Dosu was born in a small fishing village in the Land of Rice Fields. His parents were fishermen and farmers who left early and returned late each day. From the time he could remember, he roamed the beach and the woods. Sometimes he climbed tall trees, other times he chased wild rabbits; his simple life was carefree.
Until the outbreak of war.
The peace and tranquility of the small fishing village were shattered.
His memory returned to that night. It was precisely that night Dosu became an orphan. He joined Otogakure, yearning to change his destiny by becoming stronger. Originally, he was consumed by hatred.
Until… he met Lord Orochimaru.
It was Lord Orochimaru who taught him the true meaning of life.
It was also Lord Orochimaru whom he swore to follow to the death.
He wanted Lord Orochimaru to see his worth.
He wanted to tell Lord Orochimaru that he had been completely transformed.
The battle began. Dosu's legs immediately exploded with astonishing speed, instantly closing the distance to Naruto.
"Boom!" He threw a punch, the force even creating a whistling sound as it cut through the air.
"So fast!" Exclamations rippled through the stands. The genin who had advanced this far were naturally the cream of the crop from the exams. Only some of the Sand-nin and the Konoha Twelve showed disdain in their eyes.
Rock Lee stated bluntly, "That speed is too slow. If this is all he's got, I believe Naruto will be very disappointed."
Naruto's figure shifted slightly, easily dodging. He casually extended his right foot and effortlessly tripped Dosu, who went sprawling, eating dirt.
"Damn it! He saw through it?" Dosu scrambled up, looking at the smiling Naruto, his heart filled with horror. He considered his speed to be commendable among genin, yet he hadn't expected Naruto to seem as if he were taking a leisurely stroll in a courtyard from start to finish. It was as if Dosu were merely a joke to him.
Is this the genius Lord Orochimaru values? Damn it! Is the gap really this enormous? I've trained so hard, not to become someone else's stepping stone! I will prove that effort can break the shackles of talent!
"Bang!" Dosu's eyes hardened. He slapped the gauntlet on his right arm with his left hand, producing a dull, eerie sonic wave.
"Hm?" Naruto, who had been on the verge of dozing off, lifted his eyelids, a flicker of interest finally appearing in his eyes.
"Argh!" Dosu roared and charged at Naruto again, throwing a fierce punch.
But Naruto caught his fist.
"This Uzumaki Naruto has some skill; his Taijutsu is really outstanding!" A wave of exclamations went through the stands. Their gazes towards Naruto were all filled with apprehension.
"You fell for it!" Dosu revealed a savage grin, and then the ninja tool on his right hand suddenly emitted a bizarre sound.
"Voom!" The sound waves spread.
"Our Otogakure's unique power is Sound Release! By manipulating the frequency of sound vibrations, we create invisible yet deadly sound waves! Against such an attack, you have nowhere to hide, Uzumaki Naruto! You will pay the price for your arrogance!" Dosu roared, his eyes even becoming moist. He had waited too long for this moment. To prove that he too could defeat a genius.
Lord Orochimaru, did you see that? I won!
"That's quite an impressive ninjutsu. To think of using sound as a weapon… Compared to ordinary ninjutsu, sound with its penetrative power is clearly harder to predict, and its destructive force is also very strong. My ears are almost deaf," Naruto's voice, however, to Dosu's horror, was gentle and full of magnetic charm.
He looked up. Naruto still wore that warm smile as he released Dosu's fist.
"Your name is Dosu, right? I'll remember you. Your Sound Release is very impressive."
"Is this guy… acknowledging me?" Dosu's pupils trembled. He stumbled back several steps, a complex expression on his face. A feeling of being moved surged within him, and his nose even began to tingle. During the exams, coming from a small village, he had endured too many scornful glances and looks of contempt. While he craved victory, hadn't he also longed for everyone's recognition and praise?
And now, Uzumaki Naruto, the one Lord Orochimaru paid attention to, had actually acknowledged him.
"…" Dosu was momentarily at a loss for words.
After the feeling of being moved came anger.
Damn it, since when do I, Dosu, need an opponent's approval?
Dosu's expression hardened as he mobilized the chakra within his body.
"I will defeat you!!" Dosu roared fiercely, chakra surging wildly within him.
"Sound Release: Dragon Roar!" A roar resembling a dragon's cry erupted from his mouth. Invisible sound waves spread out, directly cracking the arena floor, the fissures spreading outwards like a spiderweb.
