Karot's Transformation

"Since you're done attacking, it's my turn now."

The Raikage charged forward at extreme speed, carrying the force of thunder, and threw a punch at Hatake Sakumo, aiming to capture the leader first.

Hatake Sakumo met the attack with his sword, clashing against the Raikage's fist. With a "clang," the sword in Hatake Sakumo's hand trembled uncontrollably. It was clear that Hatake Sakumo's strength was no match for the Raikage.

The Raikage pressed his advantage, relentlessly attacking Hatake Sakumo with punch after punch, overwhelming him. Hatake Sakumo could only parry and retreat, his sword flashing.

"Ninja Art: Shadow Imitation Technique."

Nara Shikaku unleashed his clan's secret technique. A mass of black shadow shot out from Nara Shikaku's feet towards the Raikage, instantly connecting with the Raikage's shadow.

"It worked."

Nara Shikaku exclaimed happily.

The Raikage's assault faltered. Hatake Sakumo switched from defense to offense, his sword now gleaming with blinding lightning. His attacks became faster and faster, each one aimed directly at the Raikage's vital points.

"Human Bullet Tank!"

Akimichi Choza retracted his head and limbs into his body, forming a sphere. He then rolled towards the Raikage with astonishing speed and destructive power, slamming violently into the Raikage's Lightning Cloak.

"Eight Branches Technique."

Orochimaru, unwilling to be outdone, transformed into the Eight-Branched Serpent. His tails lashed out fiercely at the Raikage. As expected, the Lightning Cloak was shattered by the three-pronged assault.

Deprived of his strongest jutsu, the Raikage was inevitably marked by Hatake Sakumo's swordsmanship. The three attackers firmly pinned the Raikage to the ground, leaving him no escape. A triangle is the most stable formation, after all.

Karot moved through the battlefield like a fish in water, thanks to his incredible sensory abilities. He could fight effectively even with his eyes closed.

Just as Karot finished off the last group of Cloud Ninja blocking his path, A appeared.

"Karot, I'll take your life."

It was the same familiar arrogance. A had always been proud.

"Then come and try."

Karot replied. They had clashed many times before and knew each other well.

A threw a punch, its power fierce and unstoppable, imbued with an indomitable force. Lightning crackled around his fist, accompanied by a constant, chirping sound, as it shot straight for Karot's chest.

The best defense is offense. Karot stepped forward and threw a punch of his own.

"Boom."

Their fists collided, creating a storm that uprooted trees and sent rocks flying. The entire ground collapsed.

After the initial impact, both fighters instantly changed their moves. Fists met flesh, and they exchanged blows back and forth.

A's fists carried the wind, each blow fierce, one more brutal than the last, all targeting Karot's vital points. In contrast, Karot was steady and calm, yet not lacking in strength. Their taijutsu was evenly matched.

A viper in the darkness, patient and dangerous, waiting for the chance for a fatal strike. Effort paid off; a sword thrust from the darkness hit its mark. Hatake Sakumo didn't dodge. He watched the sword tip emerge from his abdomen, spitting up blood.

The Leaf ninja present were stunned. An impossible figure had appeared on the battlefield: Killer B. Killer B was wrapped in bandages, his wounds not yet healed, blood seeping through the wrappings. He had delivered the blow that broke the stalemate.

"This is bad."

Orochimaru and the Ino-Shika-Cho formation thought in unison. Their triangular defense had a weak point, like a tiger unleashed.

A, seizing the advantage, broke free. With a furious, powerful punch, he struck Hatake Sakumo directly. The Nara clan's Shadow Imitation Technique was instantly broken. Hatake Sakumo, caught completely off guard, was hit and sent flying, crashing through over a dozen trees before falling unconscious. The battlefield situation changed in an instant.

"Lord Hatake."

"Senior Hatake."

Orochimaru and the others moved to check Hatake Sakumo's injuries but were blocked by A.

"No need to rush. You're next."

A's fierce assault put immense pressure on Orochimaru and the others.

Karot clearly sensed Hatake Sakumo being injured and sent flying by A, as the battlefield's situation depended on tying down A, so Karot had been paying attention to that area. Until Killer B's sneak attack. Hatake Sakumo's life was unknown.

"Father."

Karot cried out involuntarily.

Karot's sudden opening was a perfect opportunity A wouldn't miss. A barrage of deadly kicks rained down on Karot's chest. With each kick, Karot spat out a mouthful of blood.

Karot was kicked flying, landing on his back on the ground.

"Damn it."

Before being sent flying, Karot's eyes opened involuntarily. He now stared directly at the bright moon in the sky, his body trembling uncontrollably.

A looked at the trembling Karot, a chill from the depths of his soul warning him to get away from there.

A watched as Karot's body began to swell and grow, his clothes bursting from his expanding form. Karot's appearance completely changed, hair growing all over his body. A watched in shock as Karot transformed from a human into a giant ape.

"Roar."

After transforming into a great ape, Karot beat his chest and roared.

"Bang, bang, bang."

Louder and louder, the ninja on the entire battlefield stared in astonishment at the monster that had suddenly appeared. They were frozen in place, and the battlefield fell into an eerie silence.

"Roar."

Great Ape Karot roared at the equally giant Matatabi, seeing it as a threat due to the immense Chakra within. Matatabi, not to be outdone, roared back at Karot, and battle was imminent.

Karot ran at high speed, each step making the earth tremble. He uprooted large trees along the way, using them as clubs. Do all monkeys like using clubs?

Moving incredibly fast, he leaped and smashed towards Matatabi's head. CRUNCH! The large tree made intimate contact with Matatabi. The entire wooden club exploded into powder, not because Matatabi's head was particularly hard, but because Karot's strength was too great, causing his power to leak uncontrollably.

Matatabi staggered, swaying left and right.

"ROAR."

Matatabi was furious. When had it ever suffered such humiliation? Just because it was strong, did that mean it deserved to be beaten by you?

Matatabi lost all reason, only wanting to kill the monster before it to quench its hatred.

Matatabi spewed a torrent of fire, using its signature Fire Release in an attempt to burn Karot to death. But it underestimated Karot. Karot reached out a hand from the flames, clamping Matatabi's mouth shut, forcing it to stop the Fire Release. Karot rubbed his eyes, the Fire Release having made them extremely uncomfortable.

Matatabi's claws continuously clawed at Karot's large hand, trying to make him let go.

Seeing that Matatabi in his hand was not behaving, Karot switched to grabbing its neck with both hands. Matatabi's entire body was lifted by Karot and slammed violently onto the ground. BOOM. The tremendous roar made the earth shake.

Karot felt it wasn't satisfying enough and slammed Matatabi back and forth on the ground, left and right. He was having a blast.

This action stunned all the ninjas present. That was a Tailed Beast! When had it ever been treated like this?

Matatabi, with its tough hide and thick flesh, hooked its limbs onto Karot's arms, forcing Karot to stop slamming it.

It opened its mouth and bit down. Karot cried out in pain and released his grip. Matatabi managed to escape, turned around, bared its teeth at Karot, and its hind legs continuously stomped the ground, searching for an opportunity for revenge.