Orochimaru glanced at Dosuke, patted the girl's head, and turned away. "Let us go, Anko. It is late. You should rest."
"Oh," Anko said. "Master, who is that boy? Did you come to find him?"
"No, I met him by chance," Orochimaru hissed. "That boy is a genius, too."
"Master, I am the smartest genius!" Anko lifted her black-and-white snake, Huahua, to her mouth, whispering to it.
The two figures, one tall, one small, faded into the dark.
Dosuke stood still. * Orochimaru was just walking with Anko to catch pets? * he thought. He ignored Orochimaru's words. * We are too different, * he thought. But a Sannin's attention meant he needed to grow stronger, fast.
Orochimaru's visit calmed his restless heart. Dosuke tidied himself, used Water Style, and rushed home.
The next day, Dosuke grabbed his Forehead Protector. "You look good," he said, tying it on and admiring his reflection.
He leaped across rooftops, heading to Konoha Hospital.
"Sister Yukino, hello, Asami!" Dosuke called, entering the hall and seeing two busy figures.
"Dosuke, why not rest more?" Asami greeted warmly.
"I cannot stay home," Dosuke said, smiling. "I came to see Tsunade-sensei and my teammates."
"Hmph!" Yukino glanced at Dosuke, then turned to other patients.
Dosuke rubbed his head, helpless. "Doctor Asami, I am off to see my captain!"
Asami, uneasy from the tension, nodded. "Go quickly."
Dosuke reached Soda's room in the inpatient ward.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Come in," a voice said.
Dosuke entered. Soda, in a jacket, packed clothes. "Captain Soda, what is this?"
Soda turned. "Dosuke, my injury is better. I am leaving the hospital."
Dosuke helped pack. "Captain Soda, can we do missions together again?"
"I do not know," Soda said. "Recon teams form randomly and disband after. Someone else might lead you next time. But if you need me, find me." He looked at Dosuke sincerely.
This mission owed much to the nine-year-old before him. Dosuke's skill reminded Soda of Minato, another Sannin disciple and commoner, now a Jonin. * Maybe Dosuke will be like him, * Soda thought.
"I am going home," Soda said, grabbing his things. "Want to come?"
Dosuke smiled. "Sorry, Captain Soda, I must visit Takuto. Next time!"
"No problem," Soda said. "I saw Takuto. He is struggling. I misjudged this mission. Please help him." Sadness crossed his face.
"Do not blame yourself, Captain," Dosuke said. "Missions have risks."
"I know. Thank you, Dosuke." Soda left the ward.
Dosuke headed to Takuto's room, recalling when he and Tatee tried visiting before.
* Focus, * he thought, knocking.
Creak. The door opened.
Takuto, in a striped hospital gown, leaned on a walking aid. A woman followed him.
"Dosuke, why are you here?" Takuto asked.
"I came to check on you," Dosuke said, watching his teammate's slow steps.
"Thank you for remembering me," Takuto said weakly, head down.
Takuto shuffled forward. The woman steadied him. "Slow down, Takuto."
She turned to Dosuke. "Sorry, Tsunade-sama said he should move when he can."
"It is fine, auntie," Dosuke said. "I am a hospital doctor. I will walk with Takuto and talk."
Dosuke supported Takuto. They moved down the corridor.
Takuto's mother watched, wiping tears.
"Dosuke, I never thanked you and Tatee for saving me," Takuto said. "Without you, I would not have survived."
"No need," Dosuke said, guiding the walking aid. "I saved myself, too. You controlled Yang, or I could not have beaten him before he killed himself."
"Your treatment saved my legs," Takuto said. "Without it, I would need a wheelchair forever."
"I may not be a ninja anymore," Takuto added, voice low. "But I am content."
"I know you came to cheer me up," he said. "Do not worry. I have accepted it. I am lucky my name is not on the memorial stone."
Takuto squinted at the sun. "I will open a pet shop. If you want a pet, it is free."
Dosuke grinned at Takuto's smile. "Deal."
"Walk with me," Takuto said, smirking. "Tell me about you and Tatee."
"What?" Dosuke asked.
"Do not play dumb," Takuto said. "I saw you and Tatee leave together when you visited. You held her hand."
"We are teammates, like you and me," Dosuke said quietly.
"Sure," Takuto teased.
"Believe what you want," Dosuke said.
They bickered, laughing, as they walked away.