Konoha.
Hokage Office.
Sarutobi like usual leaned on his chair processing the documents.
"What should I do"
Sarutobi didn't know what do as from the last report he received 2 days earlier the troops of Mist village are nearing their border.
He couldn't go himself as there would be no one back here to protect it but with few thousands Chunin Mist can't be defeated.
"Lord Hokage, Master Kozuki here."
At this moment, an Anbu ninja opened the door and walked in informing Sarutobi.
"Kozuki is back, let him in quickly."
Sarutobi Hiruzen was overjoyed and thought, Kozuki was really back in time, he was worried that who would he send to Mist.
After hearing Sarutobi's words, Anbu immediately went out and brought Kozuki in.
" Lord Hokage"
Kozuki greeted Sarutobi who sat at the desk looking at him with benevolent eyes.
"Isn't this our little hero Kozuki? I have heard all the contributions you made in the front line for the village"
"When you were at the Ninja School, I knew you were an excellent kid. Sure enough, you didn't disappoint me"
Seeing Kozuki, Sarutobi immediately stood up on his own initiative, praising Kozuki as he was his own grandson.
"Lord Hokage, what I did is for the village"
Kozuki's polite attitude towards Sarutobi is just a play. As long as Sarutobi doesn't bother him, he wouldn't mind giving him fake respect.
But if he has any malicious intent towards him, Kozuki wouldn't mind killing him even if he becomes a rogue.
After simple greetings, Sarutobi passed the information he had collected about Mist to Kozuki.
"Kozuki, look at this. Just two days ago, the army of Mist Village had reached near our border"
Sarutobi frowned while smoking a cigarette.
"We have to deal with them before they invade our land and I need someone strong to lead the Ninja in the village to stop them"
Sarutobi recounted the whole matter to Kozuki with a sad look, wanting Kozuki to know how difficult it is for him as the Hokage now.
"Lord Hokage, what do you mean?"
Kozuki understood that Sarutobi wanted him to lead the Shinobi and fight with Kiri.
But although he had deep feelings for the village, he was already very angry at him for to transfer him two times and he had something he wanted to learn which needed a lot of time so he pretended not to understand his words.
"Kozuki, I hope you can lead the ninjas of the village to support Danzo and defeat the Mist Village"
Sarutobi Hiruzen waited for a long time, but Kozuki didn't take the initiative for help as he had to request him himself.
"Lord Hokage, I'm afraid I can't help you in this matter and I think there's no need for me to go Elder Danzo would be able to handle the situation himself"
"Didn't I tell you that Danzo can't handle them alone"
Suddenly, Sarutobi's tone was a bit harsh as he was angry at Kozuki for refusing him straightforward.
"Lord Hokage, Mist will retreat tomorrow and the reason for it is this"
Speaking of this Kozuki pretended to take out a scroll and unsealed it and 4 different strange shaped blades fell on the floor.
"This is?"
Sarutobi looked at the blades on the ground and asked suspiciously.
"On my way back, I encountered the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, I killed four of them, the other three ran away"
Kozuki, looked at Sarutobi from a condescending position, and said lightly.
"What, you killed four of the Seven Ninja swordsmen?"
After Sarutobi heard Kozuki's words, he was surprised beyond words.
"Lord Hokage knows at a glance that these of ninja swords aren't fake."
Kozuki pointed towards the sword that were the proof of his killing.
After a long pause, Sarutobi Hiruzen finally spoke.
"Haha. I watched you grow up Kozuki, how could I not believe you, Haha, as you said there's no need for you to go anymore, Danzo can handle the rest"
Sarutobi was a bit emotional this time, he had completely lost sight of Kozuki strength.
Seven Ninja Swordsmen, even he was not sure that he could deal with them.
And as Kozuki said after losing there four Elite Jonin and knowing that Kozuki was back, Mist would not even dare to invade Land of Fire.
"Lord Hokage I have a small request. I hope you can agree to it."
"Kozuki, please tell me, if it's possible, I'll agree to it"
Sarutobi Hiruzen replied immediately as this was the chance to get his goodwill.
"Lord Hokage, I want to leave the village for a year or two, I know that during the war I'm needed but it's something important"
Kozuki had something that he wanted to learn badly and with his talent in Chakra at least this much time was needed.
"What! a year or two and where do you want to go"
Sarutobi asked a bit curious as where would Kozuki go and for such a long time
"Lord Hokage, I want to hone my Swordsmanship and try to learn some Ninjutsu as well so it would take some time"
Kozuki lied straight as he won't tell Sarutobi even if he insists to death.
"Okay I approve your leave"
Sarutobi agreed to his request and actually he was happy that Kozuki was leaving as with his two years of absence, Minato would have enough time to increase his reputation.
"Then, I'll be leaving"
Kozuki left the room and went straight home to get ready for the journey.