After doing this, a trickle of blood seeped from the corner of Dosu's mouth.
"A ninjutsu already at Chunin level?" Naruto smiled and extended his right hand.
"Oh, favored child of heaven, iron-forged ramparts! Dragon's stride, lion's roar, tiger's howl, wolf's dash! Ere they crumble, sever the sky from the earth!"
"Bakudo 81: Danku!" As he finished speaking, a massive, transparent wall suddenly appeared before Naruto.
His battle with Orochimaru had been quite fruitful for Naruto; he could now fully utilize most Kido. Using Danku against a mere genin was indeed a bit of an exaggeration. However, Naruto was mostly just testing Danku's defensive capabilities. After all, it was known as the Kido with the strongest defense.
The Dragon Roar slammed into Danku, failing to create even a ripple.
"It's over. The gap is too large."
"Is this a Konoha genius? It's too disheartening." Sighs filled the stands. As ninja from smaller villages, they naturally hoped to make a name for themselves in a major village's Chunin Exams. But Naruto's performance plunged them into despair. The genin who had proclaimed himself to be top-tier in the exams dared not say another word.
"Naruto's Kido should be enough to block an A-rank ninjutsu, right?" The Third Hokage nodded slightly, a gratified look on his face. "It seems under Jiraiya's tutelage, Naruto has improved by leaps and bounds."
Hmph, I am the most suitable teacher for Naruto, Danzo grumbled internally, his face full of unwillingness. He didn't say it out loud because he didn't want to earn any more scornful looks. Naruto possessed an elegant temperament and bearing similar to his own, along with a confidence that came from devising strategies that ensured victory from afar. Danzo saw himself in Naruto. He firmly believed Naruto would be his most suitable successor. Danzo's gaze towards Naruto became even more fervent.
"Jiraiya mentioned Naruto already has Jonin-level strength. I always thought Jiraiya was very suitable to be Naruto's teacher," the Third Hokage beside him was still smugly praising himself.
Hiruzen, you're too naive, Danzo couldn't help but shake his head inwardly. With Naruto's talent, Jiraiya would soon have nothing left to teach him. Ultimately, only he could become Naruto's master.
"This Dosu isn't bad; he's quite outstanding among genin. But unfortunately, his opponent… is too strong."
"It's over. Dosu lost."
"He already did very well. It's just a shame he's facing a monster." Listening to the hushed sighs and discussions from the stands, Dosu felt his face burn, a sense of humiliation washing over him.
Am I truly so pathetic in front of a real genius?
No one believed in him. Everyone thought the battle was already over.
What about me? If even I give up, how can I prove myself to Lord Orochimaru?
"I haven't lost yeeeeet! Overload! Maximum Overload!" Dosu's eyes bulged, bloodshot, as chakra surged wildly within him, blood spilling from his lips. Countless days and nights of bitter training, countless days and nights of desperate struggle, had allowed him to possess his current strength, to earn the qualification to participate in the Chunin Exams. To be able… to stand before Lord Orochimaru and show everything he had.
How could he be defeated here?! How could he lose just like this?!
"Even if I have to use up my life, I will defeat you!"
Blood seeped from Dosu's eyes, nose, and mouth. He laughed madly, a savage, contorted grin.
"He's crazy! Does he not want to live anymore?"
"This is just a Chunin Exam!" Everyone present couldn't help but be moved. Konoha had always produced geniuses, and ninja from any other village would inevitably be overshadowed. Over time, everyone seemed to have accepted this. They were just ninja from small villages. Losing to Konoha wasn't disgraceful.
But now, someone was unwilling to accept this, bravely stepping forward, even at the cost of burning their own life.
This was just a Chunin Exam.
But this was not just a Chunin Exam.
If a ninja lacked even the courage to abandon their life, what right did they have to call themselves a ninja!
"Go for it, Dosu!"
"Don't lose! You can definitely win!"
"Go for it, big brother with the bandaged face!"
"Defeat the Smiling Demon King!"
Voices of encouragement gradually rose from the crowd. Wasn't Dosu a reflection of them? Facing geniuses, they were always mere foils.
Effort can surpass talent? That was all bullshit!!!
A simple Kekkei Genkai could negate all effort!
What was most despairing was that innate deficiencies could not be compensated for by acquired efforts.
What Dosu was doing now was nothing less than a challenge against fate.
A challenge of the mediocre against the genius!
Watching the desperate Dosu, Naruto's eyes gradually grew cold.
