Encounter Battle

Minato thought for a moment and said.

"Although Lord Orochimaru's methods were a bit excessive, they weren't entirely unreasonable."

"Compared to the dangers of the battlefield, it's already a reduced difficulty to only have to guard against three great snakes."

"Hmm, not bad."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in agreement. Overall, Hiruzen Sarutobi was satisfied with his prized student's methods; being a ninja isn't about hosting a party, it's about life and death.

"Sakumo-sama, aren't you worried about your son?"

Jiraiya asked with some curiosity, after all, the great snake's strength was evident for all to see.

"I believe in the strength of both of them."

Hatake Sakumo's face was full of confidence.

"Especially Karot, even I have to take his strength seriously."

When it came to his own son, Hatake Sakumo would turn into a chatterbox, always boasting about his children.

"What? Sakumo-sama, you can't be joking, right?"

Jiraiya asked in disbelief. Although there had been rumors in the village recently about the "Konoha Twin Stars," he hadn't paid much attention. After all, no matter how much of a genius, they couldn't be that strong. But now Hatake Sakumo was saying that one of them required his serious attention, it was like dropping a bomb into calm water.

In the office, all four looked at Hatake Sakumo with confused, questioning eyes.

However, Hatake Sakumo didn't offer much explanation for their gazes.

"You'll all know in the future what terrifying talent this child possesses. His future achievements will far surpass mine. He will become someone like the First Hokage."

"Hahaha, Sakumo-sama, you're exaggerating."

The Leaf Village had produced many geniuses, but none had ever claimed to have the potential of the First Hokage. Otherwise, Senju Hashirama wouldn't be revered as the "God of Shinobi," because that was a level only a god could reach.

"Then you all just wait and see. He will shock you."

Hatake Sakumo said confidently.

On the edge of the Forest of Death, the second stage of the Chunin Exams began. Upon receiving the order to start, the Genin taking the exam rushed towards the opened gates of the Forest of Death as if they were mad.

As long as they ran fast enough and secured one of the top ten spots, that was the idea many had. Some also formed teams to work together, as the Genin participating in the Chunin assessment had all come in teams. However, these teams were very unreliable because people's hearts are hard to unite.

Kakashi stood out among the many Genin with his excellent footwork, also using his actions to refuse Karot's help, believing he, Kakashi, could pass on his own merits.

"Such an unlovable brother."

Seeing Kakashi's choice, Karot didn't pester him further because he understood how strong Kakashi's self-esteem was.

Just as Karot was

slowly wandering in the Forest of Death. A kunai and several shuriken shot towards Karot from the bushes. Karot dodged the shuriken, his expression unchanged, and firmly caught them with two fingers.

"Come out! Stop hiding."

With Karot's perception, he had already known someone was ambushing him on his path. If the opponent hadn't attacked him, he wouldn't have made a move, as the opponent was too weak to even stir his desire to fight. In the Forest of Death, only Orochimaru could make him feel the urge to battle.

"You've got some skill, managing to dodge our attack."

Three ninja emerged from the bushes. Judging by their attire, they were from the Uchiha clan.

"Do we have a grudge?"

"No."

"Have we had any past conflicts?"

"No."

The Uchiha leader replied.

"With no grudges or past conflicts, why are you blocking my path?"

"You really don't remember?"

"Why don't you help me recall?"

Karot looked bewildered.

The Uchiha leader, seeing Karot's blank expression, became furious.

He said through gritted teeth.

"You remember the graduation exam, right? The person you defeated was my older brother."

"Oh~, I forgot. A defeated opponent isn't worth remembering."

"Damn it, I will defeat you and wash away my brother's shame."

"Is that so? If your brother couldn't defeat me, how can you?"

After speaking, Karot beckoned the opponent with his finger, which immediately made the Uchiha present feel insulted, an undisguised insult.

The three Uchiha, burning with rage, charged at Karot. Once in combat mode, the Uchiha divided their roles clearly: one provided ranged support, while the other two focused on offense. The combat proficiency of the Uchiha clan was fully displayed at this moment. Three pairs of Sharingan represented the strength of the Uchiha before them.

The ranged attacker fired shuriken to distract Karot's attention, while another Uchiha threw a punch at Karot, which he dodged by sidestepping. With a slide, Karot lightly leaped onto a tree branch.

Looking down at the Uchiha below from a height, Karot exuded a dangerous aura.

"You're cooperating well. But now it's my turn."

After Karot finished speaking, he instantly disappeared.

"Watch out! Everyone..."

Before the leading Uchiha could finish speaking, Karot had already tightly gripped his neck.

"Let him go."

As he spoke, one Uchiha formed hand seals, preparing to release a ninjutsu to threaten Karot.

"Alright."

With that, Karot released the Uchiha, who had already been choked unconscious.

Seeing Karot release his comrade, the Uchiha who had formed hand seals unleashed his ninjutsu at Karot.

"Fire Style, Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"

The entire fireball engulfed Karot.

Just as the two Uchiha thought their attack had succeeded, they saw Karot emerge from the fireball, glowing with a blue light.

They were filled with terror. It was the first time they had seen someone completely unharmed after being hit by the Phoenix Sage Fire Technique.

It wasn't that Karot couldn't dodge, he just couldn't be bothered. He wrapped his entire body in qi, making the ninjutsu unable to harm him in the slightest.

"It's my turn to make a move."

With that, Karot didn't make them wait long. He knocked one out with a chop to the head and another out with a punch to the gut, a perfect finish. This time, the Uchiha were out for the count. Their Chunin exam journey ended here for the year.

He effortlessly defeated three Uchiha with just taijutsu, not even giving them a chance to release their ninjutsu. It wasn't that they were too weak, but that their opponent was far stronger than they had imagined.

In the Hokage's office building, they were greatly surprised to see Karot emerge from the ninjutsu completely unharmed. What they cared about was what that blue power on Karot's body was.

And what everyone failed to notice was that a white snake had witnessed the entire process. It secretly retreated and went to the second examiner, Orochimaru, burrowing into his body. Orochimaru seemed to have personally experienced and witnessed the battle.

"Such speed. How strong is your body? And what is that blue power? Karot, you've truly given me a great surprise."

Orochimaru muttered to himself. Ever since Karot had shown interest in him, Orochimaru had also become interested in Karot. He had sent out his snake clones to track Karot, never expecting to obtain such unique intelligence.

Why didn't Karot, with his strong senses, notice the tracking? It was because the snake didn't emit any hostility towards Karot; Karot simply treated it as a normal animal.