In the early morning, the sun slowly rose in the distance, its rays piercing through, breaking the chains of the night.
Naruto Village bustled to life, smoke curling from chimneys as the villagers began their day's work.
A seagull, a backpack strapped to its back, soared across the sky and landed on the island. It stood on a rock, tilted its head back, and let out a cry.
Hearing the call, many people emerged from their homes and approached it. They took out coins and placed them in its pocket, taking a newspaper in return.
"Mom, I'm going out to play."
In a house in Naruto Village, a boy of about eight or nine quickly finished his breakfast, slammed his bowl onto the table, stood up, and called out to his mother, who was busy nearby.
His mother, a gentle woman, looked at her child and cautioned, "Eli, you can go out and play, but don't run around. The Marines are coming to collect the security fee today, so don't go near the Village Chief's residence, and don't bump into the Marines. If you see them, stay far away."
"I got it," the boy named Eli nodded.
The woman added, "Also, definitely don't go near the sea. A giant sea fish has appeared in the waters near the island, so be careful."
"Can I go to the beach?"
Eli looked up at his mother and asked, "I want to go to the beach to collect shells."
His mother shook her head and said, "No, it's too dangerous."
"Okay."
Eli nodded and ran out of the house, heading towards the village entrance.
There stood a thick, sturdy tree, its foliage lush and its canopy like a grand umbrella.
Eli arrived under the tree and waited quietly. After a short while, a little girl arrived.
"Lia."
Eli waved at Lia.
"Eli."
Lia smiled happily, revealing her missing front teeth.
"Hasn't Angelo arrived yet?" Lia walked to Eli's side and asked curiously.
"I don't know what he's doing," Eli replied with some dissatisfaction.
"It'll be fine if we wait a bit."
Lia nodded, and the two stood aside, continuing to wait.
After a long time, a figure finally appeared in the distance, running towards them.
"Angelo, you're too slow!"
Eli saw him and shouted with some annoyance.
"The Marines are coming to the village today, and I had to beg my father for a long time before he agreed to let me come out and play." The boy named Angelo was slightly shorter, with a bowl cut, and looked a bit dull.
Lia heard this and waved her hand, saying, "It's okay, let's go play."
Angelo looked at the two and asked, "What should we play today?"
"I originally wanted to go to the beach to collect shells, but my mother said there's a giant sea fish there, so we can't," Eli said with a hint of regret.
Lia also chimed in, "My father told me too, he said the sea fish is about six or seven meters long and can even capsize small boats, so Lia should stay away from the coast."
"Don't worry."
Angelo heard this and said with a smile, "My father told me that when the Marines come here today, he'll ask them to deal with it."
"That's great!"
Eli cheered up immediately upon hearing this.
...
"Captain Kurume, this is the security fee for this time."
The Village Chief handed a cloth bag to the man in the Marine uniform before him, his expression somewhat cautious.
"Very good."
Captain Kurume opened the cloth bag, looked at the Belly inside, and nodded with satisfaction. He then said, "Our Marines' 154th Branch will continue to protect Naruto Village."
With that, Captain Kurume yawned and said, "It's getting late, we should be going."
But the Village Chief said, "Captain Kurume, our Naruto Village is currently facing some trouble, and we hope the Marines can help us deal with it."
"Trouble?"
Captain Kurume looked at the Village Chief and asked, "Were you attacked by Pirates? But we didn't receive any information from you."
"No."
The Village Chief quickly replied, "It's a sea fish."
"A sea fish?" Kurume frowned and asked, "What's there to worry about with a sea fish?"
The Village Chief said, "This sea fish is very large, at least over six meters long, and it's been lurking around the island. Now, no one dares to go to the seaside."
"I see."
Captain Kurume nodded, then said, "It's just a sea fish, we'll help you kill it."
"Then I'll trouble the Marines."
The Village Chief quickly thanked him.
But Captain Kurume snorted and said, "To deal with such a sea fish, we'll need to use cannonballs, and possibly even have the Lieutenant Colonel personally step in. Our expenses will be considerable too."
"I understand, I understand..."
The Village Chief quickly took out a cloth bag filled with Belly. It was smaller than the previous one, but quite plump.
"Leave it to us."
Captain Kurume nodded, put away the cloth bag, and returned to the warship with the Marines.
"Lieutenant Colonel Berio, it's like this."
Kurume handed both pouches to the man behind the desk.
"Deal with the sea fish? What a troublesome task. This money isn't enough at all."
Behind the desk, the burly Lieutenant Colonel Berio looked at the payment for dealing with the sea fish with some dissatisfaction.
Kurume quickly said, "The village is rather poor, this is already the most they could offer."
"Then help them out."
Berio nodded, put away the two cloth bags, and said, "The Captain is still waiting for the security fee at the Manro Town Branch Base. We'll head back at the latest tomorrow. You have one day. You're responsible for this matter, lead the sailors to kill this sea fish. You can use the cannons."
"Yes."
Captain Kurume quickly responded, then walked out of the room and closed the door, his expression turning grim.
I'm the one responsible, the sailors are the ones acting, and even if we use cannons, the branch base will foot the bill in the end.
But you're going to pocket all the reward yourself, not even thinking of sharing it.
Things like this have happened many times before.
Greedy, seeking credit, reckless, bad-tempered – Kurume was extremely annoyed with this superior.
Kurume's expression was unpleasant, but he still walked out of the cabin and onto the deck. He ordered four sailors to go to the village and ask the Village Chief for some freshly slaughtered pigs and cattle. Then, he ordered the preparation of a large fish hook, a fishing net, crossbows, and harpoons.
Afterward, all the sailors sprang into action, beginning preparations to capture the sea creature.
...
In the evening, Xia Qiu, moving its massive body, entered the harbor and immediately smelled a scent of blood.
What is this?
Xia Qiu followed the scent of blood, heading towards the harbor. A Marine warship was docked there, its huge hull exuding a sense of pressure.
And in the seawater near the hull, a lamb was floating in the water, still bearing traces of blood, which were now drifting outwards, carrying the bloody scent.
What is this?
Upon seeing the lamb, Xia Qiu's eyes lit up. Finally, it could change its diet.
Xia Qiu swam towards the lamb, approached it, opened its mouth, and was about to bite down.
But just as its mouth was about to close, Xia Qiu retracted its body, split its massive maw, and let out a silent, mocking laugh.
You think I'll fall for that?
A Marine warship, a lamb, an iron chain attached to it, and a circle of fishing net around the perimeter.
This is clearly a trap to lure prey.
And in this part of the sea, the only prey worth such an elaborate setup is itself.
This is clearly aimed at me.
How could I possibly fall for such a trick?
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Translation by: randomtranslator.com
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