Has this child's strength improved so quickly? A clan ninja defeated by a civilian one.
The Third pondered. He would take more care of the boy in the future. Perhaps this was another Minato Namikaze.
---
In a dark, damp, dilapidated cell, a group of ragged men stood around. Two ninjas guarded the door, their eyes scarlet with a single tomoe spinning slowly in their pupils. They watched the cell intently, ensuring no one escaped.
This was the Konoha Police Department's temporary holding cell for those causing trouble or committing crimes in the village. For serious offenses, the case went to Konoha's advisory council, who decided on prison or execution.
But now, in this cell, two figures seemed very out of place amid the other prisoners.
Dosuke sat boredly on a fainted fat man, examining his palm. Hiashi stood in the corner, arms crossed over his chest, eyes closed in thought.
When first locked in, the cell's boss, the fat man now under Dosuke, had tried to start trouble. Dosuke had settled him with one strike. He still had not woken up.
"You. Even in a place like this, you cannot restrain yourself," Hiashi said from the corner, his eyes still shut.
"Hmph. I live by 'do not offend me, and I will not offend you.' If that fat man had not started it, I would not have acted."
"If your clansman had not ambushed me suddenly, I would not have acted either."
"But you did not have to hit so hard. If my brother Hizashi and I had not arrived, Yusei would be crippled or dead," Hiashi snapped his eyes open, his pale Byakugan locking onto Dosuke.
"Heh." Dosuke glanced at Hiashi but ignored him.
"Hiashi, come out." The guard ninja opened the cell door and shouted.
Hearing his name, Hiashi sidestepped the ragged prisoners and exited.
Outside, Hiashi saw his father waiting. "Father." Hiashi bowed as he approached.
"Let's go. We will talk at home."
"Yes, Father."
The two left the Konoha Police Department one after the other.
Soon after, the guard opened the door again. "Okamoto Dosuke, you are free to go."
Dosuke rose slowly and walked out. Stepping into the sunlight, he narrowed his eyes against the glare. Shielding his forehead with a hand, he adjusted to the brightness.
Ahead, Tsunade waved him over. Dosuke trotted to catch up.
"Master." Dosuke bowed his head, falling into step behind her.
"Boy, remember. My apprentice is not someone to be bullied. If they come at you, hit back. If you are not strong enough, I will do it for you."
"Master..." Dosuke's eyes reddened slightly.
"The Third's punishment is three months of confinement. Do not leave the village. During this time, do not see that Hyuga girl." Tsunade looked down at Dosuke, who looked like a scolded child, and ruffled his hair.
"I understand, Master." Dosuke nodded.
"Go home first, then." Seeing his expression, Tsunade wanted to say more but held back.
---
Back home, Dosuke headed straight to the bathroom for a shower, then sprawled on the bed staring at the ceiling.
Tachie is probably not faring well either.
---
In the Hyuga clan compound, Tachie knelt in the ancestral hall.
Creeeak.
The door opened, and a shuffling figure entered, leaning on a cane.
"Girl!"
Tachie turned. "Third Grandmother!"
The newcomer was the elder of Tachie's family line. Like Dosuke's parents, her own parents had died in the Second War. This grandmother had raised her.
"Girl, I know you have heard about that boy."
"It may feel unfair to you, but Hyuga blood never leaves the clan. You know that. You and that boy have no future."
"Grandmother, did you truly love Grandfather?" Tachie's abrupt question cut through the old woman's chatter.
"I..." The third grandmother faltered.
"So what if I did not? At some point, we have no choice." The old woman's voice was filled with loneliness.
"Stay home for now. Do not go anywhere." She backed out of the ancestral hall.
Hearing the lock click shut, a single tear traced Tachie's cheek. It dripped from her rounded chin onto the cold stone floor.
---
Under the Third Hokage's suppression, the conflict between Dosuke and the Hyuga spread only in limited circles.
By dawn, bloodshot eyes marked Dosuke's face. He had been up all night.
At first light, Dosuke hurried to Konoha Hospital.
In the lab, Dosuke, in a white coat, stared intently at the test tube in his hand. He had lost count of his experiments lately.
He was now trying to extract and solidify chakra daily, attempting to infuse healing chakra into the Wet Bone Forest's pool water. Though he had not succeeded, he had made progress. The slug's body fluid seemed to amplify chakra. He had returned to the Wet Bone Forest to collect more pool water for tests.
Through relentless effort, he had refined the chakra potion he used outside the village. The healing chakra, which was once fleeting, now lasted for three minutes.
Dosuke watched the green liquid in the tube fade to a milky white. He shook his head. It was too hard, beyond his imagination. He had thought his knowledge from two lifetimes could revolutionize ninja medicine, but he had overestimated himself.
Setting the tube on the bench, he removed his mask. Exhausted, he slumped onto the stool.
With a thought, a pale blue water film coated him, instantly evaporating his sweat.
"Dosuke, any success?" Tsunade pushed the door open, holding a bowl of Ichiraku ramen.
"Why are you here, Master?" Dosuke had not expected her to bring him lunch.
"You have been holed up in here. I was worried you would hit a dead end."
"Thanks, Master. I am fine. Just stuck on a problem."
"You brat, eat and then get home." She set the ramen on the bench.