Indeed, Minato had already made the task of finding him a challenge as it was, having to put up with escape attempts would have probably been a little bit too much. There was a reason behind the distance Ace had kept, and it was to offer a choice; he found some relief in knowing that the younger boy's resolution let him stay for a while longer.

"A fair observation." With that, he moved slightly closer, placing hand against the railing while the other rested at his hip. "Are you all right, Minato?"

Ace knew the importance of being alone better than most, but the nature of the evening left him with a belief that it was nothing but a call for all the Heroes to stand together, united, in the face of the unknown. It was unlikely that Minato would agree with such philosophy, but the teenager's understanding wasn't required at that point, as long as he wasn't left entirely on his own.