On the morning of their departure, the scene at the Konoha Gate was nothing like Amamiya Maki had expected.
His original plan had been simple.
Just him, Nawaki, and Kushina-three unofficial personnel at Genin level-heading northeast with their packs.
No send-off, no reminders, a low-key departure from start to finish.
They would reach the border of the Land of Whirlpools, do a quick reconnaissance sweep, draw a few maps, then return to report and wrap things up.
Reality, however, was completely different.
Three groups stood neatly arranged at the Konoha Gate.
The first consisted of administrative ninja reporting directly to the Hokage. They held a mission confirmation form and had him sign his name three times, completing every official procedure.
The second was a toad sent by Jiraiya, carrying a small cloth pouch in its mouth.
The pouch contained a generous supply of soldier pills and a note bearing only one short message: Come back alive.
The third group was the most outrageous of all: Tsunade.
Tsunade wore a dark green short jacket and carried a medical case larger than Nawaki's entire body.
Her forehead protector was neatly tied in place, giving her a crisp, serious look.
She had not come to see them off.
She intended to set out with them and accompany them on the journey.
"Sis?"
Nawaki looked as though someone had smashed a brick against the back of his head. Utterly stunned, he asked, "What are you doing here? What about the hospital?"
Nawaki had thought he would finally get some freedom for a while.
"I've cleared all my hospital duties."
"I'm coming with you on this mission."
"You're coming with us?"
Nawaki's voice shot up half an octave, full of grievance.
"Then why did you tell Maki to keep an eye on me? You even