In the ninja world, drinking had always been a cherished tradition. After all, being a ninja was a profession where one's life could end at the tip of a blade, so even younger genin developed a taste for alcohol early. The practice traced back to the Sengoku era, when warriors drank to celebrate victories or drown their sorrows.
For ninjas, sake was not only a magical elixir for relieving stress but also a social lubricant—something to strengthen bonds and deepen friendships. Festivals, celebrations, even casual gatherings were often accompanied by drinking, and few traditions were as ingrained in ninja culture.
During dinner, Tsunade had already polished off three bottles of sake, while Uchiha Ran had barely finished a single cup. Seeing this, Tsunade leaned over and coaxed him to drink more. But when it came to getting someone to drink, the best method was always games. Tsunade suggested a simple gambling game: Liar's Dice.
"Come on, Ran," she said with a sly smile, "let's play a simple game. Loser drinks."
Ran, seeing no way to argue, invoked his youth—"I'm only fourteen, after all"—and managed to strike a compromise: if Tsunade lost, she'd drink two cups; if he lost, just one.
The game was easy to grasp. Tsunade handed Ran five dice, kept one for herself, and gave him a dice cup. She quickly explained the rules before dragging him into the first round.
The more they played, the more Ran's confidence grew. Tsunade was neither lucky nor skilled at psychological games, and she lost repeatedly.
But with every cup she downed, her spirits soared. She noticed Ran, already slightly tipsy from so little, and an idea formed in her mind. She decided to raise the stakes—a simple rock-paper-scissors game to shift the tide.
"No way a gambler keeps losing forever!" she muttered. Yet even with simple games, she continued losing more than she won.
As the alcohol flowed, Tsunade's usual composed demeanor began to falter. Despite her losses, her energy skyrocketed, fueled by the wine. She stood, swaying slightly, and moved to sit beside Ran. Her hand rested on his shoulder, and her head leaned close as she addressed him.
"You're incredible, Ran… I… I just keep losing… this gambling… ugh… uh…"
Her soft, warm arm draped gently over his shoulder, the weight of it like a feather brushing against him. Ran, who had known Tsunade as a force of sheer power, now felt an entirely different side of her emerge—intimate, playful, and teasing.
Then came the subtle but undeniable pressure from her chest. Ran's breath caught, his mind reeling at the closeness, the forbidden temptation. Her eyes glimmered, lips curving faintly, exuding a magnetism that made the air itself feel thick.
His heart raced. His thoughts tumbled into dangerous, taboo territory. What exactly was Tsunade planning?
"Ran… y-you're… you're really… not much of a drinker, huh? You're… already tipsy after just a little… hehe… you're too weak. You need practice," she murmured, pulling him closer. Alcohol made her words loose and her gestures bold.
A sudden breeze ruffled his hair, grounding him momentarily. This… isn't about logic. My brain isn't thinking… it's my body reacting on its own… he realized, simultaneously aware and helplessly indulging in her presence.
The softness, the warmth, the subtle pressure—it was like lying on clouds. His senses were overwhelmed by her scent, the gentle sway of her body, the quiet thrum of her heartbeat.
"I… Tsunade-sensei… I'm… a little drunk. May I… rest on your lap for a bit?" Ran's voice was small, hesitant, but genuine. It was his first time drinking, and he was unpracticed in handling alcohol. Though he hadn't had much, his mind felt light, and he longed for the comfort of her presence.
"Come here, you little Uchiha brat. I've been wanting to talk to you properly!"
Ran didn't hesitate. He eased himself onto Tsunade's lap, surrendering to the warmth and softness.
"I never imagined I'd be this weak with alcohol…" he admitted softly.
Tsunade's laughter was low and amused. "At first, I really disliked you, Ran. And I… well, seeing you with my body like that… it was shocking. But after learning more about you, I realized… you're extraordinary. Someone like you, from the Uchiha, isn't easy to come by. You're so much like Shinju and Dan too—so gentle… back then… back then…"
Her hand moved boldly under her clothes, her voice casual despite her actions. "It's… a little itchy… under here…"
Ran, tipsy and half-asleep, didn't process her words fully. He only felt the warmth of her lap, the gentle shifts of her body, the soft, pliant touch brushing his forehead. And there was her fragrance—light, floral, intoxicating—hovering nearby.
If every day could be like this… no war, no missions, no responsibility… just training, fishing by the river, enjoying meals with friends, and quiet companionship—it would be perfect.
At that moment, the door opened. Ben returned from her mission, stepping into the Uchiha residence. Her father, Ben's father, was still away on assignment, so she came to Ran's home first.
The moment she entered, her eyes fell on a blonde woman's back—and Ran, lying against her lap.
"Ran… why… why are you so close to a woman I don't even know?!" Ben's voice trembled, a mix of shock and jealousy. "S-sorry… am I intruding? I'll leave right away…"
But Ran weakly raised a hand, gesturing for her to stay. "No… you came at the perfect time. I… I'm a little drunk. I wanted to rest on Tsunade-sensei's lap…"
Ben hesitated but then instinctively moved closer, joining them in the room.