Chapter 62 – Farewell, Orochimaru
Nan and Kosuke, both possessing the strength of jōnin, traveled far faster than when Orochimaru had once led the group.
In less than two days, the two arrived at the battlefield of the Wind Country. Their first stop was the rear command post, where they regrouped with Anko and Hayate.
Upon reaching the camp, Nan hesitated. Should he go pay a visit to Orochimaru first? After all, the man was technically his teacher.
Although he didn't like him at all, it would feel rude not to greet Orochimaru on his own turf. And more importantly, it didn't fit with the image Nan had carefully built: someone respectful to his elders and united with his allies.
Besides, Hiruzen hadn't yet assigned him and his team a mission. If Nan wanted to get one, it would have to come through Orochimaru's hands.
Right now, Orochimaru was likely in the strategy tent, presiding over the war council. Nan stopped outside, adjusted his expression carefully, and drew a steadying breath.
He was wary that even the slightest accidental grimace of disgust might arouse Orochimaru's suspicions.
Pushing aside the flap, he entered. Inside stood Orochimaru, busy with who-knows-what. Nan quickly put on an eager, almost emotional look.
"Orochimaru-sensei, I'm back!" he said warmly.
Orochimaru looked up, and a smile curved his lips. It had been a long time since he'd seen this prized disciple of his—the one he'd always considered the perfect assistant.
In Orochimaru's mind, their relationship was still a close, almost intimate mentorship. They had only been separated because Nan had insisted on going to the frontlines after that matter involving the deadly poison. Orochimaru hadn't been thrilled by that choice, but he hadn't been able to refuse.
And yet—he had heard things. Rumors that his dear student now harbored the outrageous ambition of becoming Hokage.
That would never do.
By Orochimaru's plans, Nan was supposed to walk with him down the path toward eternity, toward the pursuit of truth. How could something as childish as the Hokage title be allowed to derail that future?
The fault, of course, lay with the Third. That decrepit fool must have whispered to Nan those insipid words about the so-called Will of Fire.
Orochimaru's smile tightened into a sneer. How nostalgic. The Third had once tried to plant the same ideals inside him, long ago. But Orochimaru had been too sharp, too mature, to fall for such sentimental tricks.
Yet Nan… Nan was still young. Naïve. Pure-hearted. He wouldn't be able to resist the Third's honeyed lies.
But now Nan had returned to his side. That meant Orochimaru had a chance to correct things—before it was too late.
Adopting a tone of concern, Orochimaru asked:
"Nan, how have you been these days? I heard you studied under Tsunade for a while. Tell me, what did you learn from her?"
Feigning bright enthusiasm, Nan played along, answering with smiles that made Orochimaru's satisfaction grow. To him, it confirmed that he still held great influence in his student's heart.
As the conversation went on, the topic shifted. Orochimaru eventually learned that Nan had been promoted to tokubetsu jōnin, and would soon be leading a squad of his own.
At that, a flash of irritation darkened Orochimaru's eyes. So it was the old man's doing, then. Assigning Nan as a captain served only one purpose: to pull the boy farther away from him.
That bastard… Not content with poisoning my disciple with his shallow ideals, now he wants to steal him outright.
If Orochimaru let this continue, how could he ever pass down his great dream of science and truth?
Of course, he was still a ninja of Konoha. He couldn't directly violate an order from the Hokage. But perhaps—just perhaps—there was still a way to bind Nan closer to him.
Lowering his voice, Orochimaru said softly:
"If you're to lead missions, it means we'll have fewer and fewer chances to see one another. There are still so many powerful jutsu I haven't taught you. Part of me truly hates to part with you."
Nan, of course, understood Orochimaru's intentions immediately. Wearing a conflicted look, he pretended to hesitate:
"Truthfully, I don't want to leave either. I'd love nothing more than to keep learning at your side. But… becoming Hokage is my dream. And this chance to serve as a squad leader—it's an important step for me to grow.
If I stay by your side forever, sensei… I fear I'll never stop being a child."
