Konoha Ninja Academy.
"Today's assessment is on the Transformation Jutsu. Anyone who fails will run ten laps around the training grounds!" The voice of Hondara Ryō, clad in a standard Chunin vest, boomed through the classroom as he limped to the front. A murmur rippled through the rows of neatly arranged desks.
"Another test? Didn't we have one a few days ago?" the students grumbled amongst themselves.
"Because the enemy won't schedule your assessment!" Hondara Ryō's voice cut through the complaints. "These tests are to gauge your progress. Your training is meant to ensure you survive in the future! Kakashi, you're up first."
"Wow, Kakashi again? Teacher's totally playing favorites," muttered a chubby boy with spiky hair.
"He is a genius. Would you rather go, you loser who hasn't even mastered the Transformation Jutsu yet?" someone shot back.
"Even if I'm a loser, it doesn't mean Kakashi has to go every single time! What about Dōsuke?" the boy retorted, turning his large head towards his neighbor. "Hey, Dōsuke! You gotta step up! Beat that guy, Kakashi!"
"Tch." With a sigh, Okamoto Dōsuke blew at the strand of hair hanging over his forehead, ignoring the pudgy kid.
Hatake Kakashi, son of Konoha's hero, the "White Fang of the Leaf," was naturally exceptional. While the students bickered, Kakashi had already completed his jutsu. And he had transformed into... Okamoto Dōsuke.
A perfect replica of Dōsuke stood at the front—grey high-collared shirt, white shorts, dark ninja boots. But this copy lacked Dōsuke's usual languid air. Despite the same slender limbs, Kakashi's version exuded a sharp, palpable pressure.
"Hey. Your turn." The transformed Kakashi, still with those perpetually bored, half-lidded eyes, stared at the real Dōsuke in his seat.
Okamoto Dōsuke stood up, smoothed his t-shirt and shorts, and walked to the front. Hands forming a seal—Poof! An identical Kakashi now stood beside the copy.
"Do I pass?" Dōsuke's duplicate asked, mirroring Kakashi's dead-fish stare.
"Excellent! Truly excellent!" Hondara Ryō praised loudly. "The Transformation Jutsu is a technique that could save your life behind enemy lines. Next! You two can return to your seats."
Poof! Poof! Both clones dispelled. As they passed each other on the way back, Kakashi muttered under his breath, "Hey. Fight me sometime."
Kakashi glanced at Okamoto Dōsuke—the grey high-collared shirt, white shorts, hair swept to one side. Under Kakashi's gaze, Dōsuke's eyes widened slightly, his delicate nostrils flared, and his fair, rounded chin completed a picture of someone who looked... soft. Weak. Kakashi couldn't understand it, couldn't stand it. How could the son of the White Fang be tied for first place with this? Someone who looked like a girl should be a dead-last loser.
"But I don't want to fight you," Dōsuke said, settling back into his seat behind Kakashi. "Isn't Gai always itching to go three hundred rounds with you?"
"Because I'm number one. How can a pretty boy like you be tied with me?" Kakashi shot a disdainful look at Dōsuke's slender arms and legs.
"Oh, I see." Dōsuke turned around. "Hey, Gai! Kakashi says he wants to fight you! Says it's been too long since your last spar!"
"OH, YEAH! KAKASHI!" Maito Gai suddenly sprang to his feet, left hand on his hip, right index finger pointed dramatically. "I KNEW YOU'D CRAVE A REAL BOUT OF BURNING YOUTH BETWEEN MEN! LET'S BATTLE, MY RIVAL!"
"MAITO GAI! What are you doing?!" Hondara Ryō roared. "Have you even passed your Transformation Jutsu assessment? Get up here!"
"No need, sensei! I haven't mastered it yet! I shall run ten laps around the grounds immediately! No! Youth means burning passion! I shall run TWENTY LAPS! AAAAAAHHH!!" Before Hondara could finish, Gai was already bolting out the door. "KAKASHI! WAIT FOR ME! OUR DUEL AWAITS!" his voice echoed from the hallway.
Watching Gai dash off, Kakashi felt a headache coming on. He turned to see Okamoto Dōsuke smiling, his eyes narrowed into cheerful crescents. For the first time, Kakashi had a profound thought: Damn, people who squint when they smile are all two-faced schemers.
"WAHAHAHA! Kakashi, are you scared? See? I told you! The strongest in this class is me, Uchiha Obito! I fear no challenge!" A boy with orange goggles stood up, loudly proclaiming his victory over a seemingly defeated Kakashi.
"But... no one actually wants to challenge you," Nohara Rin whispered, tugging at Obito's sleeve. "Ugh, another idiot," she sighed.
Kakashi wearily facepalmed, then turned and lay his head on his folded arms on the desk, adopting a clear "leave me alone" posture.
He watched as the remaining students took their turns with the Transformation Jutsu on the platform.
"Kakashi, could you please stop picking on Dōsuke?" Nohara Rin, who had just passed her assessment, sat down to Kakashi's left.
"That's right," a soft, gentle voice added. "Dōsuke just has excellent grades in theory; that's why his overall score is high. And he's such a gentle person. He's not a fighter." Okamoto Dōsuke glanced sideways at the girl who spoke up for him—Yamanaka, no, 加藤静音 (Note: "Kato Shizune" is her name, but she is not yet Tsunade's apprentice at this academy age. Using "the girl with soft brown hair" or "the gentle-voiced girl" avoids the naming issue and fits the early timeline.
Good thing I've been building up that goodwill, Dōsuke thought. Otherwise, I wouldn't have so many 'little sisters' speaking up for me.
"Kakashi," Dōsuke said to the figure slumped on the desk. "I'm planning to apply for the Konoha Medical Corps. Don't come begging me to heal you when you get hurt."
"Hah. As if I'd need it. But someone as fragile as you really should become a medic-nin. Let everyone else protect you," Kakashi retorted without lifting his head, before seemingly going back to sleep.