Hearing Uchiha Ran's words, Tsunade turned her head in mild surprise. Her cherry lips parted as she spoke softly.
"What is it, Ran? Are you surprised that the Land of Birds has such a beautiful place?"
"Yeah… honestly, I didn't expect this at all," Ran replied with a faint smile. "I always thought the scenery of the Land of Fire was already one of a kind. I never imagined the Land of Birds could be this beautiful too. It's really nice… a place like this, where it's just you and me, Tsunade-jie."
Unlike the bustling prosperity of cities, the wilderness of the Land of Birds was wrapped in tranquility and peace.
The slope where Uchiha Ran and Tsunade lay was utterly deserted. There were no human voices—only birdsong and the steady chorus of cicadas. The stillness made it feel as though they had stepped into another world entirely.
From their position, they could see distant mountain ranges rolling one after another, peaks veiled in thin layers of mist. Lying on the slope, they felt the cool breeze brushing across their faces, as though they could hear nature itself breathing.
This kind of serenity had the power to calm the heart, washing away worldly worries and noise.
"This really is a wonderful place," Tsunade said with a sigh. "Staying somewhere like this for a long time would bring peace of mind. It would even be extremely helpful for comprehending Sage Mode."
"Yeah," Ran said softly. "But the most beautiful thing here isn't the scenery—it's that you're here with me, Tsunade-jie."
Lying beside her, gazing at her beautiful face and long golden hair, Ran couldn't help but speak words filled with warmth.
"Tsunade-jie… I really want to be with you forever."
Tsunade turned toward him, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"There's no such thing as forever," she said gently. "You're always saying sweet things. You'd be better off thinking about when this war will finally end…"
Ran reached out and held her slender fingers.
"Do you know, Tsunade-jie… I used to drift through life without direction. It wasn't until my parents died that I truly woke up. If it weren't for Sister Mikoto, Kurenai, Sister Ryūka, and everyone else, I might not have been able to accept it all. And it was because of you, Tsunade-jie, that I finally understood what I wanted. When I saw you struck down by Scorch Release… that was the moment I truly realized how I felt."
Hearing his words, Tsunade lowered her head shyly, burying her flushed face against her chest. But she quickly steadied herself—after all, she was Tsunade, not some delicate young girl.
"You really are something," she said, tapping his forehead lightly. Yet joy and sweetness flowed unmistakably in her eyes.
"Haha, Tsunade-jie, you're blushing," Ran teased. "It's rare to see such a confident, bold big sister get shy."
"Hmph… that's what happens when you're a famous beauty in the ninja world with no experience," he muttered with a grin.
"Tsunade-jie, look—what kind of bird is that?" Ran suddenly pointed into the distance.
Following his gaze, Tsunade saw a blue-green bird leaping between treetops before disappearing into the sky.
"…I've never seen a bird like that before," she murmured.
Ran quietly extended the spatial power of Takamagahara, ensuring there was no strange presence watching them. Seeing Tsunade's beautiful profile, he couldn't resist—he made his move.
He leaned in quickly and stole a brief kiss.
It was only a fleeting touch, light as a dragonfly skimming water, yet Tsunade reacted immediately.
She glared at him. "Ran, how can you just take advantage of your big sister like that?"
"Hehe, that's because Tsunade-jie is too beautiful," Ran said with a mischievous grin, scratching his head and adjusting his glasses. "I couldn't help myself."
"Tch. You innately evil little Uchiha—always so slick with words. Who did you learn that from?" Tsunade thought to herself. This brat really isn't as innocent as he looks…
As the sky gradually darkened, stars began to appear one by one. Under the moonlight, the scattered glow looked dreamlike and unreal.
Ran and Tsunade exchanged a glance, then smiled in perfect unison, lying quietly on the slope as they admired the night sky.
The Milky Way seemed to flow slowly across the heavens, countless strands of starlight weaving together into a perfect painting.
"So beautiful," Tsunade whispered.
Ran nodded in agreement. He never imagined the world could hold something so breathtaking.
The cicadas' cries seemed to grow louder…
The two of them looked at each other, wishing that this beautiful starlight could last forever.
Ran gently held Tsunade's hand, and under their locked gazes, he leaned closer and closer.
"Tsunade-jie…"
His voice was slightly hoarse.
Hearing him, Tsunade closed her eyes, lips pressed together, her lashes trembling faintly.
"…Mm." She let out a soft sound—so faint it was barely audible, yet to Ran, it echoed like thunder.
His heart pounded, blood surging, his thoughts burning like fire.
He gazed at Tsunade's closed eyes and trembling lips, unable to stop himself from moving closer. The distance between them vanished inch by inch until their breaths intertwined.
Tsunade kept her eyes shut, afraid that if she opened them, she'd see that unmistakably assertive look in Ran's eyes.
Suddenly, warmth brushed her lips, sending a shiver through her entire body.
Her thoughts went blank as sensation overwhelmed her. She instinctively wanted to refuse, yet found herself unable—or perhaps unwilling—to do so. The woman who could shatter mountains with a punch felt strangely powerless in this moment.
No… I can't just let him take the lead, she thought fiercely. I'm Tsunade. I won't lose to a kid this much younger than me!
With that resolve, she responded in kind.
The shift was subtle, yet unmistakable.
The balance turned.
Caught off guard, Ran felt his momentum reverse as Tsunade refused to yield, meeting him head-on.
The unfamiliar sensation sent Tsunade's heartbeat racing, her breathing uneven, a soft flush spreading across her fair complexion.
Their closeness lingered, neither willing to retreat.
"…Gulp."
A quiet swallowing sound escaped Ran's throat.