"Th-thank you… may I ask your name?"
To Uzumaki Asuhina, Uchiha Ran was a shaft of light piercing the darkness of her despair. Seeing his outstretched hand, her clothes torn and half-revealing her, she reached out and clutched his hands tightly.
What Asuhina didn't know was that even someone as composed as Ran had briefly lost his composure.
She was breathtaking—red hair cascading over her shoulders, her partially exposed body alluring even in the pale moonlight. Her black eyes were clouded with tears, yet glimmered like faint starlight. Her lips trembled slightly, and the corners of her misty eyes held crystalline droplets.
Asuhina gripped Ran's hands firmly, pulling herself upright. She wiped her tears and managed a trembling, yet radiant, smile.
"Thank… you… truly… thank you for saving me! My name is Asuhina. Please… tell me your name?"
In that moment, Asuhina's heart stirred. Ran had intervened, eliminating the threat that would have caused her harm. Gratitude and an unfamiliar warmth began to bloom in her chest. Indeed, the old saying held true: a hero who saves a maiden can easily capture her heart.
"I'm Uchiha Ran. Remember that," he said softly, his tone calm yet comforting, echoing gently in her ears.
"I… may I call you Lord Ran?" she asked, hesitating, her voice tiny and cautious.
At that moment, Tsunade stepped through the doorway. "Asuhina? What's your family name?"
Hearing Tsunade's voice, Asuhina recoiled in fright. She ducked instinctively behind Ran. Despite Tsunade's beauty and lack of hostility, Asuhina trusted only the one who had just saved her.
Observing the girl's evasive reaction, Tsunade's brow furrowed. She felt a subtle irritation rise in her chest—not at Asuhina, but at Konoha itself.
When her gaze shifted to Ran, however, that irritation melted away, leaving only admiration—and a little envy of his ability to attract attention. "My little Ran… always drawing bees and butterflies," she thought with a wry smile.
"This is Tsunade, Asuhina. You can call her Tsunade-nee, just like I do. She's very kind, don't worry," Ran reassured her.
Timidly, Asuhina whispered, "Tsunade-nee…"
"And… I'm sorry, Tsunade-sama. I only know my name is Asuhina… isn't that my surname too?"
Her voice trembled. Memories of her early years were fragmented, scattered among transient homes. The only certainty she had was her given name: Asuhina.
Tsunade studied her face carefully. Seeing the fleeting sadness in her eyes, she spoke gently:
"Red hair is extremely rare in the shinobi world. Only survivors of the Uzushiogakure Uzumaki clan had hair of this color. The Uzumaki were distant relatives of the Senju clan."
Asuhina lifted her head, meeting Tsunade's gaze. "So… I am an Uzumaki? A distant relative of Tsunade-sama? But… are you judging me just by my hair color?"
"Yes… but not only that," Tsunade explained. "The Uzumaki and Senju clans are distant relatives, and both possess extraordinary vitality. Certain exceptional individuals can even heal injuries by biting their own flesh and drawing their blood."
"You're one of those exceptional individuals," Tsunade continued gravely. "That's why your situation was so dangerous."
Asuhina's eyes widened as realization dawned. Her odd abilities, her unusual resilience—it all made sense. She was a child of the Uzumaki, a bloodline power unique to the Uzumaki and Senju.
"What… what should I do?" she asked, panicked, gripping Ran's arm.
"You must have suffered so much…" Ran said softly, brushing a hand through her red hair, his voice heavy with tenderness.
At his words, Asuhina could no longer hold back her tears. She collapsed into Ran's embrace, sobbing uncontrollably.
Ran held her tightly, whispering, "It's okay… let it all out, Asuhina. After this, come with me and Tsunade-nee. Your life is just beginning. Say goodbye to those dark days—every day from now on will be happy. I promise."
"Thank you… thank you so much!" Asuhina cried, clinging to him.
Tsunade watched quietly, a faint smirk on her lips. "You're so gentle, little Ran. Are you always this kind to every beautiful woman you meet?"
Ran chuckled, a little exasperated. "Tsunade-nee… I admit it. But Asuhina is an exception. She's innocent, pure, and utterly pitiful."
"Hah… meeting you, she's both lucky and unlucky at the same time," Tsunade teased, giving him a playful glare. "You really do stir trouble wherever you go."
Ran gently stroked Asuhina's soft, red hair, appreciating the tenderness of her fragile form without a trace of impropriety.
After some time, Asuhina finally managed to calm her tears. Blushing slightly, she stepped out of Ran's embrace and began adjusting her clothes.
"I'm… I'm so sorry, Lord Ran! I even got your clothes wet. Here, let me help clean them!" she exclaimed, flustered.
Ran couldn't help but smile. The sight of this twenty-year-old woman, so innocent, so sincere, tugged at his heart. He gently ruffled her hair.
"Alright, Asuhina. You'll wait in my world for us. Tsunade-nee and I have missions to handle for a while. You stay safe here until we return."
Asuhina nodded obediently. She understood that lingering here would do nothing but hinder Ran and Tsunade.
Before leaving, she called out with determination: "Lord Ran! Please… come back safely! And… please, let me come with you!"