Chapter 364: Bustling Village
Arthur headed toward the restaurant district. There, he was planning to invest in their business.
But as he approached a small, modest restaurant, something caught his senses: he spotted two familiar figures seated at a corner table: Samui and her brother, Atsui.
She was laughing softly, a rare sight, with her face relaxed, free from the usual guarded expression. Atsui had apparently said a joke about how he almost lost his fire sword.
"Seriously, sis!" he exclaimed. "I was trying to see if it'd work underwater, but then I almost drowned."
"You idiot," she chuckled.
Seeing them like this, so natural and at ease, sparked an idea in Arthur's mind.
Rather than invest in restaurants, he could invest more in Samui. Not because he was interested in her romantically—no, that word would be "simp" if he were—but because she was intelligent, capable, and was regarded by the Raikage.
There were others the Raikage also favoured, but Arthur saw Samui as the easiest to manipulate.
He wondered, what if he helped her—supported her—without making it obvious? Small investments, little favours; this was also a way to build reputation. And if he could get her on his side, perhaps she could become an ally in the long run.
Of course, he wasn't a fool; he knew the importance of subtlety. Giving her a few ryō upfront, enough to help her and her brother, wouldn't make her beholden.
Now, he had to do it indirectly.