In the end, Uchiha Ran was gently pushed away by Tsunade. Even though she had already accepted him deep down, the pace of their closeness was still overwhelming for her.
Even a bold and outspoken woman like Tsunade needed a moment to maintain her composure. And this was still the main camp—if someone walked by and saw them like this, it would be a disaster.
"This is my genjutsu, Tsunade-senpai," Uchiha Ran said, explaining carefully.
Seeing her confusion, he elaborated on the mechanism of his treatment. Tsunade's fear of blood—her hemophobia—originated from shadows of her past. Even if she had reconciled with herself, those shadows still haunted her. Uchiha Ran explained that his genjutsu was triggered by her own subconscious. He didn't know exactly what she would see, but by confronting these fears and pairing it with the subtle influence of his Sharingan, her perception of blood could be altered—and with the blood no longer appearing red, her phobia could finally be overcome.
Of course, Ran wasn't being completely honest. The genjutsu he used, Floating Life Like a Dream, manipulated all five senses. Everything Tsunade heard, saw, or felt was carefully orchestrated by him.
The best way to forget past emotional pain, he reasoned, was to open the heart to a new connection. This wasn't some underhanded trick—he simply didn't want her to suffer under the weight of ghosts from the past.
And by this logic… why couldn't Tsunade's new feelings be for him, Uchiha Ran? It was obvious she already held deep affection for him.
Well, clearly, the descendants of the Uchiha and Senju were something else.
Tsunade took a steadying breath and addressed him: "Alright, Ran… let's do this. Apply the permanent suggestion."
"Understood, Tsunade-senpai." Ran's smile shone, and the three tomoe of his Sharingan flickered with light.
"Senpai, do you want to see how your hemophobia treatment works?" he asked, drawing a kunai.
Tsunade felt a bad premonition. "Ran… what are you planning?"
He didn't answer. Calmly, he slashed his own arm with the kunai. A thin stream of blood flowed—but as Tsunade's eyes widened, she realized it wasn't red at all. It was clear, like water.
Her heart raced. Fear surged, but then she noticed it wasn't really blood. Relief washed over her as she murmured, "Ran… don't move, I'll heal your arm with my Mitotic Palm Technique."
She focused her chakra, feeling her fear of blood fade slightly as she worked.
Once the wound was sealed, she looked up at him in astonishment. "Ran… the three-tomoe Sharingan suggestion… it's that effective?"
Seeing his arm fully healed without a single scar, Ran reflected on the legends of Hashirama Senju—the God of Shinobi himself—whose cells could even resist blindness from the Mangekyō Sharingan. The efficiency of medical ninjutsu never ceased to amaze him. "Thank you for your effort, Tsunade-senpai…" he said softly.
Tsunade's eyes sparkled with genuine joy. "Really… really. I'm still afraid, but now it's something I can overcome. Thank you, Ran!"
Ran stepped closer. "Senpai… I like more than just red. I like you. Be my girlfriend."
He was bold, direct, and unapologetic—a true Uchiha who believed that a thick enough skin could handle multiple affections.
Tsunade froze, her face flushing crimson as she lowered her gaze. "C-cough… I'm a Senju, and you're an Uchiha. I'm twenty years older, I'm stubborn, I have many flaws… how… how can you…"
Ran tilted his head, blinking in mild confusion at her hesitance.
"I don't care! Tsunade-senpai, I like you. There's no why. Thirty-something or twenty-something, I'll always like you. Forty, fifty—still the same. I like the confident, unique you."
Tsunade's thoughts scattered, overwhelmed by his words. This mischievous little Uchiha spoke so convincingly… could it be that she…
Seeing her distracted, Ran decided to go all in. His gaze fell on her vibrant red lips. Leaning in, he kissed her.
Tsunade's eyes went wide in surprise. She didn't resist. Ran took the chance to deepen the kiss, parting her lips and intertwining their tongues in a slow, sensual rhythm. Gradually, she stopped resisting, even starting to enjoy it.
Feeling her responses, Ran paused, tracing gentle lines along her body, letting her breathe and warm up to the intimacy.
After a while, Tsunade's eyes cleared. She saw him grinning mischievously.
"Damn you… evil little Uchiha!" she exclaimed, both embarrassed and flustered.
"Ha! Tsunade-senpai, since you're not pushing me away, we might as well officially be a couple. Boyfriends and girlfriends can hug and kiss, you know~" Ran teased, delighted by her reaction.
Tsunade bit her lip. How had she been deceived by this Uchiha's appearance? She thought he was different… but clearly, it was just her illusion.
But wait… hadn't he mentioned he still liked Sarutobi?
"Hey! Did you just say you still like Asuma?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.
Ran's smile turned awkward. "Heh… why choose between what's in your hand and what's in the pot?"
Tsunade glared at him.
"I grew up with Asuma, I like him, yes—but Tsunade-sensei, from the moment I met you, I liked you too. A shinobi never faces multiple-choice questions—I take it all!" Ran made a playful gesture, and Tsunade could only roll her eyes, defeated by this greedy little Uchiha.
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