Dosuke watched Kakashi walk over and gave Minato an OK gesture.
Helping Kakashi move past his father's suicide was a goal Minato and Dosuke had agreed on during their journey.
Kakashi was Minato's student and Dosuke's classmate. Their bond was not bad.
Dosuke knew Kakashi would later learn the value of comrades through Obito's sacrifice. But now, Kakashi was a shunned chunin.
Back then, Kakashi lost two close teammates to learn that lesson. If Dosuke could, he wanted to prevent that tragedy.
Since Kakashi's father, Sakumo, took his own life after abandoning a mission, Kakashi always put missions first. Villagers called him cold-blooded, saying he would sacrifice teammates for success. No one wanted to team up with him.
That changed when Dosuke, Obito, and Gai graduated. Kakashi finally had a chance to work with others again.
At the river, Dosuke leaped onto the water's surface.
"Kakashi, I'll use Water Release to drive the fish out. You catch them."
"Hmph," Kakashi muttered. He said nothing else, but his tone and expression showed disdain.
"Kakashi, you won't fit in with the team like this," Dosuke said, exasperated.
"Why bother fitting in? My teams have a 100% mission success rate," Kakashi said, arms crossed, staring at the water.
"Kakashi, missions aren't everything for a ninja. You—"
"Enough, Dosuke," Kakashi snapped. "You were there with Tsunade-sama at my house after my father died. Don't you know how he died?"
"Did he really take his own life?"
"Kakashi…" Dosuke tried to respond.
"Lightning Release: Chidori!" Kakashi's hand sparked with intense lightning. He plunged into the water. Electric currents spread rapidly around him.
Fish floated to the surface, stunned. Dosuke, standing on the water, was caught in the electric surge. His eyes rolled back, and he fainted.
Splash. He fell into the river.
Minato, watching from a distance, saw the failed attempt to reach Kakashi.
Kakashi's issues could not be fixed with words. Even as his teacher, Minato knew some things were better said by peers.
Minato glanced at Obito, who was chatting with Rin, and Dosuke, now in the river. * I hope they can change him * , he thought.
On the shore, a small bonfire burned, built with earth to contain it. A simple tripod stood over the flames, holding a pot of milky fish soup.
Dosuke, hair still wet, sat silently by the fire, grilling fish and drying himself.
He had used chakra to dry his clothes with Water Release, but left his hair untouched. His neat short hair, spiked from the electric shock, made him look like a wild noble.
Fu giggled beside him, poking at his spiky hair. "Haha, brother, your hair is so funny!"
Dosuke glared at Kakashi nearby. His resentment was almost visible.
"Food's ready!" Dosuke shouted. He handed out grilled fish, grabbed Fu from his hair, and filled a small bowl of soup for her.
Kakashi's Chidori had stunned so many fish that they had more than enough.
Perhaps feeling guilty, Kakashi took a grilled fish and muttered, "Thank you." He said nothing else, quieter than that morning.
"Brother, this is so good! I want your fish soup forever!" Fu sipped the hot soup and shouted.
"Fu, if you like it, I'll teach you how to make it," Dosuke said, patting her head with a smile.
"Dosuke, your cooking is impressive," Minato said, eating a grilled fish.
* His chakra control is incredible * , Minato thought. * He debones fish perfectly without ruining the flavor. Jiraiya wasn't exaggerating. This kid's a genius. *
Obito and Rin also praised Dosuke's cooking.
Dosuke smiled and glanced at Kakashi.
Kakashi met his eyes, his expression slightly apologetic, but said nothing.
After eating, the group continued their journey. Dosuke studied the sealing technique Minato had taught him as they walked.
Rin carried Fu, chatting with her.
Obito hovered around Rin like a loyal puppy.
Kakashi scanned their surroundings warily.
Minato approached Dosuke and pulled a gourd from his ninja pouch. "This belonged to a Takigakure chunin. He said it can boost chakra tenfold, maybe more."
"Dosuke, as a medical ninja, save your chakra. If we fight, let me and Kakashi handle it."
Dosuke took the heavy gourd.
He uncorked it, sipped, and felt his chakra refining speed surge. Within a minute, it calmed.
Dosuke sealed the gourd. "The chakra boost feels addictive, like a rush of strength. But this has side effects."
"You're right," Minato said. "The chakra surge isn't free. That chunin's fate proves this water's dangerous."
"I understand," Dosuke said.
Suddenly, Minato signaled and stopped.
Dosuke and the others drew their weapons, guarding their surroundings.
Boom.
A purple toad appeared before Minato. It spat a letter at his feet.
* Reverse summoning * , Dosuke thought, intrigued.
Poof. The toad vanished in a puff of smoke.
Minato picked up the letter and read it. His brows furrowed.
"Stand down. Gather here," Minato called.
The group formed a circle around him.
"Jiraiya-sensei sent word. Someone's watching us. The ones who attacked before have set an ambush on the road to Takigakure. Jiraiya-sensei's worried he can't act freely," Minato said, pointing to a spot on the map.
"I'll follow the planned route. Kakashi, Dosuke, Rin, Obito, and Fu, take this river and enter Takigakure from the rear. Get Fu to the village as fast as you can," Minato said firmly.