Just like his training in the Wet Bone Forest, while it had been extremely dangerous, it had also significantly improved his chakra reserves, mitigating his previous shortcomings.
He had written down everything he needed to do on a piece of paper.
After reading it over, Dosuke shook his palm slightly, and a water ball materialized in his hand, smashing directly into the densely covered list.
The clear water turned cloudy in the blink of an eye.
Dosuke tossed the water ball into a flowerpot.
As the sky gradually darkened, Dosuke tightened his medical gown and opened the laboratory door.
After locking up, he headed for home.
Because he was wearing a yukata, Dosuke flashed through the streets, arriving at his house in a burst of speed.
He retrieved the key from under the doormat.
Click.
Pushing the door open, Dosuke narrowed his eyes under the bright interior lights.
Was someone in his house? He could hear sounds and smell aromas coming from the kitchen.
Not only had this intruder broken in, but they also seemed to be preparing a meal?
Dosuke's nerves instantly tightened, and a thin film of water covered his entire body.
He approached the kitchen silently.
Gently twisting the handle, he dashed inside.
"Water Style..."
Before Dosuke could finish his hand seals, he saw a familiar, beautiful figure tasting soup from a spoon.
Her small, red lips gently approached the spoon's edge, sipping the broth in small amounts. A crockpot on the stove bubbled, steam rising steadily.
Startled by Dosuke's sudden intrusion, the girl's hand shook involuntarily. A trickle of milky-white soup dripped onto her smooth, jade-like thighs.
"Tachie, how did you know I was coming back today?" Dosuke asked in surprise.
"I didn't," she replied.
"After returning from my mission, I've been coming here every night to make soup," Tachie explained, arms crossed.
Seeing Tachie's slightly bewildered expression, Dosuke laughed.
Tachie smiled back at the sight of him.
The two simply looked at each other, smiling together.
After a moment, Tachie was the first to stop. "Dosuke, get ready to serve the dishes; the soup is done."
"Right." Dosuke fetched bowls and chopsticks from the kitchen and set the table.
Tachie skillfully took a ceramic basin from the closet and transferred the chicken soup from the crock into it.
Then she retrieved some pickles from the refrigerator.
Dosuke served rice from the rice cooker.
The two sat down on opposite sides of the table.
"Itadakimasu," they said in unison.
Over the meal, Tachie told Dosuke about her missions during this period.
Dosuke, in turn, described his experiences in the Wet Bone Forest.
Neither spoke of the hardships they had faced in their missions or training.
After the meal, Dosuke waited by the kitchen sink for Tachie to bring the finished tableware—one washing, the other drying.
No one had assigned the roles; this tacit understanding seemed to have always existed.
"Tachie, a war is about to start soon," Dosuke said from the sofa, watching her as she tidied the living room.
"I know. The scout team's missions have become much more frequent lately. Our Hyuga clan is preparing for battle with everything we have."
"Dosuke, if you have time, you should clean your house. I don't want to tidy up for you every time I come," Tachie added with a slight complaint, deftly changing the subject.
Seeing that Tachie didn't wish to dwell on the topic of war, Dosuke let it drop.
"Tachie, will you be going on more missions during this time?"
"Perhaps. I'm not sure; I'm waiting for orders."
"Then you must be careful. Stay safe."
"Don't worry, I have the Byakugan. If there's any danger, I'll be the first to avoid it," Tachie said, turning her head and pointing to her eyes with her index finger.
"Okay, I'm heading back now." Feeling the cleaning was nearly done, Tachie removed her apron.
"Tachie, I'll walk you home." Dosuke quickly got up and went to the back room to change.
The two walked side by side. Moonlight fell softly upon them, and the unique sound of Tachie's clogs clicked against the ground.
It was as if they were both wearing coats of silver.
The distance wasn't long, and neither deliberately slowed their pace.
Soon, they arrived at the Hyuga clan grounds.
"Dosuke, goodbye. I'll come by tomorrow if I have time." With that, Tachie happily ran inside.
Standing at the entrance to the Hyuga clan, Dosuke smiled as he watched her figure disappear.
He turned and started walking back in the direction of his home.
Just before he left the Hyuga clan's vicinity, Dosuke spun around abruptly, his gaze fixed on a shadowy corner.
"Come out. Don't hide. What do you want? You've been watching me ever since Tachie and I set foot in the Hyuga clan's territory."
"You," a ninja wearing a chunin vest gradually emerged from the dark corner, "didn't I warn you to stay away from the Hyuga clan?"
The newcomer's face was grim, his eyes glaring fiercely at Dosuke.
"Why are you provoking our clan?"
The person's conspicuous white eyes revealed his identity.
"A Hyuga? I don't recall provoking any of you. What is the meaning of this?" Dosuke asked, suspicious.
He rarely caused trouble in Konoha and went out of his way to avoid entanglements with the major ninja clans.
"Brat, don't think you can get carried away just because you have a little talent. The blood of the Hyuga clan will never be diluted. Abandon this foolish ambition." The man seemed infuriated by him.
"Are you talking about Tachie? Don't presume there is anything between us now. And people like you, who act in the name of the clan, are just meddling in others' affairs."
"Even if there were something between us, you wouldn't be worthy of making irresponsible remarks." Dosuke pointed at the man and growled in a low voice.
"Hahaha! You annoying brat! Let me, Yusei Hyuga, teach you a lesson. I'll show you exactly why a noble clan is called a noble clan!"
Yusei Hyuga looked at the boy before him, who not only dismissed his words but dared to accuse him.
In an instant, Yusei rushed forward, appearing directly in front of Dosuke.
It worked. His provoking words had all been a setup for this sudden attack.
As long as I cripple this brat, even if he is a disciple of Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin, she wouldn't cause a major incident with the Hyuga clan over a single, broken disciple.
With war imminent, the Hyuga clan's Byakugan was far too valuable. Even if the higher-ups knew the Hyuga were in the wrong, the Hokage would likely let it slide to keep the clan loyal.
This was Yusei Hyuga's confidence. Knowing Dosuke was a Sannin's disciple, he still dared to strike.