Konoha.
Ninja school.
Ryo limped to the podium, his chunin vest swaying. "Fail the transformation test, run ten laps." His shout echoed.
One student whispered, "Another test? We just had one."
Ryo raised his voice. "Enemies do not test you. This checks your skills. Kakashi, go first."
A round-faced boy with spiky hair groaned. "Kakashi again? Teacher picks him on purpose."
Another boy snapped, "Kakashi's a genius. You have not learned transformation, you slacker."
The round-faced boy leaned forward, staring at Dosuke. "Dosuke, you must beat Kakashi!"
Dosuke sighed. He blew his bangs off his forehead. Shadows flickered on his desk.
Kakashi, a prodigy despite his young age, stood out. He used the Transformation Technique, becoming Dosuke. Gray high-collar shirt, white shorts, dark ninja boots. No trace of Dosuke's laziness, only sharp intensity.
"Hey, your turn," Kakashi said, his dead-fish eyes glaring.
Dosuke stood. He straightened his short sleeves and shorts. Hands clapped. *Poof.* A perfect Kakashi appeared.
"Is this fine?" Dosuke's Kakashi asked, copying those dead-fish eyes.
"Great work," Ryo said. "Transformation saves lives in enemy lands. Both of you, sit."
*Bang.* *Bang.* Kakashi and Dosuke released their jutsu. They passed each other.
Kakashi whispered, "When do we fight?"
Dosuke sat at his desk. Kakashi stood before him, gray high-collar shirt, white shorts, bangs slanted to one side. His round eyes widened under Kakashi's gaze. His nose flared slightly, his chin soft and rounded, his skin fair. * This frail boy ties with me? * Kakashi thought. * I am the son of Konoha's White Fang. He should be last, not first. *
"I do not want to fight you," Dosuke said. "Guy always wants to spar with you."
"I am number one," Kakashi said. "How do you stand equal with me, you weak boy?"
"I understand," Dosuke said.
He turned to Guy behind him. "Kakashi wants to fight you. It has been a while."
Guy stood, hand on hip, finger pointing. "Yes, Kakashi! A true battle of men!"
"Guy, what are you doing?" Ryo shouted. "Have you passed the test?"
"No, teacher," Guy said. "I have not learned transformation. I will run twenty laps!" He ran out.
"Kakashi, I will fight you later!" Guy's voice echoed from outside.
Kakashi sighed. Dosuke's squinting smile seemed sly. * His eyes hide something * , Kakashi thought.
Obito stood, orange goggles flashing. "I am the strongest in class!" he shouted. "Kakashi, fight me!"
"Nobody challenged you, Obito," Rin said, pulling him down.
Kakashi patted his head. * Another fool * , he thought. He slumped onto his desk, arms folded, silent.
Rin sat beside Kakashi. "Stop bullying Dosuke all the time."
Shizune spoke softly, "Dosuke is gentle. His good grades in studies raise his score. He does not fight."
* They speak for me * , Dosuke thought. * My looks help. *
"I am joining the medical class," Dosuke said. "Kakashi, do not ask me to heal you."
Kakashi snorted. "Who cares? Your weak body fits the medical class. Others will protect you."
Dosuke nodded. "I will study hard."
Shizune tilted her head. "I know a strong medical ninja. She will guide you."
"I look forward to your surprise, Shizune," Dosuke said, smiling.
The afternoon passed with tests. Guy did not finish his twenty laps. No duel happened.
After school, Dosuke went home.
He ate dinner, then sat on his bed. Chakra refinement began.
Two hours later, he frowned. "No effect." His chakra stayed weak.
* How do I survive this harsh ninja world? * he thought. * Others have special powers like Senju or Uzumaki. Some have great chakra. Even the weakest have more than me. I am a plain ninja with no talent. *
He stopped. Since age four, he refined chakra daily. At five, it grew only slightly.
"I will join the medical class," he said. "I cannot waste my chakra control." His palm glowed green.
Mystic Palm Technique. It healed injuries with precise chakra. Dosuke mastered it.
Few medical ninjas used it. His skill marked him as gifted.
Tree-climbing and water-walking were simple. His chakra control was perfect, unlike Naruto or Sasuke in stories.
Dosuke was a traveler from Blue Star. He fell asleep on a plane home. No truck crash, no heroics, no meteorite. He woke as Dosuke in the Naruto world.
He stopped the jutsu and left the house.
A leafy forest waited.
"Leaf Whirlwind!" Guy's leg swept. Dosuke vanished. *Bang.* Wooden stakes fell.
"Substitution Technique," Guy muttered.
Dosuke used Water Bullet Technique. A marble-sized water ball shot forward. *Whoosh.*
Guy dodged. The ball pierced three trees.
Dosuke pointed at Guy, ready to strike again.
"Steel Fist!" Guy charged. His fist hit Dosuke's stomach.
*Bang.* Dosuke used Water Formation Wall. A thin water layer blocked the punch.
Dosuke used Water Bullet Technique. Seven water balls flew, grazing Guy's hair.
"No more," Guy said, waving. "Your water wall stops my fist every time."
Dosuke pointed to stones. "Sit. I will heal you. Do not train so hard."
Guy grinned. "You are here to heal me."
Green light glowed. Dosuke's Mystic Palm Technique healed Guy's cuts.
"Thanks to you, Guy," Dosuke said. "I learned this jutsu because of you."
He recalled a year ago. A chill lingered in the forest.