Karot's Unyielding Strength

"Show me some real skill. Don't embarrass yourself with these petty tricks."

"Fine, then. Let me show you the true power of the Uchiha Clan."

As he spoke, the corners of his eyes and his pupils turned blood-red, two comma-like symbols spinning within them.

"The Sharingan."

Karot watched his opponent's eyes with some curiosity—this was the first time he'd seen a real Sharingan.

"As expected, the Sharingan is an ill-omened thing."

He sensed an aura that made him deeply uncomfortable.

"Kakashi, see that? That's my Uchiha Clan's Sharingan. Once I open my eyes, I'll definitely beat you."

"Hmph. You? Talk to me when you actually open your eyes."

But Kakashi's attention remained fixed on Karot in the arena. Even though his opponent had the Sharingan, Kakashi's confidence in Karot's victory never wavered.

"Come at me, then. I'll show you the overwhelming power of the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan!"

"Heh."

Hearing his opponent's arrogant words, Karot couldn't help but grin.

"You really don't learn, do you? Forgot the lesson from just now that fast? Is it the Sharingan giving you the nerve to talk to me like that?"

With that, Karot threw a punch straight at his opponent's face. This time, though, the opponent sidestepped—the Sharingan had increased his speed.

"Useless. None of your attacks can escape my eyes."

His opponent's voice rang with confidence.

"Hmm. Speed's a bit faster. A little troublesome."

Karot seemed to acknowledge the point, nodding slightly.

"As long as I launch an attack faster than your reaction speed, you won't be able to do anything even if you see it, right?"

Karot stretched his body, as if warming up.

"Now, I'm coming."

In an instant, his opponent's Sharingan pupils contracted sharply. He completely lost sight of Karot and began searching frantically.

"I'm right here."

Suddenly, Karot's voice sounded behind his opponent. The opponent instinctively turned around, only to find Karot standing right behind him. Before he could react, a sharp pain twisted in his stomach—Karot's fist had landed squarely there.

He had seen Karot's attack trajectory, but his body couldn't keep up. Even with his eyes tracking it, he had no way to dodge.

"If I had wanted to kill you just now, you'd already be dead. Is this the mighty Uchiha you were bragging about?"

These words made his opponent's face twist. The boast he'd just made was slapped down in an instant.

Rage surged in his heart. How could he swallow this humiliation?

"You won't get another chance."

His opponent's voice burned with anger.

"That's not the first time I've heard that line. My ears are getting calluses."

Karot made a show of picking his ear.

"Damn it."

Karot's words made his opponent's face darken.

This time, his opponent no longer underestimated Karot. He treated him as a true rival.

He chose to attack first, charging at Karot and throwing a straight punch.

Karot didn't just stand there. He sidestepped, grabbed his opponent's arm, and turned, preparing to hoist the arm over his shoulder for a throw.

But his opponent seemed to read the intent. His left hand pulled out a Kunai and slashed toward Karot. Seeing this, Karot had no choice but to release the arm and leap back a few steps.

"The Sharingan really is a pain."

"Kid, let's see what you've got now."

His opponent's words were harsh, but his hands didn't stop moving. He formed hand seals rapidly.

"Shadow Clone Technique."

"Boom, boom, boom."

Three shadow clones appeared, surrounding Karot from four directions.

"Let's see you handle this."

With that, all four attacked at once. Shuriken flew through the air, drawing Karot's attention, while two clones closed in with fists and kicks.

"Slap, slap, slap."

The sounds of blows landing rang out from time to time. The audience below watched with expressions of astonishment.

"Kakashi, is this Karot's true strength? It's incredible."

Asuma asked with a shocked expression. His own eyes couldn't keep up with the movements of the two on the field, and they were the same age.

"Big brother Karot is so strong. I want to be as strong as big brother Karot too."

Might Guy said excitedly.

"Why is he so powerful?"

Obito knew Karot would be strong, but he didn't expect him to be this strong.

Karot grabbed one clone's hand and threw it into another clone to obstruct the opponent's attack. Seizing the opening, he quickly dashed forward and kicked another clone.

"Boom."

A sound rang out as the clone turned into smoke and dissipated.

Now facing three opponents, Karot calmly confronted the trio.

The enemy launched another offensive. All three attacked simultaneously. Karot knocked one down with a punch, then punched another in the chest, but his hand was firmly grabbed and couldn't be pulled back. The clone on the ground used a Substitution Technique to swap with the original, who also dissipated. The original's Kunai thrust upward.

In the blink of an eye, a surge of immense power erupted from Karot's body, crushing the opponent's clones and blowing the original away.

"Is this big brother's power?"

Kakashi had always known his brother possessed a formidable strength, but this was the first time he'd seen it. In their usual sparring, Kakashi would lose before Karot even used it.

Standing in place, Karot looked at the tear in his clothes from the opponent's attack and remarked, "As expected of an Uchiha. Your methods of attack are endless."

"That power again. What are you hiding, Karot?"

The opponent thought to himself. To possess such strength yet remain unknown.

What a brilliant match. Who would have thought that the "unknown" Karot was this strong? In his teaching career, Asakawa never imagined he could instruct such a genius. He was overjoyed.

Karot's talent far exceeded his younger brother Kakashi's—something Asakawa hadn't anticipated.

The two sides returned to their previous standoff.

"I really can't believe you're only five years old."

The opponent voiced what everyone present was thinking. Karot's displayed strength was nothing like what a five-year-old should have.

"Thanks for the compliment."

Karot said with a smile, as if it were only natural.

"You're strong too, Uchiha."

"Hmph, but you still won't pass this test. Shadow Clone Technique."

With that, the opponent formed hand seals.

"Boom."

The Shadow Clones charged at Karot, while the remaining two blocked the original from view, preventing Karot from seeing him rapidly forming more seals.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique."

The Uchiha clan's signature jutsu.

Seeing this, everyone present showed looks of disbelief.

"Not good, dodge!"

Asakawa shouted anxiously.

Karot and the opponent's Shadow Clones were simultaneously engulfed by the massive fireball.

No one had expected the opponent to be so ruthless, even willingly destroying his own clones.