His words struck Orochimaru hard. That wasn't what he wanted to hear at all.
In his mind, Nan was supposed to be easy to mold, a blank canvas eager for guidance. But the young man before him was resolute, already speaking with the conviction of someone who had chosen his own path—his own nindō.
That kind of will would make him far harder to control.
Yet Orochimaru couldn't simply give up. Not now. With Tsunade's techniques, Nan must have grown even more exceptional, more talented than before. Such brilliance would only go to waste if shackled to the childish role of Hokage.
No—Orochimaru would not allow it. Nan's gifts were meant for greater pursuits—for eternity, for truth.
And Orochimaru was determined not to let him go so easily.
Orochimaru leaned forward, his golden eyes narrowing as he tried to tempt Nan once more.
"Tell me, what's so good about being Hokage? Look at me—if someone begged me to take that position, I'd turn it down without hesitation. Researching and creating new jutsu… now that is fascinating.
Stay by my side, Nan. Together, the two of us could accomplish discoveries that would shake the entire shinobi world. We could wield powers others cannot even dare to imagine."
But Nan shook his head and gently parried the words, his tone respectful yet unyielding:
"Power exists for one reason: to protect the people who are precious to me. I train and fight so that I can protect my village, my clan, and those closest to me.
Becoming Hokage is my ultimate goal. If I can't protect my family and the people I care for, then what meaning would great power have?"
Still unwilling to concede, Orochimaru pressed harder, his voice smooth, persuasive, almost venomous.
"Empty ideals won't shield anyone. Without overwhelming strength, what can mere belief accomplish? Only with true power can you decide who to protect—and who to destroy.
Follow me, Nan. My path is the most direct shortcut to unrivaled strength and the fulfillment of dreams."
But again, Nan's conviction did not waver. He countered, his eyes blazing with certainty:
"*The greatest strength doesn't lie in one person's power alone. True power is the ability to unite the people around you, to gather everyone's strength into something far greater than yourself.
That's the kind of Hokage I want to become—the one who brings everyone together."
Orochimaru's smile cracked. Nan's words, firm and unshakable, only fed the fury boiling in his chest.
Damn that old man.
He had finally found a perfect disciple, only for that accursed Third Hokage to steal him away with his underhanded tricks. Every argument Orochimaru raised, Nan deflected with flawless rebuttals. Where would a child learn such arguments, if not from Hiruzen himself?
Orochimaru knew all too well how smooth the Third's tongue was. That sanctimonious fool had lured countless shinobi with four empty words—the "Will of Fire." Had Orochimaru not been sharper, he might have been taken in as well.
It was obvious now: Nan was still young, far too impressionable. And the poison of Hiruzen's teachings had seeped deep into his heart.
Despicable. Dishonorable. The old man never targeted those with fully formed beliefs—only children, the vulnerable, the malleable.
But to take this child… the one Orochimaru himself had chosen, the one he had such high hopes for? That was unforgivable.
Ironically, if Nan could hear these thoughts, he would probably agree wholeheartedly. To him, the Third really was despicable—and stingy besides.
Hadn't he risked his life bringing back the antidote? And what had the Third given him in return? A few days' leave and a miserly reward equal to that of a trivial C-rank search mission. Not even proper mission pay!
Still, between the Hokage's words and his own convictions, Nan had made certain to frame his arguments carefully. Every word was chosen to convey one thing to Orochimaru:
I am a firm inheritor of the Will of Fire. I have no interest in your meaningless pursuit of immortality. Stop wasting your time trying to ensnare me.
And judging by the storm darkening Orochimaru's expression, Nan knew he had succeeded.
So, without hesitation, he brought the conversation back to its true purpose. Standing tall, his eyes sharp with determination, he declared:
"Orochimaru-sensei, I'm ready to head to the battlefield. Please assign me a mission."
At that moment, Nan radiated nothing but resolve—a shinobi ready to offer flesh and blood for the sake of Konoha.
To Orochimaru, he looked every inch the true inheritor of the Will of Fire.