Knock!.. Knock!!..
"Please come in." Okamoto Dousuke and Hyuga Ritsu walked into the ward together.
"It's you, Dousuke, Ritsu." Nakajima Sodai looked at his two subordinates as they approached. He owed them his life this time, thanks to their desperate rescue.
"I've already given a brief explanation. My incompetence on this mission nearly resulted in the entire team's demise." Nakajima Sodai slammed his fist on the bed in self-reproach.
As their captain, not only did I failed to protect my subordinates but also became a dead weight. Those two carried Takuto and me back after we both lost consciousness.
A mere Newcomer and a Genin managed to defeat a titled ninja from Sunagakure and then escape the pursuing Sand Village forces. It was truly an unbelievable and harrowing feat. Just imagining the situation sent shivers down his spine.
"Captain, it wasn't just me. It was mostly Dousuke who made it possible. If not for him, we would all have fallen prey to the second renowned puppet master of Sunagakure, the Mad Puppeteer, Kugutsu Kyōjin." Hyuga Ritsu quickly clarified.
"It was Ritsu who held off the main enemy force, giving me the opening I needed," Okamoto Dousuke added, waving his hand dismissively.
"Alright, you two, enough with the modesty. Even I couldn't take down a renowned ninja that easily!" Looking at his dedicated subordinates, a wave of emotion washed over Nakajima Sodai. He knew he could always count on them, even if it meant risking their own lives.
"And this time, I truly owe you both a debt I may never be able to fully repay!" Nakajima Sodai offered a weak smile.
"Captain, please, eat before it gets cold!" Hyuga Ritsu placed the lunch box on the bedside table.
Opening the container, Nakajima Sodai's eyes widened. "Ritsu, your cooking skills have improved remarkably! And both of you, please, sit down. No need to stand around."
"Captain, due to the intensity of the battle, the bodies of both Kugutsu Kyōjin and several other individuals were severely damaged. We were only able to retrieve the head of the Sunagakure ninja, Chin Youje. Since you were unconscious at the time, Captain, I entrusted it to Lady Tsunade," Okamoto Dousuke explained.
"It doesn't matter. Our team's survival this time hinged entirely on your actions. As long as everyone is alive, everything else is secondary. I've already compiled the mission report and sent it through."
"And Lady Tsunade has been tired all this time throughout this ordeal. She didn't rest the entire night just to treat Takuto's leg. It's all my fault. If not for my failures, Takuto wouldn't be so severely injured." Nakajima Sodai sighed deeply, genuine remorse etched on his face.
"Then, Captain Nakajima, please eat quickly and get some rest afterward. I'll go check on Takuto." Sensing that Nakajima Sodai was about to launch into another round of self-blame, Okamoto Dousuke swiftly rose to his feet, ready to depart.
Looking at Hyuga Ritsu, who was still seated, Okamoto Dousuke took her hand, gently pulling her up and out of the room.
"What are you doing? I didn't even get my lunch!" Hyuga Ritsu protested as soon as they were outside.
"Didn't you see Captain Nakajima's state? If we stayed any longer, he would have blamed himself to no end. He needs some time to process everything." Okamoto Dousuke explained, guiding her towards Aburame Takuto's room.
"Just go if you want to go. Why are you holding on so tightly?" Hyuga Ritsu glanced at their intertwined hands.
Hearing her words, Okamoto Dousuke quickly released her hand, sheepishly scratching the back of his head. "Ah, sorry. I was just a bit worried."
"Baka!." Shaking her head at Okamoto Dousuke's awkwardness, Hyuga Ritsu stepped past him and continued down the corridor.
Reaching Aburame Takuto's ward, they noticed the door wasn't fully closed, leaving a small opening.
Just as Okamoto Dousuke was about to knock, the distinct sound of something shattering echoed from within.
Crackling, crackling.
"Takuto, you just woke up. Please, try to eat something." A gentle, middle-aged woman's voice spoke softly.
