Karot vs. Madara

"I think you'll agree to my request, old senior."

"And if I say no?"

"Then we'll have to settle it with our fists. I'd like to test the strength of someone who once stood at the very peak."

"You know who I am?"

Madara Uchiha said darkly. Since his feigned death, no one in the ninja world should be able to recognize him now—let alone some brat still wet behind the ears.

"Of course. You and the Senju ruled the ninja world with such majesty. A pity your ambition was cut short before it could be fulfilled. You never unified the world."

Karot naturally wasn't about to say, I've watched Naruto, so of course I know who you are.

"Since you know who I am, you still dare spout such arrogance and try to take someone from me?"

Madara's tone turned sinister. Even if one foot was already in the Pure Land, that didn't mean anyone could act so insolently before him.

"Karot, the old man didn't make me leave. I chose to stay here and train myself."

The foolish Obito, sensing the situation was off, quickly spoke up. Now that he knew this old man was the ancestor of his Uchiha Clan, Obito didn't think Karot could win. Since Karot had come to save him, Obito didn't want him to get hurt. He had no idea this old man would drag him into endless darkness.

"Rin is waiting for you in Konoha. Don't you want to go back? She cried her eyes out when she thought you died."

Karot emphasized Rin's name. Obito had zero resistance when it came to Rin, and immediately tried to take his leave from Madara. But the falling flower had its wish, while the flowing stream was indifferent.

Karot chopped the back of Obito's neck with his hand, and Obito collapsed unconscious.

"He's not fit to hear the rest of this conversation. Don't you agree, Senior Madara?"

"It seems you know quite a lot, little one."

"Would I be here if I didn't know enough?"

Words clashed like blades, old and young.

"Hahaha. You suit my tastes, Karot."

It seemed Madara had been keeping tabs on the ninja world all along. Black Zetsu was a world-wise informant, constantly gathering intelligence for Madara.

"To earn the appreciation of a senior like you, I'm truly honored."

"Then can I take Obito away? Your plan must have backup options anyway."

Karot asked politely. After all, taking someone from another's territory without asking the owner would be rude. But in the other's eyes, this was nothing but provocation.

"You know too much."

A fierce killing intent erupted from Madara, as if a demon who had crawled out of a sea of blood.

Karot wasn't shaken by Madara's aura. A towering wave crashed down, but Karot stood firm as a rock, unmoving.

"Hahaha. Good, good. A reputation well-earned. To withstand my Killing Intent Field without a trace of fear—Karot, you're quite something."

"But if you want to take him from me, let your strength do the talking."

"Fine. I'd also like to experience your senior's skills."

Madara summoned a White Zetsu clone and merged it with his own Chakra, allowing him to fight for a short time.

"This place is too cramped. Let's move."

With that, Madara vanished first, and Karot followed close behind.

Their figures flickered through changing positions. After about ten minutes, Madara stopped ahead.

"Karot, do you think this place is beautiful?"

Madara asked, hands clasped behind his back.

"Hills and water, birdsong and flowers. Not a bad spot."

Karot nodded in satisfaction after looking around.

"I'm glad you like it. It should be a place you enjoy—as your burial ground!"

The atmosphere turned explosive. Madara struck first.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique."

The Uchiha clan's signature move, but Madara's was both larger and faster. Just as the great fireball was about to hit Karot, he acted—swatting it away with a single slap. But Madara's follow-up was already coming. He had used the fireball to block Karot's vision, a katana already in hand.

A single thrust aimed straight for Karot's head—fast and vicious. Karot twisted to dodge, but Madara turned the thrust into a horizontal slash. Karot leaped back, the blade nearly grazing his neck.

Karot jumped back repeatedly, putting distance between them.

Madara chased with his blade, and the two clashed again.

Madara's strikes were all lethal. Karot dodged again and again, the sound of falling trees echoing through the air as birds took flight in panic.

"Boy, are you just going to keep running?"

Madara spoke, seeing that Karot hadn't fought back. To have dodged all my attacks—even Hashirama couldn't have done that back then. Madara steeled his resolve. No longer caring about Chakra consumption, he moved even faster.

"I was just showing respect for my elders!"

Karot said lightly. He had fallen into the Saiyan habit of playing around, wanting to trade a few blows with anyone.

"Since you don't like it, old man, I'll start attacking now."

With that, Karot switched from defense to offense, slamming a fist into Madara Uchiha's Gourd Fan. Clang. The fan flew from Madara's hand and stuck into the ground.

Karot pressed forward, each punch fiercer and faster than the last. Madara Uchiha matched him blow for blow. Madara kicked at Karot's abdomen, but Karot caught his ankle, spun him around, and flung him away.

Madara crashed through several trees before finally stopping himself.

Karot stood his ground and threw a single punch. The invisible force struck Madara just as he rose to his feet. Boom. Madara carved a deep trench through the earth as he was sent skidding. The entire forest was flattened, and water began seeping up from the bare ground.

Ptoo.

Madara spat blood, one hand bracing himself on the ground.

Karot slowly rose into the air and drifted toward Madara.

"Senior, you see? You made me step in."

Karot's tone was reluctant, almost mocking.

"Brat, you've thoroughly angered me."

Hearing Karot's words, Madara's fury blazed. The tadpole-like patterns in his Sharingan spun faster and faster, their shape shifting. Madara's Mangekyo Sharingan had formed.

An icy, sinister Chakra poured out of Madara's body, coalescing into a blue giant wielding twin blades. It stared coldly at Karot.

"Brat, to die by my Susanoo is an honor you won't find twice."

Madara felt his confidence return. He swung both blades, sending a wave of sword energy toward Karot. Karot's body flared with yellow aura.

Boom.

The sword energy struck Karot head-on, leaving him completely unharmed. The residual energy, however, sliced a distant mountain peak clean off.

Bang.

A deafening roar echoed through the entire forest. Countless fragments of rock rained down.

"Senior, it seems your Susanoo isn't working either."

Karot's voice emerged from the smoke. As the haze cleared, Karot reappeared before Madara, completely unscathed. The two stood facing each other across the air.