February 1, Year 41 of Konoha.
Today was the day Konoha's army marched out.
It was also the day Takahashi Yū had agreed to visit Gekko Hayate at the hospital with the Undying Squad.
Takahashi Yū, Gekko Yūma, Yamanaka Ayano, Nara Yūma, and another little fellow, Hyūga Ryūhei, stood outside Konoha Hospital.
The Uchiha trio had left for the Land of Lightning a day earlier with their "hard-line" Clan Head. Apparently, some intelligence from Root had prompted an urgent deployment.
They had missed their chance to visit Gekko Hayate.
Yūma stood ahead of the others, unable to bring himself to take a step.
He had never seen Hayate either. When his wife, Gekkō Ryōko, had given birth, he had been serving as a commander on the Land of Wind front.
Later, after he had been summoned back, his father had told him that Tsunade had been "detaining" Ryōko in the hospital ever since she gave birth, along with Hayate.
But Tsunade had said it was nothing serious. They probably just needed quiet rest and could not receive visitors.
Given Konoha's current environment, the old Clan Head of the Gekko Clan had believed Tsunade.
In the past, he might have wondered whether Konoha was trying to steal his grandson.
"Yūma, get moving already."
"We still have to attend the departure ceremony later!"
Ayano was getting impatient and could not help urging him on.
"Ah, have some understanding for a first-time father's feelings."
After all this time to mature, Yūma sounded considerably more old-fashioned.
"You make it sound like you have a son."
"Hurry up. I want to see little Hayate."
Also, why couldn't they see anyone...?
Ayano was very curious. Why did Tsunade keep putting off letting them into the special ward? They were just a mother who had recently given