them, their weight was beyond his imagination.

"Brother, do you wear clothes like this every day?"

"Yeah, it feels a bit strange now that I've taken it off," Karot said, stretching his shoulders.

So I've been underestimating my brother's strength all along, Kakashi thought.

"Attack! Karot, if I make the first move, you won't get the chance."

This wasn't Hatake Sakumo being arrogant, but rather having an unimaginable level of confidence in himself.

"Then please excuse me, Father."

With that, Karot's figure vanished. He was twice as fast as he had been during the ninja exam.

When he reappeared, he was already in mid-air in front of Sakumo, launching a kick.

So fast.

From the moment Karot attacked and disappeared, Kakashi couldn't track his movements at all.

In his battle against Hatake Sakumo, Karot was using his full power.

"Good strength, Karot. But your speed is still too slow."

Hatake Sakumo blocked Karot's attack with his right hand, then instantly grabbed Karot's foot and threw him. Karot spun a few times in mid-air to dissipate the force before landing on the ground.

As expected of Father, his strength is incredible.

After defending with one hand, he transitioned to offense, his perfect grasp of rhythm was breathtaking.

"But I won't give up so easily."

With that, Karot charged forward.

"Wolf Fang Frenzy Fist!"

Karot shouted, his figure transforming into an attacking wolf. His phantom fists rained down on Sakumo like a storm.

Each strike, each move, his claws slashed sharply towards Hatake Sakumo.

Hatake Sakumo leaped backward, drawing the ninja sword from his back.

"Clang, clang."

The collision of claws and blade produced a piercing sound.

Where they passed, deep scratches marked the ground, some from Sakumo's sword energy, others from Karot's punches.

Is this... my brother's strength?

Kakashi, watching from the side, clenched his fists, filled with longing for Karot's power.

The wind pressure generated by the sword energy overwhelmed Karot's fist wind, making his hair flutter. Although he knew he wasn't a match for Sakumo at this stage, this kind of battle invigorated Karot. It was the first time he had unleashed his full power, and his Saiyan genes had awakened.

Saiyans truly were a warrior race. The more Karot fought, the stronger his aura became, reaching a level comparable to Hatake Sakumo's. Sakumo had honed his aura over decades of training, while Karot had achieved this in just one battle.

"Argh!"

With a punch, he shattered Sakumo's encirclement of sword light. Sakumo dodged to the side, and the large tree behind him was broken by the punch.

"Is this your trump card, Karot?" Hatake Sakumo asked.

"You'll have to be careful now, Father," Karot said.

Karot began to power up. His hands bent at his sides.

"Argh~~!"

As Karot's voice grew louder, the surrounding gravel was lifted, and even the falling leaves blown by the wind were shredded by the aura emanating from Karot.

Kakashi saw the power radiating from Karot for the first time, his expression changing drastically. Kakashi had always known Karot couldn't cultivate chakra, but he never knew Karot possessed such a mysterious power. He felt the chakra in his own body running sluggishly, as if suppressed.

Hatake Sakumo felt the same way. His chakra no longer felt as responsive as usual.

Finally, Karot's voice stopped. A faint blue energy enveloped him. His tail wasn't wrapped around his waist.

"Father, I'm going to attack now."

With a flash, his body appeared directly in front of Hatake Sakumo. Sakumo's eyes widened, and he retreated backward. You retreat, I pursue – it was quite a lively exchange.

Hatake Sakumo was very satisfied with Karot's strength. However, as a father, being chased and beaten by his son was a blow to his pride.

The Hatake family's swordsmanship was displayed before Karot.

He only felt a flash of the blade, moving at extreme speed. Karot used his ki to track Hatake Sakumo's blade's trajectory, but he was too weak now, his combat power not strong. His ki naturally wasn't enough, so he could only use all his ki to block, and his body was sent flying backward, crashing hard into the wall, his ki vanishing.

This is the strength of Konoha's White Fang, truly powerful.

Karot stood up.

"Father, you don't really intend to kill your own son, do you!"

Hearing Karot's words, Hatake Sakumo snapped back to reality.

"Sorry, sorry."

As he apologized, he sheathed his sword. When the blade struck Karot, Hatake Sakumo had already held back some of his strength; otherwise, Karot would already be a corpse.

Karot patted the dust off his body and asked.

"Shall we continue? Father."

"No need. You now possess Jonin-level strength and the ability to protect yourself on the battlefield. I can rest easy."

Having tested Karot's strength, Hatake Sakumo was also relieved.

Seeing the fight end, Kakashi ran over.

"Brother, are you okay?"

Kakashi immediately showed concern. He had seen his own brother crash into the wall, and his heart was filled with a longing for their family's swordsmanship. He also wanted to defeat Karot and avenge his pride.

"Don't worry, I'm fine. Father held back."

Karot replied, noticing the deep concern in Kakashi's eyes.

"Kakashi, you need to work hard and train, or it will be difficult for you to surpass your brother."

This put Kakashi in a difficult position. Kakashi was improving, but Karot's progress would only be greater. A Saiyan's potential was immense.

"Father, I want to learn swordsmanship."

Kakashi said with a serious expression. Having witnessed the Hatake family's swordsmanship, Kakashi looked on with longing.

"Hahaha, alright. I thought you two brothers weren't interested in my swordsmanship. Now that Kakashi wants to learn, I'm not afraid of the techniques being lost. What about you, Karot?"

"I don't need it. It doesn't fit my fighting style."

A Saiyan warrior using a sword? Does he think I'm Trunks with his sword?

"Father, you should teach Kakashi instead!"

"Alright then."

Hatake Sakumo didn't mind his son's refusal. He knew his son had his own plans and all he needed to do was trust him and protect him until Karot grew strong. This was a father's deep love for his son.

He wouldn't express it openly, only silently guarding him, being there when he was needed.

"Today, we're going to eat barbecue to celebrate your graduation."

Hatake Sakumo said happily.

Karot and Kakashi naturally wouldn't object to this decision.

"Okay."

"Sure."

The family of three set off towards the barbecue restaurant.