After the Battle

"Karot, stop."

Hatake Sakumo, supported by Nara Shikaku, walked forward. While Karot was wantonly eliminating Cloud Ninja, Nara Shikaku immediately treated Hatake Sakumo, finally pulling him back from the brink of death.

The first time he saw Karot's transformation, Hatake Sakumo was also startled. If it weren't for his sensory jutsu, he wouldn't have believed the person in front of him was his obedient son. Yes, you heard that right, obedient. Every son has a filter in their parents' eyes.

Karot ignored them and directly began his attack, which startled the Leaf Ninja. The fate of the Cloud Ninja was still fresh in their minds.

"I'm sorry, Karot," Hatake Sakumo said.

Hatake Sakumo rapidly formed hand seals and said, "Slash."

With a loud "Chop," Karot's tail was severed.

"Roar."

Karot bent his hands and grabbed his head. His body slowly shrank, and he fell unconscious.

"Ah."

Karot cried out and woke up. His last memory was his father being injured by the Raikage.

"Karot, are you alright?"

Seeing his son awake, Hatake Sakumo quickly asked. He arranged for Karot to be in the same tent as him and, despite his injuries, watched over him. Seeing his son awake now, he finally relaxed and fainted.

"Father, Father, Medical Ninja, quickly!"

One woke up, and another fainted. The father and son truly had a tacit understanding. After diagnosis, it was determined he had only lost too much blood and would recover with rest.

Why did Hatake Sakumo insist on watching over his unconscious son, even with his own injuries? Because the ninja world was too dark. Assassination attempts and ambushes were endless. Even the God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju, was not spared, let alone the unconscious Karot. Sometimes, internal damage was greater. The darkness within, the Root hidden underground, people who couldn't stand to see others succeed.

In the Hokage's office of Konoha Village, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the intelligence in his hands, full of disbelief. Killing the Eight-Tails, beating up the Two-Tails Jinchuriki, and most importantly, transforming into a giant ape and wreaking havoc. If the intelligence hadn't been delivered by his own disciple, he would never have believed such nonsense. This wasn't the Warring States period anymore. If you're this brave, how are we supposed to get by, big shot?

"Hiruzen, give Karot to me! I will train him to become Konoha's sharpest blade," Danzo said earnestly. When he received the intelligence, if it weren't for the fact that Root ninja would never betray him, he wouldn't have believed it. He couldn't believe a ten-year-old ninja could possess such power. Back then, Danzo was still dealing with trivial matters. As long as he had Karot in his grasp, the Hokage position would no longer be a dream. Unfortunately, Hatake Sakumo had been watching over Karot, preventing Danzo from making a move. Otherwise, Karot would have been cursed long ago. This time, he brought two other advisors to pressure Hiruzen.

How could Hiruzen Sarutobi, as an old friend, not know Danzo's calculations? Without even thinking, he rejected his proposal.

"Danzo, do we still have a say in his matters now?" Hiruzen Sarutobi said. The strength Karot displayed made Hiruzen Sarutobi take notice. He was too strong. As long as Karot didn't betray Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi could let him act freely. He still had Kakashi in his hands. Kakashi was from his Hokage lineage. Even if Karot didn't show respect for the monk, he should show some for the Buddha. At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi was truly glad that Minato had taken Kakashi as his disciple.

Danzo was speechless. Yes, the current Karot was someone anyone could manipulate.

"The Cloud Ninja front will now enter a period of temporary peace. Bring the injured ninja back to Konoha to recuperate. Leave 500 ninja to guard the post, and the rest will return to Konoha for recovery."

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

The ninja from the Anbu accepted the mission and disappeared.

"Danzo, any movement from Hanzo's side?"

"Everything is settled. I'm personally watching Hanzo, so he'll be at ease and won't cause trouble."

Danzo was confident that Hanzo wouldn't cause trouble, but he himself would.

"Mito, Koharu, the supply of materials must not be cut off. Jiraiya and Minato are under immense pressure."

"Understood, Hiruzen."

The two advisors naturally understood the gravity of the situation. The front lines were commanded by their Hokage faction, so supplies would not be cut. As for the Uchiha and Hyuga on the Mist Village front, they were sorry, but they weren't familiar with them. The Hokage hadn't even mentioned them, so they would proceed according to protocol.

Karot walked through the camp. The ninjas he passed looked at him with fear. Ignorant people don't explore the unknown; they fear it.

"Hey, Karot."

Sanada saw Karot wandering around the camp and waved at him.

"I didn't expect it, Karot. You almost wiped out all the Cloud Ninjas by yourself. That was so cool."

Sanada's face was full of admiration. The more capable his brother was, the happier he was, because only the most capable could survive in war. He never wanted to see a comrade fall into his arms again.

"Yesterday, my teacher and I wanted to see you, but Lord Hatake stopped us. Fortunately, you're okay."

Sanada chattered on, seemingly never to stop. Karot just listened quietly.

"As long as I protect the people I care about, what do their opinions matter to me?"

Walking around the camp today, Karot saw people keeping their distance from him. He had thought to himself, I protected you all. Even if you don't feel grateful, you should at least have the basic courtesy to greet me. But there was none of that, which made Karot increasingly depressed. It wasn't until he saw Sanada that Karot came to his senses.

"Kazumi is too busy taking care of things, and Teacher Matsushita has gone on a mission. I just got back from overtime work myself."

Sanada complained to Karot about the frequent missions, expressing his dissatisfaction with wanting to return to the village.

At night, Orochimaru convened a meeting of all Jonin. Orochimaru's face was even paler. Working overtime all night was unbearable for anyone. He announced the Hokage's orders, which made the ninjas present overjoyed. They could finally leave this damned battlefield and no longer live in fear every day. Hatake Sakumo would lead the wounded and resting ninjas back to the village, while Orochimaru would remain to guard the border. Karot was a little depressed that he couldn't return to the village. However, Sanada was on the announced list, and he didn't know how happy this kid would be.

As dawn broke, Karot stood at the camp entrance, bidding farewell to his father and friends. His father's earnest teachings and his friends' well wishes were all kept in his heart.

After transforming once, Karot's strength was further enhanced. He could now defeat his past self with only half the effort. He trained every day, learning how to better control the newfound power in his body. Every night, he engaged in scientific discussions with Orochimaru, and both sides gained something from each exchange. This was also a favor Karot owed. Otherwise, do you think a heavily injured Hatake Sakumo could scare off the shadowy figures of Konoha's Root? Orochimaru had also played a part in this.