บท 53: Rookie on the Battlefield

"War?"

As Kakashi's words hung in the air, Koshino and Guy were stunned, drawing in sharp breaths simultaneously.

During the past month of training, despite the ominous feeling that loomed over Koshino, signaling the imminent approach of war, hearing Kakashi confirm it made Koshino, who thought he was prepared, feel a surge of tension.

It was the tension before a battle!

For Koshino, a rookie on the battlefield, this tension was about the impending fight. For Guy, the tension stemmed from his concern for Konoha's fate.

Unlike Koshino, who was an "outsider" and less concerned with Konoha's fate, Guy, a "native," valued Konoha's honor as his own life. So when Kakashi mentioned the impending war, Guy clenched his fists tightly, his eyes heavy with concern. "Is it Iwagakure that's still not giving up? Damn it, they were supposed to sign a peace treaty! Are those Iwa ninjas planning to go back on their word?"

"Iwagakure?"

Hearing Guy's words, Koshino snapped out of his thoughts and furrowed his brows.

Based on the original series' timeline of the Third Shinobi War, the battles between Konoha and Iwagakure ended after the Kannabi Bridge incident. As Guy suggested, it was unlikely that Iwagakure would reignite the war.

Seeing Guymention Iwagakure, Kakashi's eyes revealed a touch of sorrow, as if mourning the "fallen" Obito Uchiha.

Ignoring Koshino and Guy's questions, Kakashi, immersed in his sorrow, sighed deeply. "Koshino, Guy, wars are not something we small fry can control. Just follow me to gather with the others."

"The advance troops led by the Fourth Hokage are ready to depart."

"Guy, as a member of the Fourth Hokage's guard, you must head to his location immediately."

"As for you, Koshino..."

Kakashi then looked apologetically at Koshino and continued, "Koshino, I have an important mission to carry out before the battle starts. Since you don't have the ability to lead a team on your own, the Fourth Hokage has temporarily assigned you to the guard unit. Quickly go with Guy to meet up with the others!"

"Koshino, remember, on the battlefield, you need to understand your position."

"War... is no child's play. It's a place where people really die!"

"Understood!"

Though Koshino didn't know what secret mission Kakashi had, Kakashi's words made Koshino gain a bit of respect for him.

Since their first meeting, Koshino had never had a good impression of Kakashi.

Selfish, proud, and petty.

Kakashi displayed every trait of a difficult person to approach. Additionally, Kakashi's personality differed from his portrayal in the original series, leading Koshino to have mixed feelings about him.

But now, hearing Kakashi's indifferent yet sincere advice, Koshino began to understand that Kakashi was far from being unapproachable. He merely used his cold demeanor to mask his inner pain and loneliness.

Following Kakashi's orders, Koshino headed to a secret gathering spot.

Among the assembled troops, Koshino, with his ANBU mask, was the most noticeable figure.

Aside from the familiar faces of Guy, Raito, Teiiwashi, and Genma—young shinobi like himself—the other ninjas were all seasoned veterans, at least twenty years old, showcasing their extensive battlefield experience. As the youngest ninja there, Koshino naturally drew everyone's attention.

However, despite his young age, the ANBU mask signified his status, preventing the experienced ninjas from approaching him. Preparing to step onto the battlefield, Koshino silently assessed the strength and distribution of his comrades while feeling their curious gazes.

But before Koshino could familiarize himself with his companions, a familiar voice echoed from the front of the group.

The voice belonged to none other than his uncle, Shikaku Nara!

"So Uncle Shikaku is our commander!"

"Looks like I might get some benefits on the battlefield!"

Secretly relieved to be under a familiar commander, Koshino's smile quickly faded.

The reason was simple: Shikaku Nara was his commander!

Out of a protective instinct, Shikaku would rather sacrifice himself than send Koshino into battle.

Despite knowing that participating in battles could accelerate Koshino's growth, as Kakashi mentioned, the battlefield was no place for children—it was a place where lives were indeed at stake. To avoid even the slightest chance of Koshino getting hurt, Shikaku preferred keeping him away from the front lines.

As a result, Koshino spent the next few days in utter boredom.

Being part of the Fourth Hokage's guard unit and having an ANBU status should have placed him in a command position, observing battles and getting a feel of the battlefield atmosphere, right?

But under Shikaku's arrangements, Koshino ended up as a logistics personnel!

Apart from accompanying Teiiwashi to escort supplies daily, Koshino spent most of his time with medical ninjas, ostensibly to protect the medics and the wounded. In reality, even the medical ninjas knew that Koshino was merely "taking refuge," making him a part of the medical team.

"Shadow, deliver this medicine to Medical Camp 3!"

"Shadow, help me move this wounded person inside!"

"Shadow, stop daydreaming and help me mix the medicines!"

Every day with the medical team, ANBU Koshino lived up to his role as a "temporary worker," constantly doing odd jobs.

Whenever there was trouble, the first to come to mind was the young but reliable Koshino.

Over time, Koshino became an integral part of the medical team. If he were absent for a day, the medical ninjas would feel something was off, and the wounded shinobi would miss their source of amusement—Koshino had become essential to their morale.

Life within the medical unit was simple for Koshino—training or doing odd jobs.

The training was self-explanatory. Koshino's mastery of the Fourth Hokage's secret techniques improved significantly using the shadow clone training method. Even while "working" in the medical unit, Koshino, who had some basic knowledge of medicine, had become a quasi-medical ninja, capable of providing emergency treatment to wounded shinobi.

But after ten days with the medical unit, an unexpected incident occurred!

This incident shattered Shikaku's plans, thrusting Koshino, following the medical unit, into a life-or-death situation!

The incident stemmed from an enemy ninja's surprise attack!