The next day, at noon.
The Seastone warship was already wrapped in a thick layer of bubbles, resting quietly by the harbor.
"Farewell, Vice Admiral Karl! Wishing you a smooth journey!"
Standing by the railing, Karl smiled and waved back.
"I'll take that blessing! Vice Admiral Gregory!"
After the farewells, Karl issued the order without hesitation:
"Set sail! Destination—Fish-Man Island!"
The warship began to descend. Before long, it slipped beneath the sea, and the Marines stared upward in amazement at the ocean above them. For most of them, this was their first time witnessing such a scene.
Karl, however, remained calm. After instructing Nelson to keep a steady course and confirm the route, he walked over to the mermaid beside him.
"Miss Mina, we'll be counting on you later."
Mina smiled brightly and nodded.
"Don't worry, Vice Admiral Karl. You're my benefactor—I'll make sure you all—"
"Cough, cough!"
Karl interrupted her at once. No reckless flag-raising allowed.
An hour later, the Seastone warship arrived safely at Fish-Man Island, encountering neither Sea Kings nor any deep-sea anomalies along the way.
"So this is Fish-Man Island?" Smoker exclaimed, eyes wide. "It's beautiful! Don't you think so, Karl?"
Karl nodded. Before them lay a massive, double-layered hemispherical bubble enclosing the island, with an air layer sandwiched between the two membranes.
This was the official passage into Fish-Man Island—pirates couldn't possibly enter through here.
Smoker sighed in amazement.
"Fish-Man Island even has a sky and clouds… The world really is full of wonders."
Hearing someone praise her homeland, Mina happily explained,
"This is called the 'Sunlight Tree's Blessing'."
"A giant tree known as the Sunlight Tree Eve, which grows near Fish-Man Island, carries sunlight from the surface down here. That's why Fish-Man Island, even deep under the sea, has sunlight and a day–night cycle."
"Oh! So that's how it works!"
Karl cleared his throat.
"Alright, enough sightseeing. Let's go in."
The Neptune Army guarding the entrance immediately became alert upon seeing the Marine warship.
"Halt! Any vessel entering Fish-Man Island must undergo an entry inspection!"
Mina quickly swam out of the bubble toward the guards.
"They're Marines, not bad people! They're the ones who rescued me from human traffickers!"
After carefully examining Mina, one of the Fish-Man soldiers looked surprised.
"You're… the resident who went missing half a month ago."
"Yes! My name is Mina! I work at the Mermaid Café—Madam Shyarly knows me!"
The Fish-Man nodded.
"I understand. But the inspection is mandatory. Don't worry—we won't make things difficult for them."
"Mm!"
Ten minutes later, the warship passed inspection and officially docked at Fish-Man Island.
Naturally, news of the Marines' arrival quickly reached the Ryugu Palace.
King Neptune stroked his fluffy orange beard.
"The Marines? Why would the Marines come to Fish-Man Island?"
"We don't know. According to them, they're here on vacation."
"…Vacation? Let's hope that's true."
Mermaid Café
Upon hearing that a Marine warship had arrived, Shyarly's expression instantly changed. She rushed into her room and gazed into her crystal ball.
The moment she saw the vision within, her pupils trembled violently.
"They're here… they're really here. How could it be so soon?!"
The image in the crystal ball resembled a living hell—corpses everywhere, countless Fish-Man bodies strewn across the ground.
At the center of it all stood a man in a Marine uniform, his face indistinct, confronting a blue, heavyset Fish-Man…
Coral Hill — Southeast Fish-Man Island
This was the most prosperous port town in the Ryugu Kingdom, filled with restaurants, clothing shops, amusement facilities, all kinds of Fish-Men, and stunning mermaid ladies.
"Vice Admiral Karl, I've been gone for so many days—my parents must be terribly worried. Could you walk around here for a bit? I'll come find you shortly, okay?"
Karl laughed.
"Of course! Go on—we'll wait right here."
After Mina left, Karl turned to the Marines.
"This is Fish-Man Island. Be mindful of what you say and do."
"Don't worry, sir!"
"Yeah! Such a beautiful place—we'll enjoy ourselves properly!"
Karl waved them off.
"Alright, dismissed. Report immediately if anything happens!"
"Yes, sir!"
The soldiers dispersed, leaving only Karl, Ain, and Smoker on the street.
Smoker glanced around at the water-filled environment of Fish-Man Island, feeling oddly uncomfortable. His gaze kept drifting toward the transparent water pipes overhead.
"So that's how Fish-Men travel around the island? Pretty interesting."
Karl shot him a look.
"You're asking me? This is my first time here too."
Suddenly, Ain grabbed Karl's arm and pointed excitedly at a boutique nearby.
"Look! There's a clothing store! Let's go check it out!"
Karl glanced toward the Mermaid Café, then at the fashion shop.
Was there even a choice?
"I suddenly feel a bit thirsty. How about we grab some coffee at the Mermaid Café first?"
Ain eyed him suspiciously, her cheeks puffing up like a hamster.
"…Hmph. Fine. But be quick."
Karl: Choking.
"Ahem… Smoker, want to come with us?"
Smoker shook his head.
"I'll pass. I'll wait here."
Ain's lips curled upward slightly.
Inside the Mermaid Café
"Welcome! What would you like to drink?"
Facing two mature, alluring mermaid ladies, Karl couldn't help but take a deep breath.
Fish-Man Island truly is a man's paradise…
Ain clenched her fists. She knew it—this womanizing radish never had pure intentions. Coffee, my foot. He clearly came for the mermaids!
"Haha, let's see… One caramel macchiato, and a cappuccino for her."
The mermaid nodded and wrote it down.
"Understood. Please wait a moment."
Another blue-haired mermaid licked her lips slightly, staring straight at Karl.
"You're very handsome, sir."
Karl smiled gently.
"Is that so? You're beautiful too. What's your name?"
"Daphne. Just call me Daphne."
Ain shot Daphne a cold look and subtly elbowed Karl.
"Karl, weren't you here for coffee?"
Daphne winked at Karl playfully before floating away on a bubble.
"Tsk…" Karl shook his head regretfully.
On the other side of the café, Shyarly hesitated, struggling over whether to reveal her prophecy.
Every prophecy she made foretold misfortune.
If she told the others now, it might only spread panic—something she desperately wished to avoid.
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