Tsunade, still half-drunk and bleary-eyed, glanced at the newcomer.
Black hair, crimson eyes—clearly a member of her clan.
"Oh… you must be Ben Uzumaki's daughter, Ben, right? I even held you when you were little… ah… oh, sorry… I think I've had a little too much to drink."
Ben's eyes softened at the sight of Ran, slightly intoxicated, and she hurried over to his side. Only then did she fully register the presence of the blonde woman before her—it was a face she knew all too well.
"Wait… wait, wait, wait—"
Ben stuttered a dozen times, recognizing the figure immediately. This was the legendary female ninja idol of Konoha: Tsunade!
"Y-you… you're one of the Sannin… Tsunade-sama?!" Ben asked, ignoring Ran for the moment, her excitement clear in her voice.
"Hahaha… seems I've been gone too long. So many people don't recognize me anymore?" Tsunade laughed, then grabbed Ben's hand. "You came here all alone this late… you must be this little Uchiha brat's childhood friend, right? Don't tell me… you like him?!"
Her tone left no room for denial. Then, with a playful tug, she yanked Ben forward.
"Oyah!" Ben yelped, stumbling slightly, landing at Tsunade's side.
If this were a "female protagonist" story in the Naruto world, the scene could not be more fitting: in her lap, a handsome little Uchiha sprawled; by her side, a radiant, youthful Ben; and Tsunade, the fearless queen, drinking freely like a sovereign.
Tsunade's gaze softened as she looked at Ben. "Ah, your eyes… you're Ben, daughter of Ben Uzumaki. I held you when you were little… can't believe it's been so many years."
"Ts-Tsunade-sama? Why… why are you here? And Ran… what's going on here?" Ben asked, her mind racing. Despite Tsunade's reputation, seeing Ran lying across her lap like this made her heart twist with jealousy.
"Really… distant, aren't you, Ben? You're not as bold as this little Uchiha brat. You and him can just call me 'Tsunade-nee' like he does."
Ben hesitated, then softly—almost instinctively—called out, "Tsunade-nee…"
"Good girl! Sounds so sweet. You're gentle like this, Ran must adore you for it," Tsunade said, reaching out in a playful gesture, her hand brushing Ben's hair as she spoke.
"So soft… and fragrant… at this age," she murmured, half to herself, half teasing.
"Ts-Tsunade-sama? Tsunade-sama?" Ben had to remind her, still unsure about what was happening.
"Ah, sorry, sorry, I drifted off there… So here's the deal. Ran originally invited me and his other teachers—Orochimaru and Jiraiya—to come for a meal, but they couldn't make it at the last minute. I didn't want him to feel disappointed, so I came over to keep him company… ha… hahaha…"
Ben's eyes widened, taking in the scene. "B-but… why is Ran like this now?" She looked at him lying across Tsunade's lap, his face flushed, his nose nestled against her chest.
"Ran… Ran is mine! Not even Tsunade-sama can have him!" Ben thought, rushing to free Ran from the soft, overwhelming warmth. The moment she moved him, Ran felt the sudden emptiness where Tsunade's embrace had been—a strange mix of relief and disappointment.
"Wh-what's… going on?" Ran muttered, blinking awake.
"Ran, wake up! Tsunade-sama's legs are going numb under you."
Ben's heart ached slightly. He had drunk enough to be weary, and now she forced him awake out of her own twinge of jealousy.
"Ah… sorry, Ben… I… had a bit too much. I'm not handling it well…" Ran murmured.
Tsunade smirked faintly at him, then turned to Ben. "Oh, don't worry. I'm not tired, Ben. Your little Ran can rest on your lap instead."
"T-Tsunade-sama… please, we're just childhood friends," Ben explained, blushing furiously. It was her first time seeing someone as bold and straightforward as Tsunade openly speak like this.
"Since you're Ran's friend, if he can't finish his drink, you'll help me out a bit," Tsunade said with a mischievous grin, producing a cup seemingly out of nowhere.
"You can drink, right? No excuses. If you won't, I won't let you off either. Come on—this is for your friend!"
Ben blinked, confused. Why was Tsunade so insistent about drinking?
She didn't wait for an answer, filling the cup and bringing it to Ben's lips. "This is osmanthus sake—the very flavor this little brat loves most."
The aroma was sweet and inviting. Ben hesitated, then, instinctively, tasted it.
"Huh… it's… really good," she admitted. The flavor reminded her of drinks she had shared with Ran as a child.
"See? I told you it's delicious! After this cup, you and Ran will look even more like a perfect pair. Couples start picking up each other's habits over time. Both of you love osmanthus sake… you're clearly meant for each other!"
Tsunade, a veteran of countless drinking parties, had a talent for charming people with alcohol. Ben, with her innocent, trusting nature, drank it down in one go, completely falling into Tsunade's playful trap.
Tsunade mused quietly to herself, watching the scene unfold. How could a girl like this resist the charm of that little Uchiha? That brat is hopelessly flirtatious… unlike Shinju or Dan, he wants many wives. This is so different…
Her thoughts drifted, and for the first time in a long while, she felt a small relief. Memories of Dan blurred at the edges, and the tight knot of her own heart loosened just a little.