Chapter 61 – Kosuke
Nan had no idea that Sunagakure had already begun to take notice of him. After resting for several days, the Third Hokage finally assigned him a new mission.
In those few days, the antidote had been successfully prepared and distributed to the various camps. With the medicine on hand, Konoha's shinobi no longer feared Suna's poisons. As long as they ingested it quickly after being wounded, the toxins could be neutralized before they spread.
Even those who had already been poisoned began to recover rapidly with its help.
With the medical corps returning to their original posts, Nan was no longer needed on the front lines.
The Third Hokage had originally intended to send him back to the rear command as before—he still wished to spare such a young child from the endless cruelty of war.
But Nan stood firm, speaking with righteous resolve:
"It is my lifelong wish to shed blood for the sake of the village. Please, Lord Hokage—allow me to remain on the front lines.
I have grown used to that tension, to the heat of battle. Only there do I feel truly alive—and only there can I contribute more to Konoha."
In truth, Nan felt that his current strength had already reached the level of an elite jōnin. He believed he should no longer be relegated to Orochimaru's squad, but instead be leading a team of his own.
The Third had intended to dissuade him, but Nan's insistence could not be denied. Of course, his true motive wasn't "protecting the village."
Now that the antidote had stabilized the front, manpower shortages eased. Orochimaru, Anko, and Hayate were recalled to the rear command. If Nan returned as well, he would once again fall under Orochimaru's supervision—a situation he wanted to avoid at all costs.
He had once considered obtaining Ryūchi Cave's summoning scroll and the First Hokage's cells from Orochimaru. But having already secured Katsuyu's summoning contract from Tsunade, Nan no longer cared much about powerful summons—what he sought was senjutsu itself.
As for Hashirama's cells, he knew that earning Orochimaru's trust enough to gain access to them would mean participating in illegal experiments—something completely at odds with the image he carefully maintained. That goal would need to be approached with patience.
So, the further from Orochimaru, the better.
In the end, the Third weighed Nan's strength—enough to defeat an elite jōnin—and agreed. Leaving him at the front wasn't a reckless gamble; it was a sound decision.
So long as he didn't cross paths with a Kage-level opponent, Nan's safety was assured. And if one did appear, Orochimaru could be dispatched to deal with it.
Thus, Hiruzen granted Nan's request, promising to assign him a new squad. His rank of Tokubetsu Jōnin already qualified him to lead.
Still, the boy's experience was lacking. Handing him full command unsupervised would be irresponsible. What he needed was a reliable, seasoned comrade at his side.
After some thought, Hiruzen found the perfect candidate.
Nan, delighted by the decision, returned home to await his new assignment—curious as to who his teammate would be.
The next day, when he reported back to the Hokage's office, he noticed a middle-aged man with a ponytail standing beside the Third.
So this must be my teammate… Nan thought.
Sure enough, the Hokage spoke:
"Nan, this is the first member of your new squad. His name is Maruboshi Kosuke. The two of you should get acquainted."
The two exchanged bows. Nan remembered the name—Kosuke was a character who had appeared in the anime's original arcs and movies.
Though only ranked as a genin, he was skilled in genjutsu, kenjutsu, and water release techniques personally taught by the Second Hokage. His abilities were well-rounded, and his true strength rivaled that of many jōnin.
Yet, because of a mistake in his youth, he had chosen to punish himself, refusing promotions and remaining a genin.
Nan recalled that his water-style ninjutsu was formidable. Perhaps I can learn something from him…
Once introductions were complete, the Third smiled and explained:
"Don't be fooled by his rank. Kosuke is a dependable shinobi—I trust the two of you will work well together."
Then, turning to Kosuke, he added:
"And this is Uchiha Nan. Though still young, he has already been promoted to Tokubetsu Jōnin."
The Third Hokage smiled faintly.
"Not only is he a prodigy in medical ninjutsu, his combat strength is also impressive. If not for his age, I would have already promoted him to full jōnin."
Kosuke gave a respectful nod to the Hokage, then turned to Nan with a kind expression.
"I've long heard of the name Uchiha Nan. They say you made great contributions on the Wind Country front with your medical techniques. I look forward to working alongside you."
Nan quickly bowed his head, answering with humility:
"Not at all, Kosuke-senpai. I still lack much experience. I'll be relying on your guidance in the days ahead."
Their first meeting left both with a good impression of one another. Turning back to the Hokage, Nan asked:
"Lord Hokage, a squad should have four members, correct? Who are my other two teammates? I don't see them here."
Hiruzen answered with a smile:
"Your other two teammates are your former comrades—Anko and Hayate. They're still stationed on the Wind Country battlefield. I've already notified Orochimaru; once you return, you'll reunite with them."
The Hokage had chosen Nan's squad members with care. Anko and Hayate were the obvious choices—they had already worked well with him before. Orochimaru no longer required their presence, and reuniting them with Nan would reduce the adjustment period for the new squad.
As for Kosuke, Hiruzen knew his abilities well. Though not quite at the level of an elite jōnin, his survival skills and combat power were beyond doubt. The Hokage had long intended to promote him, but Kosuke, burdened with guilt from past mistakes, had stubbornly refused advancement—remaining a genin in name only.
Kosuke was the perfect counterbalance to Nan's inexperience. His strength ensured Nan's safety, and more importantly, as a former guard of the Second Hokage, Kosuke embodied the Will of Fire. He had always been a man doing the work of a jōnin while bearing the title of a genin.
Though officially Nan's subordinate, Hiruzen knew the older shinobi would also guide him in life and duty. Surrounded by such a man, Nan would come to understand the Will of Fire not through lectures, but through lived example.
The Third Hokage, satisfied with his careful planning for his future successor, nodded to himself.
Hearing that Anko and Hayate would be returning as his teammates, Nan felt reassured. They had always worked well together back in the command post, and he had been reluctant to part from them when he left for the front lines.
Most importantly, this spared him from being paired with nameless "filler" teammates—who, as Naruto's world often proved, tended to die quickly and bring needless complications.
Thanking the Hokage for his trust, Nan departed with Kosuke. The two set off toward the Wind Country battlefield, where they would first reunite with Anko and Hayate. Only then would their squad's true missions begin.