Dosuke opened his tired eyes in the morning. He scratched his messy hair, stretched, yawned, and stood up from the tatami mat.
After breakfast, Dosuke walked to the ninja school in Konoha, his steps slow. He reached the classroom and sat at his desk. Around him, students studied hard. Even Obito and Might Guy, who usually ranked last in exams, held textbooks with serious faces.
* Why are they trying so hard? * Dosuke wondered. He tapped Shizune, who sat next to him, and pointed at Obito, whose face was almost buried in his book. Obito never cared about written tests.
Before Shizune could answer, Rin, in the front row, spoke. "When you were late, Sensei Ryo gave an order. If Obito and Guy fail the written test in this ranking battle, they must stand at the back of the class for lessons."
Shizune's soft voice added, "Obito is studying because if he fails, he will be moved away from Rin."
Obito overheard and shouted, "No way! I am proving I am a genius in fighting and studying! Dosuke, you better watch out in the battle. I will make you beg for mercy!" His voice burned with jealousy. * Why do girls like that girly-looking guy? *
Dosuke ignored Obito, leaned back, and rested his head on the desk. "Sensei's here soon. Wake me, Shizune."
Shizune's face turned red. "Oh, okay."
By afternoon, school ended. Dosuke stared at Kakashi's empty seat. * Where is he? Has Kakashi graduated already? * Kakashi's graduation, Dosuke thought, might signal the start of the Third Great Ninja War. Kakashi's absence worried him.
Days passed. Dosuke followed a routine: school, home, training ground. Finally, the ninja school held its combat ranking battle.
Konoha Ninja School's playground was bright under the rising sun. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen, sat with elite ninjas, his face calm without his Hokage hat. "These students are Konoha's future," he said, squinting. "Some will be your students. Watch closely, especially you, Jiraiya." He glared at Jiraiya, who slouched lazily.
Students stood in the playground's center. Dosuke, usually late, arrived early. He spotted Kakashi, who had been gone for days, standing tall.
Sensei Ryo spoke loudly. "This combat match is about friendship first, competition second. If you rank low, do not lose hope. You have time to grow."
He paused, then announced, "First match: Dosuke versus Kakashi."
Obito, wearing orange goggles, raised his hand. "Sensei, I want to fight Kakashi and Dosuke!"
Sensei Ryo's face stayed blank. "Matches follow last ranking's order. Do well this time, Obito, and you can challenge next time."
Kakashi and Dosuke walked to the ninja tool box. They picked unsharpened kunai and short swords, safe for school tests to avoid serious injuries.
Kakashi faced Dosuke, his eyes sharp. "Dosuke, fight with all you have, or you will lose badly. I have wanted to beat you for a while."
Dosuke grinned, wearing a new orange jacket and black pants instead of his usual blue shirt and white shorts. "Do not worry, Kakashi. I am ready. I will crush you."
Sensei Ryo shouted, "Form the seal of confrontation. You are classmates, future teammates, not enemies."
Kakashi and Dosuke made the seal. Sensei Ryo yelled, "Begin!"
Three shuriken flew at Dosuke from different angles. A puff of smoke burst. The shuriken hit a wooden log.
Substitution Jutsu!
The smoke cleared. Two Dosukes stood on the field.
"Water Style, Water Bullet Jutsu," both Dosukes said, one voice from Kakashi's left, one from his right.
* Shadow Clone Jutsu? When did Dosuke learn that? * Kakashi thought. Two small water balls, fast as marbles, shot toward him.
Kakashi drew his short sword and slashed the water balls. A metallic clang rang out as his blade hit them.
Tsunade, watching from the stands, nodded. "Dosuke's chakra control is strong. His clone tricked Kakashi, and that C-rank jutsu hit like a higher level." The water balls, now fading, had pierced two trees far away.
Jiraiya added, "His water bullets are twice as fast and strong as normal."
Orochimaru licked his lips. "Besides Sakumo's son, another talented kid at this age."
Hiruzen turned to Sakumo. "Sakumo, will the unsharpened sword affect Kakashi?"
Sakumo smiled. "Not much. It is school. Kakashi will manage."
Hiruzen said nothing, his eyes back on the fight.
Dosuke charged, shouting, "Konoha Whirlwind!" His leg swept at Kakashi's waist.
Kakashi's sword slashed at Dosuke's chest.
* Trading blows? * Kakashi thought. "Dosuke, even unsharpened, this will hurt!"
A loud thud echoed. Kakashi, kicked in the waist, slid sideways, easing the impact. His left arm blocked some force. * Good thing I guarded, or this would be tougher, * he thought, staring at Dosuke. * He is crazy. *
Dosuke rubbed his chest. A thin water film had blocked the sword, but pain lingered. * My chakra is low, * he thought, eyeing Kakashi, who stood ready.
"Water Style, Water Bullet Chain!" Dosuke yelled. A dozen water balls flew at Kakashi.
Clang! Clang! Kakashi dodged some, slicing others with his chakra-infused sword.
More water balls came. Kakashi paused, watching Dosuke. * Something is off. When I slashed him, it did not feel like hitting a person. That blue film on his chest… normal attacks do not work. *
Kakashi spoke, voice low. "Dosuke, know why I was gone?"
Dosuke tilted his head.
"I trained with my father, clearing bandits nearby. Now, I fight you with the will to kill!" Kakashi's eyes burned, his stance sharper, like a wolf ready to strike.
Dosuke's squinting eyes opened wide. * He has seen blood. No wonder he feels different. * "Then I will fight with everything, too. My chakra control is unmatched. You will not win easily."
Sensei Ryo glanced at Hiruzen. "Lord Third, should we stop them? They are too serious."
Sakumo spoke calmly. "No need. With Lord Third and me here, we can intervene. Besides, it is rare for someone Kakashi's age to push him this far."