Nishikawa Tetsu fixed his gaze on the enormous Sea Hare in the center of the square and the burly man wearing a metal collar.
A researcher held a thick, specially made syringe and carefully inserted it into a darker patch on the Sea Hare's back.
"Gurgle..."
The Sea Hare let out a faint, low cry and trembled slightly, but it did not resist. Its two thick feelers merely drooped.
As the researcher drew back the plunger, translucent mucus with a faint glow slowly filled the syringe.
"My lord, this extraction should be enough to supply the suppressant in your collar for three months."
The researcher in charge withdrew the syringe and carefully injected the mucus into a sealed metal container. Then he turned to the burly man, sounding puzzled as he offered a tactful suggestion.
"But, my lord, since you need this sea beast's cell extract to keep your body stable, why don't we set up a large Barrier in these ruins and keep it confined here for good?"
The researcher wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"This sea beast is enormous, and it often ventures into shallow waters. It's usually docile, but too much can happen at sea. If another large sea beast attacks it, or a powerful ninja discovers and kills it, your source of suppressant will be gone."
The burly man fell silent for a moment.
He walked up to the Sea Hare's massive head and gently stroked its soft, jellylike skin with his large, calloused, scarred hand.
The Sea Hare seemed to sense his kindness. It narrowed its eyes, gave a contented squeak, and even rubbed its feeler affectionately against his arm.
"It saved my life."
The burly man's voice was deep and rough, but when he spoke of the Sea Hare, it held a rare