Chunín Exams Again

"Hatake Jonin, the Hokage requests your presence."

Early that morning, the Hokage's Anbu came to summon Karot.

When Karot arrived at the Hokage's office, he saw many familiar faces: the Sannin, Minato, and Danzo.

The battle between Karot and Madara Uchiha the day before had been so destructive that it left the entire area barren. When the ninjas below reported what had happened, Hiruzen Sarutobi had taken it very seriously and wanted to learn the truth. Fortunately, Minato had come to report the situation and explain everything. That was why Karot had been summoned that morning.

"Karot, thanks to you, we didn't lose another excellent ninja from Konoha."

He was buttering Karot up right from the start, but Karot wasn't about to fall for it.

"It's what every Konoha ninja should do."

Karot gave a perfectly diplomatic answer.

"Karot, who was the enemy?"

It wasn't just Hiruzen Sarutobi who wanted to know. Everyone present was curious. They'd all read the report and marveled at Karot's strength. They were even more interested in the person who had fought him, because someone lurking in the shadows was the most terrifying of all. They had no idea what he was plotting, hiding in the Land of Fire.

"I don't know who he was, either. In the end, he got away. I'm pretty frustrated about it myself."

Karot played dumb. He had no intention of revealing Madara's existence.

"Kid, do you understand the danger an enemy like this could pose to Konoha? And you still refuse to tell us who he is?"

Tsunade, hot-tempered as ever, was about to go teach Karot a lesson when Jiraiya grabbed her and held her back. Karot's air of indifference had really gotten under her skin. She loved the village deeply. Even though she knew that the deaths of her lover and younger brother had been anything but ordinary, she had ultimately chosen to leave the village and wander.

But Karot wasn't about to indulge the young lady.

"If Tsunade-sama is so capable, why don't you investigate it yourself instead of questioning me?"

Karot tapped his forehead, then added,

"Oh, right. Our Tsunade-sama faints at the sight of blood. Were you worried the enemy might bleed during the fight and surrender?"

Karot was deliberately rubbing salt in Tsunade's wounds. I've never offended you, so what gives you the right to lecture me? Just because you're busty? I couldn't care less.

"You—you..."

Tsunade pointed at Karot, unable to get the words out. Everyone usually treated her with respect, even Danzo, who got along with her worst, showed restraint around her in public. Her status as the granddaughter of the First and Second Hokage gave her a very special position in Konoha.

"All right, that's enough. What is this, a marketplace?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke up. He hadn't expected Karot to hold a grudge so fiercely. He gave them both a way to back down.

Karot had deliberately cultivated this image: someone immensely powerful and quick to repay a grudge, so anyone thinking of harming him would have to consider whether it was worth the risk.

"Danzo, I'll leave the investigation to you."

Hiruzen Sarutobi handed the matter to his old partner. He knew Danzo would get to the bottom of it. Give him a single lead, and he'd pursue it like a hound.

"Leave it to me, Hiruzen."

Danzo agreed, already thinking about how he might bring this enemy over to his side.

"The Third Shinobi World War cost Konoha dearly. We lost most of our middle-ranking forces on the battlefield. That's why I want to hold a Chunin exam and replenish Konoha's middle-ranking forces."

Hiruzen Sarutobi explained his plan. Konoha had lost so many Chunin on the battlefield that they'd nearly been unable to form even basic squads. Meanwhile, a large number of outstanding talents had emerged among the Genin. The crucible of war had tempered them, and every one of them had proven their strength.

"That's true. We haven't held a Chunin exam in a long time."

Danzo supported holding the exam as well. His Root had also suffered heavy losses in the war, and he needed to replenish its ranks.

"I want to hold a large-scale event and invite the other villages. That way, we can show off Konoha's strength and make sure they understand what we're capable of."

Everyone present seemed to agree. Only Karot looked utterly bewildered. You can make the decision without me. Why bring a powerless Jonin here? Just so I can watch you show off? There's no need for that.

"Orochimaru will oversee the first exam, Minato the second, and you, Hatake Karot, will oversee the third."

"Me?"

Karot looked confused. Why him? He just wanted to watch Orochimaru and Minato compete. Hiruzen Sarutobi's arrangement had put the two Hokage candidates' rivalry out in the open. But adding Karot to the mix was strange. Everyone in Konoha knew that Karot and Orochimaru worked closely together.

"The Mist will be coming to retrieve their people and take part in the Chunin exam. You know the Mist very well, Karot, so you'll be in charge of receiving them."

"And you'll handle the negotiations with them, too."

That caught Karot's interest. He could skim a little off the negotiations. Anything extra he got was just proof of his skill. Karot agreed without hesitation. He knew this was Hiruzen Sarutobi's way of rewarding him.

"Yes, Hokage-sama. But I'll need an assistant."

Karot made a timely request.

"You can choose any Konoha ninja you want."

Hiruzen Sarutobi considered it, then replied.

The meeting broke up. Jiraiya went after Tsunade, while Minato exchanged greetings with Karot and went off to prepare for his role as an examiner. Orochimaru and Karot walked side by side.

"Congratulations, Karot. You're an examiner now."

Orochimaru spoke softly, showing no concern that Karot might affect his bid to become Hokage.

"Orochimaru-senpai, you know me. These heavy responsibilities are too much for my little shoulders to bear."

"Karot, would you mind telling me about yesterday's battle?"

Orochimaru asked. He didn't believe anyone could escape Karot. He knew Karot's strength better than anyone. Every one of Karot's test reports was etched in his mind.

"I was wondering when you'd ask me about it, Orochimaru-senpai. I didn't expect it to be so soon."

Karot put on a suitably troubled expression.

"You know my time is precious. I don't want to waste it."

"As for who it was, you'll never guess. And I brought back something good for you, too."

"Oh? If you're calling it something good, I'm even more interested."

Orochimaru perked up.

"But, Orochimaru-senpai, forgive me for keeping you in suspense. I'll tell you everything when I bring you the gift."

"Fine. I'll wait for your gift, then."

Orochimaru licked his lips excitedly, and Karot couldn't help slowing his pace. He could never get used to seeing that. But Orochimaru never stopped doing it, and there was nothing Karot could do.

At the crossroads, they went their separate ways.