Uchiha Ran fully understood what Tsunade was thinking right now, but he had done everything deliberately.
Since his actions weren't meant to harm anyone but simply to defend himself, he believed that the kind and empathetic Tsunade would definitely understand him.
He wasn't even sure when exactly things had started to change — but more and more, he found himself not wanting to lie to her.
That's why Uchiha Ran finally turned to face her and spoke:
— I really did lie to you many times before. Because I had no choice.
— But from this moment on, I'll never lie to you again. You're the one who let me live. You're the one who gave me the chance to be myself — no masks, no running.
Catching the sincerity in his voice, Tsunade blushed furiously and muttered:
— Who even cares about you, idiot?
But deep down, she had accepted everything.
After all, today she had only asked a question — and Ran, without hiding anything, had immediately admitted he was planning to leave, and explained why.
He even openly summoned Hatake Sakumo to have an honest conversation.
No matter how much he'd hidden in the past, it had all been for the sake of survival.
And over the past month, he'd truly been kind and genuinely caring toward her.
Was there any point in digging up the past now?
— So, Hatake Sakumo, — Ran continued, — when I said I wanted to help you and save you, I wasn't joking.
— Hmph. I've got no interest in hanging around with you, — Sakumo grumbled before using the Shunshin technique to return to his perch on a tree branch.
— Brother, remember this! — Uchiha Ran called after him. — From this day on, I'm your loyal ally! Got a problem? Come to me, I'll help you!
Hatake Sakumo nearly lost his mind at those words. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
— Damn you! If anyone hears that, I'm done for!
— Bastard, shut up! — he snapped in a cold voice from above.
— Look, Tsunade! He's nervous! — Ran announced cheerfully. — He used to sit with me under the moon and call me "little master." And now look, he's calling me a "bastard"!
Sakumo's grip on the branch tightened so hard his knuckles turned white, and his teeth ground together.
"What 'little master'?! When did I ever say that?!"
— That's enough, Ran, — Tsunade quickly cut in. — Sakumo-senpai hasn't done anything bad to you.
— Fine, — Ran didn't argue.
After all, Hatake Sakumo really was on his side now.
As long as he didn't raise a hand against him, Ran held some solid dirt on him: twice Sakumo had known and still kept quiet.
With that kind of burden, he'd never be able to become Sarutobi Hiruzen's loyal hound again.
It had to be said — Hatake Sakumo's personality was completely unsuited for ANBU.
Too straightforward. Too stubborn. Too honest.
Sarutobi simply hadn't known what to do with him, so he stuck him in ANBU to rot.
Otherwise, if he'd let him go — with that level of power and reputation, Sakumo could have outshone half the village.
And no matter how angry he was at Sakumo for blocking his escape, Ran could clearly see the genuine concern behind his actions.
— Ran, — Tsunade finally spoke after a long silence, — I'll look into everything you told me. If it checks out — I'll agree. But for now… you can't leave.
She didn't doubt his words. But deciding to become Hokage was too serious to be done in the heat of the moment.
— Alright, — Uchiha Ran nodded. — But if you never make that decision… I'm leaving anyway.
— Don't overthink it. Talk to Lady Mito. You can tell her everything I've said, word for word.
— She's far wiser and sees things much more clearly.
— Got it, — Tsunade replied with a firm nod.
The conversation ended.
But Uchiha Ran didn't go home.
Instead, he headed to a small house not far from the Ninja Academy.
At that very moment, Namikaze Minato was trembling under the covers in one of the bedrooms.
He'd been monitoring Ran's chakra closely the whole time.
When he saw Ran go to meet Tsunade and then head in his direction, Minato immediately realized: It's all over!
— I'm doomed! — he thought in horror, cold sweat soaking his back.
— Minato, are you alright? — asked Rinku, the girl sitting beside him, with concern.
— Rinku… — Minato peeked out from under the blanket with the face of a man condemned. — Rinku, I'm doomed! What do I do?!
— I'm done for! What do I do?! — he whispered in terror.
Rinku, no less frightened, quickly touched his forehead:
— You don't seem to have a fever...
Just then, a loud knock sounded at the door. Minato jumped.
— Who is it?! — Rinku shouted, frowning in irritation.
— Uncle Mishiro! It's Uchiha Ran. I'm here for my little brother, — came Ran's voice from outside.
Mishiro Ren hurriedly dressed and rushed to the door.
— Doctor Ran! What an honor, what an honor! Please come in! — he grinned from ear to ear.
Ran had saved Mishiro Ren's life — he might be rude to anyone else, but not to him. Thanks to that, Minato and Rinku had a great relationship with his family — Minato could always stay here.
— Sorry for the late visit, Uncle. I won't be staying — urgent matter at home. I came to pick up Minato, — Uchiha Ran explained with a smile.
— Of course, of course! Minato! Your brother's here! Come on out! — Ren called quickly.
— It's over, — Minato slumped in despair.
But there was no escape — the storm was coming. He had no choice but to drag himself out.
When he saw Uchiha Ran, Minato forced a pitiful smile:
— B-b-bro...
Ran responded with nothing but a sinister grin. Minato instinctively shrank his neck.
After saying goodbye to Mishiro Ren, Ran tucked Minato under one arm and walked off.
---
On the nighttime training grounds, Minato trembled in the warm night breeze.
He didn't even get a chance to defend himself — Ran grabbed him and started smacking his backside:
— Who taught you to run your mouth like that, huh?! You little punk! Let's see if you'll talk such nonsense again!
— It hurts, bro-o-o! Stop! — Minato's pitiful wails echoed across the field.
— Talk! Why did you set me up?! — Ran roared, still angry, after giving him a good spanking.
— But, Brother, you said yourself we could trust Sister Tsunade... — Minato whimpered through sniffles.
— Still talking back?! Trusting her doesn't mean blabbing everything! — Ran raised his hand again.
— N-nooo! — Minato, dangling in Ran's grasp, desperately shielded his butt and shouted, — I just didn't want you to leave!
Ran's hand froze mid-air, and his heart tightened a little.
— I told you: once I master the Hiraishin no Jutsu, I'll be able to come back often, — he grumbled, still annoyed.
— But it's not the same! — Minato burst into tears.
— How is it not the same?
— It just isn't! — Minato buried his face in Ran's chest. — Even if we see each other often, it'll still feel like you're far away… But if you stay in Konoha, even if we don't meet every day, I'll still feel happy...
Minato's words sent a wave of sorrow through Ran's heart.
He set the boy down gently, adjusted his clothes, and smirked:
— Don't think I can't see what you're doing. You messed up and now you're trying to smooth it over, huh?
— Heh-heh! — Minato, knowing his brother well, realized the punishment was over and immediately got cheeky. — You're the one who taught me: if a problem can't be solved, make a bigger one so everyone forgets the first! You should've seen how mad Sister Tsunade got! But the moment I said you were leaving, she instantly calmed down.
Ran burst out laughing and gave Minato's cheeks a good squish:
— You little rascal! I taught you to use your brain — but not to spend all your smarts on pulling tricks against your own brother!
— Oww… bro-o-o… let go… that hurts...