Kato Masa

Kato Masa is Sunrise City’s Chief Notary, not a player or guild leader. He officiates the fixed-price sale of the East Ocean Continent’s only City Creation Token and enforces the published rules even when Japan’s most powerful players fail to produce the required gold. (Chapters 441–443)

Biography

Calamity in the East Ocean Continent

Kato Masa takes custody of the City Creation Token and opens its public transaction at precisely ten o’clock. Pledging his honor against unfairness, he fixes the price at five hundred million gold, bars the seller from withdrawing or altering it before the deadline, and warns that disruption will be punished under local law. His approval of Ling Chen’s fabricated heroic account shows that the deception fools him, but it does not change the procedure he is responsible for enforcing. (Chapters 441–442)

When Yamamoto Michio cannot transfer the full amount, Kato Masa immediately disqualifies him despite his status and objections. He rules that insufficient preparation is Yamamoto’s own fault and refuses to waste the assembly’s time. The source does not follow Kato beyond the transaction, but within it he remains consistent: his judgment guarantees formal fairness even while Ling’s unseen manipulation of the bidders’ money makes the outcome anything but ordinary. (Chapter 443)

Appearance and personality

Kato Masa appears seventy or eighty years old, with white hair, a white beard, and a serious, austere expression. He initially sits with folded arms and ignores the crowd’s noise; when the transaction begins, his eyes are described as piercing like a sword. (Chapter 441)

He is dignified, exact, and impatient with excuses. His reputation rests on preventing tricks in transactions, and he applies the stated conditions without favoring the most politically powerful bidder. His approval of Ling’s story demonstrates that his scrutiny is authoritative rather than infallible. (Chapters 441–443)

Abilities and powers

Kato Masa’s power is legal and administrative. As Chief Notary he can take custody of a sale item, certify payment, disqualify noncompliant buyers, and invoke Sunrise City law against interference. The corpus gives him no player class, combat grade, supernatural technique, or weapon. (Chapters 441 and 443)

His authority governs the visible terms of the transaction, not every hidden event affecting it. He cannot detect Ling’s undisclosed manipulation of the bidders’ funds, and the source never claims that his sword-like gaze is a literal attack or skill. (Chapters 442–445)

Relationships

• Ling Chen: Kato accepts Ling as the token’s seller and reacts approvingly to his false story of selfless recovery. Their relationship is procedural; Kato protects the fixed terms but does not knowingly assist Ling’s scheme. (Chapters 441–443)
• Yamamoto Michio: Kato gives Yamamoto the first opportunity to buy under the announced rules, then disqualifies him as soon as he cannot provide the exact payment. Rank and national prestige do not earn an exception. (Chapter 443)
• Shoi Fuku: Shoi becomes a later prospective buyer after Kato removes Yamamoto. The corpus shows Kato continuing the process but gives no personal exchange beyond the transaction. (Chapters 442–443)

Items

• City Creation Token: Kato’s office temporarily holds the token so neither seller nor buyer can alter the deal improperly. He is custodian and not owner; the token is the subject of his notarization. (Chapters 441–443)
• Transfer table: Payment is to be placed through the official table, where the amount appears publicly. It is Notary Office infrastructure rather than Kato’s personal possession. (Chapter 443)