"Still want to fight? How pitiful. Possessing strength that doesn't match your willpower is also a waste."
"To show respect for your final attack, I will let you depart with dignity." Naruto slowly drew Kyoka Suigetsu.
In the next moment, an indescribable aura erupted from Naruto, permeating every corner. Those genin with insufficient strength even fell to their knees, their eyes filled with horror.
"This is Naruto." Sasuke's gaze was profound. "More arrogant and confident than anyone else." Sasuke crossed his arms and snorted. "A decent presence, but slightly inferior compared to mine."
"Idiot," Sakura rolled her eyes, already too tired to retort.
"In Konoha, Naruto is everyone's sun; he warms everyone! But his sunlight will not shine for others," Shikamaru said quietly, his eyes calm. "I think Naruto, like Sasuke, is arrogant to the core."
"Arrogant? That certainly fits Naruto," Rock Lee nodded. He was Naruto's close friend and had most directly experienced Naruto's pride. He disdained attacking the weak and would give his opponents ample time to prepare their ultimate moves. He also disdained sneak attacks, preferring to fight honorably and openly. Completely unlike a ninja.
Kakashi also nodded in understanding. Naruto was too arrogant in battle; this could very well lead to setbacks.
"Sorry to keep you waiting." After a long series of hand seals, Dosu looked up, the ninja tool on his right hand even beginning to tremble.
"Sound Release: Poem of Destruction."
This was an S-rank ninjutsu he couldn't fully master. By burning his life force, he could temporarily use a nerfed version, barely qualifying as an A-rank ninjutsu.
"Roar!" Following a furious shout, a purple sound wave shot out from Dosu's mouth, carrying his desperate wish to kill the genius, hurtling relentlessly towards Naruto.
"As expected. If one's talent is too mediocre, even burning one's life is useless." Visible disappointment filled Naruto's eyes. He shook his head inwardly and calmly extended one hand.
"Hado Number Sixty-Three: Raikoho." A thunderous blast, crackling with lightning, roared towards Dosu.
Under the shocked gazes of everyone present, the Raikoho, wild with lightning, shrieked piercingly as it directly shattered the seemingly fierce ninjutsu and engulfed Dosu.
"BOOM!" With a deafening explosion, the entire path traversed by the Raikoho was reduced to ashes. The earth cracked, and the arena wall was directly pierced, leaving a massive hole.
The air filled with a scorched smell. Dosu was nowhere to be seen.
Naruto retracted his hand, a gentle smile on his face, and walked towards the second floor of the venue. Every ninja from a small village he passed looked terrified, not daring to speak.
"An expectedly easy win. Truly a disciple trained by Jiraiya." The Third Hokage showed a look of admiration. "Naruto's Kido is even more powerful than before." He then smiled towards Danzo's direction and teased, "See, Danzo? My decision was very…"
Before he could finish, he found the spot empty. The Third was momentarily speechless, then chuckled. This old comrade of his was really becoming more and more mischievous.
Naruto, having secured the first victory, was welcomed by the Konoha Twelve.
"A great start! Well done!"
"We can't fall behind next." Everyone chatted, the atmosphere quite relaxed.
"Hmph. Not bad. Next, I'll show you my strength," Sasuke, that little tsundere, tilted his head up and said cockily to Naruto.
"I look forward to it," Naruto replied with a smile, leaning elegantly against the wall.
"I wonder who my opponent will be? I hope I can fight to my heart's content." Rock Lee grinned. "It would be great if it were Sasuke."
"Then I'll crush you directly," Sasuke's eyes turned cold as he spoke frostily.
"That's not necessarily true. Your eyes can't keep up with my speed," Rock Lee said confidently.
"Hahahaha! People still rely on their eyes these days?" Sasuke laughed loudly. "Times have changed. Even without the Sharingan, I can still defeat you now!"
The Third Hokage and the others quietly watched the arena, awaiting the second match.
"This generation of genin is all outstanding. Besides Naruto, Sasuke and Rock Lee are also worth watching."
"They trained together with Naruto, and their strength has already far surpassed their peers," the Third Hokage said with a benevolent smile, taking a puff from his pipe. "We still don't know their true strength, so arranging them together this time is also a good opportunity."
He puffed on his pipe with a smile, exuding an air of a master strategist in complete control.
"Second match: Uchiha Sasuke versus Rock Lee."
With the proctor's announcement, a commotion erupted among the Konoha Twelve.