They reached the Hokage Building in no time.
Kakashi set the large bundle on his shoulder down against the wall, then strolled over.
"I'll take over."
He took the wheelchair's handles from Yugao.
Uzuki Yugao nodded, but she still looked uneasy. Bending down, she looked Hayashi in the eyes and reminded him:
"Go straight home after you finish seeing Lord Third, okay?"
"I'll head back and cook. How does fish for dinner sound?"
"Sounds gooood-"
Hayashi drew out the words, his eyes curving with his smile.
"Thanks, Yugao!"
He nodded eagerly.
He might as well have had "I want some" written across his face.
"You three, too." Yugao straightened and pointed at Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura in turn. "Don't go wandering around afterward."
"Yeees-"
The three little ones obediently answered.
Only then did Yugao smile. She was about to take Hayate along when she turned and saw the grave look on his face.
"Yugao, go on ahead."
Gekko Hayate spoke.
"I'll wait downstairs. Someone still needs to push Hayashi home when she comes out. I'll be here to help her."
"...All right."
Yugao thought it over, then finally nodded. She waved and left, looking back every few steps.
Hayate watched her retreating figure and slowly sighed.
Then he turned to Kakashi, who stood behind the wheelchair.
"Jonin Kakashi."
"If anything happens, knock twice on the window. I'll come straight up."
"Don't worry, don't worry." Kakashi waved a hand. "There shouldn't be any problems."
Hayate still looked worried.
But all he could do was stand there and watch Kakashi push Hayashi through the Hokage Building's entrance.
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura followed behind.
Following Kakashi's example, Zabuza plunked the other large bundle against the wall and brought up the rear with Haku.
The Hokage Building was even more impressive inside than it