The next day.
Sunlight filtered through the thin mist, gently bathing the small village of Shoura Island.
Teiichi sat alone in the spacious and cozy living room of the Matsumoto family home, enjoying his breakfast.
A variety of fish dishes were laid out on the table, their aroma filling the air. Although these delicacies were different from the pork, beef, and mutton he was used to, Teiichi gradually began to appreciate their freshness, after all, it was a unique flavor of the fishing village.
He had originally planned to find a restaurant in the village to eat.
I didn't expect Matsumoto to be telling the truth; there wasn't even a restaurant in the village.
Left with no other choice, he returned to the Matsumoto family home. After discussing the matter with the Matsumoto couple, he decided to pay an extra 500 sen per day so that Mrs. Matsumoto could prepare three meals a day for him.
The Matsumoto couple's eyes practically lit up when they heard they would receive an extra 500 yen each day.
After Teiichi the matter with the Matsumoto couple, Matsumoto Kenichi ate the breakfast his wife had prepared for him early and headed to Nagashima for his part-time job.
Because Teiichi had a large appetite, Mrs. Matsumoto was still in the kitchen preparing his meals.
He picked up a rice ball that Mrs. Matsumoto had just taken out of the kitchen and put it in his mouth.
Before even starting to chew.
A man's voice came from the courtyard gate.
" Keiko! Keiko!"
Mrs. Matsumoto came out of the kitchen upon hearing the sound and went to the door to greet her.
Teiichi continued to sit in the hall, silently chewing on his soft rice ball, while listening to the sounds of the two people outside the door.
"Village chief! Are you dressed like that to go find someone to go to the market?"
"Haha... yes, we need to make sure the merchants who come have what everyone needs, and also see if they have any new or useful items. If so, we can see if we can invite them to come along."
"You'll have to help me find some nice clothes this time, I'm thinking of buying a couple of outfits!"
"Wow, your family must have struck it rich recently, otherwise why would you be thinking about buying new clothes?"
"Hehehe... How can ordinary people like us get rich? We only earn a little bit of hard-earned money every day."
"Alright, I'll keep an eye out this time. If there's anything suitable, I'll try to persuade them to come!" the village chief replied. "By the way, I heard you have a guest from out of town?"
"Okay, thank you very much, Village Chief!" Mrs. Matsumoto said thank you first, and then answered the village chief's question, "Yes! Kenichi said he came to investigate the market."
As he answered, he led the village chief into the house.
As the two entered, Teiichi finally got a clear look at the village chief.
The village chief looked to be only in his early 30s, but when I was chatting with Matsumoto Kenichi yesterday, I already knew Teiichi the village chief in front of me was already 45. It just goes to show that not having to work really does keep you young; even in the countryside, you can live a very young life without having to work.
" Mr. Kato, this is our village chief," Mrs. Matsumoto introduced, then led the chief towards Teiichi. "If you have any questions or need any help later, you can ask him for assistance!"
Teiichi stood up and politely replied, "Hello, I am Kato Teiichi. I'm new here, please take care of me."
Upon hearing this, the village chief's face broke into an even brighter smile. He strode forward, warmly grasped Teiichi's hand, and shook it up and down.
"Hello, Mr. Kato, it's an honor to meet you!"
I heard you're here to do market research and are planning to open a shop? That's wonderful! Shoura Island really needs foreign investment like yours!
Teiichi nodded slightly. "Yes, our company doesn't see a single shop on Shoura Island, so they sent me to check if there's any market there!"
"Yes, yes, there are 114 households on Shoura Island, and not a single shop. Do you think we even need to investigate? There's definitely a market! By the way, what do you plan to sell then?"
"Our store sells a lot of things. If we're going to open, we'll see what we sell based on my research this time!"
The village chief smiled and nodded. "Alright, if you need anything later, just let me know! I'll do my best to help you!"
Teiichi smiled and replied, "Alright! I'll have to trouble the village chief if I need anything later!"
The village chief nodded upon hearing this, his gaze sweeping over Teiichi from head to toe.
He paused for a few seconds at the Nichirin Blade at Teiichi waist, his eyes flickering slightly.
Then, his gaze turned directly to Teiichi, and he said, "The market day is in a few days. You can stay on Shoura Island for a few more days and take a look around then."
"Alright!" Teiichi replied.
The village chief said, "Then I won't bother you any longer. I still need to go out and contact some vendors to come to the market. If you need any help, you can go to my house and ask my son for assistance!"
Teiichi replied, "Okay, thank you!"
The village chief smiled and waved his hand, indicating that there was no need to be polite. He then greeted Mrs. Matsumoto and left.
After leaving the Matsumoto home, the village chief quickened his pace, smiling and greeting several villagers who greeted him along the way, before hurrying back to his own home.
After locking the heavy courtyard gate, the village chief's smile vanished, replaced by an indescribable solemnity. He turned and silently walked into the house.
After searching the house thoroughly but finding no trace of his son, the village chief's face darkened.
After descending to the first floor, the village chief went straight to the warehouse filled with miscellaneous items.
He walked with practiced ease to an inconspicuous corner, took down a specially made iron rod from the shelf, one end of which was specially polished flat and sharp.
The village chief gripped the iron bar tightly, walked a few steps to the center of the warehouse, and sharply scanned the wooden floor below.
Where the village chief's gaze was fixed, a barely perceptible crack existed in the floor.
The village chief took a deep breath, aimed the flat end of the iron rod at the crack, and pressed down hard.
The flat end of the iron rod precisely wedged into the crack, making a soft "click" sound.
Immediately afterwards, a piercing creak broke the silence of the warehouse as the wooden floor slowly lifted up under the pressure of the iron bars, revealing the hidden space beneath.
It was a simple underground cave, from which came a dim light and an even stronger damp smell, along with the faint sound of heavy breathing.
Hearing the panting below, the village chief's face darkened further. "You idiot, get up here right now!!"
Hearing the village chief's shout, the panting below stopped. "Huh? Dad, didn't you go to contact the vendors who were supposed to come to the market in a few days? Why are you back?"
"Stop talking nonsense and get on here!"
The village chief's son replied impatiently, "Wait a minute, let me finish this first. I'll be quick, you know that!"