Chapter 188: I feel like I've done this before...

Homura stepped into the familiar weapons shop, greeted by the imposing figure of Ten Ten's father. The man's stern gaze bore into him as if he could see right through his intentions.

"Hm, you're here? I haven't seen you in a while. Back to try to seduce my angel again, are you, boy?" Ten Ten's father said, his tone accusatory.

Homura let out an exasperated sigh, feeling annoyed by the man's assumptions. "No," he replied tersely, trying to keep his frustration in check. Ten Ten's weird father is truly weird and outright delusional, he thought to himself. Though Ten Ten is not bad, she seems to one day bloom into a beautiful flower. I have... better standards. Besides, she should be in love with Lee or Negi or something.

The man continued, his voice growing more accusatory with each word. "I know your type, you ruffian, pretty boy. I still remember you getting arrested last year for trying to scam some poor girl. You come and smooth talk my daughter into becoming your friend and then girlfriend—"

Homura cut him off, feeling a surge of irritation rising within him. "Urgh! What!?" he exclaimed, feeling a mix of frustration and indignation. He's the first person to call me handsome... though I believe he said pretty, not what I wanted to be called by another man. I so need something like a small scar or tattoo.

"Don't pretend with me. That's not how you pretty boys act!" Ten Ten's father continued, his voice rising with anger. "And then once she is in your hands, you will leave her behind! I simply won't have it! You hear me? Never! Absolutely never! My little girl can't become broken-hearted by a bastard like you!"

Homura felt his patience wearing thin as he listened to the man's accusations. "Is that so? Wait, no, no, no. I didn't come here to see your daughter or something! Do your job and sell me the stuff I want already!" he retorted, trying to steer the conversation back to business. I swear if the prices were not one of the cheapest to buy in bulk and sturdy, I'd have gone somewhere else already. Besides, I really need some protective gear in case things go south.

"Never! Our store has a strict policy against trash." The man replied by crossing his arms and looking away from Homura.

"Aren't you just talking about faulty products? But if you're talking about faulty products I have some misgivings about the kunai set you sold me last time, so I'd like to get a ref- " Homura was unable to finish his ranting as the man hit the table with both hands.

"Are products are the best in the village! I have even delivered a custom weapon to the hokage himself and was praised by him, so I don't a little scammer trying his best and failing to convince me!" The man declared.

"Don't you feel that maybe, just maybe your wrong about me? Don't you feel that maybe there is more to me than a handsome boy cursed by a bigger fate of being too awesome? That perhaps, I, I am being the victim of a jealous wicked maiden who failed to capture my pure heart?" Homura stated, with the acting skills of a 6th grader.

"…No. I trust my instincts the most," the shop owner said without a hint of doubt.

"(If he's going to be like that I'll have to-!… wait, have we have had a similar conversation before? I don't think so… he does threatens me every time I happen to come by…)…*sigh* You know, me and you're wife…we just happen to coincidentally buy groceries from the same shop, and we just coincidentally met yesterday…" Homura said in a slightly conflicted tone.

The man's expression softened slightly as Homura mentioned the possibility of talking to his wife. "Eh? My wife?!" he exclaimed, his eyes widening in shock.

Homura nodded, a smug smirk playing on his lips. "Yes. And I explained to her since now I am a shinobi, I am so scared that something may happen to my pour grandfather…if, if I were never able to comeback home, but I need the money and live up to my family's honor and legacy, she was so carrying to listen to my issues… but I wonder what she will say if the next time we meet I happen to tell her that a certain someone refused to sell me some gear when a show up with both of my arms in a cast… I am sure she will have a very pleasant conversation with you," he replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm and a wicked smile.

None of what Homura had said was true but it could become true, he keeps tabs on a lot of individuals, adding one more person was no big feat.

"Darn you... I knew you were nothing but trouble even as a little brat," Ten Ten's father muttered, his tone resigned. "Though I guess I have no choice…this time,"

Homura's smirk widened, feeling a sense of victory wash over him. "You don't say. I guess I have no other choice as well than to buy something since I do support local business owners," he responded, his voice laced with smugness.

