A knock sounded at the door. Tee, tee, tee.
"Come in," Soda said.
Dosuke and Tatee walked into the ward together.
"It is you, Dosuke, Tatee," Soda said, looking at his two friends. Shadows moved in the dim room. * They saved my life, * he thought.
"Tatee told me what happened," Soda said. "This mission failed because of me. I almost got us all killed." He hit the bed frame, angry at himself.
As captain, he failed to protect his team. He and Takuto were unconscious, carried back by Dosuke and Tatee.
A genin and a chunin killed a Sand ninja and escaped their hunters. The danger was heavy. * It was a miracle, * Soda thought.
"No, it was Dosuke's plan," Tatee said quickly. "Without him, the second Yang, the Sand's ghost master, would have killed us."
"It was Tatee," Dosuke said, waving his hand. "She held back their strongest fighter. I just helped."
"Enough," Soda said. "You both did great. Even I could not kill a famous ninja like that." His heart warmed. * They never give up on friends, * he thought.
"I owe you both," Soda said, smiling. "It may take a lifetime to repay."
"Captain, eat this," Tatee said, placing the food box on his table.
She opened it. "Tatee, your cooking is better than ever," Soda said. "Sit down, do not stand."
"Captain Soda," Dosuke said, "the mission bodies were damaged in the fight. We only brought back the head of the Sand ninja Aoyusuke. Since you were asleep, I gave it to Tsunade-sensei."
"It is fine," Soda said. "We survived because of you. That is enough. I sent the mission record already."
He sighed. "Tsunade worked hard. She stayed up all night to save Takuto's leg. It is my fault he got hurt so bad." His voice was heavy.
"Eat and rest, Captain," Dosuke said, standing. Soda looked ready to talk more. Dosuke grabbed Tatee's hand and pulled her out.
"Hey, my food box!" Tatee complained outside.
"Soda was blaming himself," Dosuke said. "He needed time alone." He pulled her toward Takuto's ward.
"Fine, but let go," Tatee said, glancing at his hand.
Dosuke let go, rubbing his head. "Sorry, I was quick."
"Idiot," Tatee said, walking ahead.
At Takuto's ward, the door was cracked. A chill came through the gap.
Dosuke raised his hand to knock. Things smashed inside. Crackle, crackle, crackle.
"Takuto, you just woke up. Eat slow," a gentle woman's voice came.
"Mom, can I still be a ninja?" Takuto's voice shook.
A deep sigh answered. Silence fell.
"Takuto, nothing is perfect," the woman said. "Many die in missions. You are lucky. Tsunade said your teammates' medical skills saved your leg. It will not stop you from living."
Crying burst out. "Woo… woo…"
Dosuke lowered his hand. He looked at Tatee, who leaned close. He shook his head.
They turned and walked back to Dosuke's ward. Tatee tiptoed behind him.
In his ward, Dosuke thought of Takuto's cries. "This world is cruel," he said. "It has power, but it takes lives if you slip."
"We are alive," Tatee said, standing by the window. "There is hope if we live." A faint glow touched her face.
In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen held a pipe. Smoke curled up. Shadows moved on the walls.
His desk had no crystal ball. Three scrolls lay open.
One was "Border Town Scout Mission, Wind Country."
One was "Jieren Intelligence Analysis."
The last, on top, was "Why Squads Need Medical Ninjas."
Soda, the intelligence team, and Tsunade wrote these after Dosuke's team returned.
Hiruzen puffed his pipe, eyes closed. He exhaled smoke and sighed.
He was amazed by Dosuke. Soda's report praised him.
Hiruzen knew Dosuke from the Ninja School Tournament, but this mission showed more. Dosuke's calm, step-by-step plan and medical skills saved Soda and Takuto. Any other team might have died.
* A rare talent, * Hiruzen thought. Dosuke never abandoned his team.
Compared to Kakashi, a genius but withdrawn after his father's death, Dosuke shone. Kakashi left his old squad, cold and alone.
Dosuke was Tsunade's student, like Minato was Jiraiya's. * Tsunade picked well, * Hiruzen thought.
But Tsunade's gambling worried him. * I must watch Dosuke's training, * he thought.
He puffed his pipe and picked up the top scroll. Tsunade's signature was at the end.