"Yo, a new face! Wanna have a man-to-man showdown? We've got beetle fighting, card games, tops, kendama, hide-and-seek – pick your poison! I'm up for anything, as long as it's for a single lollipop as a stake..."
Arataki Itto considered himself the kingpin of Hanami Street in Inazuma. He knew every kid there like the back of his hand, as familiar as raisins. Engaging in games with the local children was a pastime Arataki Itto had always upheld.
Arataki Itto proudly declared that he had won most of the lollipops from the kids on Hanami Street.
Mind you, he didn't snatch them; he won them fair and square through game duels and competitions!
'The brothers of the Arataki Gang usually go along with my whims, but this ninja, she always goes against me! All the spoils of war I painstakingly won, she returned them one by one...'
Although most of the spoils had been returned by Kuki Shinobu, Arataki Itto magnanimously stated he wouldn't dwell on it, he'd just win them back next time.
This wasn't out of fear of Arashi or worry that Arashi wouldn't bail him out of the Tenryou Commission's prison later. It was purely the magnanimity of a true man, not to bother himself with Arashi's petty actions.
Hanami Street had a new face today, and to show friendly hospitality, Arataki Itto invited the newcomer for a game.
Arataki Itto: This is just me being a good host, not because I'm eyeing their lollipop!
"Daddy, Yuanbao finished writing the invitation letter. Daddy, can you mail it for Yuanbao... Huh? Who is this strange adult?"
Yuanbao handed two sheets of paper covered in drawings to his father, then looked curiously at the strange adult beside him.
Why wasn't this adult dressed properly? And why so many ropes tied around his waist?
He looked like he wasn't exactly the brightest bulb.
Did he just invite her to play a game?
Yuanbao thought about it and decided against it. After all, Daddy told her not to play with fools...
"Daddy?!"
Arataki Itto's eyes widened as he looked at Fengyi, utterly astonished.
Boss Fengyi looked so young, and he already had such a big child?
"Hey, hey, hey, don't call me that, I don't have a son like you!"
Fengyi instinctively took half a step back, eager to distance himself from Arataki Itto.
Arataki Itto: Was that half-step back you took serious?
Even so, Arataki Itto felt rejected.
He hadn't even confronted Fengyi about taking advantage of him, and the other party was already rushing to clear their name.
How infuriating!
Of course, it wasn't that he expected Boss Fengyi to agree, but this feeling of rejection made Arataki Itto uneasy!
He should have been the one to refuse...
Fengyi didn't pay much mind to this little commotion and waved towards Yuanbao, Arataki Itto's subordinate.
"Yuanbao, could you do me a favor? Please take these two letters to the Faraway Harbor post office for me. Here's 5000 Mora. After deducting the 3000 Mora for postage, the rest is for your trouble..."
Fengyi wrote the mailing addresses on the back of the two letters and handed them, along with a pouch containing 5000 Mora, to Yuanbao.
"No problem, Boss Fengyi. I'm great at delivering letters, just leave it to me!"
Yuanbao readily agreed without a second thought. Getting 2000 Mora just for running an errand? That was too easy money!
It was certainly much easier than the boss's daily grind of attracting customers!
Yuanbao's good fortune immediately drew envious glances from Itto and the others.
"Yuanbao, this is a very important task. Let the boss accompany you!"
Seeing Yuanbao about to sprint away, Arataki Itto quickly followed, threw an arm around Yuanbao's shoulder, and said with a hearty laugh.
There weren't many bosses who cared this much about their subordinates.
But then again, as a companion's fee for his hard work, wouldn't it be reasonable to ask for half the reward?
Arataki Itto considered it perfectly fair!
Yuanbao: Boss, this errand only has a reward of 2000 Mora, and you want to take half of it? Are you a demon?
Arataki Itto: A demon? That's also a type of oni, right? In a way, it's perfectly reasonable that we share some similar traits, hahaha hahahaha...
Arataki Itto and Yuanbao left arm in arm, while the remaining Arataki Gang subordinates temporarily took over their boss's duty of attracting customers.
Fengyi continued to sip tea and read his book on the lounge chair, while Yuanbao, drinking milk tea, darted around excitedly, exploring this unknown area.
In the blink of an eye, Yuanbao had disappeared.
Fengyi wasn't particularly worried. With Yuanbao's current strength, self-preservation was absolutely assured.
If anything truly dangerous happened, Fengyi could quickly locate and rush over through his mental connection with Yuanbao.
Inazuma's unique island environment opened Yuanbao's eyes, everything was new and fascinating.
Exploring along the way, Yuanbao arrived in a tranquil forest.
Here stood tall ancient trees, a babbling brook, and faintly glowing fireflies flitting about...
"So beautiful~"
Yuanbao picked a few pretty wildflowers and strolled leisurely.
It was shady and peaceful here, the perfect place for a nap on a hot day!
Yuanbao looked around, preparing to find the most suitable spot for a nap.
"That one looks nice..."
Ahead was an exceptionally thick ancient tree, with lush branches and leaves, appearing very old.
The extending branches looked like a natural bed, intensely attracting Yuanbao's gaze.
For some reason, Yuanbao fell in love with this resting environment at first sight.
Yuanbao approached the ancient tree. A pair of semi-transparent, shimmering wings materialized behind him. He bent his knees slightly and leaped, effortlessly lifting Yuanbao onto the tree trunk.
As if inspecting his new home, Yuanbao surveyed the tree trunk.
Suddenly, Yuanbao spotted a small, not-so-large tanuki sleeping at the other end of the trunk, its body mostly hidden by the naturally drooping leaves.
Yuanbao tiptoed over, wanting to say hello and introduce himself.
"Tanuki? Little tanuki? Hello, my name is Yuanbao. I just arrived here, nice to meet you..."
Yuanbao crouched in front of the tanuki, extended his soft, tender fingers, gently stroked its ear, and whispered close to its ear.
"Haa... Haa-choo~ Mmmph... Who's calling me? Sayato is Sayato, not a tanuki..."
Sayato stretched her tiny body leisurely, cautiously looking around. Seeing no shrine maiden sisters coming to drag her to work, she breathed a sigh of relief.
"Wow~ A talking tanuki?! How magical!"