Karot's Opponent

"Yes, your graduation application was submitted by Sakumo-sama."

In response to Karot's question, Asakawa gave him the answer.

Father applied for it? He never mentioned it to me.

Karot was puzzled. His father had always discussed matters concerning him with him, yet this time, he had not given him any prior notice.

"Of course, you can refuse."

"Since it was Father's decision, then I'll take part! Becoming a Genin alongside Kakashi isn't bad either."

If his father wanted him to become a Genin, then he would become a Genin. His father would not harm him anyway.

Karot looked completely unconcerned, as though becoming a Genin was an effortless matter.

"Hey, Karot, think this through. This isn't something simple."

With a Hokage for a father, Asuma knew the eldest son of the Hatake family was far from ordinary, but he was still worried that Karot might underestimate his opponent.

"Big Brother Karot is taking the graduation assessment too? That's great! Big Brother Karot will definitely become a Genin."

Might Guy spoke excitedly, his words brimming with confidence in Karot. There was no particular reason for it—Karot was simply the first person besides his father to acknowledge him.

"Damn it, Karot is taking the assessment too."

As for the person who had knocked him down with a single punch, Obito knew very clearly just how strong the man before him was. After half a year, he must have become even stronger.

"Don't worry. It'll be over soon."

Karot wore a confident expression as he spoke to Asuma.

Kakashi said nothing more. Of everyone present, he understood Karot's strength best.

With that, Karot walked to the center of the training ground.

"Your assessment is the same as Kakashi's. You pass if you can withstand ten moves from a Chunin. Understood?"

"Understood."

"As your homeroom teacher, let me give you a friendly reminder: your opponent is no ordinary person."

"Is that so?"

Karot's interest was piqued. If his opponent was the same as Kakashi's, that would be far too boring.

"Then let's begin quickly, Teacher. It's almost noon. Don't interfere with my lunch."

Asakawa had never imagined that this student of his would be so brazen.

"Fine."

At that moment, a figure slowly walked up to Karot. When the other party appeared, waves of surprised murmurs broke out. The students did not recognize this Chunin by name, but no one in Konoha failed to recognize the fan-shaped clan emblem on his back—the Uchiha, Konoha's foremost clan at present.

"Obito, he's from your clan. Do you know him?"

Asuma nudged Obito beside him and asked.

"Don't know him."

There were quite a few Uchiha ninja. Unless they were famous Jonin or elders, Obito could not recognize them all.

"Oh? An Uchiha? You sure think highly of me."

Standing at the side, Asakawa could not hear even a trace of nervousness in Karot's words—only overwhelming confidence. What exactly was this student of his relying on? Asakawa could not understand.

"Admit defeat. Although you are Hatake Sakumo's son, you are absolutely no match for me."

His opponent spoke coldly.

That confidence was innate, born from the Uchiha's strength. Although Hatake Sakumo was powerful as well, Hatake Sakumo was the only powerful member of the Hatake clan.

"Isn't that perfect? Let me see the Uchiha's strength too. It would be embarrassing if you were defeated by me."

"Defeat me?"

A mocking expression appeared on the other party's face.

The next second, his expression instantly turned cold.

"You will pay the price for your ignorance."

As he spoke, killing intent radiated from him. Karot keenly sensed it. Clearly, the ninja before him had been on the battlefield and killed people. He was far stronger than Kakashi's opponent.

"Is that so? Then that depends on what price you intend to make me pay."

After Karot finished speaking, his tone remained as calm as before.

Asakawa spoke at this moment.

"Since both sides are ready, the assessment now begins."

Asakawa stepped in at this point because he was afraid Karot would anger the other party and suffer for it. He still needed to look after his own student. He could not understand why the Hokage had arranged for an Uchiha to be Karot's opponent. In a normal graduation assessment, the examiner was usually an ordinary Chunin. Only genius ninja would face increasingly stronger examiners. Why would Karot, a sickly child, draw the Hokage's attention? This was also something Asakawa could not understand.

He could only hope that the Uchiha would not be too ruthless.

"You make the first move. I'm afraid you'll lose the moment I attack."

"Oh? Then I'll gladly accept."

In an instant, Karot appeared before his opponent, though several meters had separated them just moments ago.

"So fast."

It was not just his opponent who exclaimed in surprise; the students, teachers, and ninjas present all felt the same way.

"So this is Karot's strength?"

Asuma said in shock from the side. He had known Karot was extraordinary, but he had not expected him to be this extraordinary.

"No, this is only part of his strength. His true strength goes far beyond this."

Kakashi, standing beside Asuma, said so.

"Stronger than you?"

Asuma asked. During their sparring sessions at the academy, he could not last more than three exchanges against Kakashi. That had made him understand the gap between himself and a genius.

"I've never won a single fight against him."

The words made everyone suck in a breath, contributing to the greenhouse effect—if the Ninja World had one.

Kakashi was the acknowledged genius of the Ninja Academy, yet such a genius had never beaten Karot even once. Just how high was Karot's talent? Previously, Karot had been known as the older brother of the genius Kakashi, but now they were being told that even Kakashi could not compare to his talent. How could they not be shocked?

When Karot threw his punch, his opponent raised both hands before his chest. Though he blocked the fist, he could not withstand its force. His entire body slid several meters backward, carving a long mark into the ground. The punch's power was plain to see.

"What an impressive Uchiha, getting sent flying by me."

Karot did not press his advantage. Instead, he stood where he was and spoke slowly.

"Good. Very good. I admit I underestimated you. But you won't be so lucky next."

With that, he pulled out several shuriken and hurled them straight at Karot. If one had to name the clan most skilled with shuriken, it would undoubtedly be the Uchiha. The trajectories of those shuriken were impossible to predict, surrounding Karot from every direction and leaving him no room to evade.

"Child's play."

He could use shuriken as well, though not as proficiently as the Uchiha. After all, if he could knock someone down with his fists, why would he bother learning the weakest ninja tool?

Karot stood in place and raised both arms in a curve. Then he shouted.

"Ha!"

The shuriken that had been flying toward Karot were sent hurtling back, embedding themselves in the ground.

The result left everyone present dumbfounded.