Kanto Region, Vermilion City, docks.
After changing into casual clothes and slightly disguising their appearances, Sato and Lance arrived at the morning market by Vermilion City's docks.
The pungent stench of fish filled the air. Fishermen hawking seafood were everywhere, and even the last trace of morning chill had long been swept away by the bustling crowd.
"Brother Lance, we came here to..."
Once Sato saw that no one around them was paying attention, he casually asked Lance.
"To catch a few people."
Lance's answer was equally simple. Then, pretending to be curious, he walked to a stall surrounded by onlookers.
"Good grief, this moray eel is huge! This is my first time seeing one this big!"
"Not just you, it's my first time catching one too! See that wide-open mouth? If it bites you, it could snap your fingers right off!"
The stall owner was an uncle in his forties. His dark, shriveled skin was clearly the result of daily exposure to wind and sun.
Though he was an utterly ordinary fisherman, he was more of a talker than the other stall owners.
More and more people gathered to watch. Under the stall owner's guidance, everyone became increasingly convinced that such a huge moray eel was rare and valuable.
Just a few minutes later, someone bought the moray eel at a high price, and the stall owner took the opportunity to sell some more seafood.
Only after there was nothing left to watch did the crowd gradually disperse.
Lance gave Sato a look. Then his whole aura changed. Though he made no obvious movement, he suddenly seemed like an honest, down-to-earth middle-aged man.
Seeing this, Sato also reined in his presence, hunched his shoulders slightly, and silently followed behind Lance.
From the side, the two looked very much like