Fishman Island wasn't simply a big piece of land sealed inside a bubble. Half of its area was open sea, and only the other half was actual island.
Ships entering through the main gate would first pass across that stretch of sea and dock at the harbor.
Standing beside Queen Otohime, the group curiously took in the sight of this island lying ten thousand meters beneath the sea.
As Zhang Da Ye's group approached the shore, they even spotted two fishmen casting nets.
"Fishmen fish too?" Zhang Da Ye asked in surprise.
Queen Otohime nodded. "Yes. Only merfolk refrain from eating fish. Fishmen's diets are similar to humans—they eat both fish and meat."
As the ship neared the docks, the fishermen and passersby noticed the familiar vessel.
To many Fishman Island residents, that week had felt as long as a year. Their beloved Queen Otohime had finally returned safely.
"Lady Otohime!"
"You're safe, thank goodness!"
"You had us all worried!"
Cheers erupted as countless people rushed to the shore. Some were already wiping away tears.
Not everyone agreed with Otohime's ideals or signed her migration petitions, but their love for this kindhearted queen was sincere.
Smiling, Otohime waved to the crowd. Meanwhile, Zhang Da Ye and the others drew curious stares.
"Are those… humans?"
"No, there's also a fishman and some little animal."
"Wait—don't tell me the queen was taken hostage?"
Otohime quickly explained, "These are the ones who defeated the Sea Kings and saved my life on the way back. They are my honored guests—kind humans, not pirates."
All eyes fell on Zhang Da Ye, Artoria, and Rui Meng Meng. Shark Chili was assumed to be a fishman, while Tom was dismissed as a harmless pet.
Unlike Artoria, who stood calm and composed, Zhang Da Ye and Rui Meng Meng were visibly uneasy.
The largest audience they'd ever faced was maybe a classroom of a few dozen students giving self-introductions. This—hundreds of people staring—was pressure on a whole other level.
Scanning the suspicious faces, Zhang Da Ye whispered, "Meng Meng, don't be nervous. Just pretend they're all carrots and cabbages."
Rui Meng Meng swallowed hard. "Boss, maybe don't say that while your knees are shaking."
"Tch—nonsense," Zhang Da Ye retorted. "I didn't shake when a two-hundred-meter Sea King was in front of me. Why would I shake now, just being stared at?"
"Maybe," Rui Meng Meng said, "because the Sea King wasn't looking you in the eyes at the time."
Zhang Da Ye: "…"
(Actually, it might've been because he was holding Tom then…)
"Hehe…" Otohime chuckled at their bickering. "Don't worry. Everyone here is kind. A simple greeting will do—like Tom's, for example."
Turning, they saw Tom standing on the railing, blowing kisses and waving dramatically—apparently thinking all the cheering had been for him.
Zhang Da Ye and Rui Meng Meng laughed, their tension dissolving, and followed Otohime's example with a wave.
The crowd grew quieter—old prejudices lingered—but since Otohime called them lifesavers, the suspicious glares softened.
Just then, a strange vessel floated overhead: a massive eel pierced through the ship's body, buoyed up by giant bubbles. Written on the side were three characters: "Ryugu Castle."
"A flying ship? No, it's floating on bubbles like Sabaody," Artoria remarked.
"Yes," Otohime explained. "Fishman Island also uses bubble technology—not only for ships, but also for merfolk traveling on land."
They glanced at Otohime but quickly remembered: she was over thirty and had legs instead of a tail now. She no longer needed bubble support to walk.
Recognizing the Ryugu Castle ship, the fishmen and merfolk onshore stepped aside.
"Mother!" *x4
Four enormous children leapt from the ship, larger even than Otohime, rushing over to hug her. Their laughter and tears soaked her dress.
At the same time, King Neptune was restrained on deck by his ministers, urged to maintain his royal dignity. Holding his trident, he looked more sulky than majestic.
Otohime patted each of her children's heads affectionately and introduced them to Zhang Da Ye's group.
"These are my children—Shark Star, King Star, Fukaboshi, and Shirahoshi."
Prince Shark Star, a shark merman, age twelve.
Prince King Star, a ribbonfish merman, age eleven.
Prince Fukaboshi, a mola mola merman, age eight.
Princess Shirahoshi, a giant oarfish mermaid—the Sea King of this generation—though only six, she was already the largest of the four.
Seeing such a diverse family, the visitors couldn't help but wonder—were they really all blood-related?
Otohime smiled knowingly. "Fishmen and merfolk carry ancestral genetic memories. The form of a newborn depends on distant ancestral genes, so it's normal for children to differ greatly from their parents."
(So she really can read minds, huh…) The group silently took note.
The eldest, Shark Star, bowed. "Welcome to Fishman Island, and thank you for saving our mother."
His siblings followed. "We're truly grateful!"
Shirahoshi lagged behind, flustered and teary-eyed, but still tried to imitate them. Even at three meters tall, she was irresistibly adorable.
Zhang Da Ye and the others insisted it had only been coincidence, but the children didn't care. To them, their mother's saviors were heroes.
After introductions, Otohime raised a letter high for all the residents to see.
"Everyone, I hold in my hand a signed letter from a World Noble. This may change the fate of Fishman Island itself. Tomorrow, at Gyoncorde Plaza, I will share everything with you. And after that—the path Fishman Island takes will be for you to decide!"
The crowd erupted in discussion. Otohime's safe return had already moved their hearts. Now, with her having gone so far for them, they would truly consider their choices carefully.
As they approached the Ryugu Castle ship, Shark Chili muttered, "What a giant vessel… it might even be bigger than my shark colossus."
Neptune first spoke privately with Otohime, then turned to Zhang Da Ye's group, projecting his kingly tone.
"Humans, thank you for saving my queen. For this, I invite you to Ryugu Castle as honored guests."
His words were solemn but stiff, his demeanor giving the impression of a man difficult to deal with.
Just as Zhang Da Ye wondered how to politely respond, the left minister, a seahorse merman, scolded him.
"Your Majesty! How can you welcome the queen's benefactors with such cold words? These are important guests! Did you even listen to the etiquette lessons we taught you? You're the king—show some proper courtesy!"
"…Sorry. I'll be more careful next time…" Neptune lowered his head like a child caught misbehaving, trident in hand.
Zhang Da Ye and the others exchanged glances. So much for royal dignity—it just fell flat on its face.
Otohime, unfazed, smiled and explained.
"Neptune was once known as the Great Knight of the Sea—he's a capable warrior, but his manners aren't the best. Please don't mind it."
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