When Mamoru stopped speaking, a lingering tension remained in the living room.
"That's quite the story." Tenten's father suddenly interjected, his tone carrying a hint of deliberate mockery.
He was determined today not to let this young man have things too easy.
"Dear, honestly..." Tenten's mother shot her husband a chiding look, then turned to Mamoru, her tone gentle. "These are all true events. I've heard quite a bit of discussion from the customers in the shop recently."
"Dad, it's true." Tenten nodded vigorously.
"I was at the Chunin Exams venue too. I saw Mamoru fighting others. It's just that my teammates and I were held back by ninjas from Otogakure and couldn't break free." Her voice lowered, tinged with reluctance.
Seeing his closest wife and daughter siding with an outsider, Tenten's father felt embarrassed, which only fueled his 'rebellious' spirit.
He cleared his throat and looked at his daughter. "Tenten, you just said you couldn't break free, so how could you see the whole event? Also, how can a mere Genin prove that those thrilling scenes he described are all true? You can't believe everything you don't witness yourself."
"Just because I didn't see it doesn't mean it's false." Tenten retorted softly, her cheeks slightly puffed out.
"Tenten, don't be so gullible and biased." Tenten's father adopted a reasonable posture, gently tapping his finger on the tabletop.
"Many things change flavor after being passed around by different people. The truth is often exaggerated or even distorted."
He spoke earnestly, yet his gaze subtly flickered toward Mamoru, filled with provocation.
Seeing this, Mamoru couldn't help but complain internally—Are you a child too? Why the need to argue over who is right?
Although, deep down, Mamoru actually agreed—rumors not personally witnessed or heard should not be lightly believed.
However, his narration this time was genuinely unembellished, as the actual experience was already dramatic and thrilling enough.
He smiled and, knowing better, played along with the man's words, offering him an out, "Uncle has a point. Stories inevitably have some embellished parts. Actually, back then, I also owe a lot to Hokage-sama for looking out for a junior. He stepped forward at the critical moment and created an opportunity for me, which is why I was able to perform later."
"..."
Tenten's father hadn't expected him to respond like this. He was momentarily speechless and fell silent for a moment.
The young man's frank admission of 'exaggeration' made it difficult for him to press the matter further.
He took the easy way out, his tone softening considerably. "Hmm... Since you earned the approval of Hokage-sama, it indirectly proves that you are indeed outstanding. Still, young people shouldn't get too arrogant."
"Yes, yes, you are absolutely right." Mamoru maintained his smile, readily accepting the advice.
Seeing that this boy was so 'sensible,' Tenten's father's mood improved significantly, and he became more talkative.
He picked up the wine bottle, poured himself a full glass, and then raised the cup toward Mamoru, displaying a heartiness that didn't quite match his usual shrewd and meticulous appearance.
"You are a guest in my house, and as the head of the household, I toast you."
After speaking, he tilted his head back and drained the cup.
"I'm honored." Mamoru quickly stood up, making a move to take the wine flask and pour himself a drink.
Tenten's father reached out to stop him, shaking his head. "You're not old enough yet. You can drink with me when you're older."
"Alright." Mamoru nodded in response, but still picked up the wine bottle and said, "Then I can at least pour your drink, right?"
Tenten's father raised an eyebrow, did not object further, and happily held up his empty cup.
Mamoru steadily poured the cup full for him.
Tenten's mother, watching the scene, showed a gentle smile on her face.
After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became increasingly harmonious.
Tenten's father lowered his voice slightly, offering a mix of parental concern and awkward warning. "Well... I'm not against you liking Tenten."
He paused, glancing at his daughter, whose face had instantly flushed crimson. "But you two are still young, and you have a long road ahead. Don't rush into dating or anything like that, focusing on growing up properly is the right path."
"Dad! W-what are you talking about!" Tenten finally couldn't hold back, covering her face and wailing, her ears completely red.
"Haha, you're shy, how cute." Tenten's mother chuckled teasingly.
"Yes, yes, everything you say is right." Mamoru remained composed, sitting calmly as if he hadn't noticed Tenten's embarrassment.
Looking at his frank and obedient demeanor, Tenten's father suddenly felt that this young man wasn't so annoying after all. He laughed heartily, took another sip of wine, and the small displeasure he had felt earlier had long vanished with the alcohol.
The atmosphere of the conversation that followed was much more relaxed.
Mamoru chatted about everything under the sun. Many of his strange views and observations made Tenten's father nod in agreement at times, and shake his head vigorously at others, yet he no longer directly refuted or denied them.
As the conversation peaked, the topic naturally drifted toward an area of mutual interest—ninja tools.
Some of Mamoru's ingenious ideas regarding the manufacturing and improvement of ninja tools seemed to open a brand new window for Tenten's father.
He was so engrossed that he forgot to lower the wine cup held halfway to his mouth, wondering internally—A Repeating Explosive Crossbow, a Full-Performance Mechanical Umbrella...
Ninja tools could be designed like this? And used in combination this way?
Unconsciously, the man was subtly convinced by the novelty of the other party's insights.
The two exchanged toasts, though Mamoru's cup consistently held soda.
Tenten's father grew increasingly tipsy. In his excitement, he even put his arm around Mamoru's shoulder, slurring his words as he proposed they become sworn brothers, navigating the commercial seas of the Ninja World together and creating a legend.
Naturally, he wasn't truly drunk to that extent. This proposal actually hid a scheme, killing two birds with one stone: once they became 'brothers,' Mamoru would be Tenten's 'uncle' by seniority. Surely the boy wouldn't dare harbor designs on his 'niece'?
At the same time, he could firmly tie this young man with enormous potential to his commercial venture.
After this brief interaction, he understood—no matter where this kid was placed, he would likely thrive.
His strength was exceptional, his insight far surpassed his peers and even most adults. He knew how to gauge people's hearts and adapt to circumstances, yet his responses were neither servile nor overbearing, but calm and composed.
To show such capability and talent at such a young age, he was certainly destined to become an extraordinary figure.
He even speculated privately—if he were the Hokage, he would definitely keep a close watch on such a golden sapling.
Some of the rumors about him circulating in the village might very well have been intentionally spread by the Konoha higher-ups.
If Mamoru knew that during this seemingly casual conversation, the other party had grasped so much information in such a short time, he would probably feel a bit of admiration along with his surprise.
Sure enough, to become Konohagakure's leading 'arms dealer,' one absolutely couldn't maintain their position without genuine insight and exceptional skill.
On the other side, Tenten's mother listened with a constant gentle smile, her gaze occasionally sweeping over the eloquent young man. His face showed none of the nervousness or stage fright common at this age, every word and smile radiated confidence born of true strength.
She quietly looked at Tenten, but an almost imperceptible hint of worry flashed in her eyes.
Falling for a boy like him would likely lead to a very difficult path in the future. He was too outstanding, destined to attract countless eyes, and there would certainly be no shortage of future rivals.
What was more worrying was the young man's inherent nature, which seemed unwilling to be restrained by anything.