[~900 Words]
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A flicker of hesitation crossed Lulis's eyes. Wasn't this her day off? Oh, right—Mero was heading back to work soon!
"Gomen nasai~" she chirped, smiling sheepishly. "It's not my shift today, but I can have another Mermaid Cafe staff member take you instead. How's that?"
James inwardly sighed, masking his disappointment with a nod. "Of course."
Lulis's face brightened as she swiveled toward a towering coral formation. "Mero~ Mero~ Come quick!"
A blue-haired mermaid from the Sillaginidae clan paused mid-adjustment of a tiny yellow flower in her hair.
Hearing Lulis's call, she peeked over the coral.
"Over here~" Lulis waved, her voice carrying a note of urgency.
James's gaze lingered on the newcomer.
Both mermaids radiated distinct charm—Lulis delicate and warm, Mero striking and bold. The Mermaid Cafe truly knew how to attract talent.
"What's up?" Mero slid toward them in a fluid arc, her curiosity fixed on James. "Lulis, you've got a human friend?"
"This is…" Lulis hesitated, her cheeks flushing.
"I'm God James," he interjected smoothly.
"God?!" they echoed, twin expressions of disbelief.
"The title's earned," he replied with a shrug. "I'm here to save Fish-Man Island."
"Eh? Seriously?!" Their eyes widened, skeptical yet intrigued by his calm certainty.
Though the claim sounded absurd, something about his earnestness made it harder to dismiss.
"It's a longer story," he admitted, "but you'll see soon enough. For now—can either of you get me to the Mermaid Cafe?"
Lulis's eyes lit up. "Mero, aren't you heading back to work? What if we both go?"
Mero checked the position of the sun and grinned. "Why not?"
James hid a smirk. Lulis's initial reluctance had melted into enthusiasm—his words had clearly hooked her.
As the mermaids scrambled onto the iron cloud he conjured, Lulis poked its surface. "It's… solid? This isn't just vapor?"
"Is this a cloud? It's my first time seeing someone who can create clouds~" Mero swam above the iron cloud, hitting it with her fishtail. "It's quite sturdy, it doesn't seem like an ordinary cloud~"
Seeing that both women wanted to take him, and thinking that using Float-Float Power to drag them along wouldn't be very romantic, James took out a cloud shell and conjured an iron cloud large enough for three people.
"A basic model from my homeland," he explained. "Advanced versions can soar 10,000 meters high."
"Sugoi!" they gasped, clambering aboard.
"Hold on tight," he warned.
The cloud lurched upward, sending Lulis and Mero instinctively clutching his arms. With a subtle pulse of Float-Float Power, the cloud reshaped itself into a V-formation, pinning them snugly against his sides.
The mermaids present all watched the departing Lulis and Mero with envious eyes, secretly regretting that they hadn't been braver; perhaps they too could have ridden the cloud airship.
Under James's control, the iron cloud started extremely fast, causing Lulis and Mero to instinctively grab onto him to steady themselves.
Lulis stiffened, her face burning. He's trapped me again!
Mero, ever bold, nuzzled his shoulder. "James-chan~ Did you plan this? You do like us, don't you?"
"L-Like that?!" Lulis squeaked, swatting Mero's arm.
James's grin widened. "Guilty. You two are my first mermaid friends here. How about becoming my God Consorts?"
Mero giggled. "Deal—but only after you save the island and become a hero."
"Eh?!" Lulis sputtered. "Mero, don't decide for me!"
James could tell that Mero was fiery and outgoing, daring to say anything, while Lulis was more introverted and preferred to rely on her companion to make decisions.
The trio fell silent as the cloud accelerated, skimming coral forests. James savored the moment—two mermaids clinging to him, the ocean breeze in his hair. First time for everything, he mused.
"Coral Hill ahead!" Lulis pointed to a sleek, coral-encrusted cafe glowing with bioluminescent lanterns. "Your cloud's faster than a Sea Crow!"
"Flattery will get you everywhere," he teased, guiding the cloud to land.
Lulis darted away the moment they touched down, cheeks still flushed. Mero, however, linked her arm through his and led him inside.
The cafe buzzed with curious glances from mermaid waitresses as Mero seated him. "Milk? Coffee? Juice?"
James shook his head. "I'm here to see Madame Shyarly."
Mero's smile didn't waver. "You are full of surprises."
This mission carried personal stakes for James—it was a promise to Arlong to protect his sister, Madame Shyarly, and earn her affection honestly.
Beyond loyalty, Shyarly's influence loomed large. Though powerless in Ryugu's formal hierarchy, her prophetic visions held unmatched authority.
Fish-Man Island's people revered her words more than the royal family's decrees, for her predictions had an unbroken record of accuracy.
If James could secure her testimony—whether through forecasting Fish-Man Island's future or exposing the Marineford War's impending chaos, including Whitebeard's demise—the kingdom's course would shift irrevocably.
King Neptune, ever a guardian of his people's welfare, would have no choice but to seek James's guidance, prioritizing the survival of 5 million lives over pride.
[Mero Image]
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