Chunin Exam

After resting on-site for one night, they returned to Konohagakure early in the morning. By the time they arrived, it was already close to noon.

"I didn't expect to be back so soon from my first mission," Karot said with emotion. The entire trip, from departure to return, took two days.

"Alright, no need to be sentimental. You'll be so busy with future tasks that you won't have time to return to the village for rest," Matsushita said from the side.

"We'll go turn in the mission report first, then head home to rest and await my summons."

"Yes, Teacher Matsushita."

While reporting the mission details, Matsushita particularly praised Karot's performance during the mission. He received high commendation from the Third Hokage, who encouraged Karot to continue his efforts and contribute further to Konohagakure.

Returning home, Karot found his father waiting for him at the door, eagerly anticipating his son's return.

"You're back. Was the mission smooth?" Hatake Sakumo asked after checking Karot for any injuries. Although he trusted Karot's abilities, he knew that blades were unforgiving. As a father, he wished for his son to soar high, yet feared he might get hurt in the process—a very conflicted sentiment.

"Mhm, very smooth."

Hearing Karot's reply, Hatake Sakumo finally relaxed.

Afterward, father and son sat down in the living room. Kakashi emerged from the backyard.

"Brother, welcome home."

Time flew by, and a year passed in the blink of an eye. During this year, Karot's strength surged dramatically. His chakra sensing range could now cover the entire Konohagakure. Although he was still no match for Hatake Sakumo, when he went all out, his strength reached seventy percent of Sakumo's. He was more than capable of being an elite Jonin. The key was that Karot was only six years old. In this timeline, Karot might still be chopping wood.

Over the past year, Karot's team, under Teacher Matsushita's guidance, completed 20 A-rank missions, 35 B-rank missions, and 60 C-rank missions.

During this year, Karot spent his time busily, either training or on missions—he simply couldn't stop.

Due to Karot's strength, Matsushita intentionally reduced the number of low-level missions. Consequently, Karot's team became quite famous within Konohagakure, as a team that had never undertaken D-rank missions was unheard of.

However, venturing out also meant hardship. During missions, they would encounter attacks from ninja of other villages. Fortunately, with the existence of the monstrous Karot, they managed to escape danger every time. Karot had also started wearing an orange-red Turtle Kanji Martial Arts Uniform.

Meanwhile, Kakashi had been practicing the Hatake clan's inherited sword techniques for half a year and joined another team for missions, where he performed exceptionally well. This caused the fame of the Hatake brothers to spread rapidly throughout Konohagakure.

Previously, the title "Konoha Twin Stars" was only known within the Ninja Academy. But as the brothers began to shine, this moniker was also accepted by the ninja of Konohagakure.

Just as Karot was training in his family's training ground, an eagle suddenly circled overhead.

"Another mission already?"

Karot quickly tidied up and headed to their usual meeting point.

"Teacher Matsushita, what kind of mission is it this time?"

When Karot arrived, the other three were already waiting for him.

"No, this isn't a mission this time," Matsushita Hokuto shook his head.

"If it's not a mission, why did you summon us?" Karot asked, full of confusion.

"Because this matter concerns you, and we are a team, so they've come to support you."

Seeing the three smiling faces, Karot became even more perplexed.

"I won't hide it from you anymore; it's the Chunin Exams."

"Oh."

Karot feigned a look of sudden realization. So that's what it was! Upon closer thought, he realized he was the only Genin in the entire team.

"The reason for this gathering is to ask if you are willing to participate."

"Teacher Matsushita, isn't the Chunin Exam taken as a team?"

"Teams can participate, but individuals can too. Since it's ultimately individual combat, both are allowed."

"Alright then! I'll participate."

Seeing Karot agree, Hyuga said, "You need to be careful. If you're the only one on your team, people will definitely target you."

After a year of interaction, the relationships within the team had become very harmonious.

"Here's some intel I gathered. You can take a look." Hyuga, being a prominent clan in Konohagakure, had its own methods of acquiring information.

As soon as Karot took the intel from Hyuga, Miwako handed him a large bag of healing medicine for injuries.

"There's not much else I can do to help you. I hope you won't need this."

Because Karot often relied on Miwako for help, their interactions were somewhat like those between siblings.

Watching his students get along so well, Matsushita felt a surge of joy in his heart.

Returning home, Karot saw the mission-obsessed Kakashi. Because of Karot, Kakashi was working hard to catch up, hoping not to fall too far behind.

Karot understood that this time he was at home because it was for the Chunin exams.

Kakashi watched as Karot, who had gone shopping, carried large and small bags.

"This is treatment for those participating in the Chunin exams, and this is medicine for injuries."

Karot unhesitatingly shared what he had obtained with Kakashi.

"How do you have these things?"

Kakashi asked.

"It's all thanks to your brother's good luck. My teammates gave them to me. Did your teammates give you anything?"

Karot said proudly, not forgetting to tease Kakashi.

"Hmph, I don't need them."

"Oh, you don't need those? Then do you want me to go easy on you so you can become the youngest Chunin in the Leaf Village?"

Karot ruffled Kakashi's hair as he spoke. For some reason, Karot really enjoyed seeing Kakashi upset; he found it amusing. Perhaps this was the rule of the ninja world, a brother complex.

"I don't need them."

Kakashi shook off Karot's hand, his tone flat.

"I will defeat you in the ninja exam and become the youngest Chunin through my own strength."

Perhaps the training over the past year had made Kakashi overconfident, believing he had surpassed his older brother.

"Is that so? I hope you don't run into me during the matches. Otherwise, it'll just be a one-day trip to becoming a Chunin."

As an older brother, it was his responsibility and obligation to make his younger brother face reality.

"Tch."

Kakashi couldn't help but feel a bit heavy-hearted at Karot's words. If it were Karot, Kakashi, after a year of studying the Hatake swordsmanship, felt he had the strength to fight him. However, he didn't realize that the Hatake swordsmanship was entirely different in the hands of Hatake Sakumo and Hatake Kakashi.

The next morning, the two brothers arrived at the exam venue early. This was no different from Karot's impression of the Chunin exams; it started with a written test.

However, there were no participants from other ninja villages, only from their own. This was likely due to the Ninja World War, perhaps fearing that if someone was injured, they wouldn't be able to defend themselves and would be crippled or disabled. After all, the ninja who could participate in the Chunin exams were the precious treasures of their respective villages, and any loss would cause them great heartache.