The War Ended

With that, Karot stepped forward and placed a hand on Uchiha Shisui's shoulder.

"Shisui, that's enough. Let's stop here!"

Uchiha Shisui couldn't believe what had just happened. He had clearly caught Karot in his Genjutsu, so why had Karot suddenly appeared behind him?

"I lost."

Shisui said dejectedly. He had been called a Uchiha prodigy since childhood, so it was only natural that he felt somewhat proud. Now Karot had crushed that pride. The Sharingan he had always taken pride in was completely ineffective against Karot.

"Senior Karot truly lives up to his reputation. His strength is unfathomable."

"Oh, wow. I didn't expect you, with those thick eyebrows, to be such a flatterer."

Karot acted as if he were seeing Shisui in a new light.

Shisui seemed to make a momentous decision. He dropped to one knee.

"Senior Karot, please help the Uchiha."

Uchiha Shisui's sudden kneel left Karot utterly confused.

"Shisui, what do you mean?"

"Senior, you must know something about the Uchiha Clan's predicament."

Karot nodded. Every family in Konoha was ostracizing the Uchiha Clan, but the most important culprits were the families of Konoha's "Gang of Four." They kept suppressing the Uchiha Clan's interests, with Danzo especially active. He believed he had inherited the Second Hokage's way of thinking, and he both feared the Uchiha Clan and wanted to destroy them. He was always looking for a chance to wipe them out.

After understanding the key point, Karot spoke.

"Then why choose me? Your Clan Head is on close terms with Minato, and Minato is a strong contender to become the next Hokage."

"If I had to guess, Fugaku has already placed his bet on Minato."

"That's right. Our Clan Head has no other choice. He can only put his hopes in Senior Minato."

"But Minato's foundation is too weak. He doesn't have much chance of succeeding."

Shisui's analysis wasn't wrong. If Karot hadn't read the script, he would have reached the same conclusion. If Orochimaru hadn't dropped that bombshell, it would have been anyone's guess whether Minato could become Hokage.

"Then why choose me?"

Karot asked. He had shown no desire to become Hokage and held no position or authority. He couldn't understand why Shisui had chosen him.

"Senior Karot, your father is Konoha's White Fang. He has countless former students and associates, and a great reputation. You and your younger brother, Kakashi, are both Konoha prodigies."

"Most importantly, you're strong. The Uchiha Clan won't have to worry about you abusing your power to keep them in line. Just as Hashirama Senju never worried that the Uchiha Clan would rebel—he could suppress them with one hand."

Shisui spoke with absolute conviction. This sudden offer of allegiance caught Karot completely off guard.

The Uchiha Clan made the best subordinates. As long as you could make them submit, they would be utterly loyal to you. The problem was, Karot had no desire to become Hokage. He was working with Orochimaru because he wanted to see what changes Orochimaru's becoming Hokage would bring to the Ninja World. Simply following the original course of events in the Naruto world no longer satisfied Karot.

"Are you speaking for the Uchiha Clan, or just for yourself?"

Having one follower was different from having a whole clan behind you. If Karot could get the Uchiha Clan to support Orochimaru's bid, his chances of success would increase considerably. Karot couldn't help feeling secretly pleased.

"Well, um..."

Uchiha Shisui found it hard to say. Could he tell Karot that he had just made this decision on the spur of the moment? Would that make him seem unreliable?

From Shisui's reaction, Karot knew what was going on. Shisui had thought that a show of his charisma would bring people flocking to him. In the end, it had only worked on little kids.

"You know I support Lord Orochimaru, right?"

Karot asked.

"I know."

"Then you understand what making this choice means, don't you?"

"Yes."

It meant Shisui and the Uchiha Clan would have nothing to do with each other from then on. He would be turning his back on his family.

"Good. I, Hatake Karot, accept your allegiance."

Karot said solemnly. He wanted to try to change Uchiha Shisui's fate—the fate of a man whose life was destined to be tragic.

And so, Karot gained his first follower.

One day, news rocked the entire Ninja World: the Third Raikage had been killed in battle. When Karot heard, he knew the Third Shinobi World War was about to end. Stone Village had paid a terrible price to wear down the Third Raikage and would surely withdraw from the battlefield to lick its wounds somewhere out of sight. The Cloud Ninja had lost its strongest fighter and no longer had the strength to keep fighting. The Mist had lost the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, and its only concern now was how to buy them back. In short, it was all a huge mess. None of it had anything to do with Karot, though. He spent his days relaxing and left everything to his subordinates, living a very comfortable life.

But Karot's good days came to an end. A single order from Konoha required him to return to the village. The Mist border had fallen silent, and maintaining such a large force was too costly, so Karot was ordered to lead his troops home.

When Karot announced the order to everyone, they burst into loud cheers. They knew the war was over and Konoha had finally won. They no longer had to spend every day anxiously guarding the border. They could go home alive and reunite with their families.

As soon as they reached the village gates, the villagers who had gathered of their own accord gave them a warm welcome. When Karot led them into the village, the crowd erupted in cheers, celebrating the heroes' return. It was the respect every Konoha shinobi deserved. Among the villagers, people searched for their children, husbands, and wives.

Karot spotted his father right away. The two gazed at each other from afar. His father's eyes were full of pride. At last, the young bird could soar freely through the sky.

"Everyone, you're dismissed. I'll go report to the Hokage Building first."

"Yes, Lord Hatake."

"Lord Karot, when you're done, let's have a drink together. I've always regretted not getting to drink with you on the battlefield. Now that you're back, you can't let us down!"

"Yeah, exactly, Lord Karot!"

Karot's strength had earned everyone's respect at the Mist border. They held him in high regard. And since he was easy to get along with, they had all become quite close. After all, they had fought side by side—the kind of bond forged through hardship.

"Hokage, I'm back."

Karot spoke to the Hokage.

"Well done, Karot. You captured four of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and brought back the Seven Ninja Swords. You've made a great contribution. Like father, like son!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi showered him with praise, leaving Karot almost unable to handle it. If Karot hadn't known what kind of man the Hokage was, he might have been fooled by that kindly expression.

"Thank you for the praise, Hokage. It was only my duty. I'll always remember your teachings, learn the Will of Fire, and protect Konoha."

Anyone could put on an act. Karot cast himself as a passionate young man willing to shed blood and give his life for Konoha. Hiruzen Sarutobi was left stunned.

"Good, Karot. The Will of Fire is our guiding principle. We must always keep it in our hearts."

"Yes, Hokage."

The two stared into each other's eyes, each looking as if he agreed with the other. At the same time, they both thought:

Hiss. This man is every bit as skilled as I am.