[~800 Words]
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James's lips curled into a slight smile. Using lightning to amplify his voice, he shouted, "Big Hippo, if you let me ride you to Fish-Man Island, I'll spare you."
The Big Hippo felt the seawater hand tightening around him and agreed, "Moo~ Human, spare me, I agree."
James released the Big Hippo and, in a flash, appeared on its head.
Using his Float-Float power, he controlled the seawater to form a water chain, securing the tentacles on the Big Hippo's head to his feet. Then, he comfortably lay down.
"Let's go, Big Hippo!"
The Big Hippo excitedly wagged its tail and began to move forward. Despite its large body, its immense strength and smooth skin allowed it to move swiftly.
The scenery flew past James's eyes as he reveled in the convenience of having a Sea King as transportation.
After some time, James felt the seawater current slow down.
"Moo~~~ Human, Fish-Man Island is just ahead. I can only take you to the bubble above. There's an extremely powerful aura ordering me not to enter the bubble," the Big Hippo said.
"An order?" James pondered. "Could it be Shirahoshi? Big Hippo, what would happen if you disobeyed the order? Want to try and see?"
"Moo!!! I absolutely cannot disobey the order!!!"
Seeing the Big Hippo's firm resolve, James didn't press further. "Then take me to the Fish-Man Island bubble. I'll find my own way from there."
A moment later, they reached their destination. James surveyed Fish-Man Island and then stood up. "Goodbye, Big Hippo."
"Goodbye, trustworthy human," the Big Hippo replied, turning around and swiftly leaving.
James looked towards Fish-Man Island, identified his location, and flew towards what seemed like a town.
He needed to find a mermaid or Fish-Man to guide him, as he was unfamiliar with the island.
His Observation Haki could help, but he knew only the appearances of Shirahoshi, Camie, and Madam Shyarly.
Passing through the massive bubble shield surrounding Fish-Man Island, James's view cleared.
He spread his Observation Haki, covering the entire island, but did not detect Shirahoshi, Camie, or Madam Shyarly. He decided to follow his predetermined route.
Meanwhile, at the Fish-Man Island entrance, in the Security Monitoring Room, border guards were monitoring the surrounding environment.
This was where the border guards monitored the surrounding environment of Fish-Man Island and incoming ships.
If any external force tried to enter through the Fish-Man Island entrance or forcefully break through the surrounding double-layered bubble shield, they would be detected.
A Fish-Man stared at the screen in disbelief.
"Is that a Sea King approaching Fish-Man Island?" he murmured.
An Ocean Sunfish Fish-Man joined him, equally incredulous. "It's certainly strange! The last time a Sea King came here was when Queen Otohime passed away..."
"We must report this to Ryugu Palace!" the Kissing Fish-Man said, picking up a Den Den Mushi.
"Wait! Look at the Sea King's head—there's a human!" the Ocean Sunfish Fish-Man exclaimed.
"A human? He must be controlling the Sea King!"
They immediately reported the sighting to Ryugu Palace.
"Purupuru~ Kacha~"
"Moshi Moshi~ This is Ryugu Palace."
"It´s an Emergency! Outside Fish-Man Island, there's a Sea King about 2000 meters long rushing towards us... No! It's already outside the Fish-Man Island bubble, but it has stopped."
"What!! Is that true? Keep monitoring its movements!"
"There's also a human on its head, he..."
The Fish-Man took over, "That human seems to be communicating with the Sea King... Wait?? That human is about to enter Fish-Man Island!!"
"A human??"
"The Sea King has turned around and left... The crisis is temporarily averted, but that human has already entered Fish-Man Island!"
"Immediately send the video and the human's appearance to Ryugu Palace! I'm going to find Left Minister and King Neptune right now!"
"Yes!" X2
The Palace instructed them to keep monitoring the situation while they informed King Neptune.
In the Fish-Man District, a group of Fish-Men were gathered around a human pirate.
Hammond, a future cadre of the New Fish-Man Pirates, was playing with the human.
"Humans are truly fragile," Hammond commented, kicking the human. Suddenly, a blue light swept across the faces of the Fish-Men, and a faint voice was heard.
"Hey! Fish-Men, can anyone tell me where Mermaid Cove is?" James asked, appearing from the void.
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