Dosuke returned to his ward, his heart pounding. He opened the door. Kakashi was making his bed, helped by a man in a ninja vest.
"Kakashi, are you leaving?" Dosuke asked.
Kakashi packed his things. "Yes, I am leaving the hospital. My wounds are healed. It is not a big problem now."
"Father, I can handle it," Kakashi said, taking items from the man.
The man stood and looked at Dosuke. "Kakashi, this classmate could be your rival, like Duy's son."
"Lord White Fang, you are too kind," Dosuke said. "I am Kakashi's classmate, Dosuke."
"Surpass Kakashi," the man said, patting Dosuke's head gently. "He needs strong rivals like you and Guy."
"Father, I just did not finish my technique this time," Kakashi said, annoyed.
"Let us go, Kakashi," the man said, ignoring him.
"Dosuke, I will wait for you to graduate," Kakashi said, turning back at the door.
Dosuke waved as Kakashi and his father left. He lay on his hospital bed, thinking about Tsunade's words. * It should be fine. It is not my fault * he thought.
In the Hokage's office, a desk held piles of papers. A large sign read "Shadow." The Third Hokage sat, staring at a crystal ball on the table, ignoring the documents.
A loud knock startled him. The door flew open. Tsunade stormed in. The Third Hokage jumped, hitting his knee on the desk. The crystal ball rolled forward.
"My ball!" he shouted, reaching for it. Too late. The ball fell, shattering on the floor. Mist rose from the broken pieces.
"Teacher," Tsunade said.
The Third Hokage sighed about the destroyed crystal ball. * Next time I use the Telescope Technique, I need a cushion * he thought.
"Teacher, are you listening?" Tsunade slammed the desk, shouting.
"Speak, speak," the Third Hokage said, adjusting his hat. "I am old. Give me time to react."
"What is your plan for the student who fought Kakashi in the ninja school match?" Tsunade asked, eyeing her teacher.
"Do you have ideas?" the Third Hokage asked.
"I want that kid to leave ninja school and train with me at Konoha Hospital," Tsunade said.
The Third Hokage frowned. "Your plan was rejected at the jonin meeting. Only Dan supported you. No ninja clans agreed."
"My plan is fine," Tsunade said, hitting the desk. "Medical ninjas matter. The clans are wrong. I will prove it."
"Then do it," the Third Hokage said, standing. He walked to the window, lit his pipe, and looked at Konoha's busy streets. He puffed slowly.
"Thank you, teacher," Tsunade said, bowing deeply. She left.
The Third Hokage watched her go. * New ninjas grow under the big tree's care. Good luck, Tsunade * he thought, gazing at the Hokage Rock.
Back at Konoha Hospital, Dosuke lay bored in his ward. * What now? If the village punishes me, I am a traitor. Should I hide and wait for a chance? Where would I go? Akatsuki is not formed yet. Maybe I could join early * he thought.
A knock sounded at the door. Dosuke got up and opened it. Tsunade stood there.
"Tsunade-sama!" Dosuke said, unsure what to say.
Tsunade walked past him, sat on his bed, and looked at him. "Dosuke, I will keep your secret about practicing the Mystical Palm Technique. I am here to ask, do you want to learn medical ninjutsu from me?"
"Yes, Tsunade-sama, I would love to follow you," Dosuke said, his heart racing with excitement. * This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance * he thought.
"Come to the hospital Monday," Tsunade said. "I will tell your schoolteacher you are excused for a few days."
"Okay, Tsunade-sensei," Dosuke said, grinning.
Tsunade nodded. "You are a smart kid."
That day, two young ninja students left school early.
Dosuke left the hospital that afternoon, feeling excited and safe. * I have a protector now. I am not alone in the coming Third Ninja War * he thought.
Walking home, the sky looked extra blue. The wind felt soft. Birds sang sweetly. The leaves on the road shone green.
Dosuke passed a familiar shop, Ichiraku Ramen. * It is so close to my house * he thought, stepping inside.
He sat on a stool. "Boss, a big bowl of tonkotsu ramen to take away," he said.
"Young man, I have not seen you before," the owner said while cooking. "New here?"
"I always rushed home from here," Dosuke said. "Today, your food's smell pulled me in."
"Ha, ha! Come often," the owner said. "I make it fresh. Eat the ramen hot."
"I will come back," Dosuke said. "Today, I will take it home."
* I always hurried home to train, worried about my low chakra * Dosuke thought. * I never stopped to enjoy this ninja world, always living in fear. But today feels different. *
At a vegetable stall, the seller smiled. "Dosuke, you look happy! Where were you yesterday? I saved some for you."
"My teacher praised me," Dosuke said. "I am not taking vegetables today, but thank you."
"You were always smart," the woman said. "Come eat at my house. I will cook something good."
"No, thank you, aunt," Dosuke said kindly. * Neighbors always cared for me since I came to this world. Without them, I would not have entered ninja school * he thought.
He walked home, his steps light. At home, he opened his ramen pack. "The ramen is not that hot now, but the taste is great," he said, eating.
After dinner, he sat on the tatami under dim light, refining chakra. After two hours of practice, his chakra grew a little. He sighed and lay down.
* Tsunade's warning this morning scared me * he thought. * But now, I am her student. One of the Sannin is my teacher. That is a dream for many in Konoha. The Third Ninja War is coming, but today, that fear feels lighter. *