Knock, knock!
"Tsunade-sensei, are you there?" Dosuke stood outside Office 314 on the third floor of Konoha Hospital.
"Come in," Tsunade's voice called.
Dosuke opened the door. Tsunade leaned back in her chair, two legs off the ground, feet crossed on the desk, swinging. She held a steaming teacup, sipping slowly.
"Teacher, maybe be more careful in the office?" Dosuke said softly. Her wide skirt had slipped to her thigh.
* I knew Tsunade was bold from Naruto, but as her student, she is a true force, * he thought.
"Hey, kid, I am your teacher. Since when do you correct me? Think you are old man Sarutobi?" Tsunade shot him a sharp look.
"Why are you here?" she asked, setting her feet down and the teacup on the desk. She sat up straight.
"Teacher, today the Konoha Security Force brought an injured ninja," Dosuke said. "They said his team was attacked on a mission. He was the only survivor. He was badly hurt and fainted near the village. The security team found him on patrol." Dosuke pulled a sealed test tube from his pocket. Dark purple liquid swirled inside. He placed it on Tsunade's desk. "I think Sand Village attacked them."
"How do you know it was Sand Village?" Tsunade asked, holding the test tube to the sunlight. "Any ninja, even from Konoha, can use poison."
"The toxin is from the ninja's wound," Dosuke said. "I tested it. It is a mix of neurotoxin and blood toxin. The wound rotted fast because of the blood toxin. There is also a drying factor, found only in desert creatures from places like Sand Village. It comes from years of evolution in dry lands." He handed Tsunade a test report.
Tsunade read it. "I understand, but this is serious. We will wait until the ninja wakes up."
"Teacher, even after my treatment, he will not wake soon," Dosuke said, voice rising. "I stand by my judgment. If Sand Village is attacking our teams, they are planning something big. A new war could start, Tsunade-sensei!"
Tsunade looked at her student. * He has grown, * she thought. * Four years ago, he was shorter than my desk, shaking when he first came here. Now he shouts at me. The villagers love him too. *
"I understand," she said. "I will talk to the Third Hokage."
"Thank you, teacher," Dosuke said, leaving the office.
* Another war after peace? No time for tea, * Tsunade thought. She grabbed the test tube and report, striding out.
That evening, Dosuke finished his last ward check. Exhausted, he returned to the medical office and poured hot tea. * Today was tough. That ninja's case brought too many clues, * he thought.
Since Kakashi graduated four years ago, Dosuke knew the Third Ninja War was nearing. He had shown his skill in the school match to catch Tsunade's eye. It worked. Under her, he learned many ninjutsu, especially medical techniques. He also built a strong reputation among Konoha's civilians by healing them at the hospital. He made friends with ninja clans and wealthy families, even the Uchiha, who often clashed with Konoha. * I carry the Will of Fire, * he thought. * It keeps me safe in the village. *
Two years ago, the suicide of Hatake Sakumo, called Konoha's White Fang, shook the ninja world. * No one expected a man who could abandon missions without failing to die at home, not in battle, * Dosuke thought. He remembered Sakumo's gentle hand on his head, urging him to surpass Kakashi. At the funeral, Kakashi's cold stare haunted him. Dosuke had said, "I am sorry." * I knew the rumors would lead to his death, but I could not stop them, * he thought.
* Strength lets you control your path, * Dosuke thought. * I will not be powerless like I was with White Fang. * He drank his cooled tea, removed his medical uniform, grabbed his clothes, and prepared to leave.
"Dosuke!" Tsunade burst in, catching him mid-dress.
"Teacher, why are you here?" Dosuke asked, surprised. * She should be gone by now. *
"Dosuke, we have not eaten together in a while," Tsunade said. "Join me for dinner."
"Okay, teacher," Dosuke said, confused but agreeing.
At a small sushi restaurant, Dosuke and Tsunade sat in a tidy private room. Empty plates piled up, proof of the chef's skill.
Dosuke poured sake for Tsunade. He reached for his own cup.
Smack!
"No drinking, kid. You are not grown yet," Tsunade said, slapping his arm.
"Ow!" Dosuke rubbed his arm. "Tsunade-sensei, just say what you want. You did not bring me here only to eat."
Tsunade sipped her sake. "I told Sarutobi-sensei about the toxin. He will send scouts to check Sand Village. Dosuke, you are my student. Your skill in medical ninjutsu surpasses mine at your age. I want you to join the scout team. What do you think?"