— What's so special about it? — Uzumaki Mito replied with a faint smile, accepting the reins offered by Hiruzen. — But you know, Shosen Jutsu is extremely hard to master. Even a talented medical ninja would need at least a year or a year and a half to learn it properly.
— Um… — Hiruzen hesitated for a moment. — But I heard Uchiha Ran managed to learn it after just one demonstration from Tsunade…
— It's true, — Mito nodded. — In terms of talent for medical techniques… even Tsunade can't compare to him.
With that, she handed Hiruzen a cup of tea and fell silent again, returning to her brewing.
—
— Lady Mito, did you summon me today for a reason? — Hiruzen took the initiative when she didn't continue.
— It's about a boy named Uchiha Ran, — Mito answered with a smile. — He spent the seven most important years of his life with no training whatsoever. They simply… ruined him.
— But you saw his talent for yourself. I've never met anyone with such a natural gift — both in medicine and medical ninjutsu.
— I want him to become a medical ninja. To serve the village. What do you say?
— That's… — Hiruzen fell into thought.
He knew Uzumaki Mito too well. Despite her gentle appearance, she never spoke without purpose. If she brought it up — it meant the decision was already made. How could he refuse now?
— I'm not trying to put you in a difficult position, — Mito read his thoughts. — You're the Hokage — it's your decision. I'm just offering advice.
— Do you know why Tobirama disliked that child? — she suddenly asked.
— I do, — Hiruzen nodded grimly. — But even at the end of his life, Tobirama gave us no explanations. Only an order.
He was a straightforward man. He never lied. If he thought something — he said it. If he disapproved of the Uchiha clan — he never hid it. But to explain this action… he couldn't. Just a suspicion born of a single look. Nothing more, nothing less.
— It was far too childish, — Mito sighed, displeased. — He's no longer with us, so I won't judge him… but if he were, I'd have told him off to his face.
— How could a Hokage destroy a child's life just because the boy smiled at the wrong moment?
— All of this… just because he's an Uchiha?
— Um… — Hiruzen was at a loss for words.
— Go ahead, say it, don't be afraid, — Mito gently urged him.
Sighing, Sarutobi said:
— We've suppressed Ran for so long… Naturally, he harbors resentment. While he's weak, it's not a threat. But if he grows stronger — won't he become a danger to the village?
— A reasonable concern, — Mito nodded, acknowledging his point.
— Here's what I think, — she paused, then said the key part. — No matter what you think of Tobirama's words, they shouldn't be dismissed entirely. He was afraid — and maybe not without reason.
— But that boy missed his chance to become a proper combatant. He'll never be a full-fledged fighter. So let him be.
— But his gift for medicine must not be wasted. I propose we allow him to extract chakra only, to become a medical ninja and serve the village. No ninjutsu, no combat training.
— Of course, he should still be watched. I know how much you revere Tobirama.
— It would just mean one more talented medical ninja for the village. How is that a bad thing? There's no real reason to deny it.
— After all, the boy has never done anything to harm the village. Not once has he shown any inclination to.
— If anyone objects — tell them it was my idea. Not you, Sarutobi Hiruzen, disobeying Tobirama's orders — I'm the one who told you to do it.
At this stage, Sarutobi Hiruzen hadn't yet become the doddering old fool, so Uzumaki Mito let him keep his dignity.
And since things had gone this far, Sarutobi Hiruzen could no longer refuse and nodded:
— Very well. I agree.
With Hiruzen's agreement, Uzumaki Mito visibly brightened.
Little Tsuna… Grandma can only help you this far.
The rest is up to you.
The longer you live, the longer your list of accomplishments becomes.
Though every time Uchiha Ran is mentioned, Tsunade grits her teeth and looks like she wants to devour him alive...
But really, when a girl that age repeats a boy's name day in and day out — isn't it obvious what that means?
To Uzumaki Mito, it was clear Tsunade had long since locked Uchiha Ran away deep inside her heart.
She just hadn't admitted it to herself yet.
Naturally, that idiot Uchiha Ran didn't seem to realize it at all — in fact, he thought Tsunade was just annoying.
As for the Uchiha clan — Uzumaki Mito, like Senju Hashirama, held no prejudice.
But when it came to children's matters — she wasn't going to interfere. Let them sort it out themselves.
—
The Namikaze Residence.
— Uncle, I'm home!
Returning from work, Uchiha Ran called out loudly for Namikaze Shajin.
— >>Note: first loss, ^again^ ill-timed — Shajin ruffled his hair in consolation.
News of what had happened at the Konoha hospital had already spread — Namikaze Shajin, of course, had heard.
— Heh, don't worry, Uncle. I didn't take it to heart, — and that was true.
The stunt he pulled today was only to provoke Tsunade — to see if he could use her to loosen the village's restrictions and eventually find a way to escape.
— Where's Minato? — Looking around and not seeing Namikaze Minato, Uchiha Ran asked.
— Probably still training, — Shajin replied with a mix of pride and worry. — That boy is good at everything, but he pushes himself way too hard during training.
But no sooner had he spoken than the door burst open with a bang and Namikaze Minato came running in.
— Dad, big brother, I'm back!
— Brat, wash your hands. It's dinner time.
As for how Uchiha Ran came to live with Namikaze Minato and became his "brother" — that started seven years ago.
Namikaze Shajin and his wife weren't shinobi — just ordinary Konoha citizens.
Though over the years, Uchiha Ran had come to believe there was something unusual about Shajin's blood — perhaps he was descended from someone great.
But by the time it got to Shajin himself, he was the last of the Namikaze clan left in Konoha — there was no way to trace their lineage anymore.
Shajin and his wife had been married for nearly twenty years but had never been able to have children — a shared sorrow for them both.
The Namikaze line was on the verge of extinction.
Around that time, thanks to Uchiha Kagami's efforts, Uchiha Ran had been officially expelled from the clan and no longer had any ties to them.
When Shajin saw the boy who had just moved in next door, something stirred in his heart — he immediately felt a connection.
He submitted an adoption request right away.
They had no child of their own — but an adopted son was no less dear.
And after Uchiha Ran moved in with them, he showed incredible respect and devotion toward the couple — and completely won their hearts.