Naruto: Rise of Medical Ninja

After dinner, the group shuffled back to their room, still lightheaded from the evening's drinks.

Three-year-old Fuu, perhaps having napped too much during the day or unsettled by the lingering smell of alcohol, cried and refused to sleep.

With no other choice, they carried the drunken Jiraiya back to the living room.

As they set him down, Jiraiya grabbed Rin's hand, slurring, "Such smooth hands…"

Obito, standing nearby, turned green with jealousy. When no one was looking, he gave Jiraiya's face two quick slaps.

Dosuke, witnessing this from the corner of his eye, twitched his lips but said nothing. Pretending he saw nothing, he turned to prepare a hangover remedy.

After Dosuke fed Jiraiya the remedy, the older ninja fell into a deep sleep.

Early the next morning, Fuu, bursting with energy from oversleeping, ran around the house. Obito, ever the fool, chased after her.

The constant noise woke Okamoto Dosuke. He opened his eyes, stared at the ceiling, and rolled over in frustration.

Wait, where Jiraiya sama had slept was now empty.

Unable to fall back asleep, Okamoto Dosuke stood up.

*Shhh.*

The door slid open, and a small figure collided with Okamoto Dosuke's leg, stumbled, and fell to the floor at the doorway.

"Ow, that hurts! Uncle! Brother Obito, Sister Rin, this uncle hit me!" The little figure clutched her head with one hand and pointed at Okamoto Dosuke with the other. Her big eyes welled with tears, her small mouth curling into a pout.

*Uncle?!*

Rin hurried over and lifted Fuu from the floor. She looked at Okamoto Dosuke apologetically. "Dosuke, this kid's just being naughty. Don't take it to heart."

"It's fine," Okamoto Dosuke said, bending slightly to address Fuu in Rin's arms. "I'm sorry, little one. Are you okay?"

At the sight of Okamoto Dosuke leaning closer, Fuu let out a loud "Waaaah!"

(⊙o⊙)

Okamoto Dosuke froze as Fuu cried. He stepped back, rubbing the back of his head with a headache brewing. He had no experience dealing with kids.

Rin gently swayed Fuu, patting her back until the crying stopped.

Obito sauntered over. "Uncle Dosuke? Hahahaha!"

Okamoto Dosuke shot him a glare. "Then make sure to call me Uncle from now on, Obito."

Obito's face twisted as if he'd swallowed a fly, and Okamoto Dosuke's mood instantly brightened.

Nothing like a bit of someone else's discomfort to lift your spirits.

As Fuu's cries faded, Okamoto Dosuke leaned toward Obito and whispered, "You know, Rin's really good at soothing kids. How didn't I notice this before?"

Obito turned to look. Rin gazed down at Fuu in her arms, gently swaying her, her eyes radiating maternal warmth. Obito was mesmerized.

Then, for reasons unknown, his expression slowly twisted into something unsettling.

Thankfully, Kakashi approached at that moment. "Minato-sensei asked me to call you for breakfast."

After a quick meal, Minato led the group out of Nagaike's house, heading toward Takigakure Village based on the map's markers.

With three-year-old Fuu alongside, their pace was slow.

Minato scouted ahead, while Dosuke trailed slightly behind him. Lin carried Fuu in the middle, Obito guarded her side, and Kakashi brought up the rear.

"Dosuke, do you know about the Flying Thunder God Technique?" Minato asked as they walked.

"A little," Dosuke replied. "According to the Forbidden Scroll, the Flying Thunder God Technique is an S-rank space ninjutsu developed by the Second Hokage. It's a teleportation technique that doesn't require hand seals."

Minato nodded. "Exactly. The Flying Thunder God Technique uses markers to achieve instant teleportation."

"To learn it, you first need to understand and master the Flying Thunder God seal. I use these kunai as markers. My chakra senses the seal, activates the technique, and teleports me to it."

Dosuke examined the kunai closely. "Brother Minato, as long as there's a Flying Thunder God kunai, can you teleport to it?"

Minato smiled. "It's not that simple. There's a distance limit and a chakra cost. If the marker is too far and your mental energy can't sense it, you can't teleport. Even if you could, the chakra drain might not be worth it."

"And it's not limited to kunai. Any surface with a Flying Thunder God seal can serve as a marker."

"Dosuke, I'll start by teaching you the sealing technique for the Flying Thunder God. Once you're proficient, we'll work on sensing the seals."

"Thank you, Brother Minato," Dosuke said gratefully.

As they traveled, Dosuke asked questions, and time passed quickly.

"Let's rest for a bit," Minato said when they reached a river, noting the sun now overhead.

At Minato's command, Rin sighed in relief. She set Fuu down.

"Rin, sit on my backpack," Obito said, placing his bag under her.

"Thanks, Obito," Rin said with a sweet smile.

"No need to thank me, it's my duty," Obito replied, practically floating from her smile.

Fuu, now free, toddled over to Okamoto Dosuke. "Bad guy, I forgive you. Sister Rin said you're here to help me, just like she is."

Dosuke looked down at Fuu, who stood with the air of a little adult, and smiled. "Thank you for forgiving me. How about I cook something tasty for you?"

He tucked away the Flying Thunder God kunai Minato had given him, along with a copy of the initial sealing technique.

"Obito, start a fire. I'll catch some fish," Dosuke said.

"No problem, leave it to me!" Obito replied.

"Kakashi, come catch fish with me," Dosuke called to Kakashi, who sat alone, masked and dressed in black.

"Kakashi!" Dosuke called again.

"When ninjas are on a mission, making a fire in the wild is taboo. It risks exposing our position and inviting trouble," Kakashi said.

"Go on, Kakashi. I'll take responsibility," Minato said, sitting on a nearby stone with a relaxed smile.