"Mom... am I really going to be unable to become a ninja?" Aburame Takuto's voice trembled slightly, filled with despair.
"Ah..." The gentle voice trailed off, but the deep sigh that followed spoke volumes of unspoken sorrow.
"Takuto, nothing in this world is perfect. Compared to the countless individuals who have perished in wars and missions, you are undeniably fortunate. And Lady Tsunade mentioned that, thankfully, your teammates possess medical ninjutsu and administered emergency treatment to your legs. Because of their swift action, your legs shouldn't affect your normal life in the future." The gentle voice offered words of comfort again.
"Wah... wah... wah..." Bursts of heart-wrenching sobs echoed from within the ward.
Okamoto Dousuke paused, his hand hovering just before it knocked on the door. He turned to look at Hyuga Ritsu, who had stepped closer, and gave her a small, somber shake of his head.
Silently, he turned and walked towards his own ward.
Hyuga Ritsu, her footsteps barely making a sound, followed closely behind Okamoto Dousuke.
Back in his own ward, the raw anguish in Aburame Takuto's cries echoed in Dousuke Okamoto's mind. "This is such a cruel world! It possesses power unlike anything I could have imagined, yet it remains so merciless. One moment of carelessness, and your life can be snatched away."
"At least we're still alive," Hyuga Ritsu murmured, standing by the window and watching Okamoto Dousuke as he lay down on his bed. "And as long as we draw breath, there's always hope."
Konoha, Hokage's Office.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, held his pipe to his lips, a plume of smoke escaping as he exhaled slowly.
Upon the expansive Hokage's desk, where the usual crystal ball often sat, lay three unfolded scrolls instead.
One bore the title: "Scouting Mission in the Border Town of Sunagakure."
Another was labeled: "Chin Youje - Human Intelligence Analysis."
The last scroll rested atop the other two, its title clearly visible: "On the Importance and Feasibility of Promoting Team Medical Ninjas."
These were the reports submitted to the Hokage by Nakajima Sodai, the Intelligence Analysis Department, and Tsunade following the return of Okamoto Dousuke's team.
The Third Hokage took a long, contemplative puff from his pipe, closing his eyes for a moment as he carefully considered the information before him. When he opened them again, he slowly released the smoke, a soft sigh escaping his lips.
The Third Hokage was still quite surprised by the reports on Okamoto Dousuke. He recalled Nakajima Sodai's words in the mission log.
He remembered the boy's performance during the Ninja Academy ranking battles, but he hadn't anticipated such exceptional performance during this critical mission.
Especially considering the unexpected turn of events. If it hadn't been for Dousuke Okamoto's extraordinary composure, his cautious approach, and his proficient medical ninjutsu...
If any other team had faced the same circumstances, Nakajima Sodai and Aburame Takuto would likely not have survived. They might have even suffered a complete wipeout.
Thinking of Okamoto Dousuke's excellence and his meticulous control over every step, he truly possesses a rare talent.
What was even more commendable was that whether at the mission's outset or during their retreat, Okamoto Dousuke never abandoned his teammates.
Compared to his former rival, Kakashi – Hatake Kakashi was undoubtedly a prodigious genius – but following the suicide of his father, Sakumo Hatake, also known as the White Fang of Konoha, his personality became noticeably withdrawn, often leading to a sense of isolation within his original team.
Especially considering that Okamoto Dousuke was a disciple of his own student, Tsunade.
I hadn't expected that in addition to Minato Namikaze, Jiraiya's apprentice – a knucklehead at times – Tsunade could have cultivated such an exceptional student.
As he recalled Tsunade's notorious gambling habit, the Third Hokage felt a familiar headache brewing. He resolved to pay particularly close attention to Okamoto Dousuke's future training.
Taking a final, deep drag from his pipe, the Third Hokage picked up the top page of the reports: "On the Importance and Feasibility of Promoting Team Medical Ninjas," his gaze settling on Tsunade's signature at the bottom.