Chương 82

The teacup felt delicate between my hands, its warmth seeping into my fingers as I took a slow breath. The scent hit first, earthy, subtle, with a floral sharpness that lingered just long enough to remind me I wasn't sitting in any normal living room. This wasn't casual tea with a friend. This was a performance. A trial wrapped in porcelain, with Sumire Yamanaka watching from across the table like a queen judging court. And yet... the tea was really good.

Sena took a slow sip beside me, her expression unreadable in that perfectly calculated way of hers. Hirotaka, meanwhile, looked completely at ease, as if we were just old friends catching up after a mission, not wading through layers of silent expectations thick enough to chew on. It felt less like tea and more like a high-society balancing act, where one wrong word might land me face-first in the koi pond or accidentally agreeing to something I didn't fully understand.

After a few sips of the tea, an unexpected calm settled over me. I blinked, surprised, and glanced down at the cup in my hands. The taste was rich and grounding, earthy with a touch of floral sharpness that lingered just enough to be noticeable. A faint sweetness followed, delicate and well-timed, never trying to overpower the rest. I wasn't usually a tea person, but this one might be enough to convert me. Looking up, I asked, "Is this tea sold here in Konoha?"

Sena shook her head softly, "No, it's imported from the Land of Tea." I raised an eyebrow slightly, recalling reading about the Land of Tea in the library. The revelation that they had direct connections there gave me another hint, prompting me to ask bluntly, "Hirotaka-sama, are you by chance a merchant?" For the first time, Sumire's flawless composure nearly cracked, a slight twitch appearing on her otherwise perfect face.

Hirotaka smiled with genuine amusement, replying casually, "I suppose I am indeed a kind of merchant." Sumire's gaze shifted sharply from me to him. He simply smiled back at her, continuing in a cheerful tone, "I handle most of the trade flowing in and out of Konoha." Realization struck me immediately, and I thought, "Well, now it makes perfect sense why they're so obscenely rich." Aloud, I politely responded, "Well, thank you for the generous meal and the soul-uplifting tea. It's not often I'm treated this well."

Hirotaka chuckled openly.

"Indeed, I've heard that a decent number of merchants are rather terrified of you because of your aggressive haggling techniques." He laughed heartily, his shoulders shaking slightly. Sumire ignored her amused husband, asking me directly, "Do you rely solely on the stipend provided by the village?" Too embarrassed to mention my meditation "donations," I simply replied, "Yeah. It isn't much, but I have to make it work. That's why I haggle aggressively and hunt for deals."

Hirotaka leaned forward slightly, his expression thoughtful.

"It would certainly be beneficial if a clan backed you. They would ensure you lacked nothing, especially given your exceptional potential." I nodded slowly, taking another refreshing sip.

"True. But I enjoy my freedom. I don't have to answer to anyone, and I can live my life however I choose without any strings attached." Sumire looked intrigued as she remarked, "You think and speak as though you're twice your actual age." I tensed slightly, then relaxed, offering a half-truth with confidence, "I've always been like this." Technically not a lie. They seemed to sense the sincerity behind my words. If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

Sena, gently continuing the thread her parents had begun, asked softly, "Are you absolutely sure you remember nothing from your childhood? No parents' names, siblings, anything that might hint at your origin?" Her sudden question surprised me, but I shook my head calmly.

"Nothing at all. As I said earlier, my first memory was sitting in the middle of all that destruction, surrounded by fire and death. But I plan to create new memories and build my own family one day, so that I'll never feel as alone as I did back then." A sincere smile appeared on my face naturally. Hirotaka returned my smile warmly.

"That's an admirable goal, Noa. Well done, understanding what truly matters at such an early age." Even Sumire seemed quietly pleased with my answer, her expression softening subtly. She then asked carefully, "You've accomplished quite a bit for someone your age. Do you ever wonder why you're different?" If it hadn't been for the relaxing atmosphere of the room and the calming effect of the tea, I might have felt interrogated.

However, my mood was exceptionally good, and it would be impolite not to respond given their kindness and hospitality. Besides, I genuinely liked Hirotaka, so I slowly set my tea down and answered honestly, "This world isn't forgiving. If you simply let it carry you along, you'll drown eventually. Living in that miserable orphanage taught me that harsh lesson. So I decided early on that I'd brace myself against those waves and become strong enough that, someday, they wouldn't move me at all."

Sumire, Sena, and Hirotaka each regarded me closely, their gazes sharp with thoughtful interest. Hirotaka asked next, "What's more important to you, strength or control?" I answered immediately, "They go hand in hand. You can't wield your strength effectively without control, or you'd just become a brute." All three visibly relaxed upon hearing my reply.

"Tell me, Noa," Sumire began suddenly, her voice steady but colder than before.

"Do you believe the village would still protect you if something inconvenient were discovered in your past?" Both Hirotaka and Sena shot her an unreadable look, though I sensed mild irritation radiating from them. I met Sumire's gaze squarely, considering carefully before responding, "Honestly, I don't care. I have no memories of it, and I doubt there's anything significant there. All that matters is who I am right now and who I'll become."

Hirotaka shot me an apologetic look, while Sena continued staring at her mother. My attention drifted down to my now-empty tea cup. Seeing this, Hirotaka poured more tea, steam lazily rising as he offered another bright, reassuring smile. Unlike his wife's previous coldness, his tone was gentle and conversational.

"Noa-kun, do you know what clans truly are?" he asked softly, his eyes focused on the gently rippling surface of his own tea. I raised an eyebrow, unsure if this was another philosophical trap or just trivia.

"Groups with large houses, fancy crests, and far too many rules?" He chuckled warmly.

"Accurate, though incomplete." Sumire, sitting nearby, made a quiet sound that might have been a faint sigh or a suppressed laugh. It was difficult to tell. Hirotaka continued gently, "Clans are power, but not solely in the shinobi sense. They represent memory, stability, and networks of trust forged across generations. A clan doesn't merely raise warriors, it shapes identities, provides shelter, and lifts you up."

He paused, letting his words settle, and his gaze drifted thoughtfully toward the painted panels on the wall.

"When you walk alone, strength must always come from within. Admirable, but exhausting. Yet, when you walk with a clan, your strength is shared and multiplied." I stayed silent, understanding clearly where this conversation was heading. He sipped his tea slowly before turning his gaze back to me, his eyes gentle with invitation rather than calculation.

"Many orphans live in this village. Most get absorbed by the system, a handful get adopted, and fewer still carve their own unique paths. But the rarest of all are those offered something even greater." A silence stretched between us.

"If the right bond is forged, a clan may choose to shelter such a person. And in return, that person chooses them." I stared quietly into my cup, watching reflections waver gently on the tea's surface.

"Of course," he added lightly, "such decisions shouldn't be rushed. They must be mutual, earned, and most importantly, genuinely desired." Sumire finally spoke again, her voice quietly firm.

"To wear a clan's name is to carry its weight and wield its power."

"A clan name isn't given easily to someone from the outside," Hirotaka said, his voice still kind but firm.

"They must have something to offer, something that strengthens the clan, not just another body to carry the name. It's not a burden. It's an opportunity, extended only to those who truly deserve it."