Shinhiko Kōzuki

"Honestly, Kazuhiko-sensei, why were you late?"

When Madara Uchiha arrived at their agreed departure point, Hayato Hyuga and Sōsuke Aburame were already waiting there. The three waited together for almost an hour before Kazuhiko Sarutobi finally arrived.

"Sorry, something came up at the last minute. Let's head out now."

Kazuhiko Sarutobi brushed the matter aside with an awkward laugh, then led Team One on their way.

None of them were strangers to hardship. As for physical ability, Kazuhiko needed no introduction, while Hayato, Madara, and Sosuke ranked among the best of the Chunin. The four ran at full speed the whole way, reaching the capital of the Land of Fire in just a day and a half. With directions from the capital's residents, they found the estate of the man they were assigned to protect.

Shinhiko Kōzuki lived in a classic shinden-zukuri estate. Its gently sloping roof was covered in hinoki-bark roofing, which shone with an antique luster in the sunlight. At its peak stood a gilded bronze phoenix. Though weathered by wind and rain, it remained proud, as if gazing down over the world below. The estate's architecture alone made it clear that its resident was a powerful man of great ambition.

"We're ninja from Konoha, assigned to escort Lord Shinhiko safely back to his hometown. Please announce our arrival."

Two burly samurai with long swords at their waists guarded the estate's main gate. Kazuhiko Sarutobi approached respectfully and presented the handwritten letter Kazuhiko Kōzuki had used to commission the mission, along with their Konoha ninja credentials. The samurai guarding the gate lowered his eyes to scan them. Once he confirmed that the handwriting belonged to his master, he snatched everything Kazuhiko Sarutobi held out in both hands and left without a word.

"Damn, are all the samurai in