First Battle of the Assessment

See you in a week. At a fork in the road, Karot said goodbye to his teammates.

Upon returning home, he found Hatake Sakumo already waiting.

"You two did well today, Karot, Kakashi."

Hatake Sakumo smiled, pleased with his sons' performance.

"After all, our father is Konoha's White Fang; we can't let him be disgraced."

"Hahaha, worthy sons indeed."

Hatake Sakumo was quite pleased with Karot's honest words.

"By the way, Kakashi, I've found a teacher for you today."

Hatake Sakumo said suddenly.

Kakashi was taken aback, then asked with confusion.

"A teacher?"

"Yes, a very outstanding teacher. I believe you've heard of his name."

Hearing Hatake Sakumo's words, Karot knew who the teacher would be: the ninja world's "fastest" man, Minato Namikaze.

"He is Minato Namikaze."

"Is he the Minato Namikaze, Jiraiya-sama's disciple who learned the Flying Thunder God?" Kakashi asked, his dead fish eyes sparkling with surprise.

"That's right."

"But he's aiming to compete for the next Hokage, which would make him your rival, Father. Then I..."

Before Kakashi could finish, Hatake Sakumo interrupted him.

"You don't need to worry about the Hokage position for me. Minato and I have a good rivalry. I'm entrusting you to Minato because he's suitable for you. You must believe in your father's abilities."

"Thank you, Father."

Karot, finding his father a complete political novice, felt a headache coming on and spoke up.

"Come on, Father. Without any background, you can't become Hokage."

"Hm?"

Both father and son looked at Karot with confusion, wondering what profound statement he was about to make.

"The Hokage succession from the Second to the Third was a master-disciple handover. You, Father, are just the leader of a small clan. The support you have is far less than the power of the Hokage faction. That's the first point."

"The second point is that your achievements overshadow the ruler. When your abilities surpass those of the heir apparent, you become dangerous."

"Minato taking disciples this time is the Hokage's test for you, Father."

After hearing Karot's analysis, Hatake Sakumo was dumbfounded. Was this the same foolish son who only knew how to eat and train? Kakashi was equally surprised. When did his brother become so smart? Where was the brother who used to just overpower him with force?

Seeing the two still in shock, Karot tapped the table with his hand to bring them back to their senses.

"So, I can't become Hokage? Karot?" Hatake Sakumo asked unwillingly. Every ninja in the Leaf Village harbored dreams of becoming Hokage. Hatake Sakumo wasn't stupid. After Karot's analysis and his own reflection, he fully understood that the position of Hokage seemed within reach but was actually like Kyōka Suigetsu.

"Not necessarily."

"Really?" Hatake Sakumo asked happily.

"When I have the strength to sweep through the Leaf Village, you can be Hokage then." Karot replied domineeringly.

"Actually, as long as you and Kakashi are safe, it doesn't matter if you don't become Hokage, Karot."

Ultimately, a father's love for his children triumphed over his desire for power. Everyone faces countless choices, but not everyone can accept the consequences of those choices.

"If we don't eat soon, the food will get cold. I specially made this for you after passing the exam."

"Then I'll begin."

In the blink of an eye, a week passed quietly. Karot and Kakashi arrived at the venue for the third round of the exam.

Around the examination area, a crowd of spectators had gathered to watch the matches. Some were commoners, and some were ninja. They were all drawn by this Chunin exam.

Because Karot had been training in the morning, they arrived late.

"You two are the only ones left, hurry up!" The supervising Jonin urged the brothers who had arrived late.

"Yes."

"Yes."

Knowing they were in the wrong, the two responded verbally but walked at their own pace.

"Everyone is here. We'll draw lots to determine opponents."

After speaking, the Jonin brought out a box, and the examinees drew lots one by one.

There were ten slips of paper in the box. Two by two, those who drew the same pattern would duel, and the winner would advance to the next round.

After the Jonin finished speaking with a poker face, except for the Hatake brothers and a few ninjas from prominent clans, the remaining three civilian ninjas all wore nervous expressions. They could only pray to draw an opponent who was also a civilian, as that was their only chance of winning. After all, ninjas from prominent clans had been training and learning ninjutsu since childhood, with solid foundations. Their clan's generations of inheritance allowed them to grow faster and stronger. Not every civilian was like Minato Namikaze; he was just a special case, not the norm.

However, it was clear that Lady Luck was on her period today and did not hear their prayers.

Soon, everyone drew their opponents. Kakashi drew an opponent from the Inuzuka clan. Both sides wore confident smiles, each believing they would win the match.

Karot's opponent was from the Hyuga clan, a clan known for their eyes. Was it that Karot had a beef with eyes? After dealing with the Sharingan last round, they were now facing the Byakugan.

The examination quickly began, and Kakashi, ranked first in the second round, took the stage first.

"Hey, kid from the Hatake clan, I advise you to surrender early! Chunin is still too soon for you."

The opponent wore a look of disdain. Although Kakashi was known as a genius, his age was incredibly deceptive. Putting himself in Kakashi's shoes, the Inuzuka clan ninja compared his own strength at Kakashi's age and concluded that the advantage was his.

"You say that so confidently now, but you'll be much more embarrassed when you lose."

At this period, Kakashi was incredibly sharp-tongued; even Karot sometimes couldn't win an argument with him and had to resort to brute force.

"Since that's the case, don't blame me for not giving Sakumo-sama face. If you don't want to leave with dignity, I'll have to give you some."

Inuzuka Yasha felt he had already shown Kakashi enough respect. Since Kakashi didn't accept it, he couldn't be blamed. Even if Sakumo-sama wanted to pursue the matter, it would be Kakashi's fault for not yielding. He wasn't worried about losing; he was more than twice Kakashi's age and had trained for at least twice as long. There was no possibility of defeat.

All members of the Inuzuka clan had a companion puppy. Inuzuka Yasha's puppy was a small dog with long, snow-white fur named Inuyasha.

"Inuyasha, let's go together," Inuzuka Yasha shouted.

"Woof," Inuyasha responded. After years of companionship, the bond between man and dog was one of true understanding. They then attacked Kakashi from different directions.

Kakashi had already familiarized himself with the profiles of the participants in the third round of the examination. After all, knowing yourself and your enemy was beneficial. He had also studied the ninjutsu of the Inuzuka clan, so he did not let his guard down against the seemingly harmless puppy.