Success

Madara Uchiha struck first, swinging his blade down with terrifying force that split mountains and cracked the earth. Karot flickered, landing atop the sword's spine, and charged at Madara. Madara swung his other blade, determined to finish Karot off.

Karot planted his foot, kicked off, and drove an upward kick that sent Madara hurtling into the air. Looking up as he flew, Madara saw Karot waiting above him, then another kick slammed him back down like a soccer ball.

"See ya."

Madara Uchiha's Susanoo shattered.

Madara could no longer maintain flight. He landed steadily on the ground. His clone was like a cracked porcelain doll, covered in wounds.

The clone's strength was far too weak. It could only bring out a tenth or a twentieth of the original's power.

"So how about it, senior? Can I take him now?"

Karot asked.

Madara knew that with his current strength, he couldn't stop Karot.

"Karot, let's join hands and bring peace to the Ninja World!"

Madara invited Karot to join his plan. The strength Karot displayed surpassed even Obito's.

"Senior, is the peace you seek true peace? Dragging everyone into an illusion—only that?"

"What's wrong with that? Everyone in the illusion, no more war—isn't that peace?"

Madara tried to persuade Karot further.

"Back then, you could have unified the Ninja World and brought peace, but you gave up. Now you want to carry out your ideals. I won't stop you. But if you harm my friends, don't blame me for flipping the table."

Karot stated his stance.

"I also want to fight you at your best."

"Fine. If your friends don't get in my way, I won't touch them."

Madara promised.

"Thanks, senior. Then I'll take my leave."

Right now, Madara's strength was inferior to Karot's, but he was still at the peak of the Ninja World. If he went after Karot's friends and family, Karot couldn't guard against him forever. As the saying goes, you can steal for a thousand days, but you can't guard against a thief for a thousand days.

Since Madara gave his word, he wouldn't go back on it. A strong man's promise is kept. If it were anyone else, Karot would have made them regret being born and wiped them out directly.

"Oh, by the way, senior, watch out for Black Zetsu. He might not be your will."

With that, Karot used Instantaneous Movement and appeared in the cave. He nodded at Madara's original body, then extracted the unconscious Obito and returned to Konoha.

Madara's clone slowly disintegrated until it vanished.

Back in the cave, the original Madara received all the clone's memories. He gave Black Zetsu a deep, meaningful look. He believed Karot wouldn't speak without cause.

Black Zetsu, who was busy scheming for Madara, had no idea he'd been backstabbed by that sneaky Karot. He didn't know if it would be so easy to seize Madara's body later.

"Black Zetsu, find another Uchiha. From now on, be careful of Karot. Don't touch his friends."

Madara ordered Black Zetsu. Whatever Black Zetsu's goals were, he was still loyal for now. Betrayal usually came at the last moment when the fruit was ripe. When that time came, they'd each rely on their own skills. With his guard up, Madara believed he'd have the last laugh.

Karot carried Obito back to the Hatake clan compound in Konoha.

In the living room, there were a few more people than before: Jiraiya, Rin, and Kushina, who had come looking for her husband.

"Hey, everyone."

Seeing Karot suddenly appear, no one had any warning. Karot tossed Obito to the floor, picked up a teacup, and downed it in one gulp.

"Ah, that hits the spot."

After fighting Madara, he was parched.

"Ow, which bastard dared to hit me?"

Obito woke up from the fall, shouting loudly.

"Obito."

Rin's voice immediately stopped him, silencing him in an instant.

"Rin."

Obito looked at the girl he loved, tears streaming uncontrollably down his face. When that rock crushed him, he thought he'd never see her again. Then Madara saved him, and he couldn't escape. Now, finally seeing her, he couldn't hold back.

"Obito. Welcome back."

"Minato-sensei."

"Obito, welcome back."

"Kakashi."

The two of them radiated brotherly passion. Having gone through life and death, their bond instantly deepened.

The group crowded around Obito, fussing over him, completely forgetting Karot.

"Ah, times have changed. A big guy like me standing here, and no one bothers to check on me."

Karot said with a mock jealous look.

"Hey, Karot, you did well. Let's go grab a drink later."

The ever-friendly Jiraiya sidled up to Karot, trying to cozy up to him. He wanted to back Minato up, to win Karot over. Jiraiya really was going all out for Minato.

"Lord Jiraiya, drinking with you always ends in trouble. Every time you drink, you end up running into a bathhouse—and it's always the women's one."

"Hahaha."

Jiraiya rubbed the back of his head with an embarrassed laugh.

"Thank you, Karot, for bringing my disciple back safely. I don't know how to repay you."

Minato, having finished catching up, came over to thank Karot. Without him, he wouldn't even know if Obito was alive or dead.

"This is just a small thing I did as a brother for my little brother. If you really want to thank me, treat me to a meal!"

Karot let slip his little scheme. He made it clear he only helped because of Kakashi—so if you don't treat my brother well from now on, can you even face yourself? And then he threw in his small request.

"That's easy."

Minato was beaming with joy. Kakashi couldn't stop him even if he tried. His brother's appetite only grew with age.

Kushina, who hadn't spoken until now, finally chimed in.

"I've just cooked dinner at home. Why don't we all go eat together?"

Karot had long heard about Kushina's cooking. He had no desire to try it.

"I'm a bit tired today. I'll definitely come visit another day."

Karot flatly refused Kushina's invitation, unable to bear Minato's pleading gaze. He had no idea how Minato's stomach was built—how could he even eat that? Soon after, Jiraiya, Obito, and Kakashi were all dragged off to Minato's place for dinner. Kakashi desperately wished Karot would call him back. But until he walked out the door, he never heard his brother's voice.

"Are you hurt?"

Only when the house was left with just the two of them did Hatake Sakumo finally ask.

"Father, how could I get hurt? It was nothing. Easy."

"Good. From now on, think carefully before you walk your path."

Hatake Sakumo knew Karot had chosen Orochimaru, which was why he'd turned down Jiraiya's offer.

"I know, Father."

That night, when Kakashi came home, he stood outside Karot's door without knocking. He knew his brother wasn't asleep.

"Brother... thank you."