The next day.
At sunrise, Tsugikuni Yoriichi woke up early. After washing up and changing clothes, he went to find Kuzan.
When Yoriichi arrived at the cabin where Kuzan was resting, Kuzan had not actually woken up yet. He was startled awake by Tsugikuni Yoriichi's knock.
Opening the door and leading Yoriichi into the room, Kuzan glanced at the clock on the wall, unable to stop himself from yawning as he asked sleepily, "Hey, Yoriichi, it's only five thirty."
"Did something happen? Why are you looking for me so early?"
"If this isn't important, I definitely won't forgive you! Do you know how late I stayed up last night? Recruiting people willing to relocate really is a tedious job!"
Kuzan groggily sat back down on the bed. He was wearing light-blue pajamas, with an eye mask still on his forehead. As he spoke to Tsugikuni Yoriichi, his hand had already moved to the eye mask, intending to get some more sleep.
"I have some leads on the child disappearance cases in Migo Town."
"I came to ask for your help."
Tsugikuni Yoriichi sat on the stool by the desk in Kuzan's room, his long sword resting at his side. With his arms folded across his chest, he spoke to Kuzan.
Kuzan jolted at those words, all sleepiness instantly gone. His body, which had just been leaning back toward the bed, abruptly straightened. He stared blankly at Tsugikuni Yoriichi and could not help crying out, "You have a lead?! So quickly?!"
"Tell me, what lead? How do you need me to help?"
Kuzan asked urgently, no trace of his earlier laziness remaining.
"I haven't fully confirmed the details yet. I need several subordinates who understand navigation, as well as a ship capable of long voyages."
"My lead isn't on this island."