In Konohagakure
the Hidden Leaf Village, at the ninja school.
"Today, we will be testing your Transformation Skills. Those who fail will have to complete ten laps around the training grounds," announced Hondou Ryo, a Ninja wearing a Chunin vest, as he addressed the class from the podium, his voice carrying across the training yard.
A ripple of hushed discussion went through the student ranks seated at their neatly arranged desks. "Another assessment? Didn't we just have one recently?" several students murmured amongst themselves.
Raising his voice slightly to quiet the chatter, Hondou Ryo continued, "Remember, the enemy won't give you a warning or schedule an exam. This test is to gauge your current level of training, and diligent practice now will lead to a better future for all of you." He then called out, "Kakashi, you may go first."
"Wow, Kakashi's always first. The teacher's definitely playing favorites," grumbled a chubby boy with a round face and spiky hair.
"Kakashi is a genius, you know?" someone beside him retorted. "Why don't you go up there? You haven't even mastered the Transformation Technique yet, have you?"
The chubby boy leaned forward, directing his attention to another student. "Even if I'm struggling, we can't always rely on Kakashi to handle everything. We still have Dousuke, right?" He then craned his neck, peering at the student. "Dousuke, you need to try harder! Show that Kakashi what you've got!"
Letting out a small sigh, Okamoto Dousuke turned his head, flicking the bangs that hung over his forehead out of his eyes, pointedly ignoring the short, stout boy.
Hatake Kakashi, the son of Konoha's hero, "Konoha White Fang," was naturally exceptionally talented. Even as his classmates debated, Kakashi had swiftly performed the Transformation Technique, assuming the guise of Okamoto Dousuke.
A figure resembling Okamoto Dousuke materialized on the podium, clad in a grey high-collared shirt, white shorts, and dark ninja boots. Yet, this imitation lacked the characteristic of the real Okamoto. Despite sharing the same slender arms and legs, the Okamoto Dousuke created by Kakashi exuded an aura of quiet intensity.
"Hey, you're up!"
Having maintained his transformation, Kakashi, still in the form of Okamoto Dousuke, fixed his signature unenthusiastic gaze upon the actual Dousuke seated at his desk.
Okamoto Dousuke rose, smoothing his short-sleeved shirt and shorts before approaching the podium. With a sharp clap of his hands, forming the Transformation Seal, an identical Kakashi stood beside him.
"Are you alright?" Dousuke inquired of the transformed Kakashi, his own perpetually bored eyes mirroring the question.
"Excellent, very good," Hondou Ryo commended loudly. "The Transformation Technique is a ninjutsu that can be crucial for survival when caught behind enemy lines. You two may return to your seats now."
With twin "poof" sounds marking the end of their transformations, the two boys walked back, passing each other.
"Hey," Kakashi murmured, a hint of challenge in his voice, "we should spar sometime."
Kakashi scrutinized Okamoto Dousuke, who sat at the desk in front of him. Dousuke wore a grey, high-necked, short-sleeved shirt and white shorts. His bangs were swept to one side, and his eyes widened slightly beneath Kakashi's intense stare. A delicate nose flared subtly as he breathed, contrasting with his round chin, fair complexion, and an overall impression of fragility.
I truly don't understand, Kakashi thought, and I can't stand the fact that I, the son of Konoha's White Fang, am tied for first place with this guy. Shouldn't someone who looks so...delicate be ranked last?
"Actually, I have no desire to fight you," Okamoto Dousuke said, still seated at his desk and addressing Kakashi at the table in front of him. "Wasn't Might Guy always eager for a three-hundred-round match with you?"
"Because I am the top student. How can someone as...pretty as you be on the same level as me?" Kakashi scoffed, his gaze lingering on Okamoto Dousuke's slender arms and legs with undisguised disdain.
"Oh, I see."
"Ah, Might Guy," Okamoto Dousuke said, turning to the student behind him, "Kakashi mentioned wanting to spar with you. It's been a while since your last intense match."
