A year ago, Dosuke learned his chakra was weak. He could not use big ninja moves. He decided to train his body instead. * Might Guy is strong with kicks, * he thought. * I can be like him. *
That night, Dosuke sneaked to Konoha's Forest. He stayed near the edge, by the Death Forest training ground. His small house was good for chakra practice, but too small for body training.
In the dark, Dosuke reached the training ground. Someone was already there, kicking sandbags tied to trees.
"One thousand one hundred twenty-seven," a voice counted.
"One thousand one hundred twenty-eight."
"One thousand one hundred twenty-nine."
"One thousand one hundred thirty."
Footsteps crunched. Dosuke stepped from the shadows, raising his hand. "Hello," he said.
The figure spun fast. "Konoha Whirlwind!" A kick flew at Dosuke.
A loud "bang" echoed. Dosuke flew back, smashing into a tree.
"Ow!" Dosuke coughed. Blood spilled from his mouth, staining his light blue shirt. A big footprint marked his chest.
Might Guy ran over, seeing Dosuke against the tree. "Dosuke! It is you! Are you okay? Can you stand?"
"Do I look okay?" Dosuke spat more blood, wincing.
Guy stared, frozen. Dosuke glared. "Stop looking! Take me to Konoha Hospital!"
"Oh, right!" Guy panicked, reaching to lift Dosuke.
"Wait! Do not grab me!" Dosuke snapped. "You broke my ribs. Carry me on your back."
"Okay, okay, Dosuke-kun," Guy said. He slid one arm around Dosuke's waist, the other under his legs, lifting him carefully.
Guy ran fast, even carrying Dosuke. He trained all over Konoha, so his speed stayed strong.
At the hospital, a medical ninja in a white coat checked Dosuke. She pulled back her chakra from his chest. "You came in time. Two ribs are broken. No organs are hurt, but you need surgery. Call your family to pay."
Dosuke spoke weakly. "I have no family. My parents died in the Second Ninja War. I am a martyr's child. The Third Hokage's rule says I get free treatment. My father's ninja number is 754264945. Please check."
The medical ninja nodded. "Wait here. I will verify." She left with her notes.
Guy knelt by Dosuke's bed, tears falling. "Dosuke, I am sorry. If you die, I will die too."
"Stop saying I will die!" Dosuke said, eyes closed. He tried to pull Guy up but was too weak.
A loud voice called, "Where is the injured boy?"
"Here, Tsunade-sama," the medical ninja replied.
The door creaked open. The medical ninja stepped aside. A strong woman with blonde hair in twin ponytails walked in, wearing a blue top.
"Tsunade-sama!" Guy gasped, eyes wide.
"You kicked your classmate like this?" Tsunade asked, looking at Dosuke on the bed.
"Yes, it is my fault," Guy said, head down, hands behind his back.
Tsunade pointed at the medical ninja. "Call the other medical ninjas here. Since his treatment is free, I will teach you all."
"But, Tsunade-sama," the ninja hesitated.
"Go!" Tsunade ordered. "What is wrong with free treatment?"
Dosuke sweated on the bed. * Is it pain or fear? * he thought.
Soon, the room filled with medical ninjas.
Tsunade spoke, hands glowing green with Palm Immortal Technique. "No cuts outside, so we fix the ribs inside. Use chakra to move the broken bones back." She worked on Dosuke. "Then, use Palm Immortal Technique to make bones grow faster."
She looked at the ninjas. "This jutsu needs perfect chakra control. If it is not exact, bones grow wrong."
She finished. "He needs rest and more treatment. Keep him here a few days."
Tsunade was a Sannin, a legendary ninja from the Second Ninja War, known across the ninja world.
"Thank you, Tsunade-sama," Dosuke said weakly.
Tsunade waved and left the room.
---
"Okay, be careful when training," Dosuke said to Guy after healing his arm. "I fixed your cuts, but hard training leaves hidden injuries I cannot heal."
"I know, Dosuke!" Guy grinned, one hand on his hip, the other pointing forward. "My youth burns strong!"
Dosuke sighed. "We stop here today. The school's ranking fight is in a week. I may not train for a few days. Do not practice dangerous moves."
Guy's eyes sparkled. "I will beat Kakashi in the ranking fight! My blood is boiling!"
"I get it," Dosuke said. He turned and walked away.
"Dosuke, wear youth training clothes like me!" Guy shouted. "They help!"
Dosuke tripped, waved his hand, and jumped onto a tree branch. He sped toward home without looking back.
At the Dosuke house, Dosuke lay on his bed. * The school's ranking fight is soon, * he thought. * Kakashi is five now. In the story, he graduates after this fight. He becomes Konoha's youngest Genin and Chunin, then a Jonin at twelve. *
* This ninja world is dangerous, * he thought. * My chakra is too weak for long fights. I need to show my skills in the ranking fight to get noticed by strong ninjas. Maybe I can train under one. *
* Kakashi's graduation means the Third Ninja War is close. I have little time. I must survive and make my name known. * Dosuke clenched his fists under the blanket.