"I think you'll agree to this request, old-timer."
"And what if I say no?"
"Then we'll have to settle this with our fists. I want to see for myself how strong you are, considering you were once at the pinnacle of your power."
"You know who I am?"
Madara Uchiha asked in a somber voice. Ever since faking his death, he figured no one in the Ninja World could recognize him—especially not some wet-behind-the-ears kid.
"Of course. You and the Senju once ruled the Ninja World together. What a glorious time that must have been. Too bad your grand plan fell short—you never managed to unite the Ninja World."
Karot wasn't about to tell him, I know who you are because I've watched Naruto.
"Since you know who I am, how dare you make such bold claims and try to take someone from me?"
Madara Uchiha's voice was ominous. Even with one foot in the Pure Land, he wouldn't let just anyone act insolently in front of him.
"Karot, the old man isn't letting me leave. I'm staying here to train of my own accord."
Seeing that things were going south, the foolish Obito hurried to speak up. Now that he knew the old man was the ancestor of the Uchiha Clan, Obito didn't think Karot stood a chance against him. After all, Karot had come to rescue him, and Obito didn't want him getting hurt. He had no idea that the old man before him would drag him into endless darkness.
"Rin's still waiting for you in Konoha. Don't you want to go back? She cried her eyes red when you died."
Karot made a point of bringing up Rin. Obito had no resistance to her name, and immediately said his goodbyes to Madara Uchiha. But one side might be willing, while the other wasn't.
Karot chopped the back of Obito's neck with the edge of his hand, knocking him unconscious.
"He shouldn't hear what we're about to discuss. Don't you agree, Madara?"
"You certainly know a lot, kid."
"Would I have come here if I didn't?"
An old man and a young man faced off, neither willing to back down.
"Hahaha! I like you, Karot."
It seemed Madara Uchiha had been keeping an eye on the Ninja World's affairs all along. Black Zetsu knew everything that went on in the Ninja World, and had been gathering intelligence for Madara Uchiha.
"I'm honored to have earned your approval, old-timer."
"So, can I take Obito with me? It's not as if your plan doesn't have a backup."
Karot asked politely. After all, he was taking someone from another man's territory; it would be rude not to ask permission. But to Madara, it sounded like a provocation.
"You know too much."
A powerful killing intent surged from Madara Uchiha, as if he were a demon who had crawled out of a boundless sea of blood.
Karot wasn't shaken by Madara Uchiha's presence. A towering wave crashed toward him, but he stood firm as a rock, without so much as a tremor.
"Hahaha! Very good. Your reputation is well deserved. To withstand my Killing Intent Field without flinching—you're impressive, Karot."
"But if you want to take him from me, you'll have to prove your strength."
"Fine. I'd like to see what you can do, old-timer."
Madara Uchiha summoned a White Zetsu clone and infused it with his Chakra, allowing him to fight for a short time.
"We can't fight properly in this place. Let's go somewhere else."
With that, Madara Uchiha vanished first, and Karot followed right behind him.
The two kept changing direction as they traveled. After about ten minutes, Madara Uchiha stopped.
"Karot, do you think this place is beautiful?"
Madara Uchiha stood with his hands behind his back as he asked.
"Mountains at its back, water at its side, birds singing and flowers blooming. It's a pretty nice spot."
Karot looked around and said approvingly.
"Glad you like it. You should enjoy the place where you're buried."
The air between them grew tense. Madara Uchiha attacked first.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
It was the Uchiha Clan's signature move, but Madara Uchiha's fireball was bigger and faster. Just as it was about to hit Karot, Karot made his move. With a single swing of his hand, he slapped the fireball away. Madara Uchiha's follow-up came at once. He had used the fireball to block Karot's line of sight, keeping a katana ready behind it.
He aimed a swift, vicious slash at Karot's head. Karot hurriedly dodged to the side. Madara Uchiha changed the thrust into a sweep, and Karot leaped back. The katana nearly sliced his throat.
Karot kept hopping backward, putting distance between himself and Madara Uchiha.
Madara Uchiha chased after him with his katana, and the two clashed once more.
Madara Uchiha struck to kill with every blow, while Karot dodged again and again. Trees crashed to the ground, and birds fled with frantic beats of their wings.
"Kid, is dodging all you can do?"
Madara Uchiha asked, seeing that Karot still hadn't struck back. He had dodged every one of Madara's attacks—even Hashirama couldn't have managed that back in the day. Madara Uchiha hardened his resolve. No longer caring how much Chakra he used, he sped up.
"I was just showing respect to my elders!"
Karot replied breezily. His Saiyan habit of messing around was acting up again. He couldn't help toying with anyone he fought.
"If you don't like that, old-timer, I'll start attacking."
With that, Karot went on the offensive and punched Madara Uchiha's Gourd Fan. Clang! The fan flew from Madara Uchiha's hand and stuck in the ground.
Karot pressed forward, each punch harder and faster than the last. Madara Uchiha kept up just as fiercely. Madara Uchiha kicked at Karot's stomach, but Karot grabbed his ankle and spun around, flinging him away.
Madara Uchiha crashed through several trees before finally coming to a stop.
Karot stayed where he was and threw a punch. The invisible force of his blow struck Madara Uchiha just as he got to his feet. Boom! Madara Uchiha plowed a deep furrow through the ground. The entire forest was flattened, and water began bubbling up from beneath the bare earth.
"Urgh!"
Madara Uchiha braced one hand against the ground and spat out blood.
Karot slowly rose into the air and drifted toward Madara Uchiha.
"See, old-timer? You were the one who insisted I fight."
Karot even sounded reluctant as he taunted him.
"Kid, you've really made me angry."
At Karot's words, Madara Uchiha flew into a rage. The tiny comma-shaped marks in his Sharingan spun faster and faster, their shape beginning to change. Madara Uchiha's Mangekyo Sharingan had awakened.
Chilly Chakra poured from Madara Uchiha's body, forming a giant blue warrior armed with two swords. It stared coldly at Karot.
"Kid, dying to my Susanoo will be an honorable end."
Madara Uchiha thought he had the upper hand again. He swung both swords, sending blades of energy hurtling toward Karot. Yellow Ki flared around Karot's body.
Boom!
The blades struck Karot head-on, but he was unharmed. The remaining energy slashed through a distant mountaintop, shearing it in half.
Bang!
The deafening crash echoed through the forest. Countless rocks rained down.
"Old-timer, it seems your Susanoo isn't doing much either."
Karot's voice rang out from the smoke. When it cleared, he appeared before Madara Uchiha without a scratch. The two hovered face-to-face.
Before you continue