"Oh yeah, Kakashi! I knew you'd want a true test of skill, a real man-to-man showdown!" Might Guy sprang to his feet, striking a pose with his left hand on his hip and his right index finger pointing dramatically at Kakashi. "Bring it on, Kakashi-kun!"
"Might Guy, what in the world do you think you're doing?!" Hondou Ryo glared at the standing student. "Have you even passed the Transformation Test? Get up here!!"
"No need, sensei!" Might Guy exclaimed, already heading for the door. "I haven't mastered the Transformation Technique yet. I was going to do ten laps, but the flames of youth demand more! I'll do twenty laps around the training grounds! Yessss!" Before Hondou could utter another word, Might Guy had bolted out.
"Kakashi, wait for me! I'll be back for that duel!" his voice echoed from outside.
Kakashi felt a wave of exasperation wash over him as he watched Might Guy's hasty exit. Turning his gaze to Okamoto Dousuke, who was now wearing a sly smile that crinkled his eyes, Kakashi couldn't help but think, for the first time, that anyone who squinted while smiling was inherently strange.
"Hahaha, Kakashi, you scared? Let me tell you, the strongest in this class is still yours truly, Uncle Obito! I fear no challenge!" A boy sporting bright orange sunglasses declared loudly at the visibly annoyed Kakashi.
"But no one is actually challenging you," Nohara Rin gently corrected, tugging at Uchiha Obito's sleeve.
"Oh, great, another loudmouth," Kakashi muttered, patting his forehead in exasperation. He turned away, resting his arms on the desk and burying his head in them, feigning disinterest as he half-watched the remaining students perform their transformations on the podium.
"Kakashi, please stop teasing Dousuke," Nohara Rin said, taking a seat to Kakashi's left after finishing her own transformation test.
A soft, gentle voice chimed in, "That's right. Dousuke simply excels academically, which boosts his overall ranking. Besides, he's such a kind soul; how could he possibly fight?"
Okamoto Dousuke turned his head to Shizune Kato, who had spoken in his defense. Guess all that effort wasn't wasted, he mused to himself. Otherwise, how would I have so many supportive girls speaking up for me?
"Kakashi," Okamoto Dousuke addressed the prone figure on the desk, "I'm planning to apply to Konoha's medical corps soon. If you get injured, don't come crawling to me for help."
"Tch, who cares?" Kakashi mumbled, casting a brief glance at Okamoto Dousuke before settling back down. "Besides, you look so fragile, becoming a medical ninja where everyone else has to protect you seems like the perfect fit." With that, he seemed to drift off to sleep on the table.
"Dousuke, are you really planning to join the medical class?" the youthful-looking Shizune asked, gazing at Okamoto Dousuke.
"Well, it's definitely a thought I'm entertaining. But as you know, the medical program here focuses heavily on foundational knowledge, so I'm planning to continue my general studies for a bit longer," Okamoto Dousuke replied, returning Shizune's gaze.
"Maybe I can surprise you! How about I introduce you to someone who could teach you a thing or two? She's an incredibly skilled medical ninja," Shizune said, tilting her head charmingly towards Okamoto Dousuke.
"Alright, I'm definitely looking forward to whatever surprise 'Yinyin' has in store," Okamoto Dousuke said with a smile.
The afternoon sped by during the remainder of the transformation test. Kakashi and Might Guy's anticipated duel didn't happen, as Might Guy had yet to complete his twenty laps by the time the school day ended.
Returning home after school, Okamoto Dousuke finished his dinner and then settled onto his bed to begin his daily chakra refinement.
Two hours later, a frustrated sigh escaped his lips. "Still no noticeable progress." He could feel the familiar flow of chakra within him, but it seemed stagnant.
How am I supposed to survive in the late Ninja World with so many prodigies around? he thought bitterly. Transmigrators usually get some kind of 'golden finger,' their chakra levels at least on par with the Senju or Uzumaki's freakish physiques. Most of them have some overpowered kekkei genkai, at worst a unique chakra nature. And here I am with basic Genin-level chakra and not even the consolation prize of being 'the last of my clan' or something. This is going to be tough!
