After graduating from the Ninja Academy, Karot trained hard at home. Now that he had a rough idea of his combat strength, he could tailor his training accordingly.
"System, this training method takes a long time to show results."
"Host, please rest assured. This method was custom-designed to ensure it does not damage your bodily functions."
"Damage?"
"Yes. There are no Senzu Beans or healing pods in this world. Injuries and illnesses can't be healed instantly."
"That's a problem. I wonder if the Medical Ninjutsu in this world leaves behind hidden injuries."
Karot began to think about who in this world could build a healing pod. One person came to mind: Orochimaru, the "Cold Lord"—a scientist.
Just as Karot was wondering how he might get in touch with Orochimaru, his father called out to him.
"Karot, come out for a moment."
"Coming, Father."
Karot put his thoughts aside and got up to go to the living room.
Hatake Sakumo was chatting and laughing with a ninja in the living room. When Karot arrived, Sakumo spoke up.
"Karot, let me introduce you. This is going to be your team leader. He was also one of my students."
Sakumo introduced him with unmistakable pride in his voice.
"Hello, I'm Hatake Karot."
"Hello, I'm Matsushita Hokuto. You can call me Teacher Matsushita."
"All right, Teacher Matsushita."
At their first meeting, they made a good impression on each other. They exchanged polite greetings; how well they got along after that would depend on whether their personalities meshed.
Matsushita Hokuto looked very kind. His lips were always curved in a smile, and he spoke gently, giving people a sense of warmth and ease.
"He was the first student I ever had. He's strong and very reliable."
"Thank you for thinking so highly of me, Teacher Hatake. I've always looked up to you as my idol. I've always wanted to become a ninja like you."
Matsushita Hokuto looked like a die-hard fan of Hatake Sakumo.
"Hokuto, I'm entrusting my son to you. I hope you'll teach him well. Please."
With that, Hatake Sakumo stood up, his expression serious, and bowed to Matsushita Hokuto.
"Don't worry, Sensei. I'll teach Karot well."
Matsushita said this solemnly, a promise from a student to his teacher's family.
"Thank you."
After that, they reminisced about the old days of the ninja world.
"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave, Sensei."
"All right."
"Karot, tomorrow morning at eight, meet us at the Hokage Building. We'll pick up your first ninja mission, and I'll introduce you to the other two members of our squad."
"Yes, Teacher Hokuto."
Then Matsushita Hokuto left, leaving only the father and son behind.
"Karot, make sure you protect yourself out there. It doesn't matter if you can't complete a mission, but you must come back alive."
Hatake Sakumo urged him to be careful. Though it went against a ninja's duty, it was a father's deep love for his son—love that made him willing to defy his own code.
Sakumo didn't just say this to his son, but to his students as well. No wonder, in the original story, he gave up a mission he could have completed to save his comrades, only to end up taking his own life. But I'm here in this life. I won't let that happen.
"I understand, Father."
Early the next morning, after finishing his training, Karot stood in front of the mirror wearing his Turtle School gi, sizing himself up. He tried wearing his forehead protector on his forehead, then tying it around his arm. It was a childhood dream come true.
Before Karot could enjoy himself for long, Hatake Sakumo dragged him straight to the Hokage Building, where Matsushita Hokuto was waiting with two children beside him.
"Karot, I didn't expect you to be late for our very first meeting."
Matsushita Hokuto wore a stern expression. The smile had vanished from his face.
"Sorry, sorry. I got lost on the road of life."
He'd gone and used Kakashi's famous excuse for being late. Kakashi hadn't developed the habit of showing up late yet, so that made Karot the original.
Karot delivered his excuse without hesitation, showing no embarrassment whatsoever.
The three people opposite him obviously didn't believe him. They all labeled him unreliable.
"Enough. Just this once. Don't let it happen again."
Matsushita, the teacher, stepped in to smooth things over. Konoha's White Fang was standing right there, after all. How could he not believe him?
"Let me introduce your teammates. This is Hyuga Sanada."
"Hey, nice to meet you."
Karot greeted him like they were old friends, completely at ease.
"How can a brat like him be allowed on our team? He'll only hold us back."
A member of the Hyuga clan, huh? They were pretty capable. He stared at people with his Byakugan all the time and still hadn't gotten himself beaten up—that was a talent in itself.
"And this is Miwako. You should all get along."
"You're Karot, right? I've heard of you. You graduated from the Ninja Academy at five, just like Kakashi. Everyone at the Academy calls you two the 'Hatake Twins.'"
"Oh, really? I'm that famous? Everyone's giving me too much credit."
Karot cheerfully accepted her praise. It was true, after all—what was there to be embarrassed about? He was shameless to the core.
"I look forward to working with you."
"You might even have to rely on me to protect you someday, Karot. I'm only a Medical Ninja."
"A Medical Ninja? That's great. Now I won't have to worry about getting hurt. Miwako can heal me."
Karot praised Miwako enthusiastically. In his view, Medical Ninjutsu was the hardest kind of ninjutsu to learn, and it was also indispensable.
"Matsushita, I'm leaving Karot in your hands."
"Yes, Sensei."
At Matsushita Hokuto's reply, Hatake Sakumo vanished in a Body Flicker.
"All right. You can get to know each other better during your missions."
After Sakumo left, Matsushita Hokuto interrupted their conversation.
Then Matsushita led Karot and the others into the place where they assigned missions. It was Karot's first time there, and he looked around curiously, like a country bumpkin seeing the big city for the first time.
"Is this guy really a genius?"
Watching Karot act like such a fool, Hyuga Sanada worried deeply about the team's future.
"Hokage-sama."
When Matsushita Hokuto led them into the room, Matsushita, Hyuga Sanada, and Miwako all greeted Hiruzen Sarutobi respectfully.
Karot alone sized up the man reputed to be the "Strongest Hokage" with interest.
He could sense the immense amount of Chakra inside the man—more than his father Hatake Sakumo had. A man who could take over as Hokage after the Second Hokage's death was not to be underestimated.
"Matsushita, it's been a long time."
Hiruzen Sarutobi acted like a caring leader. If nothing else, his acting deserved an Oscar.
"Thank you for asking after me, Hokage-sama. I've been spending a lot of time on missions lately."
The Third Hokage didn't always work from the mission hall. He came here selectively, for a reason.
After chatting with Matsushita for a few moments, he turned his attention to Karot.
"You must be Sakumo's son, Hatake Karot."
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