The man grunted in response, clearly unimpressed by Homura's attitude. "Hmph! Whatever! Too bad for you, Ten Ten already went for a mission with actual decent boys of good character, and not some cheap, vile skirt chaser like you," he retorted, his tone disdainful.

Homura chuckled inwardly, finding the man's insults amusing. Skirt chaser? The skirts in this world are long, there is nothing to see. And the girls who wear short skirts are almost all shinobi who get angry (deadly) if you peek at them... this guy knows nothing of how unfair this world truly is, he thought to himself.

Suddenly, Ten Ten's father's demeanor shifted, and he seemed to realize something. "Hm?... Wait a second... the last few times you came, Ten Ten was also not here. She had left to train on her own... nine times if I remembered correctly," he mused, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.

Homura felt a surge of panic rising within him as the man made the connection. Sht! This guy... how obsessed is he with his own daughter? I remember pointless things because I can't help it most of the time, but to think he would see a pattern of nine times... for a normal person, that would simply be a coincidence. It's a nine-time coincidence!*

"I-it's a coincidence! Besides if you keep tabs on your daughter so much you're going to be hated, ladies hate pushy guys, you know?" Homura stammered, trying to divert the man's attention away from his observation.

"S-sh*t up! And why are you acting like you've been caught, huh? Maybe it is not a coincidence after all tell me," the man's face got closer to Homura, to the point that they could only see each other in their field of vision.

"W-why would I come only when she's not here? S-she is such a pretty girl. O-of course, I'd want to see her if I get the chance! (Please believe!)"

The man narrowed his eyes, his gaze piercing into Homura's soul. "Hmph! I don't believe you. You have the face of someone who lies a lot, no, you're just a liar," he muttered, his tone skeptical.

Homura felt a pang of guilt as he realized the truth in the man's words. I hate lying, but I can't deny it, he thought to himself, feeling a sense of shame wash over him.

The man's demeanor softened slightly as he continued. "But it is true that anyone would want to see my angel's perfect smile. For that alone, you are safe today. Just be sure not to talk to my daughter," he said, his tone gruff but somewhat understanding.

Homura nodded, feeling relieved that he had managed to avoid any further accusations. "Phew. Sure," he replied, his voice tinged with relief.

"Now, order quickly! I don't want you bothering the customers," Ten Ten's father said, his tone brusque.

Homura glanced around the empty shop, feeling a sense of confusion. "What customers?" he muttered under his breath, realizing that there was no one else in the store besides them.

The man scowled at him, clearly annoyed by his comment. "Shut your trap! They are coming! You just don't know anything about business or running a store," he retorted, his tone irritated.

Homura decided to drop the subject, not wanting to further antagonize the man. "Well, that's fair. But... I also think you don't want Ten Ten-san to see me here, though. Because you're afraid that she might actually fall for me, huh?" he said, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

The man's face turned red with anger, and he raised his lance threateningly. "You little! I knew you were nothing but a little bastard," he growled, his voice filled with rage.

Homura held up his hands in surrender, feeling a sense of panic wash over him. "No, no, no. I'm just saying things... but a little discount won't hurt, or I could always come back later. Let's say seven?" he suggested, trying to diffuse the tension.

The man glared at him for a moment before relenting, his anger subsiding slightly. "You'd only get one over my dead body," he muttered, his tone grudging.

Homura chuckled nervously, feeling relieved that he had managed to avoid a confrontation. Oh boy, I shouldn't have pushed him this far... I could tell he was semi-serious, he thought to himself, feeling a sense of regret wash over him.

"Alright, fine. No need for a discount," Homura said, his voice tinged with resignation.

The man grunted in response, clearly still annoyed by their exchange. "Order and leave quickly. You hear?" he said, his tone dismissive.

Homura nodded, feeling a sense of relief that he could finally leave. "Yep. Got it," he replied, his voice tinged with relief.

As he made his way out of the shop, Homura couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over him. Well, that was... eventful, he thought to himself, shaking his head in disbelief. I definitely need to find another weapons shop next time.