Tsunade finished her wine in one big gulp.
Dosuke had a bad feeling on his way here. Tsunade's words made him think of the Third Ninja War.
Tsunade smiled at her student across the table. "You will join as a medical ninja. The scout team usually has at least one chunin. You are the first chunin to join. This is a test for me and the village."
"Teacher, you know my strength. I almost beat Kakashi once. You have seen how much I have grown. Do not worry," Dosuke said to Tsunade.
"Alright, kid, eat and go. Stop talking nonsense." Tsunade set down her empty glass, walked to the front desk, and paid.
Dosuke put on his jacket, picked up Tsunade's coat, and followed her out.
The April night breeze was cool. It brushed their faces, sharp and waking. Dosuke handed Tsunade her coat.
"You are a true ninja now," Tsunade said. Her eyes warmed as she pulled a Konoha forehead protector from her pocket. Its leaf symbol glinted as she handed it to him.
"You get one week off. No hospital work. Your classmates graduate tomorrow. Go to the school," Tsunade said.
"Got it, teacher," Dosuke replied.
"Go home. I will not walk you." Tsunade waved her hand, annoyed.
"Teacher, you paid today." Dosuke turned, said goodbye, and walked to his house.
Tsunade watched him leave. She whispered, "Good luck, Dosuke."
The next day, Dosuke reached the private room at Konoha's barbecue restaurant.
He lifted the curtain. "Sorry, I did not know you all came early."
"Dosuke, you are late. Get in here," Might Guy shouted from the door.
Obito stood up, eyeing Dosuke. He touched the headband on his forehead. "Hey, Dosuke, look at this. I am a genius."
Dosuke put one hand on his hip, pointing at Obito's headband. "Yeah, yeah, you are the best," he teased.
He glanced at Might Guy, Shizune, Nohara Rin, and the others. "So, you just take a test and graduate?"
"It is not the same. I, Obito, can graduate even if I sleep all day," Obito grinned.
"Stop talking and sit. The meat will overcook," Dosuke said. He sat next to Shizune, grabbed chopsticks, and took the biggest piece of meat for his sauce.
"You are late and eat first?" Obito shouted, annoyed, as Dosuke chewed.
"Dosuke, will you still work at the hospital?" Shizune asked, watching him eat.
"I will join the scout team for missions. I do not know much yet. What about you?" Dosuke asked Shizune and the others.
"Obito, Kakashi, and I are on Minato's team," Rin answered.
"It is too bad Kakashi did not come. I would beat him at eating barbecue," Might Guy said. Everyone stared at him.
"What? I went to Kakashi's house to ask him. He ignored me. Rin brought it up first," Might Guy said, helpless.
"I saw Kakashi at the Memorial Stone last time. He is still hurt from his father's death. Since his father died, he is never home. He trains all the time. His teammates do not like him. He trusts no one," Dosuke sighed.
"Do not worry, Dosuke. I will help Kakashi," Rin said softly.
"You all, do not be so sad. I, Obito, will wake that idiot up. Next time we eat, I will drag him here," Obito said loudly, breaking the heavy mood.
Because of Kakashi, they finished dinner quickly and said goodbye.
The weather was still cold. People on the street hurried along.
Two figures walked slowly by the road.
A cold wind blew. The shorter one sneezed. "Achoo!"
"You did not wear a coat. It is not warm yet. What if you get sick?" the taller one said. He took off his jacket and put it on the shorter figure.
"I wanted you to see my skirt," the shorter one mumbled.
Under the dim streetlights, the short figure looked small in the big jacket.
"Thank you, Dosuke. Do not get cold," Shizune said. The coat smelled like hospital cleaner, still warm from Dosuke.
"I am fine. I am strong. Also, if you get sick, who will help me?" Dosuke joked.
Shizune had told him at school she would introduce someone. Dosuke thought it was Tsunade, but Shizune meant Kato Dan, who guided him at the hospital.
Dosuke knelt in front of Shizune. He zipped up the jacket from bottom to top. He fixed her collar and smoothed her long hair. His cold hands brushed her warm earlobe. Shizune's face turned red, bright in the dark.
They walked quietly, side by side. The streetlights stretched their shadows long.
"Alright, Shizune, go inside," Dosuke said. They had reached her house.
"Okay, Dosuke, be careful going home." Shizune took off the jacket and gave it back.
"I will." Dosuke put on his coat, waved, and turned to leave.
"Shizune, you look great in a skirt," he called back.
"I know, you idiot," she replied.
Days passed fast. Dosuke got the notice to gather.
Meet at the village gate tomorrow at eight in the morning.