Frank Lee?
Sifa could not help taking a closer look at the man the Watchers had labeled "dangerous." The Future's first mate wore overalls, a linen shirt, and a round-brimmed hat with a dent in the crown. He looked like a farmer.
He was around thirty, with a sturdy build that suggested he often did physical labor. His body hair was thick, and his rolled-up sleeves made his arms look as though they were clad in a brown sweater.
"Good afternoon." Sifa took off his hat, held it against his chest, and smiled in reply.
Frank Lee seemed very talkative. Meeting Sifa for the first time did nothing to restrain him, and he casually asked, "Mr. Rayleigh, do you like mushrooms?"
"Mushrooms?" Sifa answered without giving it much thought. "They're all right."
"I've recently been researching crossbreeding techniques. I hope to increase mushroom yields and give them different flavors and textures." The Future's first mate spoke at length, clearly proud of his research.
Without thinking much of it, Sifa said, "That sounds great."
Frank Lee's eyes lit up at once. "Really? You think so too? You truly are an outstanding hunter and adventurer. Only people who can break free of conventional thinking and consider problems from different perspectives can understand what I'm doing."
Sifa paused, then could not help asking, "What have you done?"
"Nothing much. I'm just trying to crossbreed beef cattle with mushrooms. That way, the mushrooms we grow will have the flavor and texture of beef, and we'll never lack food at sea. Don't you think that's wonderful?" Brimming with enthusiasm, Frank excitedly described his unusual idea.
Sifa felt the corners of his mouth twitch.
Crossbreeding beef cattle with mushrooms? What kind of devil do you have to be to come up with an idea like that?