After another period of futile effort, Okamoto Dousuke decided to call it quits for the day. He had been diligently refining his chakra for two hours every day since he was four, and now, at the age of five, while his chakra had indeed increased, the change was far from significant.
"Guess I'll just aim for the medical corps and become everyone's favorite caretaker," he muttered to himself. "At least they can't deny my exceptional chakra control." He extended his right hand, and a precise layer of chakra instantly enveloped his palm.
Palm Senjutsu, a technique utilized by medical ninjas, allows the user to disrupt the flow of chakra within another person's body through targeted chakra emission. Furthermore, by releasing chakra, it can dramatically accelerate the healing process for both external and internal injuries.
Within the medical program, only a select few can master Palm Senjutsu. Proficiency in this technique generally signifies a fully qualified medical ninja.
This ninjutsu, demanding exquisite chakra control, came to Okamoto Dousuke almost instinctively.
Upon his initial attempts at Tree Climbing and Water Walking, Dousuke discovered that maintaining his footing on both surfaces required surprisingly little effort. By precisely distributing chakra through his feet, he could adhere to trees and glide across water with ease, a stark contrast to the arduous training faced by Naruto and Sasuke in the original timeline.
That's right—Okamoto Dousuke was, in fact, a time traveler from Blue Star (Earth). His arrival wasn't orchestrated by a reckless truck driver, a heroic rescue, or a celestial event. He had simply dozed off on his flight back home and awakened to find himself inhabiting the body of Okamoto Dousuke in the Naruto world.
Having dispersed the chakra in his palm, Okamoto Dousuke stood and exited the room.
Konoha Forest.
The "Konoha Cyclone" struck with a swift, sweeping kick. Okamoto Dousuke was caught by the blow, and with a sharp "bang," his form shattered into several wooden logs.
"Oh no, a Substitution Technique!"
"Water Style: Water Iron Shot!" A marble-sized ball of water shot towards Might Guy with a "swish."
Might Guy snapped his head to the side to avoid the projectile, which instantly pierced through the thick trunks of the three large trees behind him.
Dousuke Okamoto, now standing directly in front of Might Guy, pointed his index finger towards the exuberant ninja.
"Konoha Strong Fist!" Might Guy gathered power in his legs, stomped firmly on the ground, and unleashed a powerful right fist towards Okamoto Dousuke's stomach.
A resounding "bang" echoed as the punch landed.
However, a thin film of water shimmered into existence at the point of impact. As the fluid barrier rippled, it completely negated the force of Might Guy's Konoha Strong Fist.
"Water Style: Water Iron Shot!"
"Swoosh!"
"Swoosh!!"
"Swoosh!!!" The sound of multiple projectiles whizzed through the air.
From point-blank range, seven or eight water balls narrowly grazed Might Guy's scalp, lifting several strands of his tightly cropped hair.
"No more, no more!" Might Guy exclaimed, stepping back and waving his hands. "Every time my Strong Fist connects, it's blocked by that water film of yours!"
"Hehehe!" Okamoto Dousuke chuckled. Among all the ninjutsu he had developed, the water film technique was his personal favorite! Due to his relatively limited chakra reserves, he had focused on creating ninjutsu that were efficient and perfectly suited to his capabilities.
"Alright, come over here. Let me take a look at those injuries. Try not to push yourself so hard in training next time," Okamoto Dousuke said, gesturing towards two smooth stones resting on the side.
"Hehe, but isn't that what you're here for?" Might Guy replied with a wide grin.
The familiar green glow of Palm Senjutsu enveloped Might Guy's hands and arms, which were bruised and scraped from colliding with the wooden stakes. The wounds visibly began to knit themselves closed at an astonishing rate.
"But what if I wasn't around? Still, I owe it all to you, Might Guy. If it weren't for your, uh...unique approach to training, I might never have learned the Palm Senjutsu, let alone become so skilled with it," Okamoto Dousuke admitted.
As he spoke, a memory from about a year prior flickered through Dousuke Okamoto's mind.