According to the team leader, they would have to wait two more days for the scattered shinobi who hadn't joined a team to sign up before they all left together. Minato wasn't in a rush. He just wanted to reserve their spot so he wouldn't miss the mission.
In the office, Torifu was deeply gratified to see the shinobi actively forming teams. This policy was not just for the shinobi's safety on the road. Once they arrived at the Amegakure region, they would undoubtedly need to team up to execute missions. Naturally, they would prioritize their fellow team members, as they had traveled together and were somewhat familiar with one another.
"Everyone is actively following the rule. That's excellent," Torifu said, looking out the window with a satisfied smile.
Anka also nodded. "The villagers are always very obedient to your orders, and since the Hokage-sama's action is motivated by concern for their safety, the villagers are naturally very willing."
Amado just stood nearby, smiling without saying a word.
After about ten minutes, Torifu briefly reviewed the documents that needed to be processed that day and decisively handed the tasks over to the Puppet. He then chose to head home. "Amado, you don't have anything planned for today, do you?"
Amado, caught off guard, shook his head. "No, why? Is something the matter, Big Brother?"
"If you don't, then stay here and help out in the office. There are quite a few things today, and it will take Anka too much time to handle them alone."
Anka was surprised and was about to say it wasn't necessary, but Amado had already agreed.
"Hmm… alright then. I genuinely don't have anything else to do."
Torifu nodded in satisfaction. "Just help Anka with the tasks. Do whatever she asks you to do."
With that, Torifu left the office. The entire exchange was very natural and not overly contrived. Torifu immediately left the scene, leaving Anka and Amado slightly bewildered on their own.
"Um… where should we start?" Amado asked first. He had picked up a thing or two about handling official work from Torifu at home, so Anka wouldn't mock him for being a total novice.
Seeing that Amado was already getting to work, Anka had no reason to complain and quickly got down to business as well. "Amado-sama, we should start by processing the documents submitted by the various departments today. You handle these few." Anka was extremely professional during work hours; her manner of speaking was completely different from when she was off-duty.
Amado didn't try to get familiar with her at this time. He took the documents Anka handed him and sat in a nearby chair to start processing them. Anka also sat at the desk opposite Amado and began her work.
The office was eerily quiet for a time, with only the sounds of writing and turning pages. Amado usually wouldn't even be awake at this hour, but now he was handling official documents—a first in his life. But he had no choice, as his Big Brother had intentionally created this opportunity for them to be alone. He had to grit his teeth and push through.
The originator of all this, Kumotsuru Torifu, was now strolling leisurely down the street. "This is great. I get to create alone time for Amado and give him some proper experience. Two birds with one stone!" Torifu was already considering finding Amado a position in the Hokage Residence and having him commute daily. This could also help fix his irregular sleep schedule. However, the young man likely wouldn't be willing, and it was only a thought; Torifu had no real intention of putting it into practice.
Konohagakure's streets were now filled with people recruiting team members. Groups of shinobi were gathered, with the outermost ones enthusiastically shouting, hoping to quickly reach ninety people and leave for the Amegakure region. The reasons for their enthusiasm were twofold: first, the matter involved national unity. Second, the mission was issued by the Hokage Residence and came with very generous mission pay, along with many benefits for excellent performance, such as priority purchasing rights for new inventions and half-price coupons for electronics. These enticements led to large groups of Konohagakure shinobi rushing to the Amegakure region.
Torifu had already informed Kakuzu through his clone about the situation here. He estimated that large numbers of shinobi would reach the Amegakure region within a day or two, so he instructed Kakuzu to prepare housing and food for them in advance.
"Go and tell Dan that any Anbu who wish to go to the Amegakure region may do so. The procedure is the same as for ordinary shinobi." Torifu seemed to be speaking to himself, but as soon as he finished, a shadow darted away in the darkness. The Anbu were the Hokage's guard. Even if the Hokage didn't need them, they would secretly follow him whenever he went out. While they couldn't act as bodyguards, they could at least pass messages, which was much cooler than just making a phone call.
After giving the order, Torifu didn't stop. He activated his Concealment Jutsu and stepped over the crowds of shinobi recruiting members. At one point, an enthusiastic, shouting shinobi struck his back, making Torifu stumble. However, Torifu paid it no mind, merely accelerating his steps to get away from the chaotic area.
When Torifu returned to the Kumotsuru Clan compound, it was around ten in the morning. As soon as he entered the courtyard, he found it quite lively. Minato was holding someone's hand and talking non-stop. The person was quite tall, wearing a cloak that obscured both their face and figure. An ordinary person wouldn't be able to tell who it was, but Torifu cracked a smile.
"That boy has finally decided to come home."
But before Torifu could reach him, the person turned around and bowed to Torifu.
"Master, I'm back."
This was none other than Torifu's first apprentice, Senju Nawaki. He had been traveling outside for a long time and hadn't even returned for the New Year, saying he needed to embark on his own strict training journey. He hadn't even brought his phone, making it impossible for anyone to contact him.
Torifu let out a cold snort. "You wretched boy. You've been gone for ages. So, did you find Big Brother Asa?"
Nawaki scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed. "No. Father's whereabouts are too hard to pin down. I'm still not sure what their situation is."
The last time Torifu had seen Senju Asa was during Nawaki's early childhood, when the couple had dumped Nawaki with Hashirama and run off. In all the years since, Torifu hadn't seen Asa once. He even suspected the couple had passed away, but Hashirama received a letter from them every year. It was these letters that had inspired Nawaki to search for his parents.