Hidden in the darkness, Nishikawa Tetsu quietly watched the Burly Man lead several researchers as they carefully packed the extracted mucus into crates, then left the Undersea Plaza through another hidden passage in the Temple.
Only after confirming that their presences had completely vanished from his sensory range did Nishikawa Tetsu slowly step out from the stone pillar's shadow.
"So that Burly Man must be the chairman they mentioned. As chairman of the Rivers-and-Seas Trading Company, he came all the way to these Deep-Sea Ruins himself to conduct such dangerous cell-extraction experiments, just to cure his illness and keep it from affecting his unborn child."
Nishikawa Tetsu looked in the direction they had left and rubbed his chin.
"This chairman does care about his family. I just wonder whether he knows about the trading company's dark side."
Nishikawa Tetsu approached the stone platform where the researchers had operated their equipment. A few drafts and discarded data sheets they had left behind were still scattered across it.
He picked up several loose pages and quickly scanned them. Most of their contents consisted of chemical equations and concentration ratios for the neutralization reaction between Sea Hare cell extracts and natural energy. Though somewhat disorganized, they confirmed his earlier suspicions.
"The methods are crude, but they're on the right track." Nishikawa Tetsu tucked the loose pages into his Ninja Tool Pouch.
Then he turned and directed his gaze toward the enormous Sea Hare in the center of the plaza.
Sea Hare still lay quietly on the Ancient Magic Circle, which radiated green light. His massive, translucent body rose and fell slightly with each breath.
Nishikawa Tetsu took a deep breath and completely suppressed his chakra, slowly approaching Sea Hare as though he were an ordinary person.
"Gurgle..." Sensing someone approach, Sea Hare lifted