Tenth Place

The Hokage's office fell silent. Everyone was still stunned that Karot had emerged completely unharmed after being hit by the Phoenix Sage Fire Technique.

"Sakumo, what's going on?"

The Third Hokage asked Hatake Sakumo. He had never heard of such power, and the others present cast curious glances their way.

"This is Karot's Kekkei Genkai. You all know he can't refine Chakra. It was only after he awakened this power that I let him become a ninja."

The higher-ups in Konoha all knew Karot couldn't refine Chakra. When Hatake Sakumo had gone to apply to Hiruzen Sarutobi for Karot to attend the academy under special circumstances, Hiruzen had even advised him that letting Karot live as an ordinary person might be a good choice.

"Sakumo-sama, is that true?"

Jiraiya asked outright. From the certainty on Hatake Sakumo's face, he knew Sakumo was telling the truth.

"Are you sure, Sakumo?"

The Third Hokage asked.

A completely new Kekkei Genkai could bring Konoha unimaginable benefits. It would increase their combat strength, and with the Ninja World's current situation so unstable, every bit stronger they became meant their enemies were that much weaker. Besides, Hatake Sakumo was on his side.

"Sakumo, you've given Konoha two pillars of talent."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said warmly, though he felt a little worried inside. Hatake Sakumo's reputation now rivaled his own, and many were calling for him to become the next Hokage. Hiruzen's student Orochimaru had the title of "Sannin," but he still fell a little short of Hatake Sakumo. Now Sakumo had two genius sons as well, making Hiruzen's hope of passing the Hokage mantle to Orochimaru seem increasingly unrealistic. The Hokage succession had always stayed within the Hokage's own circle, and Hiruzen didn't want to break with tradition.

Danzo, who had kept silent all this time, flashed a murderous glint in his eyes. The Hokage seat had always been Danzo's obsession. Anyone who stood in his way would be killed. Now that Hatake Sakumo had appeared as an obstacle, Danzo would do whatever it took to eliminate him. But he hid his intentions so well that no one present noticed.

"It's my honor to contribute to Konoha."

Hatake Sakumo replied modestly.

"Hokage-sama, Sakumo-sama, I hope you'll let me take Kakashi as my student."

At that moment, Minato Namikaze spoke up.

"Hm?"

Everyone present turned to Minato with questioning looks.

"Why? Karot's more talented than Kakashi. Why choose Kakashi?"

Jiraiya, Minato's teacher, asked.

They had just watched Kakashi on the crystal ball. He had easily dealt with the squad that tried to ambush him, then faced a giant snake and used his family's Hatake Sword Style and remarkable tactical skill to defeat it with only minor injuries. He truly deserved to be called a genius. But compared with Karot's Kekkei Genkai, choosing Karot would have been the better option.

"Karot may indeed be even more gifted than Kakashi, but there's nothing I can teach him. I don't understand his Kekkei Genkai, and I can't teach him how to use Chakra."

"As for taijutsu, he's already developed his own style. I might not even be able to beat him, so Kakashi is the best choice for me."

Minato Namikaze was clever. He had already begun building his influence, and if he took Kakashi as his student, then Karot and Hatake Sakumo would also become assets in his bid to compete for the Hokage seat.

"As a fellow genius, you may be the best person to teach Kakashi."

Hiruzen Sarutobi had his own reasons for saying this. Kakashi becoming Minato's student would greatly help Minato become Hokage. After all, the Hatake Clan had three geniuses.

"Sakumo, what do you think?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi asked again. Kakashi had the Hatake Clan behind him, after all; he wasn't a civilian ninja. If Hatake Sakumo disagreed, Hiruzen couldn't force the issue.

"That's fine. I trust Minato's ability."

Hatake Sakumo knew Minato Namikaze's reputation. He was a genius ninja who had rescued the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki from the enemy before graduating. Most importantly, he had mastered the Flying Thunder God—the first person to do so since the Second Hokage's death. With Kakashi becoming Minato's student, he would also join the Hokage's circle, which could only benefit his future. Hatake Sakumo would never refuse such an opportunity.

"Thank you for trusting me, Sakumo-sama. I'll make sure to teach Kakashi to become an excellent ninja."

Minato Namikaze bowed to Hatake Sakumo and spoke earnestly. It was both a promise and a teacher's hope for his student.

Danzo watched helplessly as everything unfolded. Everyone present was delighted, while he alone was left feeling miserable.

Meanwhile, at the Chunin Ninja Exams in the Forest of Death, Kakashi had his wounds bandaged and reached the central tower, securing second place.

After that, the third and fourth candidates arrived one after another. Kakashi kept waiting eagerly for Karot, but he never showed up.

At that moment, Karot was enjoying his meal. A giant serpent had been roasted to a golden brown over the fire. It had only itself to blame for foolishly running into Karot's fist. Karot couldn't bear to leave its corpse in the wilderness, so he had no choice but to use his stomach to bury it. A good deed, if ever there was one.

Everyone in the Hokage's office watched Karot's antics in disbelief. How could anyone eat that much? How were they supposed to afford to feed him? Hatake Sakumo wanted to say, Now you see why I've been so relentless about completing missions.

Once he'd finished eating, Karot cleaned up and put out the fire. Then he headed for the central tower, his figure flickering in and out of sight at incredible speed. At last, he reached the tower. Tenth place—not bad. He hadn't been eliminated.

"Excellent. Congratulations on completing the second exam."

Orochimaru emerged from the shadows, clapping.

He paused to look at Karot and Kakashi. After all, they were the ones who had managed to kill his giant snake.

"The final exam will be held in one week. Just gather at the exam site then. You're dismissed."

When Orochimaru finished speaking, the Genin who had passed began filing out.

By the time Karot and Kakashi emerged from the Forest of Death, Teacher Matsushita, Sanada, and Kazumi had been waiting for quite a while.

"Karot, over here."

Teacher Matsushita waved him over.

"How did it go? Did you pass?"

Kazumi asked first. She knew how strong Karot was, but she was still a little worried until she had confirmation. Their other teammate looked just as anxious.

"I passed. It was too easy."

"Yeah!"

"Congratulations, Karot."

"Thanks."

Karot gladly accepted his friends' congratulations.

"But don't get cocky. The third round will be even harder."

Hyuga Sanada put on the air of a senior and lectured Karot.

"For a genius like me, it's all easy. If it were you, Sanada, though, that'd be another story."

Karot took the opportunity to tease him. After a year together, he knew Sanada was just a tsundere.

"Damn you, Karot!"

Matsushita watched his students tease one another and felt delighted.