After the War

"Karot, stop."

Hatake Sakumo came forward, supported by Nara Shikaku. While Karot was wantonly wiping out the Cloud Ninja, Nara Shikaku had immediately treated Hatake Sakumo. He'd managed to pull him back from the brink of death.

Hatake Sakumo had also been startled when he first saw Karot transform. If not for his technique's sensory ability, he wouldn't have believed the figure before him was his well-behaved son. Yes, you heard that right—well-behaved. Every son looked different through his parents' eyes.

Karot paid him no heed and launched straight into an attack. The Konoha Ninja were startled; the Cloud Ninja's fate was still fresh in their minds.

"I'm sorry, son."

Hatake Sakumo rapidly formed hand seals and spoke.

"Cut."

There was a loud slash, and Karot's tail was severed.

"Roar!"

Karot bent his arms and clutched his head. His body slowly shrank, and he collapsed unconscious.

"Ah!"

Karot shouted as he woke up. His last memory was of his father being injured by the Raikage.

"Karot, are you all right?"

Seeing his son wake, Hatake Sakumo hurriedly asked. He'd arranged for Karot to share his tent and had forced himself to stay awake to watch over him. Now that he'd seen his son wake up, he finally relaxed—and passed out.

"Father! Father! Medical Ninja, hurry!"

One had woken up, and the other had passed out. The father and son really were in sync. After examination, it turned out Karot had only lost too much blood. He'd recover with time and rest.

Why had Hatake Sakumo insisted on watching over his unconscious son despite his own injuries? Because the Ninja World was too dark. Assassinations and ambushes from behind were relentless. Even the God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju, hadn't been spared, let alone an unconscious Karot. Sometimes the danger came from within: things like the "Darkness of Konoha" and Root, buried underground, couldn't stand to see others do well.

In the Hokage's office in Konoha Village, Hiruzen Sarutobi stared at the intelligence in his hands, utterly disbelieving. It claimed Karot had killed the Eight-Tails, beaten up the Two-Tails Jinchuriki, and, most importantly, transformed into a giant ape and slaughtered his way across the battlefield. If the one who'd sent the report hadn't been one of Hiruzen Sarutobi's students, he wouldn't have believed such nonsense. This wasn't the Warring States period anymore. If you were this incredible, how were the rest of us supposed to keep up, boss?

"Hiruzen, hand Karot over to me! I'll train him into Konoha's sharpest weapon."

Danzo, the loyal company man, pleaded earnestly. When he'd received the report, he'd only believed it because Root Ninja would never betray him. He couldn't believe a ten-year-old Ninja could wield such power. Back then, he, Danzo, had still been playing in the mud. If he could get Karot under his thumb, the Hokage's seat would no longer be a dream. Unfortunately, Hatake Sakumo had been watching over Karot, leaving Danzo no chance to act. Otherwise, he would have placed a curse seal on Karot long ago. This time, he'd brought the other two advisors along to pressure Hiruzen.

As an old friend, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew all about Danzo's little schemes. He rejected the proposal without a second thought.

"Danzo, do you really think we can still make decisions for him?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi said. Karot's demonstrated strength had caught Hiruzen Sarutobi's attention. He was far too powerful. As long as Karot didn't betray Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi could let him do as he pleased. He still had Kakashi in his hands, after all. Kakashi belonged to the Hokage's faction. Even if Karot wouldn't do it for Kakashi's sake, he'd at least show some respect for the Hokage. At that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi was truly glad Minato had taken Kakashi as his student.

Danzo was at a loss for words. That was right. No one could control Karot now.

"The Cloud Ninja front will enter a brief period of peace. Send the wounded Ninja back to Konoha to recuperate, leave five hundred Ninja to guard the area, and have the rest return to Konoha to recover."

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

The Anbu Ninja received their orders and disappeared.

"Danzo, what's happening with Hanzo?"

"Everything is in order. I'm personally keeping an eye on Hanzo. He'll behave himself and won't cause any trouble."

Danzo was confident Hanzo wouldn't cause trouble—but Danzo himself certainly would.

"Mito, Koharu, make sure the supplies don't run out. Jiraiya and Minato are under a lot of pressure."

"Of course, Hiruzen."

The two advisors understood the importance of the matter. The front line was commanded by members of their Hokage faction, so they certainly wouldn't cut off its supplies. As for the Mist front, with the Uchiha and Hyuga—well, sorry, we don't know them. Lord Hokage hadn't said anything, so they'd just follow procedure.

Karot walked around the camp. The Ninja he passed looked at him with fear in their eyes. The ignorant didn't explore the unknown; they feared it.

"Hey, Karot."

Sanada spotted Karot wandering around camp and waved him over.

"I can't believe it, Karot! You almost wiped out all the Cloud Ninja by yourself. That was incredible!"

Sanada looked envious. The stronger his friend became, the happier he was. Only the strong could survive the war, and he never wanted to see another comrade die in his arms.

"Teacher and I wanted to visit you yesterday, but Lord Hatake stopped us. I'm glad you're all right."

Sanada chattered on and on, as if he'd never run out of things to say. Karot simply listened.

"As long as I protect the people I care about, what does it matter what everyone else thinks?"

Walking around the camp that day, Karot had seen people keeping their distance from him. He'd thought to himself: I protected all of you. Even if you're not grateful, couldn't you at least show some basic courtesy and come over to ask how I'm doing? But no one had. It left Karot increasingly dejected. It wasn't until he saw Sanada that he came to his senses.

"Kazumi's swamped with work, and Teacher Matsushita went on a mission. I only just got back from overtime myself."

Sanada complained to Karot about how often he was being sent on missions, making it clear how badly he wanted to return to the village.

That night, Orochimaru summoned all the Jonin for a meeting. His face looked even paler; anyone would have been worn out by working through the night. He announced the Hokage's orders, and the Ninja present were overjoyed. At last they could leave this damned battlefield and stop living in fear every day. Hatake Sakumo would lead the wounded and the Ninja who needed rest back to the village, while Orochimaru would remain to guard the border. Karot wasn't allowed to return to the village, which left him a little dejected. But Sanada was on the list of those going back, and Karot wondered how happy the kid would be.

At dawn, Karot stood at the camp entrance to bid farewell to his father and friend. He held his father's earnest advice and his friend's well-wishes close to his heart.

After transforming once, Karot's strength had increased again. Now, he could beat his former self with only half his strength. He trained every day, learning how to better control the power that had suddenly surged through his body. Every night, he held scientific discussions with Orochimaru, and both of them gained something each time. It was also Karot's way of repaying Orochimaru. Otherwise, what made him think an injured Hatake Sakumo alone could scare off Konoha's Root operatives? Orochimaru had played his part, too.