"Namikaze-sensei, what about your team's mission?" Okamoto Dousuke couldn't help but ask, looking at Minato Namikaze, who was about to return with them.
"Don't worry, I already informed Kakashi before I came. He will lead Obito and Rin to complete the mission. And you don't need to call me Namikaze-sensei all the time; you can call me Minato-nii-san. We're practically of the same generation, being disciples of the same Sannin!" Minato Namikaze said with a smile, implying that formality wasn't necessary.
"Well, okay, Minato-nii-san, how did you manage to appear within our encirclement so quickly?" Okamoto Dousuke asked Minato Namikaze curiously.
"Oh, that's the Flying Thunder God Technique. It's a space-time ninjutsu developed by the Second Hokage. If you're interested, I'd be happy to teach you," Minato Namikaze offered enthusiastically.
Looking at Minato Namikaze, Okamoto Dousuke couldn't help but sigh internally. What a remarkable person. He truly deserves to become Hokage, even starting as a commoner. This level of personal charisma is something I may never fully grasp.
Minato displayed no hesitation in revealing his secret technique. The Flying Thunder God Technique was one of the most coveted time-space ninjutsu in the entire Naruto world, rivaled only by Obito's Sharingan's Kamui.
It would be a lie to say that Okamoto Dousuke wasn't intrigued by this.
However, due to its complexity and danger, the Flying Thunder God Technique had always been restricted within Konoha's Index of Forbidden Books.
Furthermore, considering that Minato Namikaze was the only known ninja to have mastered this technique besides the Second Hokage himself, highlighted its extreme difficulty.
Minato Namikaze's future position as the Fourth Hokage, standing at the pinnacle of the ninja world, was largely attributed to his mastery of the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Although learning the Flying Thunder God Technique wouldn't instantly propel Okamoto Dousuke to the top, it would undoubtedly represent a significant leap forward on his path to growth.
"Come to think of it, Minato-kun, I'm in the same class as Kakashi, Obito, and Rin!" Okamoto Dousuke mentioned to Minato Namikaze, trying to find common ground.
"Thank you so much, Namikaze-sensei, for your help this time. If it weren't for you, Dousuke and I would surely have died there. We will definitely express our gratitude properly upon our return," Hyuga Ritsu interjected before Minato Namikaze could respond.
"We are all comrades from the same village. If anyone encounters such a situation, no one would simply stand idly by. Please don't dwell on it," Minato Namikaze replied with a kind smile.
A thought crossed his mind, and the image of a silver-haired youth flashed before his eyes, causing him to shake his head slightly.
"Minato-nii-san, please don't be so modest. If you hadn't arrived, I was prepared to die alongside the enemy. Ritsu and I are deeply grateful for your assistance. We should definitely have Obito and Rin join us sometime," Okamoto Dousuke said with a sincere smile, seeing an opportunity to build a stronger connection. This is a golden opportunity to foster a good relationship with the future Fourth Hokage. I must seize it, Okamoto Dousuke thought to himself.
The group walked forward in a loose V-formation, with Hyuga Ritsu slightly behind on the left, observing Okamoto Dousuke and Minato Namikaze as they conversed and laughed.
They are both disciples of Konoha's Sannin, Hyuga Ritsu thought, a touch of pride swelling within her as she unconsciously touched her forehead protector.
As they continued their journey, Okamoto Dousuke and Minato Namikaze grew more acquainted. Before they knew it, they had already reached the warning perimeter of Konoha Village.
"Alright, we've reached the village's barrier. I need to head back and assist Kakashi and the others with their mission. Once you return, make sure to get your injuries treated. I'll take my leave now," Minato Namikaze said, gently handing the unconscious Aburame Takuto over to Hyuga Ritsu before teleporting away using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
"Sister Ritsu, let's go. We both survived; there's no reason to be disheartened," Okamoto Dousuke said, noticing Hyuga Ritsu seemed a bit downcast.
"Yes, you're right. What could be more terrifying than death? We are people who have faced it head-on. What else is there we cannot dare to face?" Hyuga Ritsu replied, straightening her posture and striding forward with renewed determination.
Standing at the entrance of the village, Okamoto Dousuke, carrying Nakajima Sodai on his back, looked up with great difficulty at the two large doors that occupied three-quarters of the gate wall's height.
Gazing at the Konoha emblem situated between the two kanji characters for "Ninja" on the gate, Okamoto Dousuke felt a newfound sense of belonging to this village, a connection he hadn't experienced so strongly before.
After collecting himself, Okamoto Dousuke walked towards the entrance.
"Who are you?" The ninja guarding the gate stopped Okamoto Dousuke and Hyuga Ritsu, who were carrying the injured, their clothes tattered and bodies covered in scars.
Being stopped, Okamoto Dousuke realized he wasn't wearing his forehead protector. He had stowed it away while gathering intelligence earlier.
Okamoto Dousuke gently lowered Nakajima Sodai to the ground, retrieved the mission scroll from his inner clothing, and said to the two ninjas at the gate: "Hello, we are a team returning from a mission and were attacked on the way back."
One of the ninjas checked the mission scroll, Okamoto Dousuke's ninja forehead protector, and their record of departure from the village.
Hyuga Ritsu also removed her contact lenses, revealing the unmistakable signs of her Byakugan.
"I apologize. Because you weren't wearing your forehead protectors, we couldn't immediately verify your identities," the other ninja said, returning the checked items to them.
"It's alright, no problem at all. You were just doing your duty," Okamoto Dousuke replied. Having passed the identification check, he hoisted Nakajima Sodai back onto his shoulders and hurried towards the Konoha Hospital with Hyuga Ritsu.
Konoha Hospital.
Okamoto Dousuke, still carrying Nakajima Sodai, rushed directly into the emergency room. He quickly found an empty bed and carefully placed Nakajima Sodai and Aburame Takuto onto it.
"Sister Yukino, please prepare some medical supplies for me," Okamoto Dousuke said, stopping a passing nurse.
"Ah!" Yukino, startled by the sudden grab on her arm, couldn't help but let out a small cry.
When she turned around, she saw the scarred and disheveled Okamoto Dousuke. His normally neat, short hair, usually tied smoothly back, was now tangled and matted. His once clean uniform was torn in several places, and his usually fair complexion was now weathered and covered with traces of dirt and grime.
His exposed skin bore numerous small cuts and scratches, and the blood seeping from the bandage on his abdomen had dried and turned a dark brown.
"Dousuke, why are you like this? What happened to you?" The young girl couldn't help but cry out upon seeing her brother, who was usually so meticulous about his appearance, in such a state.
A tremor ran through her voice, a hint of disbelief that this was indeed the brother she knew.
"Go lie down immediately. I will find a doctor to treat you."
"It's okay, Sister Yukino, my injury isn't that serious. Please just prepare some medicine for me," Okamoto Dousuke said, stopping Yukino, who looked worried.
"Is Tsunade-sensei in the hospital? My teammate needs her attention for their injuries," Okamoto Dousuke asked.
"You little brat, get back to your bed!" A familiar voice spoke with an air of authority.
"Teacher…" Okamoto Dousuke turned his head, and due to his height, the first thing he saw was the tall figure. Looking up, he saw Tsunade with pursed lips, a frown etched on her face, looking at him with a mix of distress and disapproval.
"You've worked hard." Tsunade looked at Okamoto Dousuke, who was covered in scars, opened her mouth as if to say something, but then seemed to reconsider, finally uttering just four words.