First Meeting

After graduating from the Ninja Academy, Karot trained diligently at home, focusing his practice on his approximate combat power once he understood it.

"System, the training method you provided has too long a time span for results."

"Host, please rest assured, this is tailor-made to ensure your body's energy is not harmed."

"Harmed?"

"Yes, there are no Senzu Beans or healing pods in this world. Injuries cannot be healed directly."

"That's a problem. I wonder if this world's medical ninjutsu will leave hidden injuries."

Karot began to ponder who in this world could create healing pods. He thought of one person, the "cold lord" Orochimaru, a scientist.

Just as Karot was thinking about how to contact Orochimaru, his father's voice called out.

"Karot, come out for a moment."

"Okay, Father."

Karot pushed the thoughts from his mind, got up, and went to the living room.

In the living room, Hatake Sakumo was chatting and laughing with a ninja. Seeing Karot arrive, Hatake Sakumo spoke.

"Karot, let me introduce you. This will be your team leader, and also a student I once taught."

Hatake Sakumo introduced him, his tone filled with pride.

"Hello, my name is Hatake Karot."

"Hello, my name is Matsushita Hokuto, you can call me Teacher Matsushita."

"Okay, Teacher Matsushita."

It was their first meeting, and both left a good impression on each other. Polite greetings were exchanged; whether they would get along would depend on their personalities.

Matsushita Hokuto appeared very kind, always smiling, speaking softly, giving people a feeling of warmth.

"He was the first student I ever led, Father. He's powerful and very reliable."

"Thank you, Teacher Hatake, for your recognition. I've always looked up to you, Teacher Hatake, and I've always wanted to become a ninja like you."

Matsushita Hokuto acted like a devoted fan of Hatake Sakumo.

"Hokuto, I'm entrusting my son to you from now on. I hope you can teach him well. Please."

With that, Hatake Sakumo stood up, his expression serious, and bowed to Matsushita Hokuto.

"Teacher, please rest assured, I will teach Karot well."

Matsushita said solemnly, a teacher's promise to a student's parent.

"Thank you."

Afterward, their conversation turned to memories of past ninja eras.

"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now, Teacher."

"Alright."

"Karot, we'll meet at the Hokage Building tomorrow morning at eight to receive your first ninja mission. I'll also introduce you to the other two members of your team."

"Yes, Teacher Hokuto."

Then Matsushita Hokuto left, leaving only the Hatake father and son.

"Karot, always protect yourself when you're out there. It's okay if you can't complete a mission, but you must survive."

Hatake Sakumo instructed. Although this went against a ninja's mission, it was a father's deep love for his son, willing to go against his own ninja way.

Hatake Sakumo said this not only to his son but also to his students. It was no wonder that in the original story, Hatake Sakumo abandoned a mission he could have completed to save his companions, only to end up committing suicide. In this life, with me here, I won't let such a thing happen.

"I understand, Father."

The next morning, after finishing his training, Karot, wearing his Turtle Hermit gi, stood in front of the mirror, examining his appearance. He tried the forehead protector on his forehead, then tied it to his arm. This was also fulfilling a childhood dream.

Before Karot could enjoy himself, Hatake Sakumo forcibly dragged him to the Hokage Building. He saw Matsushita Hokuto and two children standing beside him.

"Karot, I didn't expect you to be late for our first meeting."

Matsushita Hokuto said with a serious expression, his smile gone.

"Sorry, sorry, I got lost on the road of life."

He blurted out Kakashi's excuse for being late. Kakashi hadn't developed the habit of being late yet, so this would be original.

Karot stated his reason for being late without any hint of embarrassment.

The other three clearly didn't believe this excuse and immediately labeled Karot as unreliable.

"Alright, just this once, and never again."

Teacher Matsushita stepped forward to smooth things over. Didn't he see Konoha's White Fang here? I have to believe it even if I don't want to.

"Let me introduce you to your two teammates. This is Hyuga Sanada."

"Hi, hello."

Karot greeted him familiarly, being very outgoing.

"With just a brat like him joining our team, he'll only drag us down."

The Hyuga clan, huh? Their abilities are quite strong. It's a skill in itself that they can stare at people with their Byakugan all day without getting killed.

"This is Miwako, please get along well."

"You're Karot, right! I've heard of you. Just like Kaka, you graduated from the Ninja Academy at five years old. They're even calling you two brothers the 'Hatake Twin Stars' at the academy now."

"Oh, really? I'm that famous? It's all thanks to everyone's high regard."

Karot happily accepted the praise. It was the truth, after all, so there was no need to be shy. He was the picture of confidence.

"Please take care of me from now on."

"Who knows, I might need Karot to protect me in the future. I'm just a Medical Ninja."

"A Medical Ninja? That's great! I'll never have to worry about getting injured again, Miwako will heal me."

Karot showered Miwako with compliments. In his eyes, medical ninjutsu was the hardest to learn and the most indispensable.

"Matsushita, Karot is in your care."

"Yes, Teacher."

Upon hearing Matsushita Hokuto's words, Hatake Sakumo vanished in a Shunshin.

"Alright, if you want to build rapport, you can do it during future missions."

After Hatake Sakumo left, Matsushita Hokuto interrupted their conversation.

Then, Matsushita led Karot and the others to the area where they would receive missions. It was Karot's first time here, and he couldn't help but look around curiously, like Granny Liu visiting the Grand View Garden.

"Is this guy really a genius?"

Hyuga Sanada looked at Karot, who seemed like a clown, and deeply worried about the team's future prospects.

"Hokage-sama."

When Matsushita Hokuto led the group into the room, Matsushita Hokuto, Hyuga Sanada, and Miwako all spoke to Hiruzen Sarutobi with great respect.

Only Karot looked at the man known as the "Strongest Hokage" with keen interest.

He could sense the immense amount of chakra within this man, even more than his father, Hatake Sakumo. A man who could take over the position of Hokage after the Second Hokage's death was not to be underestimated.

"Matsushita, it's been a while."

Hiruzen Sarutobi acted like a caring superior. If nothing else, his acting deserved an Oscar.

"Thank you for your concern, Hokage-sama. I've been spending a bit too much time on ninja missions lately."

The Third Hokage didn't always work in the mission hall; he had come here with a specific purpose.

After a brief chat with Matsushita, he turned his gaze to Karot.

"You're Sakumo's son, Hatake Karot, aren't you?"