Encounter with Orochimaru

"Are you getting discharged from the hospital tomorrow?" Tachie asked, looking at Dosuke.

"Yes, my wound has mostly healed. If Tsunade-sensei hadn't forbidden me from using the Mystical Palm Technique, I would have healed it long ago," Dosuke explained, glancing at Tachie.

"Oh, then I won't have to wake up early every day to prepare lunch for you." Her cheerful clogs' tapping slowed, her voice softening.

"Tachie, if it's not too much trouble, you could come to my house to cook," Dosuke said, noticing her mood drop.

"That… might be awkward! People could get the wrong idea," Tachie replied, her eyes brightening at his suggestion.

"No, don't worry, Tachie. I live alone, and no one will misunderstand, as long as it doesn't bother you."

"Well, then it's a deal. I'll visit your house when I can and cook lunch." Her clogs' tapping grew lively again.

Laughing and chatting, they soon reached the Hyuga clan's territory.

Watching Tachie walk in with today's prize, Dosuke saw only her white feet in clogs from behind. The large teddy bear pressed against her petite frame, nearly hiding her as she struggled toward her home.

Dosuke smiled at her fading figure, then turned to leave.

"Hey, where did you come from, commoner? Thinking you can pursue a Hyuga clan girl?" A Hyuga ninja in a chunin vest blocked Dosuke's path.

"Let me tell you, even the branch members of the Hyuga clan wouldn't marry a commoner like you," another Hyuga ninja taunted.

"Boy, don't show your face around the Hyuga clan again, understand?"

Dosuke glared at the ninja blocking his way, anger surging inside.

Earlier, he had wanted to escort Tachie home, but the gate guard, a Hyuga clan member, had refused him entry since he wasn't part of the clan.

Clenching his fists, Dosuke fought to suppress his rage. *I need to stay calm* he thought. Ignoring the two, he turned and walked away.

"Leaving already? A genin daring to aim for the Hyuga clan?" the ninja jeered.

Dosuke kept walking, brushing off their taunts, determined to avoid a fight.

Back home, *click.*

Dosuke flipped the switch, and the dim light illuminated his modest house.

Though small, the place was fully furnished.

After a few days away, a thin layer of dust coated the table and window.

Heading to the bathroom, he grabbed a cloth and filled a basin with water, then began wiping down his humble home.

After tidying up, looking at the cleaned room, he muttered, "No wonder you're so popular," and sat on the bed to quietly refine his chakra.

Soon, Dosuke stood up again.

"I can't focus on refining chakra. My mind's stuck on Tachie and those two Hyuga ninjas," he muttered.

Adjusting his clothes, he locked the door and headed out into the night.

*Swish, swish, swish.*

Dosuke leaped across the village rooftops, quickly arriving at the training ground in the Forest of Death.

To his surprise, Might Guy wasn't there, likely still on a mission.

Since graduating from ninja school, the days of gathering with friends had grown rare.

As he reflected, a wall of water coated his hand, and he punched a wooden stake with force.

*Still too weak* Dosuke thought. Despite being Tsunade's disciple and earning some recognition at Konoha Hospital, he felt inadequate against clans like the Hyuga and Uchiha. Only reaching Sannin-level strength would make them respect him.

Dosuke vented his frustration on the stake repeatedly.

"I need to get stronger, fast," he said, unleashing his energy on the training ground.

An hour later, drenched in sweat, he lay panting on the ground.

"Huff, huff… That felt good. If I'm not afraid of death, what else is there to fear?"

"Dosuke, are you letting off steam?" a cold, eerie voice asked.

The chilling tone sent a shiver down Dosuke's spine, as if a predator had locked onto him.

He didn't move but rolled from the ground to face the stake, looking toward the voice.

The speaker stood openly, making no effort to hide.

Seeing the figure, Dosuke's eyes widened. "Lord Orochimaru, why are you here?"

"I was passing by and heard noises from the training ground, so I came to check," Orochimaru said in a low, smooth voice.

*A Sannin taking a nighttime stroll in the Forest of Death? That's absurd* Dosuke thought, watching Orochimaru's tongue flick around his mouth before retracting.

"Dosuke, what anger burns in you?" Orochimaru asked bluntly.

"No, Lord Orochimaru. This mission showed me my weaknesses, and I want to train harder."

"I've heard you performed exceptionally on your first mission. Most chunin, even jonin, couldn't match you."

"Though the chakra-blocking technique you discovered has strict conditions, it's a remarkable breakthrough. I've always believed you're a genius," Orochimaru said, his eyes gleaming with interest.

"It's not as grand as you say, Lord Orochimaru. I'm just an ordinary person with some luck."

"Even luck requires strength to capitalize on it. Dosuke, remember: class divides are unyielding," Orochimaru said meaningfully.

"If you need help, seek me out. After all, Tsunade and I are old comrades," he added quietly.

Dosuke stayed silent, staring at Orochimaru, half-hidden in the shadows.

In the darkness, the knot on Orochimaru's back swayed in the night wind, resembling a snake ready to strike when its prey lowers its guard.

Suddenly, a young girl ran up.

"Master, master, look what I caught this time!"

The girl proudly handed Orochimaru a coiled black-and-white venomous snake with a triangular head, its forked tongue flickering and fangs glinting under the moonlight.

"Master, isn't it cool? The black and white contrast is perfect, I want to make it a necklace!" She draped it around Orochimaru's neck.

The sight sent a chill through Dosuke.